Southeast Seattle brims with cultural diversity. The independently-owned and operated restaurants that dot its streets powerfully testify to this fact, as do the delicious flavors from all across the globe that fill their menus.
Whether you’re looking for Mexico City-style street food like guaraches and tortas, Ethiopian classics served over fresh injera, or smoky Vietnamese claypot, Southeast Seattle has it all. For two weeks every spring, Plate of Nations inspires food lovers and curiosity seekers to sample $20 and $35 shareable plates offered by restaurants in the city’s most diverse neighborhoods.
Plate of Nations, the signature event of the MLK Business Association, was designed to collectively promote independently-owned restaurants in the MLK community. Immigrants from around the world have settled in the Rainier Valley and started businesses that provide cultural favorites for ethnic communities looking for a taste of home. Those restaurant owners are excited to welcome other customers to join in their traditions.
“Plate of Nations is a great opportunity to showcase the neighborhood, and hopefully we’ll have a lot of diners from surrounding neighborhoods come,” said Drea Mizer, co-owner of Buddha Bruddah. “The event is about representing different cultures — and that’s what our neighborhood is all about.”
Plate of Nations is the brainchild of Asari Mohamath, a Cham Muslim refugee from Vietnam and former owner of Salima restaurant, who wanted to develop a unified marketing event to highlight the unique and authentic cuisines offered by MLK restaurants. Julie Pham, former MLKBA Board Chair, said, “We were brainstorming new ideas for promoting the business district and everyone got excited about a food event, because food brings people together.”
The event has grown every year as word about Plate of Nations continues to spread.
“We get so many new customers during the event not just because our food is so good,” said The Original Philly’s owner Guy Thomas, “but also because it is fun to participate in Plate of Nations.”
This year’s Plate of Nations is set to be the best yet, with participation by twenty restaurants across Southeast Seattle: Bananas Grill, Cafe Ibex, Foo Lam, Huong Duong, Momona, Rainier Restaurant, The Original Philly’s, Taco Street, Cafe Red, Big Chickie, Little Chengdu, Tacos Chukis, Othello Wok Teriyaki, Amazing Thai, Comfort Zone, Corte Fino, Willie’s Taste of Soul, Amy’s Mercato, Buddha Bruddah, and El Quetzal.
Venues are easily accessible by light rail from downtown, Capitol Hill, and the U-District.
The MLK Business Association (MLKBA) is a non-profit organization established in 2008 to serve the businesses along Martin Luther King Jr. Way South. Its vision is to “build a strong, vibrant, and culturally diverse business community that is a destination second to none in the Pacific Northwest.”
Plate of Nations is proudly sponsored by:
