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.

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.

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!

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!

Food was absolutely delicious Being from SouthEast Asia it can be hard to find a decent place or 2 for some good old fashion congee. This place really steps it up though with the protein options and the condiments available to even just spice it up. Its the kind of place that makes you want o go back and try out all the different ways you can eat it. The Chinese donuts in my opinion were a little overprices but Its Seattle My only real negative was being out on the Patio some heaters would greatly enhance the experience. 35min wait for Congee does seem excessive as well Overall Great food and decent experience,

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.

Congee was the perfect hot temperature upon arrival, and each of the different ingredients like the ginger and the onions used taste very fresh and compliment the congee well! I have tried both the scallop congee and the thai meatball one and both of them were excellent! Love how this place puts a bit of a different spin on congee with very unique options. And they also have chili pepper, soy sauce, and white pepper to enhance the flavor of the congee as needed. Definitely my favorite tasting congee in the Seattle area, only downside is probably the price, as its a big higher than what most places offer congee for.

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 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.

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.

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.

The tom yum congee is incredible. Warm, happy, and friendly staff (Serafina and Isabelle) that pay attention to providing exceptional service. Very laid back establishment, cozy and comfortable. Tables and chairs outside - you can sit next to the deck without cover or on the deck with cover and a little fireplace in the middle when it's colder out. Don't miss this hidden gem! We hope they open a spot on the corner of Cedar and 1st Ave in Belltown (the old CJ's location). It would be Belltown's greatest hit!

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Super fast service, really nice people too. They had indoor and outdoor seating which is super convenient for congee on cold days or hot days. The food was super amazing, and as a tourist, this is a must for me to get again next time I'm in Seattle.

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.

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!

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.

So good! Big portion, flavorful and hearty. Loved the tom yum flavor and crave this on cold, rainy days

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.

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.

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!

Very cozy and homey. All staff were lovely and helpful. Good portions at reasonable prices. Flavor was on point. Would highly recommend.

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.

If you like home cooked meals, this is the place for you!!! perfect bowl of warm congee for a rainy seattle day. The sea bass congee I got was really light and refreshing and had a good sea/umami flavor in the broth + they are really generous with the fish! We also got the tom yum shrimp congee to go and this one was a lot more fragrant and more what I call restaurant-type flavors (spicy, coconut, lemongrassy?) We came on a weekend really early and it was still packed so be prepared to wait a while!

Finally tried this place after seeing it on my instagram for ages and it was okay. The congee was delicious but I don't think it's worth the price personally. $20-25 for a bowl of congee is pretty steep. I'd expect leftovers from that but it was just enough for one serving. I would recommend coming here before 11:30 as the crowd picks up, and that's on a week day. Inside seats maybe 10-15 people. There's also some tables outside.

AN AMAZING HOLE IN THE WALL FIND AT SEATTLE!!! it's about a 20 minute drive from downtown seattle but the area it's in is very quaint and lovely actually, just by the sea. we were from out of town and we made the trek to eat here because we love congee and it just so happened to be a cold rainy day (the perfect weather for it!) it's a really small, quaint place. theres very few tables inside and a little dining area outside too but it was raining so we ordered our food and waited for a table to clear up which didn't take too long. we got our food and each dish looked SOO BEAUTIFUL AND DELICIOUS something so rare to find nowadays is when the taste of food matches the look and man this hit the spot!! everything was soo flavorful and crafted to perfection and although it is a little expensive for congee, i can understand why, as all of the ingredients used of high quality and they did not skimp. definitely order the chinese donut no matter what congee you get, you won't regret it -- it adds the perfect crunch and another dimension of flavor that balances out the congee perfectly. this is one place that i miss the most from seattle and if i ever came back would be the first spot i return to! would highly recommend for anyone who loves congee or wants to try it for the first time!

Important update! They doo serve hot soy milk now!!! You bet I ordered a congee, the Chinese donut, and a hot soy milk haha. Next step is unsweetened soy milk!

Delicious but... Is it worth? I can make congee at home. But I can't make it like this place. The condiments and sides pair perfectly with the flavor of the congee. However, for the price, I couldn't allow myself to return, unfortunately. I don't know what their profit margins are, but given how inexpensive congee is, even with the toppings, I wouldn't expect it to be more than $9. At $15 a bowl, it's not a place I can indulge, even on the specialest of occasions.

The service was super sweet and fast. It gives the feeling of a whole in whole restaurant with limited seating indoors and outdoors. It was my first time having congee so I can't really comment on the food

Spicy Tom Yum Shrimp Congee. Extremely delicious congee with a unique twist. This place definitely lives up to the hype! The Tom Yum congee was spicy and perfectly cooked. You can add white pepper to give it that extra kick too. The portions were generous, there were a lot of shrimps in my congee which justifies its price. Will definitely come back to try the other flavors. I recommend coming on a weekday as the place is quite small and crowded.

Amazing congee! I mean I love their store design wild crab, and definitely worth it because you can tell they added so much crab in the congee. The scallops were also good. The service is on point and very hospitable. There was a dedicated person who just kept cleaning and busting tables. The location does not have parking so you'll need to look for street parking. Also the restaurant does not have a lot of sitting, so you may have to sit with some people on the table as well.

I wanted so badly to like this place! Secret Congee looked so amazing online, so I had to give it a try. I was so excited to get their Tom Yum congee, but unbeknownst to me, there were peanuts in the dish. It is my fault for not taking a look at their menu beforehand, but I was sadly disappointed when I asked if they could remove the peanuts from the dish and was told it was not possible since peanuts were used in the chili oil. My question is, why do they not have a peanut-free alternative for chili oil? I saw their kitchen walls lined with Lao Gan Ma - my choice of chili oil - but they could not also have the peanut-free version? I thought not much of it in the moment, so I went with the five-spice tofu congee instead. There was very limited seating for the amount of people dining in when I visited, so it was a bit of a wait to snag a table. After receiving my food, I found that the five-spice tofu congee is a much more aromatic dish than it is flavorful. It would be a great choice for those who prefer those sort of dishes, but to me it tasted unfortunately a bit bland, especially considering that the dish was mostly rice. This was made worse by the fact that there was no chili oil available for me to add in. I basically had to eat every bite with the Chinese donut, which was thankfully good (hard to mess that one up). Overall, I would love this place if I didn't have allergies! Sadly, my experience was diminished by the lack of inclusion for allergy-ridden folks such as myself.

Wow who would have thought there would be a congee restaurant?! I used to eat congee as a kid when my Chinese grandma used to make it for me so congee is nostalgic! I tried their chicken congee which was yummy and comforting. They have other congee varieties here and this is pretty much all they have. Perfect to eat on a cold chilly day.

The food deserves five stars, but I didn't feel comfortable in the place. It was too much like eating in a factory or in an industrial kitchen. Not relaxing, cold, and loud with hard surfaces. The food is delicious, so I might consider take-out, but no more dining in. My meatball congee was delicious. Caveat cenator!

WOW! The pork belly congee was delicious! If it is your first time here, I highly recommend the pork belly. It was so juicy and falls apart in your mouth. I always get congee with chinese donuts so that is a MUST! I will say they are always pretty busy. I wish they had more of a streamline waiting system because everyone just waits outside until they can be seated but there is no actual waitlist. So it is somewhat on an honesty rule and expect that no one says they were here before you. That was somewhat frustrating because we were seated after some people who got there after us. This restaurant is super small and its not really a place I would suggest if you want a long sit down breakfast. I think the expectation is like most congee places where it is sit down, eat, go. No chit chat. Especially when it is on a busy day. I wouldn't suggest here if you are going with a group larger than 4 because it is difficult for the staff to sit you in a timely manner. There is a small parking lot for parking but there is street parking. So I recommend carpooling to this restaurant if you are going with a group for friends. It was a nice experience to try Secret Congee but there are a lot of other congee places to try in Seattle.

We learned about this place on TV's Evening Show and decided to visit. Today was a Sunday morning and they opened at 9am, so my hubby and I came in a hurry, but there weren't many seats, so we decided to take out and eat in my car. We ordered Classic Chicken Congee $13 and Thai Meatballs Congee $14, also add 2 of soft boiled eggs each $2 and fried dough $4. We got a number plate and needed 25 mins waiting time. So we went to a nearby coffee shop. We returned to the store 25 mins later and had to wait another 25 mins. It was crowded, probably because it was a cold Sunday morning. If you come here, you should be prepared to wait quite a while. And since seats are limited, you often have no choice but to order takeout. The Congee soothed my frustration, but I wasn't happy about having to pay a tip and wait an hour for takeout.

Came here with a few friends since we have been hearing great things about it. I grew up eating congee with my family and back in taiwan and it has always been a staple dish in our household so I came in with high standards and expectations. I ordered the Blue Crab Congee and the yo tiao to dip in it also. On top of the dish also added soy sauce and white pepper. The taste was very nostalgic as I have not had congee in years and the blue crab was a nice twist to it. I do think the price is a bit steep for congee, but I have been spoiled due to growing up with it. However, the twists they add to plain congee with chicken works well for the blue crab and will be back to try the other different one (Tom Yum mainly caught my eye!)

I wanted to try this spot for a long time! The congee is really tasty and innovative. The tom yum one was awesome! But do beware seating can be limited.

At first, I was skeptical when my friends wanted to come here because...it's just congee? Around $20/bowl no less. I'm glad they forced me to come because the congee is really good and I want to come back to try their other flavors. We got the Hokkaido scallops and crab. Both were super flavorful and unique! Adding fried doughnut and century egg on the side made it more wholesome. This is actually quite filling and made me full the entire day. You seat yourself if you want to dine in! I think most people eat pretty fast here. We came on a Sunday and were able to find seating for a group of 3 within 5 minutes of waiting. Lots of available parking nearby, which is a plus in Seattle!

It's my new favorite place in Seattle Located north of Downtown, this establishment is bit away from the crowds. A hole in the wall with fantastic personality, service and taste of the country. Since they only have 6 small tables inside I recommend getting here early if you want table inside. A Service is fantastic. Only 1 server but not only is she hard working but she is helpful and sweet as any other place. My counterpart got the Tom Yom Souo. Tom Yum Congee was fabulous. I guess pork belly congee is the best but they run out of it early most of the time. When I asked the server for a surprise congee of her choosing, she ended up giving me Lamb meatball congee. It was fabulous. Very subtle in taste but very reminiscent of grand ma's congee Based in their taste and quality of food, I highly doubt they will be called Secret Congee for long.