Noodles might not be at the top of everybody’s list when it comes to treats to cool off this summer—but they should be. Slurping down cold udon, naengmyeon, or bún is as refreshing as it is tasty. There are plenty of Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese restaurants putting their best chilled dishes forward for the season, and these three are the best in bowl.

These food stories are pretty cool, too.

Molly Moon’s is making moves

There’s high anticipation for low-temp sweets made right here in Seattle. Building on that demand, local ice cream shop Molly Moon’s has announced a 13th location. The scoop shop is the first retail partner slated for the Everis apartment complex in Northgate—right across from the Kraken Community Iceplex. Expect a spring 2027 opening.

A Good goodbye

Sadly, Seattle Cider’s SoDo taproom shuttered earlier this year when the company was acquired by Oregon-based 2 Towns Ciderhouse, but its final, locally crafted recipe has won a Good Food award, an honor given to products that not only excel in taste but also create a positive social and environmental impact. City Fruit was made using crabapples harvested by the nonprofit of the same name, emphasizing its efforts to reduce waste and fight hunger. Tasting notes include fresh pears, tropical fruit, and a light earthiness.

Due Gabriele, una casa

Below ground in Pioneer Square, diners are getting a new taste of Italian cuisine thanks to Casa Gabriele, the dinner spot serving pasta dishes that transport you to far-flung destinations like Naples and Sardinia—the homes of co-owners Gabriele Russo and Gabriele Brownstein. Dishes like the tubetti made with mussels and beans and the genovese (pork ragu and slow-cooked onions) are enough to bring you back again and again. Don’t miss Bottega Gabriele, the sister sandwich shop across the street that just might become a mainstay in your lunch rotation, too.

West Seattle Summer Fest is underway

It’s all happening at The Junction this Friday through Sunday, and there’s certainly no excuse to be thirsty with all of the beverage options this year. By the main stage, brews from Elliott Bay, Reubens, Fremont, Georgetown, and Freight will be flowing in the beer garden. The Porch is a brand-new, all-ages option for food and drinks, with fun activities and lemonade for the kiddos. 

Remembering Anthony’s Restaurants’ founder

Budd Gould, the founder of a seafood dining and wholesale empire that spans the Pacific Northwest, died earlier this week at 85. Initially a reluctant restaurant owner, Gould developed a knack for spotting potential in waterfront properties, cultivating quality food and a family atmosphere to go with the amazing views. Amy Burns, Gould’s daughter, will continue to lead the company (she took over in 2023).

Winning wines and where to find them

Taste Washington came and went in a blur of eating and drinking, with some 200 wineries and about 75 restaurants participating. If you missed the fun at Lumen Field, Seattle Refined has tips on where to find the best of the weekend’s pours and bites, including a creamy yet fruity white blend, the Chaleur Blanc from DeLille Cellars, and a complex and craveable ube gelato from Hellenika Cultured Creamery.