Chinatown-International District

Explore

Comprised of Japantown, Chinatown, Manilatown, and Little Saigon, this dynamic district is imbued with an array of Asian cultures and influences. Wing Luke Museum (719 S King St) highlights them all with rotating exhibits and walking Chinatown Discovery Tours past the area’s landmarks. Panama Hotel and Tea House (605–607 S Main St) serves as a living museum of the Japanese American experience with a preserved bathhouse and a charming cafe serving more than 40 tea varieties. Snap photos at the Historic Chinatown Gate (504 Fifth Ave S), which features 8,000 ceramic tiles made in southern China, or stroll through Kobe Terrace (650 S Main St), where cherry blossoms erupt in spring and a stone lantern from Kobe, Japan, commemorates the park’s completion. Take in an evening show at intimate Theatre Off Jackson (409 Seventh Ave S), known for its diverse, locally created productions.

Eat and Drink

In 1982, Seattle’s first pho’ shop opened in a red boat-shaped building in Little Saigon. Now The Boat (1314 S Jackson St) is run by the original owners’ children as a chicken and rice shop specializing in com gà mám toi, a fried-garlic-coated cornish hen served with pandan-steamed rice. Onibaba (515 S Main St) is another second-generation endeavor featuring heaping rice bowls and onigiri, rice balls stuffed with salmon, spicy cod roe, or fried pork cutlets. Warm up with a customizable hot pot at Chengdu Memory (520 S Jackson St) or steamed buns and other Chinese delicacies at dim sum hot spot Harbor City (707 S King St). Don’t forget the sweet stuff. Hood Famous Cafe & Bar (504 Fifth Ave S) draws inspiration from Filipino flavors to create dreamy ube cheesecake, calamansi bars, and buko pie. And just over the border in First Hill, by Yesler Terrace Park, Tougo Coffee (860 E Yesler Way) does choc-oat lattes and salted caramel mochas.

Shop

Although Uwajimaya (600 Fifth Ave S) is best known as one of the region’s premier Asian grocery stores, it’s also the perfect place to pick up souvenirs and gifts. Stock up on niche kitchenware, adorable stationery, and international snacks before wandering into the adjoining Kinokuniya (525 S Weller St) Japanese bookstore for manga, anime-themed memorabilia, stuffed animals, and K-pop music. Sairen (600 S Jackson St) and next-door neighbor KOBO Shop and Gallery (H604 S Jackson St) are two independent shops featuring sweet cards and prints, unique housewares, and curated accessories. Pokémon fans will want to make a trainer stop at Tabletop Village (616 Eighth Ave S) for Pokémon figurines, trading cards, and, of course, an impromptu battle.