ChungChun’s Hot Dogs Channel Korean Pop Culture
The popular hot dog chain sets up shop in the International District
By Chelsea Lin April 6, 2020
This article originally appeared in the April 2020 issue of Seattle magazine.
This article appears in print in the April 2020 issue. Click here to subscribe. Due to evolving public health concerns related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, be sure to check with restaurants for menu updates or closures.
Basking in the glow of neon, engulfed in earwormy K-pop melodies and the smell of deep-frying fare, it’s easy to slip into a reverie of street food stalls visited during overseas adventures.
But this portal to Korean pop culture is right here in town, at the popular chain ChungChun, which opened this first Pacific Northwest outpost, with just a few counter seats, in the Chinatown–International District in late November. There are but a dozen hot dogs on the menu, all variations on the original, which is dipped in rice flour batter and breadcrumbs for both a chewier interior and crunchier exterior than the traditional American corn dog. But the best among them isn’t a dog at all. The potato mozzarella ($5.49) is just what it sounds like: Imagine the misfit child of a pile of hash browns and a fried mozzarella stick, in all its #cheesepull glory.
Follow Us
Hometown Harvest
Canlis finds inspiration—and a new chef—in its own backyard.
For most of its history, Canlis has looked for inspiration both far and wide. The iconic fine-dining restaurant, perched on the edge of Queen Anne with sweeping views of Lake Union, helped define Pacific Northwest cuisine by marrying global influences with a reverence for craft and service. Now, however, as it marks a milestone 75th…
Industry Entrees
Seattle’s newest spots to eat, drink, and gather with friends.
De La Soil Kenmore Inside copperworks distilling Co.’s spacious Kenmore location along the Burke-Gilman Trail, De La Soil is a relaxed, community-driven, farm‑to‑table kitchen run by chef duo Cody and Andrea Westerfield (Lecosho, Serafina Osteria). Their focus is on seasonal, hyper‑local produce—almost entirely sourced from Tuk Muk Farm in nearby Woodinville—styled into approachable counter‑service dishes….
Sound Bites
New restaurants, a music venue and a nod to Ballard’s history
Just a few blocks from Lumen Field, Four Diamonds quietly took over the former Local Bigger Burger space at Second Avenue South and South Washington Street this spring. Serving pho, banh mi, vermicelli bowls and other Vietnamese standards in a streamlined space, the shop’s got a few unusual menu items too, like a saucy shrimp…
Restaurant Roundup: Panda Fest, Canlis Chooses a Chef, and Good Voyage
One of Seattle’s most resilient restaurants is open and hitting its stride
The best salads are a bit like summer: filled with bright and flavorful produce and definitely not soggy. If you’re looking to toss that questionably healthy hodgepodge you made at home, lettuce point you in the right direction. And while we’re at it, here are some other fresh Seattle food finds to stick your fork…