Overview of Seattle news: a guide to the best local teriyaki, a bagel-chain closure amid an affordability crisis, and a dramatic start to the NWSL season as Orlando Pride fall to Seattle Reign.
Best teriyaki in Seattle: searching for the perfect chicken, rice and salad combo
If you’ve never heard, teriyaki in Seattle is more than a dish — it’s a genuine cultural phenomenon. With its distinctive "Seattle" style, which emerged in the 1970s largely thanks to Korean restaurateurs, it has won locals’ hearts. The city’s icon became a simple plastic takeout container filled with fragrant grilled chicken thighs, rice, and a no-frills iceberg salad with a couple of carrot slices. There’s even a joke that the best teriyaki is the one at the place nearest you. That’s understandable, but writers at The Infatuation insist it’s worth seeking truly outstanding flavor. To find it, they carried out an extensive survey, visiting 60 different teriyaki joints, and are now ready to share the results in their guide to the best teriyaki in Seattle.
Seattle-style teriyaki is a unique phenomenon, distinct from traditional Japanese teriyaki. In Japan, teriyaki often means meat or fish marinated in a sweet sauce and then grilled; the Seattle version is heartier, more substantial, and often sweeter. Its base is juicy chicken thighs (less often breast or beef), grilled until they pick up characteristic char marks and generously glazed with a thick, glossy sauce. The classic sides are simple white rice and a light iceberg salad with minimal vegetables, usually dressed with rice vinegar. This combination became a symbol of affordable, quick, and deeply satisfying food for generations of Seattleites. The guide’s authors note that their cars smelled of sambal and gyoza long after the culinary marathon, underscoring the scale and passion of their search.
The key insight of the survey is that, despite the dish’s apparent simplicity, there are huge quality differences between establishments. The ideal Seattle teriyaki is a balance: the chicken should be perfectly cooked — juicy inside with a crispy, caramelized crust outside; the sauce should not be cloyingly sweet but balanced, with notes of ginger, garlic, and soy that both glaze the meat and soak into the rice; and the simple salad should add necessary freshness and contrast. Finding “the one” becomes a near-personal quest for many locals. The guide likely highlights places that hit that ideal, whether time-tested family counters or newer spots boldly experimenting with recipes. This guide is not just a list of addresses, but a map for food lovers wanting to dive into one of the tastiest and most democratic traditions of the Pacific Northwest.
Closure of Blazing Bagels: a casualty of Seattle’s affordability crisis
Overview: The closure of bagel chain Blazing Bagels after 25 years in Seattle is a troubling signal highlighting deep problems in the city’s economy. KIRO Newsradio host Gee Scott blames not the business but the harsh realities of the city: soaring rents, high minimum wage, and a broader affordability crisis that are squeezing businesses.
The bankruptcy and closure of all five Blazing Bagels locations is another sign of Seattle’s “sad reality,” KIRO host Gee Scott said. He does not blame the owners of a business that operated in the city for a quarter-century, but points to systemic issues: unaffordable rent, a high minimum wage, and a general affordability crisis that are pushing businesses out. “This isn’t Blazing Bagels’ fault. The prices have become too high because they have to charge that much to pay minimum wage, to afford to pay rent every month and pay the bills,” Scott explained on the “Gee & Ursula” show on KIRO Newsradio. This opinion was expressed in a discussion on MyNorthwest.com.
The problem goes beyond one business. Scott notes that it’s not only hard to run a successful business in Seattle but also hard just to live here. He gives a vivid example from the restaurant world: what used to cost at a midrange restaurant has now reached the price of a meal at a fine-dining place. If a family dinner at a good restaurant once ran about $125, that same amount now gets you a meal at a midrange spot. This creates a vicious cycle: to survive, restaurants must raise prices, but they must also deliver exceptional quality, because one mediocre meal and the customer is lost forever. “Your restaurant has to be exceptional, and only then will you think, ‘Okay, maybe I’ll come back,’” the host states.
The core problem, according to Scott, is the growing gap between residents’ incomes and the cost of living. He recalls how a bowl of pho with a spring roll used to cost $7 and now costs $20. At the same time, many residents’ wages have not kept pace with that growth. This makes dining out a luxury for many families, which in turn deprives businesses of a steady customer base. The closure of Blazing Bagels, which reportedly had even planned to expand, came as a surprise to employees and symbolizes a broader trend. Seattle, once known for its vibrant small-business scene, is becoming a less hospitable place for entrepreneurs squeezed between high fixed costs and declining customer purchasing power. This is not a story about a failed business plan but about an urban ecosystem becoming unsuitable for sustaining many traditional enterprises.
Orlando Pride vs. Seattle Reign: season-opening NWSL drama
In the opening round of the 2026 NWSL season, Orlando Pride lost a hard-fought home match to Seattle Reign, 2–1. Despite significant superiority in play and statistics, the hosts failed to convert numerous chances and were victims of a controversial referee decision and a late goal by the visitors. A detailed match report, including tactics, key moments, and coaches’ reactions, is available at The Mane Land.
The match began with the visitors taking control, and they opened the scoring early. In the 24th minute, veteran Jess Fishlock, captain of Seattle Reign, capitalized on an Orlando defensive error and found the net. However, the main controversial moment of the first half came shortly before halftime. Orlando managed to equalize from a corner — defender Rafaelle headed the ball into the net — but referee Alex Billeter disallowed the goal, citing a foul against Pride forward Barbra Banda. The decision provoked heated protests because replays clearly showed that Seattle goalkeeper Claudia Dickey initiated contact by pushing Banda. Crucially, the referee blew the whistle before the ball crossed the line, which prevented VAR from reviewing the incident. After the match, when questioned by reporters, Billeter explained that he believed Banda impeded the goalkeeper, but that explanation did not match the visual evidence.
In the second half the game was halted for roughly two and a half hours due to a thunderstorm, adding further imbalance. After play resumed, Orlando continued to dominate and in the 51st minute finally equalized. A great combination involving Rafaelle and captain Hayley McCutcheon ended with a powerful, precise finish from Barbra Banda. For the Zambian star, this was her first goal since returning from last year’s injury, making it especially meaningful.
Despite sustained pressing and more chances (Orlando had 23 shots to Seattle’s 13), the visitors scored the decisive goal. In the 83rd minute, from a set-piece routine, Brittany Ratcliffe — making her debut for the Reign — headed home the delivery. The late series of substitutions made by Orlando head coach Seb Hines, commentators argued, disrupted the team’s cohesion. The new players could not maintain the tempo, and in the final minutes Pride looked flustered, missing the chance to salvage at least a point.
Orlando head coach Seb Hines, in postgame comments, expressed frustration with the officiating, especially the disallowed goal, and noted that the team created enough chances to win but wasn’t clinical enough in finishing. He said he was confident the team’s efficiency would improve in future matches. Barbra Banda, acknowledging the league’s toughness, said the team needs to “pull up their socks” and focus on the next game, where a win and three points are needed. Match statistics are telling: Orlando led in possession, total shots, shots on target, and passing accuracy, but that wasn’t enough for a result. Orlando Pride’s next opponent will be the league’s new club — Denver Summit.
