Hood Famous Bakeshop (Chinatown-ID)
A vibrant counter-serve space specializing in Filipino baked goods, coffee, and specialty drinks, most famous for its iconic ube cheesecake.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Hood Famous Bakeshop (Chinatown-ID)
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vibrant counter-serve space specializing in Filipino baked goods, coffee, and specialty drinks, most famous for its iconic ube cheesecake.
"The ube cheesecake is the best one in Seattle and a must-try for any visitor."
Sauce Bar Creation
Craft your own dipping sauce with free vinegars and sauces like Lakan hot sauce and banana ketchup.
Off-Peak Visits
Visit during off-peak hours for a more relaxed and unhurried dining experience.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Filipino Bakery
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Signature Ube Cheesecake
The iconic purple ube cheesecake is a must-try, offering a rich and unique Filipino flavor experience.
Mochi Waffles
Experience an addictively chewy and crispy waffle made with mochi, perfect with sweet or savory toppings.
Filipino Comfort Dishes
Savor comforting Filipino classics like Chicken Arroz Caldo and Tapsilog, packed with authentic flavors.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Sauce Bar Creation
Craft your own dipping sauce with free vinegars and sauces like Lakan hot sauce and banana ketchup.
Off-Peak Visits
Visit during off-peak hours for a more relaxed and unhurried dining experience.
Parking Advice
Parking can be challenging; consider parking at Uwajimaya if needed.
Enjoy Desserts Cold
Cheesecakes are best enjoyed cold; flavors dull significantly at room temperature.
Tips
from all over the internet
Sauce Bar Creation
Craft your own dipping sauce with free vinegars and sauces like Lakan hot sauce and banana ketchup.
Off-Peak Visits
Visit during off-peak hours for a more relaxed and unhurried dining experience.
Parking Advice
Parking can be challenging; consider parking at Uwajimaya if needed.
Enjoy Desserts Cold
Cheesecakes are best enjoyed cold; flavors dull significantly at room temperature.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Hood Famous Bakeshop is celebrated for its unique Filipino-inspired baked goods, especially its signature ube cheesecake and mochi waffles. Diners rave about the authentic flavors, friendly service, and tranquil atmosphere. While most reviews are overwhelmingly positive, some suggest that parking can be challenging in the area.
"Quick stop before taking Amtrak out of town. I was impressed by the tranquil, unhurried, yet friendly, efficient service. This place has a wide variety of items with a separate food area from drinks. There is also a cultural selection of gift items, photos of the history. Seating inside was comfortable and arranged for small groups. There was far too much on the menu to sample in one trip. Please consider this for a peaceful cultural break. Delicious!"
Judy
"Although we like cooking at home we always visit and support Filipino restaurants when out of town. Hood Famous delivers on taste, flavor and presentation! The chicken arroz caldo is luscious and comforting, with the toppings of crispy fried garlic and the thin chicken skin added an interesting and great contrast to the creaminess of the rice. The tapsilog and longsilog (beef tapa and longganisa patties were perfectly cooked and cooked. They were tender and flavorful. The desserts and drinks were equally delicious and provided a satisfying way to end our meal. The crew is amazing and friendly, and the chefs and cooks obviously know what they are doing and serving. The quality of the food and service is worthy of more stars than this platform can offer. The space is spotless and the vibe very upbeat without being loud. Great place to bring family and friends to!
Pro tip: Visit the sauce bar they have next to the counter to make your own dipping sauce with the variety of vinegars and sauces they are offering for free. The Lakan hot sauce and banana ketchup will make your palate dance!"
Alpha Nicolasin
"Perfect location for brunch on a Sunday! My colleague and I stopped here as we had heard good reviews about this Filipino cafe! It did not disappoint!
I tried their Ube Ice Latte, and it was the perfect blend of sweetness and expresso! I would highly recommend this drink!
For brunch, I ordered the Pork Menudo (which is a tomato based pork dish with a side of rice). It was my first time trying it, and it was decent. The tomato taste was strong, which was not something I was used to. My colleague ordered the Longsilog, which was different from the normal sausage Longsilog he was used to.
Service was amazing, and they were quick. The waitress accidentally spilled a bit of my latte but cleaned it up right away.
I'd recommend anyone trying out this cafe if they want to try a Filipino cafe!"
carol vang
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Hood Famous Bakeshop is most famous for its vibrant purple Ube Cheesecake, which has gained significant popularity.
Popular drinks include the Ube Latte, Pandan Latte, and Calamansi Espresso Tonic, offering unique Filipino flavors.
Yes, they offer savory dishes such as Chicken Arroz Caldo, Tapsilog, and various lunch bowls.
Reservations are not typically required, but visiting during off-peak hours is recommended for a more relaxed experience.
Their mochi waffles are known for an addictively chewy and crispy texture, a unique twist on the classic.
Parking in the International District can be challenging; it's advised to consider parking at Uwajimaya if needed.
Yes, you can create your own dipping sauce at their sauce bar using free vinegars and sauces like Lakan hot sauce.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
The 20 Best Bakeries In Seattle - Seattle
Hood Famous specializes in Filipino desserts, mainly mini cheesecakes that come in flavors like white chocolate guava and matcha. While we endorse standing on a street corner with a fork and eating all four varieties at once straight from the takeout box, the swirled purple ube cheesecake is the best one in Seattle. If you’re not feeling the street corner, have one inside the cafe for lunch chased with an iced ube latte, in case you want more ube.
Restaurants in Seattle
Starting out small and growing on word of mouth, Chera Amlag's bakery and bar sprouted from the desserts she made for her husband's Filipino pop-up dinners. A 2022 expansion grew this elegant I.D. space where she serves her dazzling purple ube cheesecake, alongside cafe foods with Filipino touches, like hot dog ensaymadas and pan de sal sandwiches.
The Best Places to Eat in Seattle, Washington — Restaurants and More
For a sweet treat with a pop of purple, try Hood Famous' signature ube cheesecake, ube latte, or ube cookies. Located in the International District in the historic Publix Building that once housed many migrant workers, including Filipino cannery workers and farm laborers, this space was reclaimed by Hood Famous Cafe and Bar in 2014. It serves single-origin Asian Pacific coffee and baked goods during the day, and bar food and cocktails — made with traditional Filipino and pan-Asian flavors like pandan, calamansi, and ube — at night.
20 Unique Seattle Waffles to Try for National Waffle Day
The cult-favorite Filipinx bakeshop's International District outpost makes their waffles with mochi to achieve an addictively chewy, crispy effect. You can get yours topped with seasonal fruit like dragonfruit, starfruit, and blueberries along with fresh whipped cream and house-made calamansi demerara syrup, or go savory with smoked salmon, calamansi and chive cream cheese, house salad, fried shallots, and olive oil.
Seattle | No Passport Required
Chera Amlag is the co-owner and founder of Hood Famous Bakeshop (Ballard) and Hood Famous Cafe + Bar, a dessert shop offering her original takes on traditional Filipino sweets and flavors. She was born in the Philippines, grew up in Bremerton, graduated from the University of Washington, and currently resides in Seattle with her husband, Geo, and two sons.
31 Restaurants Reimagining Seattle Brunch
The Ballard bakeshop that gave us ube cheesecake recently added this compact Chinatown–International District brunch hangout with a morning menu built on the chewy genius of mochi waffles. Each pair of diminutive (and gluten-free) pressed squares is equally great with smoked salmon or fruit and calamansi-infused syrup.
Where to find Filipino food in Seattle
What to order: Quiche with ampalaya (bitter melon) Yelp says: “I came here to support my fellow Filipinos and it did NOT disappoint!. … The Buko pie was bommmmb … This place is pretty darn busy, for good reason.”. PHOTOS: MERON MENGHISTAB
My Favorite Seattle Coffee Shops
International District cafe and bar known for its innovative Filipino coffees and baked goods. 📍 Google Maps | ☕ Website | 📞 (206) 261-2066. Go to Hood Famous Cafe + Bar with a healthy appetite.
Some of the best coffee shops in Seattle, WA
Hood Famous Cafe + Bar, Chinatown-International District | The Filipino bakeshop known for its cheesecake also makes a mean ube latte as delicious as it is pretty.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit