Seeking: Ramen, donuts, & a third place
+ find SS on IG
Hello! Idk about you, but I’m feel like I’m just catching up to the fact that it’s December and we’re already a week in. Hanukkah starts tonight, the winter solstice is in 14 days, and both Christmas and Kwanzaa are not far behind that before we get to the dreaded NEW YEARS EVE.
Maybe you don’t dread NYE, but it was one of my least favorite holidays until I stopped putting so much pressure on it or trying to go to a big blowout event. I’ll attempt to put together a little NYE guide in next week’s newsletter to come up with some unique ideas for staying in or going out, in case you also struggle with how to spend this holiday.
In other news, I caved and started a Seeking Seattle Instagram account which you can follow here:
Often I find more fun events or news after I send the newsletter out that I wish I’d been able to include, so I’m planning on sharing anything late-breaking in the stories. Maybe it will also make it a little easier for you to forward this on to your friends? 🙃
Alright, onward to this week!
*This post is a little long, so don’t forget to expand if it gets cut off in your email!
💎 Local Gems
OOINK & Betsutenjin | Capitol Hill
It’s ramen season, y’all. I’m usually a pho girl myself, but we’ve been getting in the mood for our upcoming Japan trip by visiting new ramen spots. We just tried OOINK which is above the QFC in Capitol Hill and it was great! It’s a cozy, counter-service spot with friendly staff and thick slices of pork. We got both the Shio ($17) and Mala ($17.50) ramen which were equally good depending on how spicy you like it.
However, Betsutenjin ramen is still our #1! I haven’t been since they opened up the dining areas and removed the curtain-partitioned booths, but it has more of a nighttime vibe and serves drinks. It’s comparable in price, but maybe like $1 cheaper. There’s usually a wait on weekends, so I recommend getting there early or putting your name in and grabbing a drink nearby.
Dochi Donuts | International District
We tried these mochi donuts on a whim one time when we were walking through the Uwajimaya food court and they are now our go-to for any special occasion (or just whenever we’re at Uwajimaya). Personally, I prefer the plain ube glazed, but the fun flavors are great too. We’re bringing these to a Hanukkah dinner tonight where they’re guaranteed to be a hit – would recommend for anything you’re supposed to bring dessert/a host gift to but don’t have the time or energy to make something from scratch.
Till Dawn | West Seattle
The US is sorely lacking third places, but Till Dawn is helping to fill that void. They serve coffee, beer, snacks, and you can game there. We played Mario Kart, but they also have arcade and table top/board games with the option to rent their board game room if you’d like some privacy. Would recommend popping by here to warm up after a walk around Lincoln Park (from their Instagram it looks like they also serve Dochi Donuts on Fridays??)
👀 On my radar
Seattle Department of Design | I’m sad I only just found out about SDoD and have missed so many of their incredible drops. Although the latest is pretty cool too, as you can see above. If you want to check it out in person, they’re throwing a Winter Party tonight during the Pioneer Square Art Walk with a preview of a special art walk collection (!!!).
Ghosts of Belltown | My friend Judy of We Belong Seattle is taking me to this installation on Friday and I couldn’t be more stoked. You can watch this video to learn more about the vision behind it, but essentially some artists have turned the old Bergman Luggage building (you know the one) into a large-scale installation space that includes over 30 affordable artist studios. Now this is the kind of innovation and investment in the arts that we like to see! The installation opens this Friday and runs until January 13th. It’s pay-what-you-can, but a $15 donation is suggested.
Lucky Pane Glass | Seeking Seattle reader Emalee recently started a stained glass side hustle (one of the coolest hustles I’ve heard of) and she specializes in making custom pet portraits! She also has other groovy pieces that feature dice, skulls, and even hot dogs. Adding to my list of local gifting options.
📆 This weekend’s events
GLITCHmas: A Holiday Drag Cabaret | Thursday, 12/7 | Central District | $12
First Thursday Art Walk | Thursday, 12/7 | Pioneer Square | Free (see my guide to the art walk here)
Seattle Dept. of Design Holiday Party | Thursday, 12/7 | Pioneer Square | Free
Brooks Trailhead Holi-Jog | Thursday, 12/7 | Fremont | Free (happening every Thursday for the month of December)
Holiday in the Park | Thursday, 12/7 | Capitol Hill | Free
Christmas Ship Parade of Boats | Friday, 12/8 | SLU | $0-74 (or catch it from the shore, my picks would be The White Swan or Duke’s)
Holiday Market in the Square | 12/8 - 12/9 | Pioneer Square | Free
Punk Rock Flea Market | 12/8 - 12/10 | Downtown | $1
Free Santa Photos @ Pike Place | Saturday, 12/9 | Downtown | Free
SODO Flea Market | Saturday, 12/9 | SODO | Free
Wintry Weekend Ice Skating | Saturday, 12/9 | Pioneer Square | Free
Holiday Haul Used Book Sale | Saturday, 12/9 | Georgetown | Free
GLOWS: Glorious Lights of West Seattle | Saturday, 12/9 | West Seattle | Free
Green Lake Pathway of Lights | Saturday, 12/9 | Green Lake | Free
Spirit-Free Candle Bar | Saturday, 12/9 | Capitol Hill | $60
Winter Renegade Craft Fair | 12/9 - 12/10 | Magnuson | $5 donation
Chanukah at the Kraken | Sunday, 12/10 | Northgate | $0-20
What’s next:
12/16 | SantaCon is taking place downtown over the next two Saturdays. This isn’t a rec, it’s a warning 🚨
🚨 ICYMI
Save Denny Blaine Park. The sister restaurant to Lost Lake—Alpine Diner—is opening in White Center today. Eater announced its 2023 Seattle award winners. The Stranger rounded up where you can find the best food for Hanukkah (can vouch for the latkes at Dingfelder’s). The Geminid meteor shower is about to be at its peak (maybe catch it at Seattle Astro’s public stargaze on Saturday?).
🧰️ Seattle Toolkit
A few of my favorite resources to stay tuned in to what’s happening around the city:
What Do - Seattle’s aggregated event list
Everout - Events & things to do
SEAToday - Daily Seattle newsletter
The Nudge Seattle - Text-based event planner
The Intentionalist - Discover + support local small businesses
Your turn!
What are you seeking this week? What do you already have planned? Share it with us in the comments ⬇️