The Iconic Market of Seattle Embraces Locals and Tourists 363 Days A Year

Pike Place Market, Seattle, October, 2015

Seattle, as a seaport city located on the west coastal of United Stated. The impressions of this city consisted of culture, romance, movie, coffee and rainy weather. Pike Place Market as one of the tourist attractions of Seattle, maybe a little bit commercial. However, it keeps satisfying locals and numerous travelers via providing trusted, fresh, handmade ingredients and gourmet with romantic harbor view.

Direct Access to Local Producers

Pike Place Market, as a public market, represents the heart of Seattle. It provides fresh, local produce. The market operates 363 days a year, only closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Established in 1907, Pike Place Market aims at connecting farmers and citizens. “Meet the producer” is their value of operation. Here you can have a cup of black coffee, enjoy the sweet and watch how they produce the fresh food in owner-operated bakeries, or have a cup of hot chowder soup in a cozy, trendy shop.

To watch Pike Place Fish Market’s famed flying-fish show is also recommended. This show starts once customer buy fish, the fishmonger will toss the fish to the cashier to wrap it. This ritual began, according from John Yokoyama, who purchased the store, when he realized that it took him about 100 steps from picking up the fish customer bought to wrapping it, he decided to simplify the procedure. “Hey catch it”, then he just threw the fish to his colleague to wrap it. This interactive show is fun for both customers and bystanders. I stood there and waited for someone purchasing, so the show can start. It’s amazing that they transform seafood into a fashion show. To be honest, I didn’t remember any unpleasant smell of fish, but the joyful moment instead.

Watch Out the Chewing Gun Wall

There are couples of gum wall in USA, like Bubblegum Alley in California, the maid-rite gum wall in Ohio. But I would say Seattle gum wall is the most attractive feast to the sight, even I haven’t visited the others. Well, if you ignore the smell and the gross. Seattle gum wall is just located near the entrance of Pike Place Market. The entrance of the gum wall is not very easy to be found in this bustle city. But the smell is really strong. I could smell the chewing gun when approached the entrance. The gum wall is a 15 feet high, 50 feet long alley under Post Alley. This taking photo spot consisted of intensely colorful visual. This unique scene formed since early 1990s. It started by patrons who waited for the shows of theater, and stuck chewed gum and coins to the wall. (I personally don’t understand why people want to stick coin). However, you can rarely see the coins, only chewed gum now. The gum wall was once be cleaned at 2015. It is said that it took 130 hours to scrape away. But I guess people just miss it, visitors soon stuck new gum to the wall.

I even saw a couple get married there, the wedding dress on them looked like medieval costumes. I guess there is where they met each other. The marriage officiant hosted the ceremony, the bride and the groom vowed and stuck their chewed gum to the wall. It’s an unforgettable experience, but I couldn’t stay there for too long due to the intense smell of chewed gum.

If You Are A Big Fan of Cinnamon Rolls, Try Piroshky

I am a big fan of all kinds of cinnamon bakeries, rolls, churros. Cinnamon is a controversial favor. People crazily love it or hate it, once you can accept the unique favor of cinnamon, you will love it. Piroshky bakery opened since 1992, also located at the Pike Place Market. Piroshky came from Russia, this small bakery sell a wide range of favors, includes savory and sweet. Piroshky translated from Pirozhki, a traditional pastry comes from Russia. It is also common to see in Ukraine. Every time I see the showcase full of a diverse pastry, I have difficulty to make the decision. Cause I want to try everything. I had “Poppy Seed Cinnamon Roll” and “Apple Cinnamon Roll”. The shape looks like a wreath. It’s delicate and charming. Oh, you can feel the happiness to grab a black coffee and one bite of cinnamon roll. One thing appreciate is these famous store needs to queue, but only takes about 10 minutes.

To balance the taste, I also had a Piroshky with potato and mushroom. I cannot tell the specialty compared to other store. But It’s really tasty as I imagined, I didn’t feel disappointed.

Comments

If you are on a budget travel, sure that the restaurants in Pike Place Market is not suitable for you. However, you can enjoy the pastry and finger food here. Although, it is a commercial market, it is still worth to visit. Stay at least half of a day, enjoy the food and chill in one of the bakeries you are interested.

【Le Panier, as one of the reputable bakeries in Pike Place Market】

【PIROSHKY PIOSHKY, as one of the reputable bakeries in Pike Place Market】