In a city where many of the best restaurants focus on dinner service, Made in House has carved out a unique niche as Seattle's premier lunch destination. This Korean cafe in Fremont has become a beloved gathering spot where the midday meal is elevated to an art form.
Even on rainy days, even when construction crews tear up Fremont Place, Made in House buzzes with energy. The cheerful atmosphere draws a diverse crowd—remote workers breaking from their screens, friends catching up over banchan, and food enthusiasts seeking some of the city's most thoughtfully prepared Korean cuisine.
The menu fluctuates with the seasons, featuring rotating specials based on available produce. First-time visitors are encouraged to order a 'daily plate' or bento box, options that come with an array of small dishes including kimchi and other pickled banchan that showcase the kitchen's dedication to fermentation and preservation.
But the sleeper hit is the kale tempura—a dish that doesn't sound like a signature item but has earned cult status among regulars. The preparation is incredibly light and delicate, with notes of faint sweetness that transform humble greens into something transcendent.
Made in House also serves as a rare Seattle outpost for makgeolli, a Korean rice wine that's difficult to find in the Pacific Northwest. The beverage program includes thoughtful teas, specialty coffees, and rotating nonalcoholic options like a sharp, clean-tasting gingerade with chia and honey.
The restaurant's design encourages lingering. A long wooden bar provides the perfect perch for solo diners, while the overall aesthetic balances warmth with minimalism. The stone pot bibimbap, with purple rice that crisps against the heated vessel, demands to be eaten on-site—it simply can't be replicated as takeout.
For Seattleites seeking a midday meal that nourishes both body and spirit, Made in House has become essential—a place where lunch feels like an event worth savoring.