Hunting for a meal that will challenge your adventurous eater's taste buds? Look no further than these stellar local restaurants serving up unique flavors from all over the world.
Fremont
Family-owned Cafe Turko serves up lovely, fresh Turkish cuisine in a spacious, family-friendly atmosphere. Their fare ranges from Turkish classics like doner kebab, meat patties, and pita sandwiches – perfect for little palates – to more adventurous plates like the spicy grilled eggplant in yogurt sauce or the beyti, sautéed eggplant and feta wrapped in lavash bread. Little eaters will also enjoy the mother-in-law breakfast, a platter of tangy kefir cheese, feta, dried apricots, olives and jam – all with plenty of pita to soak it up. As a bonus, many of the menu’s veggie items can be made vegan, and there are tons of gluten-free options. 754 N 34th Street, Seattle, WA 98103
Ballard
Spice lovers rejoice: Pestle Rock packs a serious punch. Serving up northern Thai cuisine with local ingredients (Carlton Farms pork!), Pestle Rock is not for the heat-averse. Although most of their menu is super-spicy, their barbecue combos (chicken or wild boar collar) are much more kid-friendly and come paired with sticky rice and shredded papaya salad. Check out the ba mee hang muutoon (stewed pork with egg noodles) or the guay tiow tom yum (ground pork, vermicelli noodles, and green beans). 2305 NW Market Street, Seattle, 98107
International District
Tamarind Tree is truly a hidden gem, tucked in the corner of a strip mall plaza on Jackson. Their vermicelli bowls packed with carrot, cucumber, shredded daikon, and tender marinated meats are topped with light sweet-and-sour sauces, so your kids won’t even realize how many vegetables they’re getting. Kids will also love the springy, spongy, aromatic coconut rice cake(bánh mįŗ·n cį»§ cįŗ£i chay), a steamed cube of coconut milk and and rice powder topped with steamed prawns or diced veggies. 1036 S Jackson St, Suite A, Seattle, 98104
Though its interior is spartan, Sichuanese Cuisine’s food is anything but boring. With superbly seasoned (and enormously portioned) Sichuanese fare, they’ve got a little something for everyone. Check out the “ant on a tree,” a soupy noodle bowl with ground pork or the tea-smoked duck. Kids will love the sesame chicken and the steamed potstickers: a steal at 20 dumplings for $7. 1048 S Jackson St, Seattle, 98104
Shoreline
Hae-Nam Kalbi & Calamari
Hae-Nam is Korean barbecue at its very best. If you haven’t taken your kids to a Korean BBQ joint where they can grill their own meats on the electric griddles built into the table, now’s your chance. If you’re looking for a lower-intensity meal, check out the soondubu (tofu-based soup) or the bibimbap (rice bowl with tons of shredded veggies, a fried egg, beef bulgogi, and however much – or little – spicy gochujang paste you’d like). 15001 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, 98133