In search of a new favorite Taiwanese restaurant? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top places for Taiwanese cuisine around Seattle, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to meet your needs.
1. Din Tai Fung
Topping the list is Din Tai Fung. Located at 2621 N.E. 46th St. in Ravenna, the Taiwanese, Shanghainese and dim sum spot is the most popular restaurant of its kind in Seattle, boasting four stars out of 1,853 reviews on Yelp.
Now with branches in the United States, South Korea, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Australia, this international chain originally started as a cooking oil retail business in 1958 and became the restaurant it is today in 1972.
Look for favorites fare such as steamed buns, fried noodles, rice cakes, steamed dumplings, wontons and noodle soups. Notable menu options include shredded pork fried rice, fish dumplings and noodles with spicy sauce. Check out the menu here.
2. Gourmet Noodle Bowl
Next up is the International District's Gourmet Noodle Bowl, situated at 707 Eighth Ave. South (between St. Lane and South Dearborn streets). With four stars out of 351 reviews on Yelp, the Chinese and Taiwanese spot has proven to be a local favorite.
This offering has an extensive menu including rice and noodle dishes, hot pots, fried rice and entrees, along with popular options like sliced pork stew over rice, salt and pepper lamb rib and duck noodle soup.
3. Rocking Wok Taiwanese Cuisine
Wallingford's Rocking Wok Taiwanese Cuisine, located at 4301 Interlake Ave. North (between 44th and 43rd streets), is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the Taiwanese spot, which offers hot pot and more, four stars out of 295 reviews.
Protein-centric fare including beef, pork, chicken and seafood entrees are on offer in addition to traditional Taiwanese fare. On the menu, offerings include shredded pork with dried tofu sautéed with scallions; mango shrimp sautéed with bell peppers and a sweet and tangy sauce; and tofu and seafood hot pots.
4. QQ Taiwanese Bites
Over in Belltown, check out QQ Taiwanese Bites, which has earned four stars out of 62 reviews on Yelp. You can find the Taiwanese and Chinese spot at 2325 Sixth Ave.
According to its website, the team at QQ Taiwanese Bites prides itself on using natural and organic ingredients, including "tea-smoked air-chilled natural chicken," organic brown eggs, housemade sauces and soups that are simmered for more than four hours.
Favorites on the grab-and-go menu include guaw bao, a braised pork belly burger with pickled mustard greens, cilantro, candied peanuts and sweet and sour sauce on a steamed bun or a crispy sesame sandwich with bacon, egg lettuce and miso sauce. A full lineup of traditional Taiwanese main dishes, soups and salads are also on offer. Here's the menu.
