Oriental Mart Review - Downtown - Seattle - The Infatuation
"Hidden in a secluded corner of Pike Place Market, there’s a Filipino counter whose defining feature is a bunch of handwritten signs held together by clothespins. They’re intimidating at first, but grow increasingly more hilarious the longer you look: This is Oriental Mart, and it’s a stall that serves the best lunch at Pike Place, let alone some of the best Filipino food in Seattle. Everything here, from pancit to the perpetually sold-out salmon sinigang, is prepared by a woman who is quite kind despite the brash signage. And the food is so good that we’d gladly brave the yogurt-gulping Ellenos fanatics around the bend. Oriental Mart serves excellent tart pork adobo over rice seeped in braising liquid, lumpia wands whose crunch reminds us of a Butterfinger bar, and shiny red longanisa sausage that deserves its own long-form documentary—so that we can learn exactly why eating its cured, caramelized glory makes us feel like Michael Bolton is serenading us in a mossy sun-stained forest. This is a very powerful meat link. This is up there for the best meal you can get in Seattle for around $15, not to mention that the secluded location makes for a particularly low-stress Pike Place lunch ideal for locals or tourists who want to feel like locals. But just keep in mind, “YOUR PORTION DEPENDS ON YOUR ATTITUDE.” So be nice and you won’t leave hungry. " - Aimee Rizzo
