Seattle Eats

This week, host Brandi Fullwood talks to Seattle Times critic Tan Vinh about the nominees for the James Beard Awards. They'll breakdown the restaurants up for nomination and help you make a reservation before it gets too tough. Plus, what these awards mean for the Seattle food scene.

Read more about the James Beard Awards nominations in the Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/james-beard-awards-2026-2-seattl...

This week host Brandi Fullwood talks to Seattle Times food writer Bethany Jean Clement about which pastries to snag at bakery tucked inside of Seattle’s City Hall. 

Read more about this story from Seattle Times food writer Bethany Jean Clement: https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/this-gift-of-a-bakery-is-hidden-in-plain-sight-at-seattles-city-hall/ 

Discussed in this episode:

• "Ac...

This week host Brandi Fullwood talks to Seattle Met’s Naomi Tomky about finding truly special and exceptional fries in Seattle.

Discussed in this episode:

• Washington Middle School’s absolute mastery of the French fry
• McDonald’s beef tallow era (RIP)
• The lingering scent of garlic sauce
• And whether In-N-Out fries are actually good

This week, host Brandi Fullwood spoke to Seattle Times food critic Tan Vinh about which new openings deserve the hype – and Tan makes his case for trying something new in this city.

Discussed in this episode:

• A Pioneer Square bistro with deliciously tender lamb ribs 
• The chicken shop worth standing in line for
• And why people won’t, but should, try new th...

If you have sticker shock at the grocery store, you’re not alone. In Seattle, the cost of groceries is about 30% higher today than before the pandemic. 

Those high prices are straining family budgets and causing many people to change how they shop.

Today, a special episode brought to us by our friends at Booming

GUESTS:
Rebecca Chobat, Dollar Tree Dinners
James McCafferty, Directo...

Seattle is a haven for coffee fans. And the price of that fandom just got a whole lot more expensive. Seattle Times food critic Tan Vinh speaks with Seattle Times Business reporter Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton to find out why jitter juice prices are skyrocketing. But don’t fret, they also share some good-cheap coffee spots and tips for navigating the high priced bean juice landscape.  

Read more about rising coffee price...

While Seattle food lovers flock to Richmond, BC, Bellevue is steadily becoming home to some of the Pacific Northwest’s most diverse and authentic Chinese food. The dishes you’ll find there tell the story of a community cooking for itself, not just the tourists. From braised goose to smoked tea duck, Tan highlights the regional specialties worth crossing the 520 bridge for.

Read more of Tan’s reporting on the Belle...

From hot pot to dim sum to made-to-order crepes, T&T Supermarket is a treasure trove of delicious food. Seattle Times food writer, Tan Vinh, tried 300 items and shares his favorites with KUOW producer Brandi Fullwood.

Read more about T&T Supermarket in The Seattle Times:

T&T Supermarket: 12 best things to eat from the Asian grocery chain 

How T&T’s Bellevue food court became our writer’s office for ...

 Seattle is a big coffee town. It's also known for its literary scene. So it's only natural that reading and coffee go hand-in-hand. Seattle Times arts and economy reporter Margo Vansynghel joins Tan to share her favorite cozy coffee shops to grab a warm beverage and read a good book. 

Read more about cozy coffee shops in The Seattle Times: 

https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/books/6-cozy-seattle-coffeeshops-that-...

 When it comes to writing about Tacoma’s bar scene, Seattle Times food and drink writer, Tan Vinh almost ran out of ink. From kitschy tiki bars to serious cocktails, there is plenty to drink and even better food to wash it all down with.

Kristine Sherred, a food reporter at The Tacoma News Tribune, joins Tan for a bar hopping chat about her neck of the woods.

Read all ten of Tan’s picks and more on the Tacoma food scene...

Stadium food can be a letdown. Many sports games and concerts are accompanied by soggy chicken fingers or cold burgers — at a premium price, of course. But the Seattle Seahawks and Lumen Field are making a big play for dining. They want 12s to see the stadium as a destination for dinner as well as a show. 

Tan and KUOW producer Brandi Fullwood sample new menu items on offer during the Hawks season and pick the three best...

Seattle Times food writers discuss a hot food neighborhood in South Seattle. From a very hyped pizza to neighborhood staple ban xeo you’ll learn how to order like a local …and a very meticulous food writer.

Read more about the Othello neighborhood eats in The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/is-seattles-hottest-ak-pizza-worth-the-hype-and-more-good-food-in-othello/ 

Recommendations in th...

From fancy street food to, yes, even more pizza – Seattle Times food critic Tan Vinh highlights the most anticipated restaurants of 2026 with two-time Emmy-winning journalist, filmmaker Thanh Tân. Plus, he gives tips on how to navigate the never-ending list of new restaurants from the best ones.

Read more about the top picks so far for 2026 in The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/20-seattle-ar...

Pizza, bagels, best date night spots and the unwritten rules of hot pot etiquette. Culinary luminaries J Kenji López-Alt and Rachel Belle covered a wide range of topics with Tan at Seattle Eats live event at Town Hall Seattle on November 10, 2025. 

Recommendations in this episode:

Favorite bagel spot

• Hey Bagel - University Village
• Backyard bagel - Fremont
• Mt....

Our town was made for soup. The sooty dusks of December. The dampness of March. We dive into caldrons of smoking pho and ramen.

So, why not udon?

On today’s episode, Tan ventures out to find some of the best udon in Seattle. He visits Azuki in Madison Valley to learn about how Chef Ryuji Miyata makes his noodles by hand. Later, Tan recommends some more casual and budget-friendly udon places.

Read more about Tan’s udon p...

It’s that time of year! Seattle Times food critic Tan Vinh is back with the best Costco wines you will want to buy for holiday dinner parties… or last minute gifts. Plus, Tan has pairings to go with the top three wines! Seattle Times politics reporter (and former French sous chef) David Gutman, joins Tan for an early morning wine tasting and review.

Read more about the top rated Costco wines of 2025 in The Seatt...

Another round of closures hits the Seattle food scene. But when one door closes, the employees buy it to save it?? Seattle Times restaurant critic Tan Vinh shares his latest closing and three new spots that have the restaurant industry buzzing.

Read more about the latest restaurant openings and closings in The Seattle Times:

• https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/22-new-seattle-restaurant-openings-for-november-2025/ ...

For decades Seattle fine dining has been synonymous with Canlis. But things have changed since 1950 when Canlis first hit the scene creating dishes that highlighted Pacific Northwest cuisine. Seattle Times food critics weigh in on their controversial review of a beloved special occasion spot as Canlis rings in its 75th anniversary on December 11th this year. Plus, they tell you where they’re seeing Seattle better celebra...

The holiday season is a great time to hit happy hour with co-workers, friends or out-of-town visitors. But where should you go? Tan and friends of Seattle Eats share their favorite happy hour spots. 

Happy Hour recommendations: 

• Lupe Situ Tacos (Ballard, all day Mondays) – Bethany Jean Clement
• Vindictive Wings (Belltown, 99c Wing Wednesdays) — Jackie Varriano