Tai Tung Restaurant

 

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37

Melodie S.

Cary, NC

Been coming here since my mother was reigning queen of Seattle's disco nightlife. I have dragged more people than I could even venture to guess through that padded door past the counter- taking someone to Tai Tung means I really really like you, or am just about to break up with you.
If you haven't tried the seafood hot pot, you are just cheating yourself.

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0

12

John C.

Mercer Island, WA

Been going here since I was a kid and it's still the same...delicious.   Talked to the waiter and found out this place has been around since 1935.  Damn, they should have landmark status not the Denny's in Ballard.  Also found out some of the waiters have been working there for over 30 years, maybe that's why some of them seem grumpy, but it's cool and all part of the experience.  Service is fast and efficient and surprisingly, they pour a stiff drink that relaxes the mind ;).

Here are my favorites:  Chicken wings, Hot and Sour Soup, Chicken Chow Fun, Sliced Cod with Chinese Greens, Steamed Black Cod and Steamed Salmon.   Also, when the BBQ pork is fresh out of the oven, it is to die for, they use the leanest pork I've ever had, not like the fatty stuff that most places use that taste good, but clog up the arteries.

Also if you're in a rush and need a take out, they are super fast.  I've timed it before, I called in an order, waited five minutes, double parked, ran inside, picked up my food, and bam, out the door and away I go.

Don't come here if you're looking to get pampered or for a glamourous atmosphere otherwise you'd be disappointed, just straight up Cantonese food.

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0

3

dill w.

Kirkland, WA

Home.   That's the spot a meal at Tai Tung hits in my soul.  Exceeding simple comfort food, it's joy and deliciousness served up on ancient thick plates that wear the marks of generations of stainless spoons scooping in adoration.  Every bite, taste, fragrance, chew, slurp and smack intoxicates me with the sensations of the most wondrous nutritive bliss.

Okay, sorry, I'm sounding melodramatic but this is my first review and my most loved restaurant, ever.  

Tai Tung was the place my family would go for birthday's, when we had guests in town, or just because our cravings were too strong to deny.   It was probably 1965 that I had my first meal there.  I was too young to remember but was told I plunged my piece of BBQ pork in the hot mustard and into my mouth before they could catch me.  It was years again before I would go near the mustard but that didn't slow me down for the rest of their offerings.  So part of my love is the association with good times, but it's more than that, I swear.  When I say intoxicates I'm not trying to be poetic, it's real.  Every time I leave through those swinging doors I've got a really good buzz.

Some of my favorites:

Deep Fried Tofu w/ BBQ Pork (so good, with a brown, mild version of black bean sauce)

Asparagus Beef (in spring when the asparagus is bright green and crisp)

Chef's Special Chop Suey (sorry Ron G. - lots of gorgeous black mushrooms along with chunky veggies and whatever kinda meat you want)

Beef Noodle (this one is a definitive comfort food - bland soft noodles in a simple beef and onion sauce.  Beats chicken soup for a cold any day!).  There's also a tomato version that good too.

The BBQ pork, sesame balls, chicken wings, beef chow fun, chow mien, steamed cod, foo young, almond chicken.

They also have the yummiest fortune cookies.

But the BE ALL END ALL: SWEET AND SOUR SHRIMP!!!!!!!!!!

Pillowy rings of specially butterflied fried shrimp, glistening in thick, sweet, golden sauce that's spiked with a fruity deep tang of cider vinegar, along with steamed rice, HEAVEN ON EARTH.

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3

15

Tulani K.

Seattle, WA

I went here for dinner the other day and was promptly reminded how delicious it is, and how fun it is to sit in your own private booth in  weird outdated 60's/70's decor... the hot and sour soup was absolutely delicious.

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3

22

Eugenius O.

Seattle, WA

Tai Tung is just as much of a Seattle landmark to Chinese food-lovers as the Space Needle is to Seattleites.  Both have similar traits: they're always there, they always please the soul and they remind us of why we like our city.  My criteria broken down:

Food - always consistent.  I order the almond chicken, beef chow fun and mongolian beef everytime I visit, and it's always piping hot, fresh, tasty and healthful feeling (though factually, it's probably not).

Service - quick, down-to-business and no nonsense.  I've had my fair share of favorite waiters over the years, but after dining there for over seven years, I'm not really looking for smiling faces at this point because I'm only there on a mission for the food nowadays.

Atmosphere - dark, outdated, peaceful, quiet.  The walls are made of that wood/vinyl wallpaper/cardboard-type material that reminds me of why I wanted to live in the 60's/70's (I was born in the early 80's).  It's always clean.

Prices - neverchanging, feasible, affordable and blue-collared.  Most entrees are under $10 unless you're ordering seafood dishes.  No need to complain here.

I'll always come back.

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Elite '08

120

503

D.J. Y.

Shoreline, WA

...it's solid....solid like a rock....

Actually one of my fav places to go for lunch.  On a cold blustery gray winter day, I'll head on over to this Seattle institution.  These folks have been here for a very long time and by the looks of the inside of the place, you'll know that I speak the truth.

While there is no other place like this in Seattle the food here is your basic Cantonese affair.  Nothing amazing just solid.  One of my fav's is the War gow, (sp?) soup.  Somewhat like won-ton soup this has egg noodles, and pork dumplings in it, along with some Chinese greens and bbq pork.  The broth is always hearty and flavorful, not over powering just solid.

Now I wouldn't make the trek down here from Shoreline for dinner, but for lunch you can't beat it.  If memory serves they still offer valet parking at night, don't quote me on that...

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11

34

Ron G.

WA

I have been coming here since the '80 I guess.  I always get the Singapore Noodles; extra spicy.  At one point in time, about 10 years ago, they served this dish with big black mushrooms; yuk.  Now, they  get it right EVERY time.  The black mushrooms are gone and it is about as perfect a curry noodle dish as could be expected.  The salty cabbage soup (included) is always a pleasant way to begin the experience.  

Also, they are one of the few restaurants in Chinatown, sorry, The International District, to offer free parking (one block to south).

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4

72

ian l.

Seattle, WA

This is the best, Since my wife's family has been coming here for decades we get great treatment. My wife is all about the chow fun

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150

iTesh Y.

Berkeley, CA

This place was recommended on a travel brochure as being Seattle's oldest Chinese restaurant.  And so I trekked through some dicey areas of town to find a rather small restaurant with menu items posted on a wall from your Kung Pao chicken to Chow Mein.  However, there wasn't much available if you're vegetarian.  After a bit of haggling, however, they did prepare for me something vegetarian and so they get 4 stars.

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1

27

bethany s.

Seattle, WA

Chicken wings are the bomb.  The sesame balls are perfect and only 65cents.  Pork fried rice - yum...  Full chinese fare, interesting interier with private booths and a diner type counter that is very 60's.  I call and take out often - the speed is great.

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