Best Cheapest Asian Eats in Seattle

Good food doesn't have to be expensive. I'm a big fan of hole in the wall places that serve authentic, satisfying meals without frills. Besides, when you're visiting a city, it's eays to get swindled into going to touristy places downtown like P.F. Chang's or Benihana's. Don't believe the hype -- a short bus ride (or even a cab -- these cheap places will leave you plenty for fare) will deliver you to the Emerald City's unique local neighorhoods where you can always find a fragrant, steaming bowl of pho or a scrumptious Pad Thai.

613 Broadway E

Seattle, WA 98102

(206) 726-9058

Rom Mai Thai, located in hipster-central Capitol Hill, hits it out of the park every time. Friendly service, pleasant décor and delicious entrees make it my favorite Thai restaurant in the city. Every time I go, I’m greeted with a sturdy handshake from the loquacious Toi, who punctuates my dining experiences with table-side news updates about his family in Thailand.

I can’t get enough Pad Woon-sen ($8.95). I know everyone wants to know about the Pad Thai – it’s good – but I’ve discovered Pad Woon-sen, and I need to spread the gospel. Straight from the menu, it consists of “stir-fried crystal noodles with prawns, squid, mushrooms, mixed vegetables, onions and egg.” This is one of those mouth-watering, comforting dishes you can’t stop eating, kind of like a homemade tuna casserole, but (probably) not as fattening. The noodles are closer to a spaghetti shape, as opposed to the wide noodles used in many Thai dishes.

For strict vegetarians, there are plenty of options, including the Swimming Tofu ($7.95), a dish of fresh spinach and fried tofu bathed in peanut sauce. Again, not a low-calorie dish, but you will have plenty to take home for a late night snack. The tofu has a nice crust on the outside, contrasting nicely with the tender, juicy spinach.

If you like it spicy, Rom Mai provides the trademark “ring of fire,” a sectioned serving vessel with several kinds of hot, including my favorite, sliced Thai chilis marinated in fish sauce. You might want to order a sweet Thai iced tea in case the ring gets the better of you.

Pros: homey atmosphere, ring of fire, close to downtown

Cons: more expensive than pho, but not by much.

1400 N 45th St

Seattle, WA 98103

(206) 633-0212

Musashi's is the arhetypical hole in the wall. It's tiny, cramped and easy to miss when you drive by. Located in Wallingford, just west of the U-District, Musashi's is easy to forget. But if you're coming from downtown, all you have to do is jump on bus 71, 72, or 73, get off on The Ave., walk a block to 45th and catch the 44.

The sushi is some of the freshest you'll get in Seattle. You can find all your standard favorites, along with a few surprises. Try the moist, flaky unagi sashimi, or even a refeshing hurosame salad, a cold, mayonnaise-based side dish, something like a Japanese macaroni salad. Perhaps because of Seattle's proximity to abundant salmon, Musashi's has included fried salmon rice balls on their menu. They're about as big as your fist, so don't order more than one if you're going to go all out with a sushi-sashimi platter. If you don't like seafood, but you're forced to go along anyway, Musashi's also has various barbecued meat skewers.

Musashi's serves it all up fast and efficiently, and with airpots on every table, you're only an elbow away from refills of hot tea.

Pro's: fast, cheap, delicious

Con's: a little out of the way, limited seating, a bit of a wait

219 Broadway E

Seattle, WA 98102

(206) 323-4472

I’m generally not a fan of eating at the mall, but I’ll make an exception for Kimchi bistro. It’s a bit of a stretch to refer to Broadway’s stained-wood Alley as a mall, which is a good thing. Kimchi Bistro has a homey atmosphere you would never encounter in a food court.

The northern outskirts of Seattle boast most of the city’s Korean fare, but Kimchi works for me because you don’t need a car to get there and prices hover under $10 a plate.

Other Seattle Korean restaurants I’ve gone to tend to be sprawling, cavernous spaces where you might be greeted by a pile of shoes in the entryway. I don’t have a problem with that, but Kimchi’s trim layout appeals to me. Tucked in the back of the “mall,” it has a secret rendezvous feeling enhanced by inscrutable Korean characters that cover the walls. And there's further mystery: what’s the purpose of those canvas slip-covers that go over the seat backs?

The dolsot bibimbap – beef, vegetables, raw egg and rice served in a hot stone bowl that cooks the egg and crisps up the rice – possesses a rich, buttery aftertaste that keeps you digging in for more. There’s a vegetarian version available, but not much else on the menu for herbivores.

I’m a big fan of the yuk gae jang, the spicy Korean beef and noodle soup. A nice assortment of banchan (side dishes) comes with ungrudgingly offered refills, but the sizable entrees arrive quick enough that you probably won’t need anything else.

Pro’s: hidden from prying eyes, generous portions, super friendly staff

Con’s: not much for vegetarians, pushing the limits of “cheap”