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    Secret Congee

    4.3 (386 reviews)
    ModerateAsian Fusion
    Closed 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

    Secret Congee Photos

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    SECRET CONGEE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Intimate
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - Secret Congee

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    Tom Yum Shrimp Congee
    Rachel R.

    Delicious. Filling. Hits the spot. Nice to sit on the patio and enjoy the weather. The shrimp in the fish are huge. I really enjoyed my meal and emptied the bowl

    Garlic Blue Crab Congee Tom Yum Shrimp Congee Youtiao Crispy Fried Dough
    Rumi C.

    You're not gonna get such unique congee like this anywhere else. Came on a perfect day for congee: gray, drizzly, and chilly. Ordered the tom yum with an egg and the garlic crab with an egg, both of which have such unique flavors and hit the spot on such a day. At around 2pm on a holiday, the wait for a table was not too bad but took a while to get the dishes out. The owner was also hanging out and chatting with the customers. He's always such a delight to talk to and always has a smile on his face!

    Fried Chinese doughnut & Tum yum congee
    June D.

    Tried the Tom Yum congee with fried Chinese doughnuts. Flavor wise, it was good the broth had a nice tangy, savory kick and the toppings were solid. The doughnuts paired well and added a nice texture. That said, the congee itself was only warm instead of hot, which took away from the experience a bit. It was also thicker than I personally prefer. The location definitely lives up to the "secret" name it's tucked away on a corner and you wouldn't really know what they offer unless you walk in. The vibe felt a bit rough around the edges though there was a large puddle at the entrance and noticeable cobwebs on the ceiling. Overall, it was decent and worth trying once, but not somewhere I'd go out of my way to revisit.

    Wild Blue Crab Congee
    Lisa Y.

    This spot shouldn't be a secret any longer! Love their unique take on a simple, humble dish. Secret Congee makes an elevated version of the classic congee. Their congee is topped with things like Tom Yum Shrimp, Garlic Blue Crab, Thai Meatball, Five-Spice Braised Tofu, and even specialty items like Wild Boar, Halibut, and Geoduck! They use jasmine rice cooked in chicken bone broth, and it's so comforting! I had the Garlic Blue Crab Congee, and it came with lots of lump crab meat, along with fried garlic, sliced ginger, chopped scallion, white pepper, and soy sauce. So yummy, and more mild in taste compared to some of the other congees. If you want something super flavorful and with a kick, try the Tom Yum Shrimp Congee. It has wild gulf shrimp, fried garlic, cilantro, ginger, scallion, tom yum sauce, shrimp paste, and white pepper. Whatever you do, you must add on some of their Youtiao Crispy Fried Dough! It's a like a Chinese donut and goes great dipped into the congee! Highly recommend adding on an egg as well--you can get it soft-boiled or even as a chopped century egg! Go early because they can sell out before closing!

    Eina D.

    This was the congee I didn't know I needed. This unassuming little restaurant tucked away in a plaza corner is easy to miss, but its good speaks volumes. As implied in the name, they specialize in congee. I ordered the shrimp tom yum congee and was blown away. I would never think to combine such flavors, but it went so well together. A perfect bowl of comfort. My partner got the blue crab congee and it was filled with crab pieces. It didn't have as strong of a flavor as the tom yum, but it still hit the spot. We paired it with youtiao for the best pre-hike brunch. Initially, we sat outside after ordering from the counter, but was able to find a two-top table indoor and the congee was ready and waiting for us.

    Mushroom congee
    Jess L.

    This place was great! The Thai tea was affordable and deliciously sweet. The congee was both hearty, savory and the contrast in textures were good. This was the case for both the mushroom and the tom yum congee. It's order at front and bus own tables and a small place near the water which was nice for a walk afterwards to digest the food.

    Chenie X.

    Congee has always been my go-to comfort food during winter. We came here on a cold Sunday around 11:50 am and got lucky-- a table was finishing, and we had no wait. We ordered the Tom Yum shrimp congee and the crab congee, and both were packed with rich, comforting flavor. The spice level on the shrimp congee was spot-on--warming without being overpowering. We also ordered the fried dough, which was great on its own or dipped into the congee to soak up all that flavor. The portions were generous, and we were completely full by the end. There was a steady line of people waiting throughout lunchtime. Seating is available both indoors and outdoors. I would definitely recommend this place!

    Tom Yum Shrimp Congee, Garlic Blue Crab Congee, Slow-Cooked Beef and Kimchi Congee, Youtiao Crispy Fried Dough
    Selina H.

    The congees here are quite expensive but delicious. I tried the tom yum, blue crab, and beef and kimchi congees. The garlic blue crab one had a good amount of crab in it but the flavor was average and something you can easily put together at home. It also had too much ginger. The beef and kimchi congee was good but the tom yum really outshined the others. It was the most flavorful one and had so many jumbo shrimps! I loveeed the tom yum coconuty flavor. The youtiaos are a must get to eat with your congee. They weren't that crispy/fresh but still delicious to eat with the congee. The food came out really fast as well! I'm not a fan of the seating situation here though. You order at the counter and then bus your own table if you can find one. There's very limited seating inside and it's always so busy. When I sat outside it was cold and the steel chairs didn't help. There are heaters but it doesn't do much unless you stand close to it.

    Youtiao Crispy Fried Dough
    Wisnu R.

    This place is soooo goooodddd!!!!! Even better since the weather been so cold. Staff were friendly and the foods is fire!! Its been two yeats since the last time we're here; and its still as good as i remember it. They added a deck in the front for outdoor seating which is awesome. Small place with small menu is a good sign that its a special place. Just love it. What we got today: Tom yum congee 5/5 This is one of our favorite. Always hit the spot. So good!!! Classic chicken congee 5/5 Always good! The good ol classic. Chinese fried donut 5/5 Please please get this. Chinese donut and congee is just the perfect pairing. So so so good. Go to secret congee; you'll like it. Trust me.

    Braised Pork Belly Congee
    Aaron W.

    Well I said in my first review that S/C never disappoints, I'd say today was definitely a misstep for lunch. I don't see the owner onsite as much as I used to lately and today the normal generous garnishes that used to colorfully adorn the plate were gone too, just a pinch of ginger and some green onions thrown on. Also the meatballs were WAY salty and just lacked that home cooked depth they used to. It was the busiest I've seen the restaurant today yet the food was lacking from past vists. Didn't help that bus tubs were stuffed full and the staff just seemed overwhelmed by the pace today.

    Garlic Blue Crab Congee
    Kas C.

    Congee it favorite comfort food so imagine how excited I was when I discovered this place. I've tried blue crab, shrimp tom yum and scallop congee. Everything has been consistently excellent. My favorite has been shrimp tom yum; it's like a flavor explosion and not spicy at all. Don't forget to add a soft boiled egg to your congee. I learned the owners are Thai which didn't surprise me because I'm also from Thailand where there are mom and pop congee restaurants everywhere, but this place definitely elevates the congee experience. They even offer condensed milk on the side to go with Chinese donuts because that's how we eat it back home. Efficient service. Cozy ambiance. It's a bit of a drive from where I live but definitely worth a trip.

    Garlic Blue Crab Congee
    Vivian H.

    I was sorely disappointed with this place. It had never been on my list, but a friend wanted to try. I grew up eating congee as it's a common Cantonese dish, so I have a high standard for it. I ordered the Wild Blue Crab Congee, which was expensive and small - not filling at all. I understand that the price I paid for is for seafood, but if I had to again, I'd rather have congee at a Chinese restaurant or make it at home. It's not worth the price. I also went on a very busy day and there is already limited indoor seating. Luckily, it didn't rain outside, but it was very chilly and there is also limited outdoor seating (without heating) as well. You order inside before you find seating, but it was never clear to me if you had to bus your table or not. The cashier gave me a cup when I ordered and said they'd bring out a water pitcher. They never did. Secret Congee is located in Ballard, near Shilshole Bay. It can be difficult to find parking and it does feel like you're in the middle of nowhere.

    Wild halibut congee
    Lisa N.

    It's no secret that this is my fave place to get congee. I mean where else can you go to get congee?? Besides make it at home or go to a few Asian restaurants for basic congee w/ century eggs. Secret Congee has elevated flavors with a twist on their congee. I was so eggcited to try & it was definitely a warm & comforting meal, especially during the cold weather in Seattle. What caught my eye was the shrimp tom yum congee. I'm a sucker for tom yum so I knew I had to order this! Wow, shrimp was plump and flavors were on point. I also wanted to try their beef and kimchi congee, wild halibut congee + add-ons of fried chinese donut & chopped century egg. It's a must order paired so well with your congee. I would say shrimp tom yum was my number 1. The staff were very friendly and offered great recommendations. Limited seating. Fast service. Apparently they have a sister restaurant called Ginger Scallion. I'll have to check it out next time I'm in Seattle!

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    Secret Congee Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Secret Congee

    Is the pork belly congee still on their menu?

    It is, but the last two times I have been there over the last 3 months, they were out of it. FYI- last time they added Duck to the menu and it was really good!👍

    What time does your shop close? I came here and they were not accepting orders an hour before closing time.

    Their hours are Thursday thru Sunday from 11-2:30pm.

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    Sen Noodle Bar is a solid spot for noods and more, offering southeast Asian dishes in a casual…read moresetting in Ballard. We were glad to dine here on a cold, rainy day, as they had noodle soup to warm us up. Sen Noodle Bar is located on a popular street in Ballard, so is easy to find with street parking around. In particular, we dined here after visiting the Nordic Museum, which was a short walk down the street. On a Thursday night, the place wasn't busy, with just a few patrons dining in. My partner ordered the suki talay while I had the coconut turmeric noodle soup with chicken. It didn't take long for our bowls to be out, and everything was solid. My coconut turmeric noodle soup with chicken was flavorful, and liked the bean sprouts for some crunch with the liquid and tender chicken. I also love turmeric, so was glad that this was the base of the dish along with the coconut. Overall, if you're looking for some southeast Asian noodle dishes then Sen Noodle Bar has you covered, along with local taps, appetizers, friendly staff in a fun setting where the string lights shine in every color inside all year round. Solid stuff.

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    Revel is a great spot for a unique dining experience for modern Korean food. The service was…read morewonderful, and we enjoyed the dishes we ordered. We got the short rib wontons, kimchi pancake, Dungeness crab noodle, and Korean fried chicken. My favorites were the short rib wontons and Korean fried chicken! The wontons were in a delicious chili sauce, and the fried chicken was crisp and marinated well. Personally I felt like the Dungeness crab noodle was just okay, I wish there were more crab pieces. Portions for the dishes overall are pretty small, so the restaurant is pretty pricey overall. For dessert we ordered the basque hojicha cheesecake and really liked it! The cheesecake had a nutty flavor and good texture with the crust. Our server kindly provided us an extra dessert, the panna cotta. This dessert was really light and refreshing - a perfect complement. Overall I really enjoyed the experience at revel. There's a couple standout dishes and service was great. The menu is a bit pricy, but I'm interested in checking out the Sunday night dinner pre fixe meal.

    Food: Everything was slightly sweet but had good flavor. My favorite was the Napa cabbage, it had a…read moreslightly smoky taste. The Dungeness crab noodles were the most disappointing because the whole dish was too sweet and the minimal amount of crab was too salty. The lemonade was too sour. Service: The service was great and everyone was attentive. Ambiance: The restaurant is very hipster and invites a younger crowd.

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    Best oyster bar in Seattle, excellent raw seafood bar. Spot prawn crudo and Pacific oysters are a…read morestandout. Outstanding service and staff that really know their seafood. Renee Erickson's team always does excellent with small plates. The endive salad with toasted pistachios was delightful, refreshing, and well-made. Sit at the oyster bar and order a glass of your favorite crisp white or bubbly. Always a good time, great vibes. Usually love the steak tartare but the night we went they were using some odd aioli that I didn't care for.

    The Walrus & Carpenter is a place I wanted to love, and there's definitely a lot to like here. The…read morespace is fantastic and very inviting, with a lively, cozy feel that makes it easy to settle in and enjoy the experience. The food is good across the board. The oyster selection is always fantastic with a great variety to choose from, though they do feel a tad pricey. The bread is fabulous, really well done, but at the end of the day it's still just bread. The tartare is solid and enjoyable. I was a bit disappointed in the sardines as the walnut pesto and shallots overwhelmed the fish, which on their own are delicious and didn't need that much going on. The cheese options are another highlight and something I do quite enjoy. Overall everything here is solid and well executed, and I understand why it's popular. For me though, it never quite reaches exceptional. It's a good experience, just not one I find myself going out of my way for.

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    I wish I could give this place 6 stars because it is really that good! I normally do not drink the…read morebroth of Khao Soi. I got the duck, and it was so tender and juicy. We also tried the dip, which was so refreshing and a great palate cleanser. Not to mention, the food comes out surprisingly fast despite how busy they are! So you can tell they are a very efficient team. Will definitely come back when I am in the area!

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    I was blown away that there were no other diners at Chef Liao on a Friday night, maybe no one…read moreappreciates how unsuspectingly great this restaurant is. It did seem like there were quite a few takeout orders, but the pace was so slow that the ENTIRE staff had the opportunity to take in a beautiful meal together mid-shift. That's not something you get to see live in a restaurant too often. But that's the type of family atmosphere and camaraderie that you can expect here. So bring your finest homies with you to Chef Liao for an outstanding meal in a place that feels like home. The service here appeared to be of the highest order, but that may once again be because we were dining alone. They might as well have brought out the white table cloth, candle and roses for us. I was immediately flooded with nostalgia once I took a glance at the menu. General Tso's chicken? It gave me memories of the Chinese restaurants from my childhood in Massachusetts that were catered to the American palate decades ago. A taste that is hard to find in Seattle, but a welcomed memory. We ordered a beef lo mein, some sort of crispy noodles, and salt and pepper prawns. You might not be able to tell by my pictures, but the portions here are enormous. Everything here appears the be built to feed a family of four. I brought my hungriest homie, and we still could not finish all of the grub that was allotted. It will be a true test of your grit and ambition if you decide to push further than we did. We ended up having such a good time here that they had to kick us out because they were closing down for the evening. The "Yap n Yakisoba" session will have to reconvene another time, I suppose. The food here was great, but I really appreciated talking to the staff. The gentleman who was taking our order told us that he was bringing his family on a river cruise vacation in Romania the next week, so they would be closed. We will be back with more friends soon, but I hope you enjoy your well-deserved time off sir!

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