Photo: Nick Hall Photography
Explore one of the nation’s most dynamic and historic Asian American communities.
By Naomi Tomky
Hing Hay Park Artyooran/Shutterstock
Courtesy A+ HongKong Kitchen
With its beautifully designed exhibits and engaging tours, the fascinating Wing Luke Museum (719 S King St) presents the history of this 110-year-old neighborhood, making it the perfect place to begin your visit. Continue on to Nihonmachi Alley (off S Jackson St between Sixth and Seventh Aves), where a mural and plaques commemorate the Japanese heritage of the surrounding blocks. On the corner, KOBO Seattle (H604 S Jackson St) carries a wonderful selection of Japanese and Northwest-inspired crafts, artwork, greeting cards, and whimsical gifts. At the top of the alley in the historic Panama Hotel (605½ S Main St), you can glimpse the unclaimed belongings left here when Japanese-Americans were forcibly removed in 1942, and enjoy modern sips in the hotel’s inviting teahouse.
The bold red staircases of Hing Hay Park (423 Maynard Ave S) and Taiwanese-made Grand Pavilion anchor the area and depict Asian American artworks, like a dragon mural and lantern, and a memorial honoring Chinese Americans who died in World War II. The terraced landscape and plaza with tables and chairs make it a popular picnic spot—bring a takeout meal from one of the myriad surrounding restaurants. Strong choices include Dim Sum King (617 S Jackson St), which specializes in pork buns and shrimp dumplings; Mike’s Noodle House (418 Maynard Ave S), where you’ll find flavorful traditional noodle and wonton soups; and A+ Hong Kong Kitchen (419 Sixth Ave S), with its enormous menu of Cantonese and hybrid Western food. It’s just a short stroll to Seattle Best Tea (H506 S King St), which carries a phenomenal selection of green, jasmine, oolong, and other fine teas.
On the neighborhood’s eastern edge, hello em turns out modern and classic interpretations of Vietnamese coffee shop classics from inside Little Saigon Creative (1227 S Weller St), an art gallery and gathering space where you can read wall exhibits about Seattle’s Vietnamese community—it’s just like a museum, but with delicious bánh mì. Within a short walk, you can also sample exceptionally tasty salad rolls, green mango salads, braised prawns, and other classic Vietnamese dishes at inviting Tamarind Tree (1036 S Jackson St), and famous sweet-and-spicy chicken wings and other Cambodian favorites at Phnom Penh Noodle House (913 S Jackson St).
SUBSCRIBE TO THE SEATTLE LOCALIST
Seattle’s best every month in your inbox
Book Your Trip
Partner Advertisem*nts
