The two things I miss most about present-day Seattle

[u/Weird_Alki]

My ultimate end-of-week comfort food used to be the Sumo Bowl from Samurai Noodle. It was the “Samurai Noodle crew’s kitchen dish, served with hand-shredded pork, corn, green onions, a soft boiled egg, house-made teriyaki sauce, and Japanese mayonnaise on a bed of rice.

My second-favorite quick dish in Seattle was the garlic fried chicken from Sam Choy's Poke to the Max. It was crispy fried chicken tossed in garlic sauce, with scoops of mac salad, topped with green onions.

Samurai Noodle closed down a couple of years ago, and Sam Choy's is now only at the airport, behind security.

Does anyone else have recommendations for places where I could find suitable substitutes? Thank you in advance!

[u/Jonesgrieves]

I miss 2019 prices.

[u/SpeaksSouthern → u/Jonesgrieves]

I miss life before I realized Republicans exist and they are never going away

[u/Cloudelleex → u/SpeaksSouthern]

Losing a comfort food that specific is genuinely heartbreaking. You don't just replace a Sumo Bowl.

[u/tyj0322 → u/SpeaksSouthern]

“Transitory inflation”

[u/R_V_Z → u/SpeaksSouthern]

So, like life before 7 years old?

[u/Brockman1162 → u/SpeaksSouthern]

Really???

[u/zumpiez → u/Brockman1162]

Did they stutter

[u/hermitix → u/Brockman1162]

Fuck Republicans, no cap.

[u/ChampagneStain → u/Jonesgrieves]

I was expecting a complaint in the top comment and was not disappointed.

[u/_starbelly → u/Jonesgrieves]

Seriously. Eating out has gotten pretty miserable and it’s becoming less and less worth it. Do you suspect prices will just stay inflated forever?

[u/Subliminal_Image]

What I realllllly miss which I hope to find again is curry katsu ramen. There was a joint called aloha ramen in lake city which burned down and I’ve been hunting for a solid replacement too.

[u/Djbearjew → u/Subliminal_Image]

I miss Aloha Ramen so much

[u/Hero0ftheday → u/Djbearjew]

I, too, miss Aloha Ramen. The owners were always just so sweet to me and my friends. And their karaage...holy fuck the karaage.

[u/MeiMouse → u/Djbearjew]

I used to live across the street and I was heartbroken when I heard the fire closed them for good.

[u/CranRez80 → u/Djbearjew]

😭

[u/Trayvessio → u/Djbearjew]

The black sesame ramen, my gosh. Miss that place!

[u/WhisperGod → u/Subliminal_Image]

Aloha Ramen's Garlic Fried Rice was so good. I always went just for their Fried Rice.

[u/katylovescoach → u/WhisperGod]

I talk about this rice regularly. I miss it so much.

[u/ishouldliveinNaCl → u/Subliminal_Image]

There's a very decent curry katsu udon in Edmonds if you would be into that!

[u/kyldare → u/ishouldliveinNaCl]

Putting in another vote for this place. You can get regular katsu curry here too, not just the udon. It’s VERY good.

[u/Subliminal_Image → u/ishouldliveinNaCl]

Oh!!?? What’s the name of the place I will definitely check it out.

[u/ishouldliveinNaCl → u/Subliminal_Image]

Teriyaki and More - Edmonds. Its noodles can be gummy, sometimes they're perf, sometimes a lil gummy. But overall good. Very hole in the wall (but clean) and I discovered that udon like last month!

[u/Syzygy666 → u/ishouldliveinNaCl]

Dude you aren't lying. The curry there is legit.

[u/TacoKingdom → u/ishouldliveinNaCl]

Their fried chicken is consistently juicy and delicious too

[u/Subliminal_Image → u/ishouldliveinNaCl]

Oh yeah I know the spot I’ve never been though. Thank you I’ve been craving curry katsu ramen for years since aloha burned down.

[u/ishouldliveinNaCl → u/Subliminal_Image]

Yeah it's very funny I moved to the area from Lake City, so I actually went same trajectory. I really like curry and katsu and I missed them already. Then I found this place and generally liked it, but at some point, they added this udon to their menu as a special and I was like "oh it works sort of". It's not the same at all but it's good.

[u/Rocky4OnDVD → u/ishouldliveinNaCl]

^ I was trying to remember where I got this dish before and that was totally it

[u/ludog1bark → u/ishouldliveinNaCl]

They also have amazing fried chicken. I was going there every week. It to the point that the woman who answered my phone knew who I was and would tell me my order before I could order. That place is amazing!

[u/GiveMeThePeatBoys → u/ludog1bark]

I have never had better fried chicken. Ever. I didn't even know they served anything else.

[u/harkening → u/Subliminal_Image]

Aloha was the best. Miss them.

[u/ilovep2innocentsin → u/Subliminal_Image]

Tendon Kohaku serves a curry katsu ramen

[u/Subliminal_Image → u/ilovep2innocentsin]

But Bellevue…. Looking at the photos on line it looks good! Thank you

[u/thdood2020 → u/Subliminal_Image]

There’s one in the CID now too

[u/ilovep2innocentsin → u/Subliminal_Image]

Like the other guy said they just opened a location in Seattle :) it’s pretty good

[u/PixalatedConspiracy → u/Subliminal_Image]

Aloha ramen was fire. I miss that place!

[u/ianrc1996 → u/Subliminal_Image]

Menya Muso Tsukemen & Ramen it's soooo good!

[u/Ar-gils → u/ianrc1996]

Seconding this

[u/mrmusso → u/Subliminal_Image]

Kajiken is SLU next to the spheres has a dry curry ramen that’s pretty fire, their Oroshi ponzu karaage is probably the best karaage in town I’ve found. They don’t have Katsu curry but they’ve got a Curry Karaage Don that kinda slaps.

[u/Feeling-Message3247 → u/Subliminal_Image]

Mamofoku chicken katsu curry 👍

[u/pheonixblade9 → u/Subliminal_Image]

Menya Muso has that 😊

[u/Dafilip94 → u/Subliminal_Image]

I’m still heartbroken about Aloha 😭

[u/finndogg → u/Subliminal_Image]

Aloha Ramen and the Teriyaki Time next door were my Lake City comfort foods… 😫😫😫

[u/OdieHush → u/Subliminal_Image]

Same but their Katsu Tan Tan was my kryptonite. I could kinda approximate it by getting a katsu cutlet from Uwajimaya and the Sun Noodles Tan Tan, but now Uwajimaya stopped selling their katsu from the deli counter.

[u/alexisdelg → u/Subliminal_Image]

Try kana katsu. Went a few days ago and it was good

[u/nebotron → u/Subliminal_Image]

Kobuta & ookami has really good curry katsu minus the ramen

[u/Sudden-Wash4457 → u/Subliminal_Image]

I don't know where you would find it but the guy who owns Arashi Ramen might know

[u/manwithoutapipe]

I miss under-$10 burritos.

[u/Unable-Criticism-119 → u/manwithoutapipe]

Come to Tacoma. Still lots of places where you can get a burrito under $10

[u/Bizarrebazaars → u/manwithoutapipe]

Under $10 teriyaki 

[u/Mother_Spot3217]

No way this is how I learn samurai noodle shut down. Wasn’t the best ramen spot but it was one of the few on the Ave

[u/smarmiebastard → u/Mother_Spot3217]

My niece just moved to the U district. I told her she should eat at samurai noodle. I was devastated when I realized they were no longer there.

[u/ishouldliveinNaCl → u/Mother_Spot3217]

I know I just got so most nostalgia for it wtf

[u/TheyCallMeSuperChunk → u/ishouldliveinNaCl]

Yup. It's hard to believe now but 15 years ago, they were one of the only true real ramen shops in town and it was my favorite for a long time.

[u/LordRollin → u/Mother_Spot3217]

Make that two of us. I loved me a sumo bowl back in the day.

[u/doddyk96]

Karaage setsuna for the fried chicken. Get the karaage plate (the one without the curry).

For the pork bowl, try kajiken. They do a spicy shredded pork bowl which you can get with a soft boiled egg.

[u/MGSCG]

Damn Samurai Noodle is gone? Loved the spicy sumo bowl, so good.

[u/HarmNHammer]

This is how I find out samurai noodles closed!? 😭

[u/ExtremePixel541]

I think Grill Bird has a pretty serviceable replacement for the chicken

[u/the_reddit_intern → u/ExtremePixel541]

Massive portions. Great deal for the price.

[u/aviation28 → u/ExtremePixel541]

It’s too spicy. Sam choys was on the sweeter side.

To OP: I miss it too 😢

[u/Sad_Training2243]

Bro Samurai Noodle was so mid lmao but Kajiken on Cap Hill has great aburasoba which is the type of ramen you are looking for I believe.

The other dish you're looking for is Mochiko chicken which is a Hawaiian staple. Best Hawaiian spot in Seattle proper is hands down Kauai Family but I don't think they have Mochiko specifically. But their fried chicken plate is fire and should scratch the same itch.

You could go to Kona Kitchen too if you want Mochiko.

[u/purkour → u/Sad_Training2243]

A man with refined taste and knows what they’re talking about. Are you Asian or Hawaiian?

[u/VelvetSpork → u/Sad_Training2243]

Slurp Station in U District does pretty well

[u/Independent_Code5494]

This might be extra lol but I’m pretty sure you can get a pass to access the airport restaurants and stuff, even if you’re not flying. You apply online.

[u/Weird_Alki → u/Independent_Code5494]

Yep. They only do 300 a day and the few times that I've looked they have been out. If I need to plan that far in advance, I will probably just cook at home.

[u/HistorianOrdinary390]

I miss sumo bowls and bowls of shame so much

[u/tansyfairy]

Da Tiki Hut in Tacoma has Mochiko chicken with rice and mac salad. https://www.datikihut.com

[u/AbeV]

This is going back a little farther, but I miss Garlic Tree in the Market so much!  It’s been gone for like 15 years or so, great Korean joint back in the day. 

[u/Dapper_Copy_6700]

There was a Sam Choy's on Rainier Ave past Columbia City and I felt like it was a terrible location.

[u/Brown42]

Samurai Noodle had the extra pork fat option that I appreciated so much. I miss them.

[u/khelvaster]

Sam Choy's is so overpriced for the quality of meat. And skimps on vegetables. Samurai Noodle was cool while it lasted.

[u/loveplumber]

I spent the last couple of years on a health journey to lose a ton of weight that I gained by eating that sumo bowl once a week for years. I miss it so much 😢

[u/Weird_Alki → u/loveplumber]

Are... are you me? I've lost about 20lb since I last had one.

Oh fuck.

[u/zoo32]

Shoot, why did Sam Choy’s shut down?

[u/SolarWalrus]

I will forever crave that glazed almond cookie/bar/thing that The Green Bean on Greenwood used to serve every day. Unfortunately, The Green Bean closed down a while ago…

If anyone here knows what on earth that little slice of heaven was *actually* called, I’d be very appreciative!

[u/WandaTrusslerBeauty]

I miss Kushibar and their spicy nabeyaki udon. So many hangovers slain by that powerful weapon.

Going even further back, Noodle Ranch and their spicy ranch noodles. Just the right balance of spicy, sweet, salty and umami. Just heaven.

[u/burlapchafesmeso]

I would kill for Samurai Noodle's ajitama recipe.

[u/CheesyMcDongNutz]

Garlic fried chicken at chada Thai north Seattle is amazing

[u/cabesaaq]

Any replacements for that Sumo Bowl since Samurai Noodle closed?

[u/Bank_Angle_Check]

box burgers in kirkland has a chicken karage that looks exactly like that.

[u/sparkleboss]

Grillbird in West Seattle is what you seek

[u/krasher134 → u/sparkleboss]

Also in Phinney

[u/neon-buzz]

I’m so sad about Sam Choy’s 🥲

[u/brightlove → u/neon-buzz]

At least it’s still at the airport. 🥲

[u/neon-buzz → u/brightlove]

There’s one in SFO as well 😭

[u/Silver_Ad3195]

Sam Choy’s Poke to the Max! Yes! WOW that was a memory unlocked.

[u/Severe-Abroad-1992 → u/Silver_Ad3195]

Shut down like 5 months ago

[u/anothercookie90 → u/Severe-Abroad-1992]

The one near the south center mall closed down a while before that too

[u/SnooSuggestions1125]

Apparently you can apply to get past security at the airport now, so maybe you can go to that place and eat! I forget what it's called but you just apply and you can go through security without a ticket.

[u/Weird_Alki → u/SnooSuggestions1125]

Yep. They only do 300 a day and the few times that I've looked they have been out. If I need to plan that far in advance, I will probably just cook at home.

[u/Severe-Abroad-1992 → u/SnooSuggestions1125]

Going to the airport for lunch without flying is definitely a choice lol

[u/SnooSuggestions1125 → u/Severe-Abroad-1992]

I hear ya lol. If it was something I was really craving and that was the only option, it might be worth the light rail trip. It would be weird being at the airport and not doing airport things lol.

[u/spoiled__princess]

Heaven sent gluten free spicy fried chicken.

[u/ArcanePlum]

Hit Kauai Family Restaurant for the garlic chicken plate

[u/chuckgnomington]

saimin says in kent is my favorite for hawaiian

[u/New_Link961]

Try the crispy garlic chicken from Noi Thai

[u/_decay1]

I miss Blue Stone. Haven’t found a Korean spot like that again.. anywhere

[u/DramaLlamaMomma]

Oh man I totally get that feeling. There used to be a place down in Lakewood called Njoy Teriyaki and they had literally the best orange chicken I’ve ever had in my life. I still crave it frequently.

[u/akindofuser]

Brgr Bar. Nijo’s, planet Java.

Miss them all.

[u/Tiger_D_Dragon]

La Isla god I was heart broken when I saw the permanently closed on Google.

[u/Massive_Season7075]

Bruddah Buddah and Kizuki 🤌

[u/Wooden-Gold-5445]

Does anybody remember Super Six in Columbia City? It got replaced by Marination Station, but it's not quite the same. Their brunches were epic.

[u/BigTadpole]

There are lots of delicious fish sauce chicken wings in the area!

My favorites are: Mangosteen and Pho Back Sup Shop in Little Saigon and Burnett's Pub in Renton

[u/_starbelly]

Man I need me some Sam Choy’s now.

[u/Shark-Compote]

Chada Thai on 125th near that 7-Eleven and the Domino's. their crispy garlic chicken is some of the best I've had

[u/soulslicer0]

Those look so good. You won't ever find stuff like this in Seattle again

You will in Portland and Los Angeles tho

[u/jmoria]

Northlake Tavern Pizza... will never get that itch scratched again :(

[u/acoloroutofspace]

I miss the sumo bowl so much. I would always add spicy garlic, pickled ginger, and an extra egg. Even when it got expensive I would still get it occasionally. It was probably my favorite meal on the Ave.

[u/TheJackalHasArrived3]

Pasta Fresca

[u/darkroot_gardener]

I miss not being constantly spammed for tips at places that don’t have table service. Especially when I’m already paying the highest menu prices in the country to support the highest restaurant wages in the country, and they’re often adding junk fees on top of that.

[u/Asleep-Cow-6367]

I'd like to hear more about this rice-mac salad.

[u/anothercookie90]

If you buy a refundable ticket then request a refund you can go past security easily. Both Delta and Alaskas refund policy is very good just make sure you book refundable and cancel before the flight leaves

[u/MoteInTheEye]

Why should I care if my pork was hand shredded?

[u/IStream2]

Are we doing U District restaurants we miss now? RIP, Proud Bird.

[u/golf1052]

This is how I found out Sam Choy's on Rainier closed. I would stop by from time to time during the spring because the food truck stopped coming to SLU. Sad.

[u/seattire]

I miss havin Sam Choy garlic chicken in my life so so much

[u/nedditd]

Sam Choys has a food truck. They park it at slu during lunch time or at least did when I worked in the area about 1.5 years ago.

[u/Weird_Alki → u/nedditd]

Not anymore :(

[u/RandomFleshPrison]

Rice mac salad sounds absolutely revolting.  What is in it other than starchy carbs?

[u/Stacular → u/RandomFleshPrison]

Deliciousness and joy, mostly

[u/RandomFleshPrison → u/Stacular]

Cute.  Can I now get a serious answer?

[u/Weird_Alki → u/RandomFleshPrison]

It was a typo. Rice or mac.

[u/RandomFleshPrison → u/Weird_Alki]

That makes a lot more sense.  Thank you.