Chi Atown International D i s t r i c t
ISSUE NO. ONE CID ENGLISH EDITION
WORKING TOGETHER, WITH DIVERSITY.
Chinatown International District
Working together, with diversity.
Copyright Š 2019 by Nicole Do All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. Ordering Information: Quantity sales. Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the publisher at the address above. Orders by U.S. trade bookstores and wholesalers. Please contact visitcid: Tel: (800) 800-8000; Fax: (800) 800-8001 or visit www.visitcid.com. Printed in the United States of America
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This publication is in dedication to the community of the CID. Thank you for creating this beautiful space for our friends and family.
Seattle’s Chinatown International District a hub for Asians and Asian Americans alike, is an area where the asian community can come together to celebrate who they are. Rich in culture and tradition, it is an area that allows those of asian decent to truly be who they are through business, festivals, food, and artwork. There is an endless amount to see and do in the area, and with so much to explore and learn those who have lived and grown in the area hope you can learn to enjoy and appriciate what they have to offer.
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Table of contents 8
1 Food
With resturants on every street there is no shortage on finding someting good to eat
3 Education
Rich in culture and history, there is so much to learn and experience
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Our Story
The history and early beginnings of the CID
2 Shopping
Grocery stores, clothing, herbal supplies, there’s a store for everyone.
4 Where to go
Learn the ins and outs of the CID
Our Story Seattle’s International District Chinatown a hub for Asians and Asian Americans alike, is an area where the asian community can come together to celebrate who they are. Beginning in the 1850s, to 1860s the chinese began immigrating to the pacific northwest, a large community from the Guangdong province, many being Taishan moved to Seattle in search for freedom from their government and a better life. It is according to word of mouth between the chinese community that the real first chinatown was located along the waterfront of Seattle, as many of the chinese dock workers lived. However, as time progressed, in 1886 the white community began to drive out the chinese community along with the impact of the great Seattle fire of 1889, forcing them to move more inland, to where the second chinatown was founded.
Chinatown - First Location 10
Second Location “Seattle’s International District Chinatown a hub for Asians and Asian Americans alike, is an area where the asian community can come together to celebrate who they are.�
The second chinatown location, founded more inland was placed along Washington St. and Second ave. However, this location of chinatown was also short lived as the real estate in the area was beginning to increase in price due to the upcoming Smith tower construction. This then forced the chinese community to relocate once more to their final and currently location on King St. During its time on Washington St. and Second Ave, the founding of the Hop Sing Tong; an organization of chinese immigrants and a gather place was the only building that stayed after the third chinatown was founded. The Hop Sing Tong was then sold later in 2006 in order to pay for the chinese Gates that stand in the current Chinatown along 516 7th ave.
The second avenue extension as seen from the Smith Tower.
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Nihonmatchi
Nihonmachi is a Japanese neighborhood rich in possibilities and at the cusp of great changes. The neighborhood was once a vibrant community of Japanese immigrants that suffered from cultural abandonment when the population was forced to leave during the Japanese internment. Although Japantowns are disappearing nationally, Seattle’s Nihonmachi is ripe for cultural, economic and social development.
photo of original Nihonmatchi
As time passed Japanese immigrants also began to appear in the greater seattle area, and settled in their own area along the outskirts of chinatown, forming their own Japantown or Nihonmachi. This area located along Dearborn began to be a thriving area for the Japanese, as many businesses began popping up by the 1990s and Japanese population began to rise. With the founding of Japan Town, a large influx of japanese businesses began to pop up, this includes restaurants, bath houses, barbers, and gambling. Well known japanese supermarket Uwajimaya also founded it’s first physical store in Japan town because of original founder Fujimatsu Moriguchi moved from Tacoma up to Seattle upon their release from the Tule Lake Internment camps in 1942. From 12
there Uwajimaya has had several locations along the japan town area, until finally settling in their current location on 6th ave and king st. With each location change, it also meant expansion for the business, and now with its current location it marks itself as being the largest japanese market in the pacific northwest.
Little Saigon
Beginning in the late 1980s, a concentration of Vietnamese businesses established themselves around the intersection of S Jackson Street and 12th Avenue S; today Little Saigon is a regional hub of Vietnamese culture, economy, and community.
Sitting along the east side of Chinatown, Little Saigon sits as a place for the vietnamese community of the Greater Seattle area to come together. This began during the rise of vietnamese immigrants coming to the pacific northwest after the fall of saigon in 1975. Soon then after the population in the area began to rise, along with the businesses in the area. Now currently about 70% of the businesses in Little Saigon are owned by vietnamese that have migrated from vietnam since the fall of saigon
Adding Little Saigon to International District
viet-wah super market located on Jackson st.
It was in 1984 that Little Saigon gained their nickname for their area when the vietnamese residents and business owners opened their own commercial center. And then three years later a third wave of vietnamese immigrants, refugees and asian americans moved into the area further expanding the population. However, there are more than just the vietnamese that reside in the area, and are open to diversity, as there are other businesses of different ethnicities that also operate in the area. As a destination for shopping, eating, and socializing, the area serves over 40,000 Vietnamese Americans from across the Puget Sound region.
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Wing Luke Museum Just as important as the original history of CID, the Wing Luke Museum continues the learning history of the area, as well as bringing in stories from other groups, areas, and gives an indepth walking tour of the CID. With continuous growth, the Wing Luke will always be there to support the CID, tell it’s story and the people that took the leap of faith to change their lives moving to the CID’s current home.
Chinatown is also home to the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience. A museum named after Seattle City Council member Wing Luke, the first asian american elected into public office in the pacific northwest. The museum rich in history, contains exhibits of asian experiences, as well as an in depth tour of Chinatown itself. Many well known exhibits to take place at the museum are the “Do You Know Bruce?” an exhibit on famous actor and martial artist Bruce Lee. As well as exhibit of the journey of different types of refugees and immigrating to the united states.
“The museum rich in history, contains exhibits of asian experiences, as well as an in depth tour of Chinatown itself.”
(Left) Inside the Wing Luke, looking above the stairs. (Above) Wing Luke Store Front.
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Food
With restaurants on every street, there is always something new to try in the CID. From sushi, noodles, stir-fries, seafood, and desserts the options are endless. Ranging from family friendly, to late night hot spots there is a spot for everyone.
Seattle’s Chinatown-International District, often shortened to the International District, the CID, or simply the ID, is one of the city’s finest cultural destinations. Unsurprisingly, food is at the heart of the experience. Comprising Chinatown, Japantown, and Little Saigon, the ID is just southeast of downtown, yet feels like a complete culinary getaway — it even has its own Link light rail stop. Here, restaurants large and small serve a wide variety of Asian cuisines. Some of the best food highlights in the CID are the desserts. Located in the heart of Chinatown, there is an abundance of cafes, coffe shops, and dessert shops to fill your sweet tooth cravings. Some of our top dessert stops are photo’d below.
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1. Black Ball
Located in the heart of chinatown, Black Ball Taiwanses desserts is a must have stop to add to your dessert tour. With traditional taiwanese desserts, like red beans with grass jelly in half and half, to shaved ice with mochis and fresh fruit there is soemthing for everyone at Black ball. Many of the desserts also contain many different kinds of toppings and flavors, such as mochi, boba, fresh fruit, jelly, taro, the options are endless at Black Ball. Pick one of their pre-made options, or customize your own, you can’t go wrong.
Another Taiwanese favorite and popular dessert chain is 85 °C Bakery located across the street from the Link Lightrail Station, and next to the imfamous chinatown gate. This bakery has something for everyone, ranging from sweet to savory to coffee and juice. You really can’t go wrong with 85 °C. Some of their most popular items are their egg tarts, and their famous sea salt foam ice coffee. You can even catch the sea salt coffee on a special promotion sometimes where on mondays you can get a small size cup for just 85 cents. If you don’t have a big sweet tooth, don’t worry there are some great savory options as well, with different types of salty options, like puffed pastery with cheese and potatoes and also spicy sausage rolls. This is a great stop for something quick and on the go.
3. Young Tea
If you’re a fan of boba/bubble tea then Young Tea is a must have stop. With all natural flavorings, and their own way to make their sweetener, this boba shop is like no other. With a blend of real teas, you can really taste the natural flavors and a real tea experience. Also environmentally friendly Young Tea allows for reusable options, like glass containers and eco-friendly straws, they care about the earth and are always looking to give a little back. If you have your own container you can also bring that in too, and they would be happy to fill it.
From left to right: Black Ball Taiwanese Desserts, 85 C Bakery, and Young Tea. credits go to Seattle Chinatown International District Facebook Page.
2. 85 ° C Bakery
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Savory Options
1. Mike’s Noodle House
Mike’s Noodle House may be the ultimate in Chinese comfort food. For a quick and inexpensive meal, it’s hard to beat bowls of wontons, dumplings, and toothpick-thin egg noodles. This place gets especially crowded on weekends, when diners start their day with a warm bowl of congee, with a variety of great toppings, paired with a youtiao (savory Chinese cruller). Nothing at Mike’s is priced over $6.40. The five-part menu includes meat or seafood noodle soups and dumpling soups, congee (a savory, comforting, breakfast-y, blended rice soup with your choice of additions), noodle dishes, “chief specials” (as the menu calls them) and side orders.
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In addition to the great dessert spots in the CID, there are also an abudance of savory options as well. With noodles, dim sum, seafood, sushi, and bbq on every street you’ll never have a hard time finding a place to eat. In every corner of the CID food rich in culture and history are ready to be shared between friends and family.
2. Tsukushinbo
Tsukushinbo is small and homey, reminiscent of many restaurants in Japan. In addition to a scattering of tables, there’s a wraparound sushi bar that sports 8 seats. We recommend taking one of those seats so that you can talk directly with the sushi chef to find out what’s especially fresh and delicious. The kitchen at Tsukushinbo is quite adept at sending out quality cooked food. The Ippins (small plates) are especially interesting, and reasonably priced. Some are in the printed menu, and some are showcased on the blackboard of specials, but only in Japanese. It’s on the board that a friend once found a dish generically named Ika Special ($6.95). “Ika” is easily understood as squid, but “Special” is mysterious—it could mean anything.
Soba from Tsukushibo’s menu
3. Pho Bac
Sit down for dinner and servers usually wait approximately 30 seconds before they approach and ask what you’d like. This rapid-fire ordering situation works when your only choices are large or small bowl, beef or chicken. It doesn’t quite square with a menu that requires some contemplation. Don’t expect a tableside tutorial on low-intervention wine methods; order off the natural wine list (curated with An’s help, though not part of her shop), and servers often ask that you simply point to the name. Just don’t let Sup Shop’s industrial-chic light fixtures and bottles of biodynamic rosé mislead you. When the restaurant opened in the final days of 2017, “some people thought this place was more refined and upscale,” says Yenvy. “No! Not even a little bit.”
A hot bowl of pho from Pho Bac
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