Ville Magazine l Insider Access for City Lifestyle Nov/Dec / Holiday Issue 2016 | Page 21

THE DISH

Joy to the World
written by Lauren Adam

No matter how you choose to celebrate, this time of year brings a wealth of traditions from
around the world. While each is unique in meaning, the common thread weaving our celebrations
together is food and the gift of good food should be shared. Share your tradition with someone
else and try a new one to honor what we have in common.

ISRAEL: LATKAS
Roxy’s Diner
Hanukkah celebrates the biblical tale and holiday miracle involving a one-day supply
of oil that burned for eight days. For that reason many of the food served during
Hanukkah is fried in oil. One of the most popular is the latke potato cake which is
fried to crispy, golden perfection and served with applesauce. Get one at Roxy’s
Diner in Fremont where you can get a latke sandwich, latkes and eggs, or just plain
with sour cream and applesauce.
462 N 36th St, Seattle, WA 98103 l www.pastramisandwich.com

JAPAN: TOSHIKOSHI SOBA
Miyabi 45th
Celebrating the New Year or shogatsu is one of the most important holiday traditions
in Japan. On New Year’s Eve, it’s customary for families to serve Toshikoshi Soba or
buckwheat noodles which symbolize longevity and prosperity in the year to come.
Your best bet for Toshikoshi Soba is Miyabi 45th which serves traditional housemade noodles and has been known to showcase Toshikoshi Soba this time of year.
2208 N 45th St, Seattle, WA 98103 l miyabi45th.com

MEXICO: TAMALES

FRANCE: BÛCHE DE NOËL

Gracia

Bakery Nouveau
France’s “branch of Christmas” is similar to yule log. The lore is that Europeans
would close out the winter solstice and begin anew by burning a logs garnished
with holly and pinecones. Cake is filled and rolled to resemble an actual branch and
then topped with edible treats that help mimic the forest floor. The cake is served
after Christmas Eve midnight mass. Bakery Nouveau’s version uses sponge cake with
coffee syrup, frosted with Vanilla Crème Madame, chocolate and raspberry mousse.
It’s rolled and then frosted again with coffee butter cream.
137 15th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112 l bakerynouveau.com

CHINA: DUMPLINGS
Din Tai Fung
It’s customary to eat both dumplings and year cake or nian gao (sticky rice cakes)
to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Chinese lore suggests that the more dumplings
you eat on during the celebrations, the more prosperity you will have in the New
Year. Brave the lines at University Village and eat your dumplings at Din Tai Fung. The
Kimchi & Pork Dumplings can make anyone feel lucky no matter how many you eat.

Tamales are a go-to holiday snack for many
countries across Latin America but making them
is a commitment that spans generations. The
holiday ritual brings together family and friends
to make the dough, stuff, and wrap these tasty
traditions in corn husks or plantain leaves. The
labor-intensive gathering is a time to share stories
and reconnect with loved ones. The tamales are
eaten from The Feast of Our Lady Guadalupe
on December 12th through Three Kings Day on
January 6th but especially on Christmas Eve.
Recruit your friends and family to make tamales
or try one at Gracia. All of the masa is ground in
house from landrace corn sourced by Masienda
from different states in Mexico.
5313 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107 l www.graciaseattle.com
photo Gracia

2621 NE 46th St, Seattle, WA 98105 l dintaifungusa.com

THE HOLIDAY ISSUE l VILLE l 21