Secret Congee

I was a fan of their previous spot, Congeez, so I’m excited to see how they’ve evolved into Secret Congee here in Ballard. I ordered the shrimp tom yum congee. It was incredibly flavorful and aromatic, with that bright, tangy tom yum profile done really well. It came with four giant shrimp as well as ginger and cilantro that added a fresh, fragrant balance that tied everything together perfectly. I highly recommend getting the youtiao (fried doughnut) on the side. It was warm, crispy, and perfect for dipping into the congee. This is exactly the kind of meal you want during cold Seattle weather. It is warm, comforting, and satisfying without feeling heavy. They offer several different congee options that I’m excited to try next time. They also have vegan and gluten-free choices, which is a big plus. You order at the counter, they bring the food to you, and you bus your own table. Service was friendly and efficient. Seating is limited indoors, but there is also outdoor seating with heaters available. Overall, I highly recommend Secret Congee if you’re looking for a cozy, comforting meal that hits the spot!

If you’re craving something warm, comforting, and honestly just hits the spot, Secret Congee is the place. Their congee is super flavorful without being too heavy, and you can taste how fresh everything is. They also have a variety of different congees to choose from, so whether you want something classic or something a little unique, there’s always something that fits your mood. The shop itself has a cozy vibe, and the service is quick and friendly. It’s one of those spots you walk into thinking you’ll just grab a quick bite, and you end up wanting to try everything on the menu. If you love comfort food or you just want something satisfying after a long day, this place will not disappoint.

This was my introduction to congee and it was fantastic. The chicken was flavored so well and I loved that it was topped with ginger. Dunking the fried bread was good too. The Thai tea was good and not too sweet.

Sadly my Geoduck Congee - a special that Secret Congee was offering for the day - was not served hot. This was very disappointing as I watched a table next to me receive streaming hot congee after I was served. The table was several Asian women, but I'm Asian too... And we like our congee hot So I don't know what to think. The geoduck was slightly tough and you might tell me that my congee was served tepid to try to keep that geoduck more tender... But I'm not buying it, since it was tough. I might try again, but more likely I'll go to Mike's in the International District. They may not have more exotic flavors, but I know it will be hot.

This place has a great selection of different congee dishes. The flavors are really good, and the food are tasty and comforting. I’ll definitely be coming back for more!

The vegan congee is delicious! Love the various textures and combined flavors of the tofu, taro, goji berries, crispy garlic, and marinaded mushrooms, with the freshness of green onion and cilantro. I also had the matcha tea, and you can get it as is or as a latte. I got it as is and it was perfectly made. You get a lot! I stopped by during a busy Saturday late lunch rush, but it wasn't difficult to find a table. There's constant turnover. Service was kind and quick.

I ordered the five spice braised tofu congee and it was delicious! I also ordered youtiao and wow, how could it be so flavorful? My taste buds were very happy. Perfect meal for a cold day!

This is one of those situations where I don't want to leave a review because I want to keep this place all to myself. The food here is seriously the best. I sat out on the patio and enjoyed my 5 herb tofu congee and thai tea.... fast and delightful service.... truly, so damn good.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Tucked away in Ballard is Secret Congee. Congee is savory rice porridge dish. However, here at secret congee they are serving up more than your standard congee. Their menu offers amazing selection of different flavor combinations of congee. I ordered the halibut congee and the beef and Kimichi congee. Both delicious and warmed the soul. You also can't forget the Youtiao crispy fried dough! Easy to find Street parking is available. No direct bus routes to the restaurant. The closest stop is a 17 min walk away from the restaurant. The restaurant is located near the Puget Sound as well as parks including the famous Golden Gardens. Inside seating is limited, however they do have heated outdoor seating that can sit larger parties. Super friendly staff! It was our first time and they helped us order the congees.

I think the congee here is special because of the fresh seafood but the taste doesn't impress me that much and the price is a bit high in my opinion. My husband tried the tomyum flavor and I think it's better than other flavor on the menu

Congee here is sooo yummy! The two of us shared two congees: 1. Blue crab congee 2. Tom yum congee The blue crab one is lighter, you can really taste the seafood. Feels like a great option if you are sick or want something with its original flavor. Tom yum is super new flavor to me. The flavor is strong but goes well with congee

I wouldn't recommend this place unless you wanted to feel queasy for the next few hours...They were having a collaboration pop-up for a dessert place I wanted to try & this restaurant had been recommended by a colleague before. I just never got the chance to try it, so I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone today. This restaurant is a few minutes from golden gardens, but the parking lot is very limited; it fits maybe like 5 cars? We were able to find street parking though so it was fine. Upon entering the restaurant, it was very tiny and made me feel claustrophobic inside. It fits like 6 people inside between the cashier counter & front door; on both sides are tables so you're in people's eating space. There's 4 two-tops and 2 four-top tables in the entire restaurant. Outside has about 4 more additional tables, but not as many heaters. They don't have a system on seating or a time limit, so if you want to dine in, you just wait around for someone to get up & hope to snag it before someone else does. Everything I wanted to eat was sold out (tom yum shrimp & halibut) which was a little irritating but the cashier recommended me the garlic blue crab congee as the next best savory dish. I took her suggestion then my cousin also ordered the classic chicken congee & youtiao crispy dough. Garlic blue crab congee: no garlic flavor and extremely plain congee base. Was said to be cooked in chicken broth, but that wasn't apparent. Garnished with ginger, green onion & a pretty good portion of blue crab compared to what I was expecting. Had to throw in a lot of spice and soy sauce to make it palatable for myself. Classic chicken congee: textural nightmare. Very plain tasting congee and had shredded chicken breast on top with ginger & green onion. The chicken was too dry and on top of the thick congee it was not enjoyable to eat so we didn't finish it. Youtiao crispy dough: nothing special. Not bad, but skimpy for $4. Was about 1 donut cut up or 2 small ones if we were being generous. If you're going to be a congee spot, chicken congee should be on lock at the very least. I've had better congee at home or at Mikes Noodle House in the ID which is cheaper too. My cousin & I also don't prefer thick congee, the texture/taste reminds us of 3 day old congee your mom leaves or when you let the pot sit out so all the water dries. Service is also nonexistent after you order at the counter, you get your water cups there too then feel rushed to eat as people stand around you. Then when you factor in the high price with the quality of the food, it's not worth it.

Very good service, pretty small establishment, sat by the door and was pretty cold every time someone walked in. Food was really good, never had congee this good i feel like. Cozy meal that paired very well with the chinese donuts. I thought the donuts were really well done. Overall the taste was much better than i expected and very good meal!

Congee came out super quickly, it's a small space and it was busy but I didn't have to wait to sit down. LOVED the Thai iced tea and sitting on the patio was very cozy on a rainy day. I liked the crab congee a lot, definitely glad I got the soft boiled egg. Kind of wish I got the chicken since chicken congee is a favorite comfort food of mine but something to try next time :)

A cute hole in the wall! My first time trying congee and I really enjoyed it! I got the basic chicken option with the fried dough. I was surprised but how flavorful the congee itself was! I will definitely be back to try out some of their other options.

The best congee in town! Service is always friendly and fast! The vibes here are very comfortable and homely. I want to try all the different congees. My favorite is shrimp tomyum so far!

I was craving congee. It is a huge to the stomach and a heartfelt food. Not a huge menu, but everything is congee. Different toppings, but everything is great. I lived their braised pork with kimchi. It was the first to be gone. Then, I would say the Thai with prawns, third yhe meatball one. Good portions for a single person. Place is small. Just a few tables inside and some more outside. Even when those are covered, some wind might be felt. Staff is very patient, and friendly. I believe they don't accept cash. Parking wasn't difficult. I would ask if you are planning on parking next door? Tip: there is one highchair. Ask for it :) And bus your own table.

This place is definitely a hidden gem on the waterfront and a cozy locals spot. The smell as soon as you enter reminds me of a nostalgic home cooked meal and the food was definitely a comforting cure to homesickness on a gloomy day. The chicken in the congee was done very well and almost tasted like yellow chicken, overall great flavor balance with the ginger, scallions, and white pepper. The hojicha was also very nice and not too sweet but sugar at the front to add sweetness to your liking. I can't wait to come back and try other variations. Would absolutely recommend this place.

I love that we have a restaurant dedicated to congee! They have lots of unique flavors and toppings to put a fun spin on congee. I got the beef and kimchi congee and really enjoyed the savory and slightly spicy flavors. I also tried some of the tom yum shrimp congee - I was surprised that the Tom yum flavor really came through! We also got a side of youtiao which is always a great complement to congee. I did feel like the food was a bit pricy, but would still recommend trying this place for those curious or just really congee.

From the street, it did not look like a restaurant we were glad we went early. It was wet but we managed to snag a table inside. Whoa! Quite a variety of flavors and I can't completely closed out my bowl and had half of a shared dish. Not what I expected from a congee place but I need to head back to try some additional flavors. I am a fan.

I'm happy we got to try this place after hearing about it so often! We came on a Sunday morning and it was pretty busy (as expected). There was plenty of parking on the street, but the place is really small, so be prepared to wait for a table during peak dining times. The service was very friendly and fast. We ordered the shrimp tom yum, five spice braised tofu and the beef & kimchi. All three were very flavorful and the ingredients tasted of quality and freshness. You can also order different toppings such as soft boiled egg, century egg and crispy noodles. I really enjoyed this place because of the variety of different toppings that are included in the staple menu items. I personally ordered the beef & kimchi, and the beef was very tender and delicious! I would recommend ordering the youtiao crispy doughnuts to either eat on the side or in the congee. It's a little pricey for $4, but it comes in a basket that you can share.

The most comforting food for a cloudy day! We tried the seasonal halibut congee which had fresh halibut and ginger flavors and the tom yum shrimp congee which is my favorite! The tom yum shrimp is so good even without any additional toppings. The staff was also really nice and helped us move tables to accommodate our group.

Yummy food! Unfortunately, they were out of you tiao, which was honestly the main reason why I wanted to try them. It was only noon, so I would just call ahead. Within the hour and a half I sat there they were able to get a new batch out, but at that point because Service is fast, I didn't need to order again.

The SECRET Of Umami, Meaty, & Seafood-Packed Flavor Asian Style Soup Is Out Secret Congee in Seattle has been around for years, and I'm glad I finally got a chance to check it out! Lots of you who grew up in an Asian household, such as myself, perceive congee/Asian porridge as a type of 'poor people' food or a dish you only eat when you are feeling under the weather, but Secret Congee here has enhanced this childhood comfort food with premium ingredients. We tried the Thai Meatball, Tom Yum Shrimp, and Sea Bass: - The meatballs in the Thai Meatball are packed of flavor and you won't find something like this anywhere else in Seattle - Tom Yum Shrimp is very 'tom yum forward' with the flavor profile - The Sea Bass is my favorite and contains buttery, melt-in-your-mouth chunks of sea bass Definitely order a side of the Chinese doughnut that you can either dip in your congee or eat with a side of sweetened condensed milk. Finally, we finished off with the Thai tea tres leches cake. A subtle Thai tea flavor and with the spongy, moist texture that is just like its Latin counterpart. Well done. Thanks for having us, Boss and JP! My IG reel video review if you need visuals: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8N_pIixSuf/?igsh=eWlueTJ1cWN6cG0=

Went to this place for lunch on Saturday. It's super tiny so be prepared to wait for a table if your party is two or more. You come in order at the register, they give you a table number, and you go find a seat. I originally wanted the crab congee but they were out. I had the Thai meatball congee with century egg. It came out super thick. If you tried to move the congee around, it would jiggle. I did enjoy the meatballs, ginger, and the flavor of the congee. The congee could have been slightly thinner and the century egg I would suggest leaving whole. Other than that it was good.

the best congee ever which i didnt expect to find in seattle. the congee was hella thick and flavorful. they have unique flavors that add a cool twist to an otherwise ordinary dish. would highly recommend this place esp on a cold rainy day

The congee was tasty and it was fun to try something besides the normal chicken congee at home. However the portion size was very disappointing for the price the paid. 23 dollars for a fairly small bowl on congee wasn't worth it. The service and the vibe of the restaurant was nice and clean but I unfortunately will not be coming back due to the pricing and portion size.

Good food and great location. Simple menu with a handful of options, easy to customize, good protein. Their seafood options are pretty good and generous. The hot soy drink was a nice touch. Got the seafood Tom yum shrimp with soft boiled egg and the crab with century egg congee. The pictures from a year ago looked like they had a better balance of tom yum soup to congee. Mine was not as red. The place was clean and the people were nice. Takeout options available. Overpriced for what it is. Not a lot of space to sit, it's pretty tiny.

The name sounds super familiar to me (maybe it - or a similar place - used to be in Pioneer Square?). Because of that and seeing recent posts about the vegan option, I decided to swing on by for a small lunch. Yo, this is a pretty cool spot out in western Ballard near the water. A very simple and kind of small space with some cool variety of seating and spacious ceiling. It looks like they can whip out more folding tables & chairs for overflow dining in. There's also a neat fire pit in the nice covered space outside. Bus your own tables. Only minor complaints are the bathroom is super utilitarian lacking a bit more character and the giant white walls overlooking the dining area would be really sweet with some decor like artwork or murals. Food was pretty good! The vegan congee option plus the crunchy vermicelli noodle add-on was quite satisfying. It felt like a very clean and wholesome light meal. It was full of wonderful ingredients although maybe next time I might ask to see if I can get extra slivered ginger cuz that really rounds this dish out for me. And goji berries in a congee? Whoa, that was a new and delightful surprise to me in a congee of all things.

Great food and service. For the price I would expect the portion to be a bit more generous. We ended up paying about $50 for two bowls of congee including tips. The congee itself is a bit different from what you get in China town. The rice is a bit grittier than what I am used to but it tastes fine. It is just cool to see Congee place in Ballard.

Tl;dr: 3.5 stars. Good congee but expensive for what it is. Ok so the congee was good. I got the beef and kimchi which tasted exactly how it looks and was delicious. My friend got the Tom yum shrimp and said it was excellent. We also tried the classic chicken which is pretty bland compared to the other two - tasted very much like ginger and not much else - wouldn't recommend getting this unless you already know you love traditional congee. If you are new to congee, I'd recommend getting one with more flavorful additions. FYI- you can also ask for white pepper, red pepper flakes, and soy sauce to dress it up more. The donuts were a good addition and dipping them in the congee was nice. Ok let's talk price. I'm giving it 3.5 stars overall because for what it is (rice porridge), it's very expensive. Yes, they are seattle prices, but it's a pretty small operation and I still don't think it should cost $15-20 for a small bowl of congee. Additionally they mixed up our soft boiled egg and gave us a century egg which was not good at all. It was black and rubbery and tasted very strange. Also worth noting the inside was very small with only six tables - five of which fit 2 people and only one table large enough to seat 4. Because we were a larger group, we sat outside which was quite cold. They have a single gas warmer and fire going out there, but that didn't do much and we couldn't feel it at all from where we were sitting. Recommend dressing warm in the off chance you have to sit outside. Food warms you up which is nice! Dogs allowed on the patio outside. Service was good and the people working there were nice.

Was so thrilled to try this place... even though the price was a bit too much for a peasant's meal where I usually make at home with simple ingredients. But this place let me to explore beyond typical ingredients, wild black cod - it was amazing and wonderful! Warm and flavorful bites. I have never thought about adding white pepper powder to a bowl of congee before! I have to add that when I make congee at home. Also tried garlic blue crab one- a bit interesting but I think I'd enjoy wild black cod bowl more even though a combination of garlic and crab also bring uniqueness bonus for flavors in the bowl! The service was great and quick. The place may be small and quaint. Out of Seattle, for a unique bowl of experience.

Went here at around 9:30 on a Saturday and there weren't tables available for 3. we originally sat outside when we ordered and eventually we were able to move and sit inside when other people left. It's a pretty small restaurant with a few tables outside. You order at the counter and grab a number for them to deliver to you. The service was all really nice and friendly. The food is overall really good, and I was excited to try the tom yum flavor as I've never had a congee like that. Overall it was really good, the tom yum flavor was very light and warm and yummy. As for the other two, I found it to taste like classic congee you can get anywhere else and that I personally think I can make better at home. Personally I wouldn't come again but I really enjoyed trying it, just not worth the time and money for me. To me I wish there were green onions or other toppings, missing some greens on our congee. I would say it's medium watery and I like my congee a little thicker and less watery.

Order at the counter, take some sauces/spices from the topping bar (pepper flakes, chili oil, white pepper, etc), and wait at your desired table x folding chairs with the plastic order number. There is a sign to self-bus tables, but there was a dedicated man floating who was working his butt off! He even brought us a couple extra carafes of water. I am reticent to pay $15-$20+ for a bowl of congee, but there we were, with four bowls of piping hot congee in front of us. The base congee is a simple chicken broth with fine (milled? broken?) rice, accented with various toppings. We ordered the Tom Yum, beef + kimchi, five-spice braised tofu (added century egg), and thai meatball congee (added egg). Tom Yum congee was definitely the best, as were the five shrimp that were buried inside. It was the most flavorful, but understandably so, congee isn't supposed to be heavy, so the TY shined. There is a fire pit outside, as well as plastic tarp to block wind, the perfect greenhouse on a sunny day. I was surprised by the plastic folding chairs though, unsure if it's a choice due to $ or to enhance the casual atmosphere. Truthfully, I don't think I'll be back based on price :') but this place is definitely worth a try. Congee isn't a particularly technical dish, so you're really convenience of having all the toppings at your fingertips without having to deal with leftovers.

***thai iced tea is one of the best I've ever had ! Hot tea options served in tea pot *~$60 for 2 drinks + 2 congee + tip A beautifully cozy spot, a short walk away from Golden Shores Beach. Has about 5ish tables indoors (4 people max) but more space outside if you go during nice weather. Lots of young people working the front. You get water served to you in a glass pitcher. Chopsticks and such are at each table but you can also grab them yourself (as well as to-go boxes). Got there around 10a and they had already sold out of two menu options. Ended up getting the halibut congee and the fish melted in my mouth for sure. Toppings are placed on top for you to mix up or eat piece by piece as you wish. Extra seasonings were also on the table (soy, red chili flakes, and white pepper). Personally I would've preferred the ginger flavor to be infused in the rice rather than on top but having it sliced adds more of a kick. Definitely comfort food for me.

This little gem of a place is well worth the time to get there. It is small and you can miss it. The day we went it was a perfect cold and rainy day in Seattle. This place offers up many great varieties of Congee to choose from. All will warm you up and satisfy you as you will. It go away hungry. Any of the menu items will be great, you have to remember to order the bread to dip into the soup as it's Devine. The owner and staff make sure you are satisfied and happy with your meal and are very accommodating in helping you find a dish. It's a very casual place and dogs are welcome outside. Get here early as it will get busy quickly and it is very small with limited seats.

Best congee in Seattle! Recently discovered Secret Congee and so happy I did. Their beef kimchi congee is my absolute favorite. So flavorful and gluten free too!

So glad I finally made it to this cute spot for brunch on a warm summer day! The only downside is that they have early hours so no dinner, only breakfast/lunch. They have plenty of outdoor seating as well as some indoor seating. The staff were all super friendly! So helpful and encouraging of trying new things. I went with the blue crab congee and it was the best! so delicate and flavorful at the same time. I am a huge congee fan but first time having it with crab. I got a side of the fermented egg, which looked a bit strange since it is black, but actually liked it! I also had a Thai iced tea to go with my meal, and also some of the fried pastry to share with my friend. Everything was perfect! Can't wait to come back here soon!

My second time here and it's definitely a must! Toppings were so flavorful and fresh though the amount of ginger may have been overkill. The congee itself was the perfect consistency and temperature. With a side of youtiao, it makes for an excellent lunch!! The space is small so try to beat the lunch rush but they do have covered and uncovered outdoor seating when it's not too chilly out.

Honestly, I wanted to give this place more stars--but I'm not even sure they'd care (haha). It's kind of tucked away, and to be real, I would've never known it existed if someone hadn't pointed it out. I came in on a Wednesday, thinking It'll be less busy, but even then, the experience was a bit underwhelming. The indoor seating is super limited, and there's a small outdoor patio setup. The rest of the front area is just picnic tables, which isn't ideal--especially if the weather's not great. You wait in line, place your order, pay, and then hope to find a seat. I waited a bit, and when it was finally my turn, I was pretty bummed to find that a lot of the menu was already sold out--no century eggs, no soft-boiled eggs, no donut, and they were even out of the crispy noodles. I ended up ordering the Hokkaido Scallop congee since the shrimp tom yum was also unavailable. The congee texture is on the thicker side, which some people might like, but it wasn't really my thing. I'd maybe give it another shot if I happen to be in the area--but I definitely wouldn't go out of my way for it.

Went in on a Saturday around noon. The restaurant was fully seated, but thankfully as we ordered a table cleared up inside. The restaurant is very small. There were like 5 tables inside and some tables outside. We went on a rainy day so this was the perfect meal to warm us up. I ordered the tom yum congee. It came with shrimp. It was very good and very filling. I will say I don't necessarily think this is somewhere I would frequent because spending $20 for congee is not a priority.

I was really excited to try this place! From the outside it looks unassuming. I came here with my boyfriend and you order at the counter. The service was to the point and quick. Our food came out shortly after and you have to bus your own table. I got the classic chicken congee. It was very hearty and tasty. The chicken was moist and the congee itself wasn't thin or too salty which I liked about it. Eating this reminded me of how my grandma makes hers. On the table there is also some white pepper and soy sauce. I highly recommend also getting the youtiao crispy friend dough! I tried my boyfriend's congee which was the braised beef and kimchi. I liked the consistency of this congee as well and I thought that the flavor combination was unique and also tasted good. Overall, I would definitely come back to try their other congees or to just eat the classic chicken one again.

This place stayed busy even during the later lunch hours (we were there from 12:30 to 2). I got the shrimp Tom Yum congee with the donut addition. Total with tip came to $30, which felt a bit steep for a casual lunch. You order at the counter, and they bring your bowls to the table. The congee was good, and I'd come back if someone wanted to, but I wouldn't go on my own.

I had eaten here before and ordered Chicken Congee. It was good but not exciting. This time I got Shrimp Tom Yum Congee and it was great! Very flavorful, and nicely cooked shrimp. My husband got the Thai Meatball Congee and thought it was pretty good, wouldn't order it again. Fast take-out service.

You tiao and the congee are both delicious! I also loved the century egg, always add unique flavors to the congee. Everything just tastes like home!

Wow. This place has been on my radar for sometime, finally made it out to the golden gardens area to try it. Ambiance - small hole in the wall with maybe 6 tables with more seating outdoors, we had no trouble getting a seat and is a very homey vibe. Service - you order at the front counter, have a seat and it's brought to you. Not much interaction with staff but the bit that you do they are very nice and welcoming. Food - was it worth the hype? Absolutely lol. This was so good. The Tom yum had a kick and the flavor was through out the entire dish and not just the sauce. It was a little pricey for congee ($19 before add-ons) but they give you a decent amount of very large shrimp, where I feel the cost is justified. Even the original chicken was delicious. The fried dough is a must. I'm sure it's not their intent but this would make a great hangover cure lol. Only gripe with this place is it's SO far. Need another location closer to Seattle!

4.5 stars, but I round up. I'm glad I finally tried this spot since it's been in my yelp bookmarks for so long. My friends and I got the tom yum, classic chicken, and the crispy fried dough to share. The tom yum was very flavorful and the shrimps were big. The crispy fried dough was yummy too. Portions were good but it is expensive for congee. Overall, this was a good place that hits the spot on a gloomy day. I'd definitely come back if I'm ever in the area since it's quite far from Bellevue. If they open a second location on the east side, I'll be there!

Lives up to the hype. Cozy, small spot with inside and outside seating. Might have to wait for a seat but it's worth it! Their menu is so unique, and the bowl's decked out appearance elevates congee to a new level. It straddles the fine line between the congee base being authentic in taste and the toppings being unique in familiar East / Southeast Asian fusion flavors. I got the Hokkaido Scallops, which were fresh and not the dried shredded kind. They were perfectly cooked, juicy, and full of umami flavor. I got a Thai Iced Tea, which tasted pretty normal (no complaints there). Definitely get the Youtiao fried Chinese dumplings, even though they are pricey at $4 an order. You can split it between two people. The congee's texture is on the thicker side, but I didn't mind it because it packed so much rich meat flavor compared to other congees I've grown up eating. You can add a soft boiled egg, century egg, and other toppings for an additional fee. Table condiments include white pepper in an authentic-looking shaker, dried ground red chili for some spice, and what looked like soy sauce (?). Plenty to play with flavorings, although you're also good with just eating your congee as is like a well-behaved child. Perfect spot for cold winter Seattle days. Would definitely come back and try the rest of their menu - Shrimp Tom yum and Thai Meatball sound very good. We parked on the street. There's a church next door with a huge parking lot that is misleading to turn into. Not sure if you can get away with parking there, but be patient with street parking!

I thought this is one of those small mom and pop shop you'd find in a China town. But to my surprise it's actually a very westernized and farm-house aesthetic place. You order at the front and bus your own tables. The congees are more of a fusion, a modified version than authentic Chinese congee. But nonetheless it was still very good. It's on the pricier side since congee is considered "cheap breakfast food", but I guess it's the market rate for a market like Seattle where there aren't many likewise shops. Youtiao was also very good, properly fried and very crispy. Portion wise I think it's a bit shorter than the regular size (they cut it up).

This place was PACKED 45 minutes from opening, I got there right when they opened and ordered 4 congee to try and share with my family. The classic chicken congee is a great start to give this place a shot, from there you can order the Tom yum shrimp (spicy) and unlock your palette to the next level. The server is very attentive and always checked on us while I was there with my two year old daughter. The owner (one of the brothers) Boss is super friendly and talkative, kept us company and made sure we were comfortable. Secret is the best way to describe this hidden gem in the Ballard neighborhood. I HIGHLY recommend this place to anyone looking for a comfort spot for breakfast/brunch without all the loud noises.

Stopped in to place a to go order for a late lunch and they were full inside! Would recommend ordering ahead of time because it took over 30 min for us to receive our food. I had the classic chicken congee which was delicious and full of flavor. This is perfect for a cold rainy day but was a little more expensive than expected so I will probably only get it when I'm feeling homesick.