My first meal in Seattle was one that I had anticipated for months. Taurus Ox is one of the most popular restaurants in the city. It’s a tiny eatery snuggly fit at the top of Capitol Hill. And while this restaurant serves traditional, primarily Laotian food, I was after a more cult item when I visited. The Taurus Ox burger is the best burger I have ever tasted. You know when you build something up in your head, and you eat it, and it doesn’t live up to that expectation? Exact opposite experience. Fireworks ignited in my brain as I bit into that burger. It’s a twist on a classic double smash burger. The patties are made from a rich pork and beef grind. And the meat is topped with pork belly, taro stem, jeaw bong Mayo, provolone, and pickles. Each bite is a juicy, buttery mess of flavor and richness. And after it’s over (way too soon), you are left wondering if any other burger will make you happy again.
Taurus Ox was one of my favorite food experiences to date. I love the restaurant’s vibe, and I wish I had more time to sample the more traditional fare. They have an incredibly talented kitchen and a great menu. Needless to say, you will have a good meal here whatever you order. But I highly recommend the burger. Bring a tissue to dry your tears of joy, though.

You can’t go to Seattle and not have boba. That would be a sin. And nowhere is more famous for this sweet staple than the U-District. There’s no shortage of tea shops slinging this beautiful delicacy. But Meraki caught my eye for their unique flavor combinations and snack menu. It’s a quiet stop with friendly staff and anything a milk tea lover could ever want. If you aren’t ordering an egg tart (or 5) with your beverage, you aren’t doing it right. The pastries made at Meraki are so delicious. If you’ve never had one, I have advised you to drop everything and find one now. As for the boba, I went with the matcha milk tea. They used high-quality matcha powder and non-dairy milk. It was a perfect amount of sweetness. Teamed with my soft and warm tart, that boba was a perfect mid-day pick me up. If you are looking for a nice energy boost or a relaxing spot to people-watch, Meraki is your best bet. Also…egg tart. Do it.

One of my favorite food experiences to date. Chef Victor’s seafood is some of the finest I’ve ever tasted anywhere. And the warmth of him and his team made my visit even more satisfying. This menu is a nightmare for the indecisive because everything looks good. Each sandwich is a play on a classic. For example, the traditional Bahn mi and BLT are reimagined using salmon and rockfish. I went with the albacore tuna sandwich, and it may be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Tender chunks of seared albacore sit on top of house pickles, Fresno chilies, and celery. This mixture is topped with house mayo and then lovingly tucked into buttery, toasted sourdough. It’s a zesty, crunchy dream, and the quality of ingredients is so evident with each chomp. Even with the intense flavors, the tuna takes center stage. You can’t fake good fish, and you can’t fake passion. And that sandwich proved to me that Chef Victor and his team don’t skimp on the process. Simple, well-sourced ingredients are prepared with love and hard work. Restaurants like Local Tide that refuse to cut corners are why I am passionate about food. Go to Local Tide, and you’ll see exactly what I mean. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to try to convince my wife about a move to Seattle. I’m going through sandwich withdrawal.

Moonrise is hard to find if you aren’t looking. The tiny cottage in Queen Anne is unassuming. But the pastries are some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. One morning in a daze, I stumbled upon this place, searching for coffee. And after trying their amazing Koiugn Amann, I genuinely believe it was fate that delivered me there. I’m officially in love with a pastry. The buttery baseball of laminated dough was unlike any treat I’ve had. Each bite was soaked in syrupy, buttery goodness. The Kouign looks small, but the density makes it a formidable opponent for any appetite. There’s a beautiful crunch on the outside and a pillowy soft interior. It’s like the perfect marriage of a cinnamon roll and a croissant. Paired with an almond milk latte and some cover from the rain, I was in heaven. Moonrise clearly knows its craft. I’ve spoken about French pastry before. It takes a beautiful, obsessive mind to execute it flawlessly. Rest assured, Moonrise is crazy enough to perform. Did I go back two days in a row to chase the experience? Maybe. Should you go visit and see what the hype is about? Absolutely. Prepare yourself for pastry ecstasy. This also doubles as your coffee stop!

The “story” page on Hannyatau’s website eloquently describes their establishment better than I ever could. This small sake bar accommodates those waiting for a seat at the popular next-door restaurant Kamonegi. But it also prides itself on being a local watering hole. The menu is enough to entertain any diner for hours, anything but just a waiting room. The plates are categorized from big to small and include pickled robins eggs, a Japanese-inspired hot dog, and a katsu sandwich. I ended up with the Top Ramen chips. They are served with a “secret umami dip” that tastes like a miso-based sour cream and onion? I’m probably way off. But it was fantastic. Nostalgic and accessible with an elegant twist. Everything on the menu is just cool, as is the establishment itself. If you are in the mood for sake, they have a massive selection and several unique cocktails. The Ume old-fashioned was perfect. I’m a sucker for Japanese whiskey. And pairing the bitter-sweet libation with the saltiness of my ramen chips was the perfect recipe for a lovely evening. Hannyatou is unlike any bar I’ve visited before. It makes me wish I could become a regular. I just want to sit there every night with a katsu sando in one hand and a glass of sake in the other.

I couldn’t leave this list void of a solid brunch option. And The Fat Hen serves as lovely a hangover meal as they come. This tiny eatery feels more like an elegant home kitchen than a restaurant in Ballard. The cozy dining room has about 8 tables. But the food that they’re serving is clearly elevated beyond a pedestrian cook’s level. My eggs Benedict was about as close to perfect as they come. Perfectly poached eggs over Black Forest ham and house-made hollandaise. As I broke through the yolk and it spilled over my breakfast potatoes, I questioned whether or not life could get more lovely. The dish was rich but not too heavy. And I left the restaurant feeling fulfilled. The staff was kind and calm. Even as they turned tables on a busy Friday morning, it didn’t feel rushed. The Fat Hen is that perfect gentle wake-up you’ve been looking for. Roll out of bed at 10 or 11 and head there for a plate of shakshuka. Oh, but make a reservation!

Musang may be the coolest restaurant that I’ve ever dined in. This was the meal that I was looking forward to the most in Seattle. And I’m happy to report that they absolutely did not disappoint. The place is definitely hip but not pretentious. The staff is welcoming and enthusiastic. And they know everything about each item on the menu. Which is great because I didn’t even know where to start. I’m not exaggerating when I say that everything looked delicious. I began with the pinakbet. A plate of tempura-fried sweet potatoes, eggplant, green beans, and okra over squash purée. I’ve never had tempura like this. Or food like this, for that matter. It wasn’t at all heavy. It packed the satisfaction of a fried dish while maintaining the light freshness of a vegetable one. For my main dish, I couldn’t resist the joy fried chicken. The portion was huge. Two rice flour battered chicken thighs with atchara and gravy. It’s an homage to Filipino chain Jollibee. I got that chicken in front of me and blacked out. I ate every single bite and could have eaten more. The batter was so crispy and clean. No excess grease was present. The gravy was so unctuous and comforting. Its salty goodness paired with the pickle atop a crisp piece of fried bird was too good to describe.
Imagine a gourmet deconstructed fried chicken sandwich. Now multiply that by a million. That’s what the joy fried chicken tastes like. Also, it just tastes like its namesake. Joy. Can chicken taste like an emotion? This one did. As quickly as it began, my meal was over. I was so sad to be leaving but overjoyed at the experience. Musang is a must-visit if you’re in Seattle. The food is fantastic and suitable for anyone with tastebuds. If you hate comfort, love, and flavor, skip it. But if you’re out to fill your tummy and your soul, then go make that reservation.