Seattle, a city renowned for its coffee culture and diverse cuisine, is an attractive destination for travelers from all over the world. Beyond its specialty coffee shops and upscale restaurants, Seattle harbors a treasure trove of culinary delights, especially its exciting breakfast options. If you’re a food enthusiast seeking ideal breakfast spots in Seattle, particularly those offering familiar Vietnamese flavors, then this article is for you. We will guide you to famous Vietnamese restaurants where you can start your day with delicious and authentic Vietnamese breakfasts right in the heart of Seattle.
From crispy bánh mì to steaming pho and flavorful bún riêu, Vietnamese cuisine always holds a special appeal for those seeking warmth and familiarity in every meal. In Seattle, the large Vietnamese community has brought a fresh wave to the local food scene, creating breakfast destinations that are both familiar and unique. Let’s explore the most noteworthy Vietnamese culinary “coordinates” where you can enjoy a wonderful breakfast and fully experience the taste of home in this vibrant city.
Rise and Shine Bakery – Delicious Vietnamese Banh Mi for a Perfect Morning
If you want to start your day with a quick, convenient yet nutritious and flavorful breakfast, Rise and Shine Bakery is a must-visit. Located in downtown Seattle, this bakery is the passion project of Mai Tran, a talented Vietnamese individual who has infused Vietnamese culinary spirit into the city. Rise and Shine Bakery is famous for its “authentic” Vietnamese bánh mì, crispy on the outside, soft and airy inside, combined with savory fillings, fresh vegetables, and signature sauces.
Delicious grilled pork banh mi at Rise and Shine Bakery, Seattle
Bánh mì thịt nướng (grilled pork banh mi) is the bakery’s signature dish, loved by customers for its tender, fragrant marinated and grilled pork. Each bite of bánh mì is a perfect blend of the crispy crust, savory grilled pork, fresh vegetables, and a hint of chili. In addition to bánh mì thịt nướng, Rise and Shine Bakery also serves various other bánh mì options such as bánh mì xíu mại (meatball banh mi), bánh mì gà xé (shredded chicken banh mi), bánh mì chả lụa (Vietnamese sausage banh mi), catering to diverse preferences.
Besides bánh mì, Rise and Shine Bakery also offers traditional Vietnamese breakfast dishes on weekends. The special weekend menu includes pho ga (chicken pho), bò kho (beef stew), mì quảng (Quang noodles)… warm, nutritious dishes that are perfect for starting an energetic day. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t forget to try the fresh taro cake and other delightful pastries at the bakery. With its cozy, friendly atmosphere and distinctive Vietnamese flavors, Rise and Shine Bakery is sure to provide you with a wonderful breakfast experience in Seattle.
Monsoon – Vietnamese Cuisine Blended with Pacific Northwest Flavors for a Unique Breakfast
Monsoon, a renowned Vietnamese restaurant in Seattle, is an ideal choice for those wanting to experience a breakfast that combines traditional Vietnamese flavors with the unique touch of Pacific Northwest cuisine. Under the guidance of talented chefs Eric and Sophie Banh, Monsoon not only focuses on food quality but also emphasizes using fresh, local ingredients, ensuring natural and refined flavors.
Exquisitely presented dish at Monsoon restaurant, Seattle
Although Monsoon is famous for its lunch and dinner menus, you can still find Vietnamese-style breakfast or brunch options here. Try Vietnamese-style fried eggs with crispy bánh mì, or meticulously prepared savory and sweet sticky rice dishes (xôi). Monsoon can also serve pho or other noodle soups in the morning upon request.
Monsoon’s specialty lies in its creative combination of ingredients and flavors. The dishes here are not simply traditional Vietnamese food but also bear the mark of the Pacific Northwest, creating new and exciting culinary experiences. If you want to explore Vietnamese cuisine from a different, unique, and refined perspective, Monsoon is a breakfast spot you shouldn’t miss in Seattle. Come and feel the fusion of two culinary cultures; you’re sure to have a memorable breakfast.
Ba Bar – Delicious Pho Bo and Strong Vietnamese Coffee for an Energetic Morning
Ba Bar is a familiar name in the Vietnamese culinary scene in Seattle, with multiple locations throughout the city. More than just a famous restaurant, Ba Bar is a favorite destination for both tourists and locals, especially in the morning. If you’re a fan of pho bo (beef pho) and Vietnamese coffee, Ba Bar is the ideal breakfast spot for you.
Appetizing bowl of pho bo at Ba Bar, Seattle
Pho bo at Ba Bar is highly praised for its delicious, rich, and high-quality flavor. The broth is simmered from beef bones for hours, bringing a natural sweetness and distinctive aroma. The soft yet chewy rice noodles, fresh beef, combined with herbs and balanced seasonings, create a perfect bowl of pho for breakfast. Ba Bar offers various types of pho bo such as pho tái (rare beef pho), pho chín (well-done beef pho), pho nạm (beef brisket pho), pho gầu (fatty brisket pho)… catering to diverse customer preferences.
Besides pho bo, Ba Bar is also famous for Vietnamese coffee. The coffee here is brewed using the traditional phin filter, delivering a strong, flavorful, and energizing taste. You can enjoy cà phê đen đá (iced black coffee), cà phê sữa đá (iced milk coffee), or other coffee variations. Ba Bar also serves pastries and other light breakfast items, creating a diverse and appealing breakfast menu. With its modern, youthful ambiance and late-night service (even until 4 am on weekends at the Capitol Hill location), Ba Bar is an ideal place to enjoy breakfast, sip coffee, and start your day full of energy in Seattle.
Mì Đồng Tháp – “Giant” Pho and Hometown Flavors for a Special Breakfast
Mì Đồng Tháp, or Dong Thap Noodles, is a Vietnamese restaurant with a strong Đồng Tháp (Dong Thap province) hometown flavor, famous for its unique “giant” pho. If you have a big appetite and want to challenge yourself with a “grand” breakfast, Mì Đồng Tháp is a must-visit. This restaurant is named after Đồng Tháp province, Vietnam’s major rice granary, and pho is the main dish on the menu.
Diners participating in the large pho bowl challenge at Mi Dong Thap, Seattle
Pho at Mì Đồng Tháp comes in two versions: traditional pho and “giant” pho. Traditional pho still retains the delicious, rich flavor of Vietnamese pho, with a clear, sweet broth, soft rice noodles, and fresh beef. However, the most special feature of Mì Đồng Tháp is its “giant” pho bowl designed for diners with extraordinary appetites. This bowl has a “super-sized” dimension with 3 liters of broth, nearly 2 kg of rice noodles, and almost 2 kg of meat. It’s a fun food challenge that many people want to conquer when visiting Mì Đồng Tháp.
If you don’t want to try the “giant” pho challenge, you can still enjoy traditional pho or other noodle dishes at the restaurant. Mì Đồng Tháp also sells fresh rice noodles at the counter, which you can buy to cook at home. Although famous for pho, Mì Đồng Tháp can also serve other breakfast items such as bánh mì, bún riêu (crab noodle soup)… upon request. With its simple, cozy ambiance and authentic Vietnamese pho flavor, Mì Đồng Tháp is an interesting choice for breakfast in Seattle, especially if you want to experience something unique and different.
Saigon Vietnam Deli – Affordable Banh Mi and Lunch Combos for a Budget-Friendly Breakfast
Saigon Vietnam Deli is another well-known Vietnamese restaurant in Seattle, especially for its delicious bánh mì thịt nướng and affordable lunch combos. If you are looking for a breakfast spot that is both tasty and budget-friendly, Saigon Vietnam Deli is a worthwhile consideration. Despite the name “Deli,” Saigon Vietnam Deli still serves hot, fresh dishes, especially bánh mì and lunch combos.
Banh mi and other appealing dishes at Saigon Vietnam Deli, Seattle
Bánh mì thịt nướng at Saigon Vietnam Deli is loved for its flavorful, fragrant grilled pork, combined with crispy bánh mì and fresh vegetables. The price of bánh mì here is quite affordable, suitable for many budgets. In addition to bánh mì thịt nướng, Saigon Vietnam Deli also offers bánh mì xíu mại, bánh mì chả lụa, and many other types of bánh mì.
If you want a more filling breakfast, you can choose a lunch combo at Saigon Vietnam Deli. This restaurant is famous for its “combo” lunch boxes with 2 dishes included at a very reasonable price. You can choose dishes according to your preferences; the most popular dishes are bò kho, mướp đắng nhồi thịt (bitter melon stuffed with meat), and gà kho (braised chicken). Saigon Vietnam Deli also has fresh spring rolls, bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls), and many other Vietnamese dishes for you to choose from. Although not specialized in traditional breakfast dishes, Saigon Vietnam Deli is still an ideal place for you to enjoy a delicious, affordable, and authentically Vietnamese breakfast in Seattle.
Conclusion
Seattle is not only a city of coffee and famous tourist attractions but also a diverse culinary paradise, especially for Vietnamese cuisine. The Vietnamese restaurants we have introduced above are excellent suggestions for your breakfast in Seattle. From crispy bánh mì, delicious pho bo to unique fusion dishes, Vietnamese cuisine in Seattle is sure to provide you with memorable culinary experiences.
Whether you are a Vietnamese expatriate or simply a lover of Vietnamese cuisine, take the time to visit these ideal breakfast spots in Seattle. It’s not just a meal, but also an opportunity for you to feel the warmth, familiarity, and taste of home right in the heart of this vibrant city. Wishing you delicious and energizing breakfasts in Seattle!