In Capitol Hill, Carmelo’s Tacos turns out street tacos with handmade tortillas and rich quesabirria, and Sankaku Onigiri Cafe & Bar specializes in rice balls—like the ume konbu with pickled plum, seaweed, and sesame—and has a fine sake selection. Tuck into Lebanese, Syrian, and Persian bites, from stewed lentils over rice with garlic yogurt to crispy halloumi wraps at Mamnoon Street, whose sister restaurant Mamnoon also serves delicious dishes. In Pike Place Market, Piroshky Piroshky (piroshkybakery.com) is famous for tasty Eastern European buns stuffed with savory and sweet fillings, and Georgian- Russian Skalka serves baked-to-order khachapuri, crispy-soft boat-shaped bread stuffed with cheese and egg with toppings like chicken, veggies, or shredded beef. E-Jae Pak Mor is named for its Thai specialty, pak mor: delicately steamed rice-flour skins wrapped around a variety of fillings.

Head to Jerk Shack for Caribbean jerk-fried chicken, pork, and ribs, and Spice Waala to savor Indian kathi rolls—lamb, chicken, potato, or paneer garnished with green chutney and wrapped in grilled roti. Don’t forget to check out their rotating monthly soft serve flavor. Fill up on hearty Hawaiian plate lunches at Kona Kitchen. Arepa Venezuelan Kitchen stands out for its namesake corn cakes stuffed with cheese, plantains, and more. At West Seattle’s Falafel Salam, choose your proteins (falafel, chicken, lamb kefte, or beef gyro) and pair it with a variety of toppings.