Chinatown-International District

Explore

With compelling exhibits and galleries, the Wing Luke Museum (719 S King St) is a wonderful place to learn about the neighborhood’s diverse stories; the museum also offers themed walking tours (including a delicious restaurant stroll). Other engaging points of interest include the elaborately tiled Historic Chinatown Gate (504 Fifth Ave S); the historic Panama Hotel and Tea House (605–607 S Main St), which serves as a living museum of the Japanese-American experience with a preserved bathhouse and an inviting tearoom; and Hing Hay Park (423 Maynard Ave S), a popular gathering place with outdoor seating that’s anchored by the Grand Pavilion. Then stroll up the hill to Kobe Terrace (650 S Main St), where cherry blossoms erupt in spring and a stone lantern from Kobe, Japan, commemorates the park’s completion. At the unique Seattle Pinball Museum (H508 Maynard Ave S), admission includes unlimited play on more than 50 vintage machines.

Eat and Drink

In the historic Publix apartment building, you can sup on ramen at Momosan (501 Fifth Ave S) and dumplings and baos at Dough Zone (504 Fifth Ave S). Next door, try a slice of ube cheesecake at the beloved Hood Famous Cafe + Bar (504 Fifth Ave S). Tai Tung (655 S King St) and Maneki (304 Sixth Ave S) have been serving traditional food in atmospheric, unpretentious settings for generations. Warm up with a customizable hot pot at Chengdu Memory (520 S Jackson St) or onigiri rice balls stuffed with salmon or fried pork cutlets at Onibaba (515 S Main St). Savor perfectly prepared brisket, pork, and duck noodle soups at cozy Ton Kiang Barbeque Noodle House (668 S Weller St), a no-nonsense spot that also serves up deliciously rich congee and lo mein dishes. Visit the neighborhood’s east side to sample outstanding Vietnamese food. Faves include family-friendly Ph´ B´ăc Sup (1240 S Jackson St) for steaming noodle soups, Saigon Vietnam Deli (1200 S Jackson St) to pick up satisfying bánh mì sandwiches, and The Boat (1314 S Jackson St), which draws raves for its addictive garlic-chicken, Viet-style waffles, and refreshing cocktails.

Shop

You can find beautifully crafted decorative art and gifts at KOBO (604 S Jackson St), distinctive clothes and gifts created by an array of local makers at Sairen (600 S Jackson St), and one-of-a-kind fashion and art at Moksha (670 S King St). Tabletop Village (616 Eighth Ave S) is a sweet family-owned game shop that also serves as a Pokémon Training Gym. Shoppers come from all over the world to walk the seemingly endless aisles of Uwajimaya (600 Fifth Ave S), an amazing supermarket with a vast selection of foods imported from across Asia. Don’t miss the housewares section and upstairs bookstore, Kinokuniya.