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Congee on a cold Seattle morning, what else could be more warming and comforting? Congee is a simple rice porridge dish. I've actually never had it at a restaurant before, so having this homey dish out was such a treat. I got their Thai meatball congee and adding their fried dough. Rookie move on my part was not getting a century egg or soft boiled egg. I loved all the add-ins they have on the table - white pepper, togorashi, and a sauce that I think was a veld of fish sauce and vinegar. That with the fresh ginger made the dish really pop. Parking was on the street and it's easy to pass by- that why they call it secret congee!
A cozy mom and pop serving up comforting bowls of congee featuring fusion toppings. It's a really small spot located by the water in Ballard. I got the Beef and Kimchi Congee which came with a generous portion. You also have the option to dress up your congee even more with a boiled or century egg. Overall super simple and yummy!
Very nice restaurant specialize in congee. It looks like thai sytle Comgee. We came here at lunch time. The restaurant is small and has seating indoor and outdoor. It was busy when we arrived. There is no decoration inside the restaurant. They have couple types of congee. The ordering system is you order at the cashier. The congee is unique as I never had this type of combination. Normally I have like century egg and mince pork congee, fish congee or chicken congee. The congee at this place is at different level. We ordered crab congee, tomyum congee, chinese donut , and Thai ice tea. The congee are really unique as I never had Tom yum congee nor this type of crab congee where you got the crab meat without the need to get your hand dirty to open the shell. It is quite premium price. They are really yummy and the thai ice tea is not that sweet which is good. It was a good lunch with my family.
This review is for the Uchu popup on weekend nights. Love the casual surfy vibes. I loved the ceviche mixto, fried seafood and the purple corn juice - forgot how to pronounce. The guy at the counter was funny and cracked me up when he brought over water and said it's the best stuff on earth. I would go back again when I am in the neighborhood again.
We got the Tom Yum congee, crab congee, and youtiao. The portions were pretty big and definitely filled us up! The Tom Yum congee was my favorite--such a unique combo and really tasty. I'd definitely come back!
Secret Congee was pretty good overall! We went with our family on a Sunday and it was BUSY busy, but thankfully we didn't have to wait too long. I got the squash mushroom congee and thought it was delicious! We also shared the Chinese doughnut appetizer, which everyone really enjoyed. My husband got the beef and kimchi congee, but unfortunately wasn't very happy with the temperature of his food. My kiddos and mother-in-law got the chicken congee and thought it was just okay. My mother-in-law especially didn't care for the smell of the chicken, which was surprising because she's usually not very picky. Seating is pretty limited. There were some regular tables outside, and we ended up scoring makeshift covered eating area that fit our party. If we came back and couldn't find seating, we'd probably just take our food to the beach and enjoy a warm meal by the water instead! It seemed like they may have been understaffed or just weren't expecting such a big Sunday rush. We had to bus our own table, and the trash/dish area was overflowing by the time we were there, which took away from the experience a bit. Overall, it was an okay experience. There were definitely some hits and misses, but I really enjoyed my congee and would be willing to give them another try--maybe on a less busy day!
I was feeling under the weather and my hubby wants to take me to eat congee to help me feel better. We were kinda skeptical since it's about 45 mins away from our home but we trusted Yelp and made our way here. Not going to lie, we almost changed our mind and was going to go to Unbien across the street. However, we were determined to try this place and I'm glad we did! It was really filling and definitely hit the spot. I am not a congee fan but it was really fulfilling and delicious. The thai iced tea was reasonable. My hubby was also impressed with the food. We would totally recommend this place. There are seats inside and outside the establishment so that was nice.
This place is very hyped up and I was excited to try it! There is plenty of street parking and this place is shockingly close to the pier. Not much indoor seating but plenty of patio seating (not good for big groups, best for groups of 1-2 people). I really only wanted to try the Thai congee and that did turn out to be the best one. This is a fusion place and prices are a little high (considering when we make congee at home, it's pennies for the rice itself). They do cook the congee well (the consistency is a nice texture) and we got it with youtiao (chinese donuts). Also tried a five spice tofu and a crab meat one. The thai one by far had the most flavor and came with 4 huge peeled shrimp which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Chinese donut was good to soak up the congee. Overall, it was a warm comforting meal and I'm glad to have tried it. Price point is a little high for congee, but that's probably just the Seattle climate now.
I'd really only call this place in Ballard near Shilshole Bay "secret" because as I parked my car using street parking around the vicinity and walked to the opposite side where Happy Crab and this place is, my foodie friend and I simply walked past it a couple steps and THEN realized we walked PAST it... it was either the heat on the Saturday noon we went or their Secret Congee sign outside was obscure. Also it took about 49 minutes to get from here to Seattle, while I had to go through a ton of weekend I-5 bottlenecks and traffic chokepoints. All seating from the inside to the two outdoor patio sections was taken when my friend and I got here but cleared up a lot the longer we stayed. The menu is available near the front door and above the counter where you place your order. Staff provide you water at the counter once you place your order, and napkins and chopsticks are self-serve though you get a soup spoon when you get your congee. Speaking of which, there's a good number of varieties of congee here! They're not like the congee you get from dim sum restaurants but there are some interesting takes, from regular chicken to blue crab congee. Other items include youtiao (crispy fried dough) and century eggs, along with drinks like That iced tea to go on the side as well. When I first went here with another friend around 2020 or 2021 when it still shared space with Drunken Chicken back in Wallingford, I got their spicy tom yum shrimp congee in a relatively large compostable bowl and sat at the outdoor patio overlooking Wallingford Ave N and not thinking about the pandemic's hold on everyone's sanity. Funny enough, I got the same tom yum congee for this visit, only I'm sitting in the dine-in area after someone JUST left a table in the fully occupied seating here. This take on congee has 5 pieces of shrimp, ginger, scallion, tom yum sauce and shrimp paste, and a nice chicken bone broth. This is a spicy dish, but the two of us didn't think it was unbearable. Shrimp is fresh and tangy along with the rest of the broth, and there were several pieces of chili peppers in our dish. There is a strong lemongrass taste possibly coming from the tom yum sauce itself but I loved it a lot more because of that! Jasmine rice is cooked in the right consistency as congee, and shrimp was not bogged down by the seafood-like aftertaste that comes from improperly flavored seafood. Friend and I pretty much finished everything inside the bowl except for the chili peppers themselves. I see the recipe and overall look has not changed from 5-6 years ago! I just wish I had gotten some youtiao so I could dip it in my congee and make it complete! Most things here are self-serve, and you do need to bus your own table. Trash, recycling and glassware are all organized near the front counter and labeled clearly for the most part. They also have one unisex restroom appropriately labeled "secret lavatory" on the door. This was a far drive but something I've wanted to try again since having it during a rough patch in the pandemic. Even for those not really into congee, don't pass up on this place even if it is considered a little "secret" because of the location!
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!
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.
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
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.
2 years ago
this place is supposed to specialize in congee, and the congee was below mid. i like the idea, but i wouldn't return especially since it costs almost $20 per bowl. it's almost grainy so it tastes like a mix of grits and congee. sadly, i wouldn't be surprised if it was instant. on the other hand, the seafood they use is good. the shrimp was perfect texture and so fresh while the scallops were big and tasty. read more
I was pleasantly surprised at the depth of congee flavor and the large portion of premium toppings (particularly with seafood like big chunks of crab and many whole scallops). Service was friendly and interior is cozy with a handful of tables if you want to dine in. As we were eating, we saw a pretty good flow of traffic coming in to pick up takeout (easily orderable via their Square site). Service was friendly and the congee was perfect for chilly, gray day. Will definitely be back to try more menu items! read more
2 years ago
Food was good, is a bit on the pricey side. Seating is small. Card only. Would come back if I was in the area read more
BEST CONGEE EVER!! you can't go wrong with any of their congee, really i tried the garlic blue crab congee and tom yum shrimp congee! perfect balance in flavor with loadssssss of toppings. they have patio dining for a nice weather and indoor dining area as well. boss is so kind and makes this whole experience even better. thank you, will return soon!! read more
3 years ago
As someone who grew up eating congee I excited to hear that there was a place that puts their own twist on this traditional dish. Before heading to the Sunday farmers market we stopped by and was surprised to see that it was located right across the street from a very popular Cuban sandwich spot we've frequented! The restaurant is quite small but they did have tables set up outside in the parking lot. We ordered the Thai Meatball, Slow Cooked Beef and Kimchi, Five Spiced Braised Tofu, a side of Chinese Donuts, and added a soft boiled egg to each congee dish. My favorite congee was the the Five Spiced Braised Tofu. The flavor was the most unique out of the three which was probably due to the rice being cooked in a mushroom broth vs chicken. The other two congees were still great but the flavors were too familiar and I felt that it could have been made at home. I would be curious to try the Scallop, Blue Crab, or Sea Bass flavors next time but not sure if I can justify playing over $20 for a bowl of congee. read more
4 years ago
Absolutely delicious congee from the sweetest staff! I love this restaurant concept as I've never seen a place dedicated to congee. The menu is beautifully thought out as the variety of congee ranges from savory meat ones, to a vegetarian one with mushrooms and squash (I ended up choosing this one!) There's also a selection of add ons to elevate your meal even further, I added a soft boiled egg in mine and it was PERFECTLY cooked! The congee was warm and packed with flavor, while being the perfect consistency. I loved the amount of toppings it included and was plenty enough to be two meals for me. I can't wait to come back and try more of their menu! read more
Secret Congee serves very tasty and loaded with toppings congees. They are served in big servings for a decent price. They recently relocated to a bigger store in Ballard, they now have plenty of seatings inside and outside the restaurant. We've ordered their Gluten Free Slow-Cooked Beef and Kimchi and Classic Chicken Congee. Very tasty and filling! The Beef and Kimchi Congee is my fave so far. Other of their congee flavors include Braised Pork Belly, Tom Yum Shrimp, Miso and Squash, Hokkaido Scallop, Garlic Blue Crab and Pork Meatballs. Add ons include Youtaio Crispy Fried Dough, Soft Boiled Egg & Century Egg. They also offer drink options, like Thai Iced Tea. They are also offering seasonal item such as Thai Shaved Ice during the summer time. read more
2 years ago
I came across this hidden gem after watching a local YouTuber mention it in their video. I hadn't tried Congee before this so I didn't know what expect. After trying this, I'll definitely be coming back to other other dishes on their menu. This is small shop that runs until 3pm or until they run out of menu items (they definitely do, so reach before 2pm). I arrived at noon and they ran out of a few different types of Congee. Although the seating indoors is limited, they restaurant has outdoor seating availability. Not only that, but they do take out orders which a lot of customers did! If you enjoy savory breakfast or brunch foods, try Congee! If you need your morning caffeine fix, they have several coffee and tea options so it's an all in one breakfast/brunch joint. The staff were also very warm and welcoming and explained the what Congee once I let them know this was my first time trying it. If you're visiting on a warmer day, you should take your meal to go and sit by the beach, which is literally a 3 minute walk away. Additionally, there's a lot of parking, so you don't even need to worry about finding street parking! read more
4 years ago
Hmm, a unique Asian fusion twist on congee? Would this be a good idea to check out? I had seen some IG posts/stories of this little shop which greatly interested me. And I have to say, there was absolutely no regrets trying here! It's located across of Un Bien on the harbor side on Seaview Ave NW in Ballard. There's only street parking around the area which could be difficult to find during peak hours. I was feeling sick and thought this was the perfect opportunity to have some congee even on a dreadfully hot day! I tried to preorder for take out via phone for my boyfriend to pick up but noticed there's no phone number to do that. Saaad. Wasn't able to go out so I couldn't ask for a number. Hopefully that'll be updated soon if they do preorders! I got the Tom Yum Shrimp Congee, and my boyfriend got the Braised Pork Congee. I was really looking forward to the tom yum shrimp because 1. I love Tom yum, 2. I love shrimp, 3. I love congee. WHAT A GREAT COMBINATION! Upon opening the container, it smelled amazing! So much flavor pouring out of the take out container and right before I even tried it. One bite, and I am instantly in love! The flavors of the tom yum was amazing! Spicy and rich with a subtle hint of ginger. For some reason, I didn't expect it to be really spicy but boy, was I wrong LOL. Didn't help my sore throat but it was addicting. There wasn't much rice as I'm used to, so it was actually more like a soup in my opinion. I added my own century egg as it always goes really well in congee. That was a really nice addition. Yum! My boyfriend's braised pork belly congee was also suuuper good! The braised pork belly had most of the flavor and added to the congee which was more subtler. Crazy how such a simple dish can be fused into something differently delicious! Prices are a little high, but I was actually relatively full after half a bowl. And the food was delicious! Definitely will be back to try their other items in the future! P.S. If you're feeling adventurous, do try adding in the century egg. I grew up in a Chinese household who ate this often and have always loooved the addition of the egg in congee or by itself. Don't hate it until you try it hehe. read more
2 years ago
What we ordered: Garlic Blue Crab Congee, Tom Yum Shrimp Congee, & Youtiao Crispy Fried Dough. Secret Congee just opened up in Ballard! This location has a few tables where you can dine in inside or outside. Stopped by Secret Congee for some breakfast a couple weeks ago. It was filling, comforting, and delicious! My favorite would have to be the Tom Yum Shrimp as it was so flavorful! I love dipping the youtiao into the congee as well. Definitely come check them out! read more
Tried this place over the weekend and ordered a pork belly congee, a blue crab congee, and one order of youtiao. I had the blue crab congee which was quite good with a nice fried garlic kick. My husband had the pork belly congee which was okay, surprisingly much more muted in flavor than we would've expected based on the appearance. Overall, I liked this place as it puts a slightly elevated twist onto traditionally simple comfort food. However it is quite pricey so I'm not sure how often I would come back. read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
Congee is my ultimate comfort food and I'm so glad I stopped by on a random chilly summer day! I'm generally a classic chicken congee kind of gal, but they have so many interesting options here like Tom yum. I was a little unsure how I'd like the other flavors, but it was really good! I got the meatball one which was really good. The meatballs were so tasty and flavorful, and the congee itself was cooked with a great chicken stock. My dad got the impossible meat one. He liked it though he didn't know it was curry flavored so if you don't love a heavy curry flavor, I'd say it's not for you. The price is a little steep, but the ingredients are so high quality so I think it's worth it. Definitely will be back especially on a cold day! read more
2 years ago
Delicious, hot rice porridge to have on a cold day. Flavorful with many different toppings, it definitely is the fanciest congee I've had. Seating inside is limited and they do offer outdoor seating as well. While it was tasty and great congee, it is on the more expensive side. read more
2 years ago
Tried this place for the first time the other day. Great meal for a cold day. The flavour was amazing and was so good. Definitely recommend adding the white pepper and chili oil read more
4 years ago
We saw the news on the social media about relocation and decided to check it out. It's in Ballard near the Shilshole Bay Marina and across street from the restaurant, Un Bien. There were plenty of street parking spots compared to the old location. A cozy interior has limited seating, 3 x two tops, 2 x 4 tops inside and 2 x two tops outside. When you walked in, you placed an order at the counter. They gave you a table number and deliver to you if you dined in. It took about 30 mins and we ordered, chicken congee with soft boiled egg, Tom yum shrimp one with fried donut and chili oil contained peanuts. It's the best comfort food in this cloudy weather. They offered Togo service too. Although it's farther now, it's definitely worth driving. We will continue to support and come visit often. Thank you for the delicious food! read more
3 years ago
I can't say I'm a congee person, but this place blew my mind! The Tom yum shrimp congee was so flavorful and delicious, I wanted seconds. Portions were huge and there were generous amounts of shrimp, seafood and century egg. What's pictured is actually one bowl split into two portions (they were so kind to split it for us!), and yet, it was filling and there were enough ingredients to share. We also got the last basket of youtiao for the day, and sure did they go well with that congee broth. I have no words except: so good, so delicious, I might now be a congee convert, and I might just come back for another bowl of Tom yum shrimp congee real soon. read more
Do yourself a favor and try this place!! It's a secret gem of restaurant near golden gardens. We tried the shrimp tom yum congee and the sea bass congee. Both were very fresh and flavorful, and the texture of congee is perfectly silky. I would definitely recommend the sea bass congee - I loved the light and aromatic flavor. The shrimp tom yum was also delicious. Flavor is similar to the Mama Tom yum instant noodles, so I don't think I would get this one again, but I was glad I tried it. We also tried the you-tiao on the side which came out super hot and not too dry. The workers here are super sweet and will give recommendations if you ask! Seating is limited, so you may have to wait for a spot to open up, or take it outside. Yes, this place is a bit pricey (about $20 for a bowl), but I would absolutely come here again. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
I love this place! Good food, nice people, nice location--hard to beat all that. Try it, you'll like it. read more
1 year ago
4 years ago
As far congee goes, this is a quick casual little nourishing place. Service is quick and friendly. The different offerings such as the tom yum are interesting enough and the chicken option would probably be amazing if you were sick. 1 star down due to it still being congee. Can't overlook that. It's essentially porridge. Worth a try it's just not something I would eat often. read more
This is my second time eating here and it reminded me why I keep coming back I tried the Hokkaido Scallop congee this time , and I introduced my friend to the Garlic Blue Crab congee and both were sooo tasty The balance of the garnishes they put on top, mix with a bit of soy sauce and white pepper hit the spot. I also suggest ordering the youtiao (Chinese donut)! This restaurant is not a secret anymore! They are almost always really busy and have limited spots to sit , so I suggest coming in between meal times or close to opening hours . The staff were really sweet despite all of their customers , and they also made time to check on us during our meal. Please come and try this congee spot out! read more
Great lunch at Secret Congee on a Friday. This bourgeois hole-in-the-wall shop served delicious and eclectic Asian fusion rice porridges! There are limited seats inside, but my party of two luckily snagged a table by the window and were able to enjoy our carb-loaded feast with the sun streaming in. We ordered two different porridges to share and the fried dough (you tiao). I really liked my Tom Yum porridge and my friend was similarly impressed with her scallop porridge with added century egg. The flavors were complex and yet not salty or overpowering. The rice was cooked to a silky smooth consistency. And the toppings were fresh and well-tailored to each porridge. Would definitely come back for a light lunch in the neighborhood! read more
2 years ago
This is a very interesting take on congee. I like the creative liberties they have taken to try to make congee a more global experience. I want to point out that there are a few things I would update slightly. First the five spice is over powering in the congee that I had. Dialing that back a little would really help the flavor profile. Second, I would like to see the really thickly cooked congee. The stuff that you know has been cooking for a while and the real comfort food that most of us enjoy. Lastly, the ingredients are pretty simple and I would have liked to see the price reflect that. If not, slightly more portioning would be my suggestion. Now overall I think its a solid place for breakfast if I was around but its just not quite there where I would go out of my way to get it. read more
4 years ago
So I was a congee virgin, never having had it before. It's good! basically a rice porridge, with addins. I'm vegan, so chose one of the two vegan options. Note that it is a LOT of food. Think of this as brunch... the bowl to me is big enough to serve as almost two meals. The place is tiny, and indeed "secret" insofar as there's not even a sign on the building. Google the directions and you'll be fine. Ample on street parking, and there's a huge parking lot next door. The fried bread is awesome, too. It's fried in vegetable oil, although I'm not convinced the dough is vegan. I tried asking, but there were language barriers with the server. I went with visiting family in the middle of the week, and was surprised by how busy it was. it was a nice day, so we sat outside. Steady DoorDash delivery people coming in. Inside, a lot of Asian grandmas were eating inside, which is a good sign. read more
First off the food is amazing. A 5/5 to me, is a solid "YES I will happily drive miles to go here anytime to get my fix. I got two congee Hokkaido scallop and Blue Crab which came out to a total of 43 (before tax). Almost 50 dollars after tip which makes me think "it was good but would I eat it again? Maybe/maybe not" Downsides. - the price - the location (in ballard which can be out of the way from the previous fremont location) Positives - one of a kind since its creative fusion! - service - scallops in the hokkaido scallop are huge! I always crave secret congee when I'm not feeling well, but that's the only time I really order. If you don't mind spending a bit more money but want some really great congee, definitely stop by! read more
More info about Secret Congee
6301 Seaview Ave NW
Seattle, WA 98107
Sunset Hill, Ballard
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https://secret-congee.square.site
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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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