502 S King St
Seattle, WA

Hours: Daily from 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Menu: chungchunricehotdog.menu11.com
Phone: (206) 682-1300

ES: I must admit that in Seattle’s International District, there’s always a delightful scent that fills the air. No, I’m not talking about the smell of weed, but rather of all the bakeries that are around. From one place that we hit up for a quick baked snack that Don recommended to just walking around the block, I’m glad I wondered about all the people walking around with a corn dog in their hand. Although it didn’t take my nose to track it down, just walking by Chung Chun Rice Dog made me realise we gotta eat here!

DK: I’m a sucker for a slightly grubby looking place with a long line, and that’s how Chung Chun presented itself to us. By the time we ordered, there were approximately 20 people packed into a space designed for about half that, with another 20 or so waiting outside. We later learned part of the reason for the clown car conglomeration was likely the restaurant’s devotion to proper deep-frying. Our dogs were shockingly un-greasy, suggesting high-heat frying and an aversion to placing too many dogs in one fryer at the same time.

ES: And for a smallish diner operation (it’s mostly take-out here), what they offer for patrons if they really want to drench their dogs in condiments is huge. I could’ve dressed my corn dog up to the nines, and they are just as amazingly good! I did have the difficult choice of whether to ask for squid ink or go full on ramen. I opted for the latter.

One nibble is not enough! I opted for all the tasty crumbly goodness that I can pile on top to enjoy this goodness! They’re like Tootsie Rolls if you’re willing to use the theatre of the mind. After enough licks to clean up the coverings, the bite is ever satisfyingly good! It’s a shame that there aren’t more operations like this in every city.

The closest thing, which I’ll have to return to rate, is what Smile Chicken offers back home.

DK: I went for smoked chicken and pork with cheese, a ramen crumbles exterior, and a healthy dose of garlic Parmesan sauce. The sauce didn’t add much to be honest. The crunchy exterior and airy breading, coupled with the salty dog, was enough. I was a little disappointed that the ramen portion of the dog tasted like all noodle and no seasoning packet. I am, however, willing to say with no reservations that a rice dog makes a corn dog look like a third-grader’s Father’s Day lunch experiment.

It’s a bit shocking this chain has expanded to Regina and Prince George, but hasn’t made it to Victoria yet. It’s the kind of cheap fast food that would go well with a drunken night out or minor league baseball.

ES: According to Google, apparently they have operations in Vancouver and Burnaby, but when will they come to the Island?

DK: Dunno. Ed, you gonna buy a franchise and start it up?

ES: I’d do it just to give Victoria, BC’s operation competition. Although I have yet to return to town to do a taste comparison (mostly because the downtown area has become even more dingier due to current mayorship), I’ll try to do that soon so carnival foodies have a point of comparison. For now, my money is on Seattle’s operation, as they know how to dress a dog!

3½ Blokes out of 5