Baby It's Cold Outside

Our Guide to the Best Comfort Food in Seattle Southside

‘Tis the season to take shelter from the cold and warm up with a hot plate of comfort food. Whatever the weather may bring, a hearty bowl of soup or a plate of rib-sticking soul food will help you feel cozier and more ready to face the chilly temperatures outside.

Some of the best restaurants in the Seattle area are right here in Seattle Southside. Warm up at some of these red-hot dining destinations! No matter what kind of cold weather food you're craving, you're sure to find it in the incredibly diverse dining scene here.

Soup for the Soul
Hearty Bites

Soup for the Soul

There's nothing like a hot bowl of soup on a cold day. The only question is, what kind of soup should you go for? Rich, thick, rib-sticking broth, like in a chowder, or brimming with hearty noodles that will help fill you up, like with a bowl of ramen or pho? Well, these are questions only the great philosophers and your cravings can answer, but we can tell you about some of the best soups around town. Not enough soup for you here? We've also paired some of our favorite fall foliage viewing with delicious nearby soups.

Marugame Udon

Marugame Udon may seem casual, but it does not skimp on quality. This colorful, photogenic spot in Westfield Southcenter's Northside Restaurant Row combines the best of both worlds: authentic, handmade noodles with fast service and affordable prices. The udon noodles are all made in-house, using flour imported from Japan, where the business was founded. You can even watch the food being made in the open kitchen, where cooks shout out friendly greetings at every new customer.

Arashi Ramen

Local chain Arashi Ramen is a staple of the scene, with noodles that have the perfect amount of bite, incredibly flavorful broth, and even a bit of history right outside their door. The spicy miso tonkotsu is a perfect way to warm up after being outside for a long time, served up with chopped chashu, sweet corn, green onions, and a perfectly jammy-yolked marinated egg.

Birria Ramen from Birrieria Grumpy's

Birria, or stewed meat, can be thought of as the Mexican equivalent of a French Dip. Commonly served as a taco with a rich consomme broth to dip it in, birria is traditionally goat meat butcan be made from beef, pork, chicken, or even tofu! And at Birrieria Grumpy's, they're taking birria to the next level by putting it in all kinds of deliciousness, from the traditional taco to a crunchwrap, to the perfect cold weather antidote: birria ramen that's out of this world. Combine the consomme broth served with birria with noodles, birria meat of your choice, cilantro, onions, and pickled carrots and you've got next-level fusion that's hard to find anywhere else. Photo credit: Birrieria Grumpys Instagram

Pictured: Birrieria Grumpys
Credit: Birrieria Grumpys

Chowder from Duke's Seafood

You want chowder so good that its been banned from competitions because it just kept winning? Then you need to head to local favorite Duke's Seafood, where their award winning clam chowder will give you everything you want in a bowl of soup. Can't do seafood? They also offer a delicious Cajun-style chicken and corn chowder or vegan-friendly veggie stew, and if you want to take your soup to the next level, get it served up in a bread bowl.

Dong Thap Noodles

Dong Thap Noodles, "Home to the World's Largest Bowl of Pho," has a long and storied history in the Seattle area. The restaurant makes their incredible fresh noodles in-house every morning. Slightly thicker than a store-bought rice noodle and with a much more delectable bite, these noodles nestle in a bath of rich, flavorful stock and are a true delight to slurp down.

Candice's Vietnamese Kitchen

You can't have too many pho places to try. If you're in Des Moines, be sure to check out Candice's Vietnamese Kitchen, where you can enjoy a delicious bowl of soup in a spacious, relaxing setting. The pho special is a meat lover's dream: in addition to the usual noodles and fixings, you'll get rib-eye steak, brisket, meatballs, tendon, tripe, and back rib. But there are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options as well, including a vegetarian pho with fried tofu, broccoli, bok choy, and carrot. Whatever you order, you can rest assured it'll be nutritious, filling, and satisfying.

Kizuki Ramen

If you want an authentic taste of Japan, Kizuki Ramen is a chain from Japan that has brought their authentic flavors to the United States. Their house specialty, the Garlic Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen, has an extra-rich broth with noodles, chashu pork, and is so delicious that it sometimes sells out! If you aren't feeling like soup, they're also an izakaya, the Japanese equivalent of a tapas or small plates restaurant, featuring such delicacies as takoyaki, a kind of savory dumpling willed with octopus.

Northwest Chowder from Rendition

The Hotel Interurban is home to Rendition, a restaurant that takes international inspiration from our diverse local dining scene and distills it into a single menu. Just one stunning example? Their Northwest Chowder takes a dish we're known for in the area, a chowder, and elevates it by using smoked seafood and blistered corn for a richer flavor than you might normally find in a seafood chowder.

Hearty Bites

Sometimes you just need some soul food to fill you up and keep you warm. Comfort food can help keep your mood cozy no matter what the weather brings, so fill up at one of these spots to help you brave the winter's chill.

Dough Zone

Lovers of Chinese comfort food are in luck. Beloved local chain Dough Zone opened a new location in Tukwila in 2024 and it does not disappoint. The restaurant specializes in all manner of dumplings, from steamed to pan-fried to boiled. Don't skip the soup dumplings, which contain savory broth that bursts in your mouth when you bite into them. In addition, there are many noodle and veggie dishes under $10, and the small plates are perfect for sharing dishes with friends or family.

Mr. Dim Sum

Locally owned Mr. Dim Sum, opened in 2024, is unique in that it offers dim sum all day. The restaurant is sophisticated yet comfortable, with a bar where you can catch a game during your meal. Order a handful of small plates to share so everyone can try a variety of flavors. Favorites include the light, airy BBQ pork buns, pork and shrimp shumai, and purple custard balls. The green beans are a nice contrast to the rich dumplings. Since it's located in Westfield Southcenter's Northside Restaurant Row, it's a great stop before or after shopping.

Sharps' RoastHouse

Mmmm, meat! With their incredible roasting and smoking works, Sharps' RoastHouse is serving up delicious smoaked, roasted, and delicious meats from prime rib to ribs to smoked salmon to rotisserie chicken...and beyond! That alone could be enough to warm you up from the inside out, but add in their housemade sourdough scratch pasta and you've got plenty of carbs to stick to your ribs as well. And if you want a libation that'll warm you up, adults can enjoy an incredible selection of spirits for a bit of liquid warmth.

Dat Creole Soul

If when you hear "soul food" you immediately think "Southern Food", then you'd better head down to Dat Creole Soul, where Lousiana flavors are served up with flair, Red beans and rice are a classic to fill you up, and pair them up with catfish and you've got a meal worth singing about. Not a meat eater? Their Creole Vegan Stew is available every day and is a hearty, flavorful way to warm up from the inside out. Check them out for Sunday Brunch if you want to satisfy your sweet tooth with beignets!

13 Coins

The old-school lounge feel at 13 Coins isn't the only nostalgic thing about the place. Their menu is a hearty slice of Americana that'll transport you to the days of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack. With delicious tastes and sizable portions that'll fill you up, plus a French Onion Soup that was so good we almost put this restaurant in the soups section, 13 Coins has a ton of options to bring you in from the cold. And with its convenient location just across the street from Seattle Tacoma International Airport, you can even warm up during a layover.

The Pancake Chef

If "all-day breakfast" is music to your ears, The Pancake Chef in SeaTac has your back. At this classic diner, which has been a local favorite for more than 60 years, you can order eggs, bacon, and a heaping stack of fluffy, sweet buttermilk pancakes or experiment with sourdough, blueberry, and potato pancakes. If you're extra hungry, the famous German pancake (also called a Dutch Baby), which is so large it takes up the entire plate. Starting in the late morning, you can also order burgers, sandwiches, and other comfort foods.

Credit: Alabastro Photography

Claim Jumper

A classic of hearty eats, Claim Jumper feels like you're sitting in a mountain lodge as you take in their large portions and rib-sticking meals. Their classic chicken pot pie is a great option on a cold day, with flaky pastry encasing a creamy, delicious chicken and vegetable filling. Or try their lobster macaroni and cheese for an indulgent take on a classic, served up in a cast iron skillet to keep things hot and provide extra crisp on your mac. No matter what you choose, you're sure to walk away happy and warmed from the inside out.

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Christy Maggio

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