Delicious Korean Food at Chan Seattle at Pike Place Market

What comes to your mind when you have the cravings for delicious Korean food with sophisticated ambience in Seattle? Exactly?! Did you hesitate and wonder like I did? Where DO you go? It has long been an insider joke status in Seattle when people ask for recommendations for delicious Korean food in Seattle; you either go up north or south. Not to agonize no more, you can find delicious Korean food at Chan Seattle at the heart of Seattle, Pike Place Market.

Located in the courtyard of Inn at the Market, Chan Seattle offers Korean food with Westernized techniques. The owner and chef, Park, ambitiously envisioned a restaurant that will sure to please both those that long-loved Korean food and the newbies. At Chan Seattle, you won’t find the usual Korean bbq plate in the middle of each table or banchan (diverse array of side dishes), this is a whole new experience of enjoying Korean food incorporating both the traditional dishes and flavors with modern twist. I will be honest, when I first heard about this new concept, I was skeptical; how was he really going to pull this together? After trying it myself, I was blown away with what Park had in store for us at Chan Seattle.

The moment you walk into Chan Seattle, you will be welcomed by its cozy and sophisticated ambience and we were quickly greeted and seated by the friendly staff. I felt like family already! I really liked the simple menu separated by the traditional and modern dishes. Each item sounded so familiar yet interesting and inviting; but, we couldn’t order everything so we settled with four dishes including a kimchi sampler.

Anxiously waiting, the kim chi sampler came out first. This is a sampler with three variations of Korean kim chi: red cabbage, daikon, and cucumber. How clever!

Next to come was the spicy kimchi porkbelly with poached tofu. The dish had right amount of spice without burning your mouth and tofu was perfectly steamed, not raw or hard. Good start so far.

The bulgogi slider came looking like your regular sliders but don’t let the familiar look fool you! This was an interesting mix of bulgogi (probably the most popular Korean food) with micro green. How do I describe this? It tasted like what a slider should taste like. The sauce mix in the slider was amazing. This was really addicting. Again, had enough kick for those that love spice but subtle enough for those that don’t.

My friend ordered grilled short rib over rice with sprouts salad, pickled daikon and egg yolk. This was an interesting twist of bi bim bap (Korean dish with banchan over rice). The short rib was the most tender and juiciest pieces of meat I ever had and this isn’t even a steak place! Everything blended to give you a refreshing dish and my friend couldn’t stop talking about it even days after.

The buckwheat noodle salad with mixed vegetables, hardboiled egg and spicy vinaigrette was what I ordered. Coming from someone that loves meat, this was a satisfying dish with the right amount of kick and tanginess.

One noteworthy observation was that the food didn’t come out all at once; they came out one by one at the right pace giving us time to really enjoy each dish. Each ingredient in the dishes was individually and expertly prepared yet all blended seamlessly to create a one-of-kind dish. I was very impressed at how Park pulled it off. I had a pleasure of meeting him at the restaurant as he warmly greeted each table and gracious thanked us for giving them a try. He is a truly a culinary artist who enjoys creating delicious food and making eating fun again.

A fun little adventure, this place offers something for everyone, including vegetarian and gluten free dishes. It was an unforgettable experience at Chan Seattle and I can’t stop recommending this place to my family, friends, and clients!

Chan Seattle

86 Pine St. Seattle WA 98101

​Located in the courtyard of Inn at the Market

Tel : 206-443-5443​

Tuesday to Sunday, 5pm to 10pm

ABOUT CHRISTY KIM

Seattle Real Estate

North Seattle Home

It is not every day that you will find a home that has everything you wanted on your homebuying list!  This is it!  Modern amenities, original charm and character, spacious floor plan, and location all wrapped in this fabulous remodeled rambler.  Located in the quiet and established Haller Lake neighborhood, 10 minutes north of Downtown Seattle, this charming rambler has been thoughtfully designed in and out.  This home is better than new and nothing has been untouched!   The moment you walk in, you will notice that it looks and feels like a brand new house.  Bright and spacious, the warm and inviting living room welcomes you as you enter the home.  Gourmet kitchen with ton of counter space and cabinets opens to the dining room.  This open concept makes entertaining a fun affair with your family and friends.  The house features three bright bedrooms with an oversized master room with its own bathroom, *additional bathroom, an extra finished room that can be used as an office/media/family room, and utility room with extra storage space.  Bonus feature of this charmer is the large front and backyard for those that want the space for gardening or simply to have a private retreat in your own backyard.  Commuting is convenient with both the I-5 and Hwy 99 within minutes away.

More on This Listing and Pictures

ABOUT CHRISTY KIM

Urban living at its finest, chic and modern studio condo in Fremont now available!  Nestled between Fremont and Wallingford, this stylish studio offers stylish and easy city living for less than 125k!  Modern and bright, this top floor studio maximized use of space with custom built murphy bed, full kitchen, spacious bathroom, and washer/dryer in unit.  Small community of only 51 units and very low HOA of only $166 per month means easy city living.

List of Features and Amenities:

• Constructed in 2002, Cobrizo was Built Green with a clean air ventilation system, rainscreen exterior siding, double pane windows and extra insulation.
• Building features secluded common courtyard with amazing rooftop deck with spectacular views of the Lake Union, mountains, and the city!
• Secured garage parking with elevator.
• Domestic pet friendly and non – smoking community.
• Building is FHA approved.
• Strong HOA with no current assessments.
• Centrally located with walk score of 85.
• Located on several major bus lines.
• THIS IS NOT A SHORT SALE OR BANK OWNED!  Quick and easy buy.

Contact me today for more information or to schedule a private showing!

ABOUT CHRISTY KIM

***This is for sale by owner and permission was granted to use the information and pictures.***

I was smitten the moment I walked in at Japonessa Sushi in Downtown Seattle.  The ambiance and chic décor that is mixture of Spanish and Asian influence was all I needed to feel welcome and cozy there.  Of course, chic décor doesn’t always translate to good food and excellent service but Japonessa Sushi proved that you can really have it all!

Tucked away on 1^st Ave and between Pike and Union, the location serves as a central spot for locals, tourists, and the business crowd.  Japonessa Sushi is known for innovative rolls and fresh ingredients.  Oh, and other thing, generous portions!  We made it there right before the rush of dinner crowd and were impressed with the friendly and attentive service staff.  We started our meal with the usual suspects of miso soup, calamari, and tuna tataki salad.  I don’t know how they do it, but they have mastered the art of blending ingredients flawlessly.  Nothing sticks out like a sore thumb or one flavor that is too overwhelming.  Because of my aversion to raw seafood and meat, I always do the rolls at sushi restaurants.  We ordered couple of innovative rolls like Orange Crush and solids basics like California rolls.  They don’t sacrifice taste to be ridiculously creative.   Everything we ordered was fresh and tasty.

It is difficult to find a place that offers chic ambiance, good food and friendly service but Japonessa Sushi really has their act together.  I highly recommend this place to both that are new to the sushi scene and sushi connoisseurs!  Because of its central location and ambiance, it is a great place to have a romantic dinner, girl’s or boy’s night out, and even for a chic business luncheon.  The ambiance will appeal to diverse array of people and it is trendy without being over the top.  They offer extensive happy hour menu throughout the day, every day!  Check out Japonessa Sushi for unique sushi experience in Downtown Seattle.

ABOUT CHRISTY KIM

South Lake Union area is what I typically call a high walkable area where a grocery, coffee shop, gym, and transportation are just short walk away.  The obvious appeal of city living is being close to all the action so the higher the walkability, the better.  This is very important to city dwellers as the need the commute becomes less attractive.  In addition, with the cost of city living and real estate typically being higher, the city dwellers are looking for ways to cut cost and commuting time.  As an example of green Seattle, South Lake Union is home to the Denny Park and Lake Union Park so you are only short walk away to enjoy the abundance of natural beauty this city has to offer.  The fastest growing area in Seattle will continue its rapid growth as more business and retailers recognizes the real estate appreciation potential and the need to provide service to the growing residents.

Contact me today if you need more information about the real estate market in the South Lake Union area or would like to start looking!

South Lake Union Area in Seattle

ABOUT CHRISTY KIM

Queen Anne real estate market has always been a hot one due to the highly desirable location and charming properties but it has never been hotter!  The combination of the attractive values and historically low mortgage rates is bringing a lot of buyers that were sidelined during the boom and really propelling the Queen Anne real estate market.  Why now?  Queen Anne has always been a highly sought – after neighborhood to the fact that it’s a well – established “suburban” close to Downtown and home to some of most beautifully preserved homes full of charm, character, and history that you won’t find in other neighborhoods.  Queen Anne is also home to some of the most prestigious streets and zip codes in Seattle.  My clients are I are noticing that pretty much any properties that are priced well are receiving multiple offers thus reinforcing the popularity of the Queen Anne real estate market.  My favorite part of Queen Anne is of course soaking in the beautiful Seattle skyline and the Puget Sound at the Kerry Park.

Queen Anne Real Estate Market

What is the “prime” Queen Anne real estate parameter?

-         10^th Ave W/Olympic Way W/W Olympic Pl to the west.

-        Taylor Ave N/5^th Ave N to the east.

-        Valley St. to the south.

-        W McGraw St. to the north.

I did a general search for that parameter and here are some interesting statistics:

-        Total of only 22 active listing of single family homes.

-        Of the 22 active listings, only 8 were priced at or under 800k (competitive price range).

-        Total of only 19 active condo listings priced at or under 500k.

There has never been a more opportunistic time to get into Queen Anne real estate market and own a piece of history and be part of the most prestigious community in Seattle.  Don’t get sidelined again and contact me for a complimentary consultant and get in the game TODAY!

Queen Anne Real Estate Market

ABOUT CHRISTY KIM

Holiday Things to do in Seattle 2011

Holidays in Seattle are packed with fun festivals and events, and memorable experiences.  The cold weather doesn’t slow us one bit during the holidays.  There are many things to do in Seattle for people of all ages so there is absolutely no reason to stay home!  Bundle up, grab your hot cup of coffee, and enjoy all the holiday things to do in Seattle 2011!

Follow me on my journey to introduce and navigate through all the holiday festivals and events happening in Seattle and all around the Sound!

All of these holiday festivals and events are happening between now until end of the year!

2200 Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration – December 1, 2011, 5:30 – 8:30 pm

Tons of FREE entertainment and holiday themed events

The Nutcracker at the Pacific Northwest Ballet – November 25^th to December 27th

Winterfest @ Seattle Center – November 25^th to December 31^st

This is five weeks of FREE or affordable activities and entertainment at the Seattle Center.  There is miniature train and village, holiday lights, ice rank, ice sculpting, high school jazz bands and orchestras, Dicken’s Carolers, and much more!

First Friday Family Fun Night at the Cascade People’s Center in South Lake Union Neighborhood

FREE celebration of the season with arts and crafts, hot drinks and snacks, and much more!

Candy Cane Lane in Ravenna Neighborhood – Through Dec 26th

Garden d’Lights 2011 at the Bellevue Botanical Garden – November 26^th to December 31^st  (Over half a million lights!)

 Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium – Nov 25^th to Jan 1st (About half a million lights brightens the entire zoo!)

16th annual Fantasy Lights at Spanaway Park – Nov 24th – Jan 1st

The largest holiday drive-through display in the Northwest, featuring nearly 300 elaborate displays and thousands of sparkling lights.

Snow Flake Lane at Bellevue – Nov 25th to Dec 24th

Dazzling lights, music, dramatic drumming from live toy soldiers and magical snow.

Holidays at the Leavenworth

Celebrating the holidays at the Bavarian Village with Christmas lighting festival, carolers, horse-drawn carriage, and much more!

A Victorian Country Christmas

Holidays Things to do in Seattle 2011

ABOUT CHRISTY KIM

One of the best elementary schools in Seattle is the Loyal Heights Elementary School located in the Ballard neighborhood.  Serving grades K-5, it is among the few public elementary schools that are recognized for high student academic achievement.

According to the Seattle Times article, its students passed state standardized tests in reading, math and writing by 83 to 93 percent; that is a significantly higher than the state average of 53 to 69 percent!  Testimony to school, teachers, and student’s success, Loyal Heights Elementary School was recently named a national Blue Ribbon School by the Department of Education.

More on Loyal Heights Elementary School

ABOUT CHRISTY KIM

Seattle has plenty of Thai restaurants but my personal favorite is Thaiku Thai Restaurant in Ballard.  In the heart of Ballard on Ballard Ave, you will find this cozy restaurant serving authentic and delicious Thai cuisine.  I may be little bias since Thaiku Thai is located in my neighborhood of Ballard and only a block off my home but their food is undeniably delicious and worthy of recommendation.

Their ambiance is very charming while wooden fixtures and red décor warmly welcomes the guests.  Fast service and abundant seating is great for both small or larger parties.  They serve both traditional favorites such as phad thai and many curry dishes and few other innovative dishes.

Thai Iced Tea – brewed black tea with condensed milk.  Perfect companion to spicy Thai dishes!

Chicken phad thai with wok fried noodles, tofu, bean sprouts, green onion, carrots, and cabbage.  Flavorful!  I get mine 4 stars!

Thaiku Thai in Ballard is open Monday to Sunday and hours vary daily.  I can’t wait to try everything on their menu!

Thaiku Thai in Ballard

ABOUT CHRISTY KIM

Alakan Way Viaduct Closure Survival Guide

Ready or not, the Alaskan way viaduct closure is planned for October 21-31^st.  One of the well travelled roads and a great alternative to I-5, commuters of all vehicles are panicking even for this short nine day closure.  This is going to really congest the West Seattle Bridge to I-5 corridor, which is already unpleasant during the busy commute times.  Unless you are the lucky few that are either taking vacation time or working from home, there is no way around this so let’s look for a solution to the Alaskan viaduct closure.  The state and WADOT are recommending people to shift work hours to avoid busy commute times, carpooling, taking public transportation, and etc.  In order to avoid the commuter nightmare, if everyone does their part, I think we can alleviate some of the pain we will nevertheless endure. 

The Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed for nine days starting @ 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct 21, 2011!

The Alaskan Way Viaduct section of State Route 99

(Map provided by WADOT website)

There was ton of information out there so I wanted to streamline to what’s most important.  You will find following links useful in navigating the Alaskan way viaduct closure.

Nine-day closure of the SR 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct, October 21-31 (what to anticipate and how to prepare yourself)

SR 99 – Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement (comprehensive information on the repair)

King County Metro Transit Alaskan Way Viaduct Construction Updates

Recommended Routes

Bicycle and Pedestrian Routes

Water Taxi Could Sail Through Viaduct Closure

ABOUT CHRISTY KIM

SEATTLE REAL ESTATE