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. read more

Secret Congee - Chicken congee - Asian Fusion Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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. read more

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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. read more

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Small and slightly cramped restaurant on the outskirts of Ballard. Congee was flavorful and soft boiled eggs (added for $2) were cooked to perfection. However, prices seemed high for the portion size - $14 for Thai meatball congee and $23 for blue crab congee. Had to have a snack in between to make it to lunch. read more

Secret Congee - Garlic Blue Crab Congee Soft-Boiled Egg - Asian Fusion Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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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! read more

Secret Congee - Garlic Blue Crab Congee - Asian Fusion Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Came here for lunch on a weekday and it was buzzing with people. There's a tiny lot inside, but mostly street parking. The inside is pretty small but there's seating outside as well. I got the Tom Yum, Classic Chicken, Black Cod, and Hokkaido scallop congee, and an order of Youtiao Crispy Fried Dough. The portions were actually bigger than I expected. The Tom Yum one was pretty spicy. The classic chicken came with hand shredded chicken breast. The black cod was smooth (and boneless) and came with Chinese herbs such as goji berries. The hokkaido scallop one had a delicious subtle seafood sweetness to it. The Youtiao took forever to come out so they ended up giving us double portions, which I appreciate. The Youtiao was really good! They fry it up fresh and the flavor was on point. My Asian dad was actually super impressed with both the congee and the Youtiao. We would order everything again except the Tom Yum. That one tasted good, but we just prefer more of the traditional flavors. The food is pricey especially given congee is traditionally a poor man's meal but the quality and friendly service makes it worth it! read more

Came here on a weekday morning and this spot is such a gem! This area is really quaint and convenient that they have a parking lot nearby. We came during Seattle Restaurant Week and tried their tom yum lobster congee and let me say that it was AMAZING! So flavorful and paired with the donuts, really was the cherry on top! Service was very friendly and welcoming. They have indoor and outdoor seating available. I also got their iced matcha latte to start and it was on the stronger side with no sweetness but still very refreshing paired with the hot congee. We also ordered the hokkaido scallop congee which was also very delicious! If you love their donuts and want it sweet they can add condensed milk for you! I highly recommend this spot! They have delicious food! read more

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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. read more

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The congee was amazing. We ordered Kimchi Beef Congee and Tom Yum Shrimp Congee. Both amazing. The kimchi beef one was so comforting and refreshing bc of the kimchi. The Tom Yum one was super flavorful. And spiciness was exactly what we needed in the Seattle winter. The staff were super friendly as well. Gave us helpful recommendations. They were also very accommodating. We originally wanted to take out but after we found the table, we just let them know that we were gonna dine in. It was super busy when we got there. Waited for about 15 min to find a table. It was outdoors as well. But the congee was worth the wait and the cold. Will def visit again. I'm broadcasting it to all my friends haha read more

Secret Congee - Tom Yum Shrimp Congee 5/5 - Asian Fusion Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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 read more

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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. read more

Secret Congee - Fried dough and Lamb meatball congee Amazing!!! - Asian Fusion Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This is a whole new take on congee and I'm here for it. Well, I myself love the standard rice porridge with chicken and ginger. I got a chance to try the Tom yum and sea bass. We were hoping to try the lamb shank and unfortunately they run out. This is a lot of food for one person especially if you pair with their fried donuts. I would advise you get here early on the weekends, especially if you want to snag a table. There are a few indoor outdoor options. My husband and I chose to sit outdoors due to availability but with the humid weather and the hot soup it was a perfect combo. My lactose, intolerant people they do have milk alternatives if you do get their tight iced tea. read more

Secret Congee - Tom Yum Shrimp Congee - Asian Fusion Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I first tried Secret Congee back when it was in Wallingford, and it wasn't the best experience, but much improvement has been made! When I went to the Wallingford location, we ordered online, arrived, and still had to wait almost an hour for our food. There was a worker outside who chatted with us (to keep us occupied?), but the wait after already ordering online, was so ridiculous. When we got home, though, the congee was quite delicious (Tom Yum & Pork Belly). It took us a couple years to finally decide to come back. Fortunately, my experience in the Ballard location was quite nice! We ordered at the cashier, & there weren't many available tables inside, but we found a lovely table outside. We received our food within 10 minutes. The servers were very accommodating, bringing the heaters even closer to us, since it was a gray drizzly day. I got the chicken congee. I wanted something simple, since I was feeling under the weather. Well, it was simple, but very good. I enjoyed the thinly sliced ginger and dash of spices to give it a slight boost. The congee was smooth and brothy. My husband got the kimchi and beef. At first, he felt the beef itself didn't have any interesting flavors, but after mixing it around with the kimchi and adding a bunch of the red spice (pepper?) condiment at the table, he said the dish tasted much better. I just wish it didn't cost as much. For the price, I wish there were more meat included. Otherwise, I really enjoy the unique options at Secret Congee, and will probably be back. read more

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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. read more

Secret Congee - Tom Yum Shrimp Congee - Asian Fusion Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Secret Congee is a small restaurant with only 5 ish tables inside with a focus on high quality congee. They have a couple parking spots available right outside of the store front, otherwise you'll have to drive a bit further to park. I went on a Thursday for a late lunch and there wasn't a line, but almost all the tables were taken. It's a casual location where you order before seating yourself and you bus your own table, but the food itself is solid though a bit expensive (it does feel a little ridiculous to be shelling out 20 bucks for congee). Their you tiao is a must for an added crunch and the congee has exactly the smooth, almost creamy texture you're looking for. Tom Yum Shrimp Congee (4/5): I really like the flavors in this; the sour, tangy flavors of tom yum really come through. It translates into making the congee hearty and a bit heavy, but I really enjoyed it. The shrimp was decently large, but a bit overcooked and chewy unfortunately. Classic Chicken Congee w/ Century Egg (4/5): Just a classic chicken congee that feels light, clean, and perfectly savory. I tried it with the century egg and personally, I prefer ones that are a little runnier in the center with a little more funk, but their option is very approachable for people who aren't familiar with the flavor. read more

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Solid congee, but we both agreed that our ancestors would be rolling over in their graves knowing we paid $24 each for a bowl of 粥. That said, if you go in knowing that you're paying for the vibes and variety of interesting flavors, it's worth a shot. If you're already there, there's no point getting the boring, regular stuff you could make at home for a couple dollars so might as well splurge on the more unique options like the Tom Yum, Blue Crab or Lamb Shank. We got the Thai Meatball and Lamb Shank with sides of Chinese donut, preserved egg, and chili oil (I was a little shocked they charged for a tiny container of chili oil), and enjoyed the lamb shank much more. We got there early in the morning and were able to snag a table immediately, but the shop filled up quickly and the line ended up out the door, so come early or be prepared to wait/eat outside. read more

Secret Congee - Thai meatball and lamb shank (IG @eat.sar) - Asian Fusion Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Wowow this was the best congee I've ever had! I'm glad I splurged on the garlic blue crab congee because it was absolutely delicious in every way. Friends I was with ordered the chicken and scallop congee and both of those just didn't match up with how incredible the blue crab was. Scallop was a little on the fishier side than I've ever tasted scallop. Chicken congee was yummy but the protein was obviously a bit more bland. So yea, order the garlic blue crab congee--you won't regret it! Also definitely order with the side of Chinese donut--this is a game changer and is the perfect pair to the congee. read more

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I've been wanting to try this place for about a year after having amazing congee in Thailand. We had some downtime a few months ago and were able to do on a weekday so we were able to avoid the crowd on weekends! The first time we went here, we got the Blue Crab congee and the Roasted Lamb congee. We loved both and didn't even need to add anything else! The portion, the flavors, the ingredients were all perfect! The second time, we got the Hokkaido scallop congee and the Thai meatball congee. They were both delicious as well but we still love the Blue Crab and Roasted Lamb more! The staff were super nice and friendly. They answered our questions and requests for recommendations. It is a small space so if you go, please keep that in mind! We haven't had to wait but maybe it's because we try not to go on peak hours! read more

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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. read more

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. read more

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We've been here twice now within a couple of weeks and all 4 congees with had are amazing! It's quite far to drive but worth it. The staff here are very well trained and pleasant to interact with while ordering. Serafina was our first waitress who helped us for our first visit and she made the experience amazing with great guidance on what to order. You do bus your own table so have the proper expectations coming here. read more

Secret Congee - Asian Fusion Near Me - Seattle, Washington

An hour wait for 4 orders of congee on a Saturday afternoon is not worth. My party of 5 ordered two blue crab congees, tom yum congee, seared scallop congee and three doughnuts. The blue crab congee had large bits of crab which was good but flavor was very underwhelming. Seared scallop also lacked flavor. The Tom yum was the group favorite but it didn't make sense any of this would take an hour to make. Doughnuts were a good topping for congee but nothing special. Given un bien is across the street with no wait and their food is actually tasty, I'd skip this "secret" overcrowded place. read more

Secret Congee - Garlic Blue Crab Congee (back) and Tom Yum Shrimp Congee (front) - Asian Fusion Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I came here on a Saturday morning and there was no line to order and there were a couple of available tables inside. I got the Hokkaido Scallop Congee with Century Egg and the Youtiao Crispy Fried Dough. The crispy fried dough was cooked well and was great with the congee. The congee's base flavor was good and could be further tailored to your preference using the condiments on the table. The only thing I wasn't pleased with was the temperature. To me, congee should be really hot that you can feel the warmth down your throat when you eat it. Had the temperature been right, I bet my congee experience would have been way better. read more

Secret Congee - Hokkaido Scallop Congee with Century Egg and Youtiao Crispy Fried Dough - Asian Fusion Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Cozy comfort eat with a slightly high price tag! I LOVE congee but was hesitant to try this spot when I saw the menu prices, knowing how cheap the ingredients are when I make this at home. That being said, they do have more "premium" add-ons such as Black Cod and Scallop that drive up the price for those options. It seems like the restaurant is really popular since there was a constant line to order (you order at the counter and choose a table indoor/outdoor). The downside was that we waited 30min for our food and there were other customers also checking in on the long wait. I feel like the business grew quickly recently (from social media) and they could benefit from some extra cooks in the kitchen. I would still come back but sparingly, as the prices are a bit steep. The cheapest one is $13 for the chicken congee. Cod & pork belly congee were my favorite! Perfect comfort food for a chilly day. read more

Secret Congee - Scallop congee - Asian Fusion Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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I was feeling a bit under the weather today so this place hits the spot - a nice warm bowl of congee, but it is not just a regular congee. This place offers creative takes on congee, from tom yum congee to congee with crab! Honestly, congee places are quite underrated - if you are looking at soup-based restaurants, a lot of them are ramen shops, etc, and this is one of the very few places that stray from the ubiquitous. I personally got the tom yum congee which has 5 large pieces of shrimp, along with the usual tom yum seasonings like lemongrass, as well as garlic, ginger, and XO sauce. The congee itself was very flavorful but not too salty or tangy; it has the right balance. I really loved the fact that there is a lot of lemongrass flavor to it, which is my favorite type of seasoning. Price-wise, yes it is on the more expensive side, at $18 before tax, but given they did an excellent job to represent a simple dish like congee, I would give it to them that the value is there. Service is also fairly quick, but not instantaneous as it was made to order. There is limited parking in the small plaza, and the place can be somewhat hard to find. Regardless, this is a solid spot if you want to try something new in the area. read more

Secret Congee - Tom Yum Shrimp Congee - IG @bougiefoodieboi - Asian Fusion Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Loved it! Easily best jook/congee I've had. The consistency is exactly how I enjoy it, thick and hardy. Don't forget the order side of fried donuts def coming back if I get the chance! Seating area is quant and clean. Service is very good as well. Cool local gem. Wish there was one near home. read more

Secret Congee - Braised Pork Belly Congee Braised Pork Belly Congee - Asian Fusion Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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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!) read more

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. read more

Secret Congee - Asian Fusion Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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

Secret Congee - Asian Fusion Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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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. read more

Secret Congee - Tom Yum Shrimp Congee - Asian Fusion Near Me - Seattle, Washington

The scallop congee itself is pretty packed full of scallops and it's really flavourful, maybe even too salty for some people's tastes. The fried dough is really authentic and light, which was a pleasant surprise. This is a small spot where you bus yourself and seating is limited! read more

Secret Congee - Youtiao Crispy Fried Dough - Asian Fusion Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Nothing's better than a hot bowl of congee on a rainy day! We had the opportunity to visit Secret Congee in Ballard to try some of their specialty congee dishes. We went with the: - Sea Bass & Chinese Herbs Congee - The fish was so tender and I loved the surprising sweetness from the goji berries - Thai Meatball Congee - This was recommended as the classic congee and the flavor of the pork meatballs was great - Youtiao Crispy Fried Dough - Can't have congee without fried dough on the side! You can have it savory with the the congee or sweet with condensed milk. They have both dining in and to-go options, so you can enjoy your congee in whatever way you want. We also appreciated that there was plenty of parking next to the restaurant as well. We'll definitely be back to try more of their menu next time! read more

Not enough seating, service is slow and seems like too low staff but amazing product and food. I hope they find a way to operationalize better to grow. Not a lot of seating inside or outside for the number of people that are wanting to eat here. I don't think this is a bad problem to have but they can def scale. read more

Finally got to try Secret Congee earlier this year and it was totally worth the hype! Even though there was a little bit of a line, it moved pretty quick! Service was really good, all the workers were very friendly and helpful. I got the tomyum congee while my boyfriend got beef and kimchi. Both were super delicious but I definitely love the uniqueness of the tomyum congee! There were huge juicy shrimps and the congee paired well with the you tiao! Can't wait to come back the next time I'm in Seattle! Highly recommend Secret Congee if you're looking for a yummy home cooked tasting meal with a twist. read more

Secret Congee - You Youtiao Crispy Fried Dough Tom Yum Shrimp Congee Slow-Cooked Beef and Kimchi Congee - Asian Fusion Near Me - Seattle, Washington

this place got the approval of my very chinese mother, aunt, and uncle. my mother is THE congee connoisseur, so if she thinks it's good, you know it's good. the scallop congee was my favorite; reminiscent of guangdong seafood congee. paired well with the fried garlic. read more

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When I think of soulful food I think of this place. It nourished my winter blues here in the PNW. I've tried every flavor and each one became my new favorite. read more

Secret Congee - Pork belly congee added thousand year egg Side order Chinese donut - Asian Fusion Near Me - Seattle, Washington

I tried chicken congee. Loved it! But the portion size was quite pathetic, too small for $22 (plus the tip). The service and the vibe were ok, so the primary issue is the with portion size. I've had similar experience at some other restaurants, and never returned. It's just not worth it. read more

Don't get me wrong, this place serves pretty great congee. Definitely hits the spot on a cold gloomy day, which needless to say, occurs quite often in the PNW. So why not a 5-star review? Well, I can't fathom paying such high prices for a bowl of congee. My wife and I came on a Sunday afternoon and even though it was 1 PM, the line was quite long. Our jaws dropped a bit looking at the prices - a bowl of congee costs roughly $12 a bowl minimum. The sides like the you tiao (fried dough sticks) is $4, which as an Asian, is a crime. I got the roasted lamb congee, we took our seats, and we looked at each other with the understanding that this has to be the best congee in the world for the price. So not going to lie, the roasted lamb congee was great. The lamb slices were phenomenal, with the grainy taste being very pronounced and strong. The congee was thick and the ingredients mixed together was quite good. My wife ordered the miso and pumpkin one, and although it wasn't bad, she hoped for more pumpkin. Plus, the side of the fried dough, albeit pricey, is kind of a must. It's so good to dip it in the congee as a pairing side. Delicious congee, not gonna mask anything. And I left pretty satisfied and full with my soul warmed by the warm dish. However, I don't think I would come here THAT often, as it was a pretty penny. Congee was a simple and cheap dish I had when I wanted something warm or if I was sick, and although the congee here was "elevated," it did take a toll on my wallet (2 bowls and the fried dough for ~$42, ouch). Definitely worth going though, and I'm glad I tried it. read more

Secret Congee - Roasted Lamb Congee - Asian Fusion Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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This is the type of "hole in the wall" I want Next door to my house! I have never had congee so I can't compare it to anything and therefore zero expectations. There is ample parking available in front and on the side on the restaurant. It's a small space with a few tables inside and more seating outside. I was looking forward to trying the pork belly but they were out. I also found out it will no longer be on the menu. Classic chicken congee was very flavorful. The chicken is well made. The congee is creamy and packed with broth flavor. There are small strands of ginger. Ask for chilli oil if you want more kick. I added in a soft boil egg which added great flavor but it's not the kind that comes with ramen. This one was runny and just mixes straight into the congee. Very interesting and different. Loved dipping the Chinese donut into the congee. My friend got the beef and kimchi congee. The beef was delicious and soft. She added on the century egg. I have never tried it before, it was very interesting and creamy. Im sure she will write her own review ;) They also serve drinks like Thai tea, latte and other coffee drinks but we did not have any. Great place in Ballard! Go to Ballard locks for a walk after! read more

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I love secret congee. It's my go-to on a sick day or if it's overcast. I love that they uplevel the traditional Chinese rice porridge with more flavor and spice, while still offering some good-for-your-soul options with fish and ginger. They have limited seating, and share a small parking lot with neighboring businesses. So, I prefer to call in for pickup. The Chinese donuts are overpriced considering how cheap they are in China, but I appreciate that they offer it and they are always fried fresh to order, so they are perfectly crispy. I only wish they were open past 3pm! read more