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Top picks in the University District

Authentic seafood

Seafood that respects the source without being dressed up in unnecessary kitchen gimmicks.

Based on 739 Opinions
+736
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Updated April 2026
01
Bite and Bento(一二三•自选快餐) image 1
Bite and Bento(一二三•自选快餐) image 2
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Affordable Chinese restaurant offers fresh-tasting dishes with good portions and reasonable prices. Atmosphere stays clean and not too crowded, making it suitable for simple lunches or takeout near a university area. Owner occasionally adds a live show element to the experience.

Meals resemble home-style Chinese cooking with a focus on authentic flavors. The pickled fried fish stands out as a genuine dish.

Grilled fish stands out with its delicious flavor. Pickled fried fish offers an authentic taste and is not spicy, making it suitable for those avoiding heat. BBQ fish also features on the menu.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be delicious and fresh."

"I found the food to be great and cheap."

"I found the pickled fried fish seafood very authentic."

Good to know

1

Meals cost around $14, making it affordable for students.

2

Portion sizes are decent, providing good value for the price.

3

Be aware that the spicy chicken may contain bones.

02
Red Pepper image 1
Chinese restaurant

Cozy interior supports casual meals with a comfortable, friendly atmosphere and simple, unpretentious design. The place draws those seeking authentic Sichuan cuisine known for its bold, numbing spiciness and generous portions.

Bold, authentic Szechuan flavors define the menu with a strong focus on spicy Sichuan dishes. The food delivers a genuine taste that stays true to traditional recipes.

Boiled fish stands out with its fresh, tender texture and a rich, spicy broth that soaks into the vegetables. The dish often features the málà numb-and-tingle sensation and variations like sour pickled cabbage add a tangy twist.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be delicious and flavorful."

"I found authentic Szechuan flavors with bold spice here."

"The seafood here is intensely flavorful and spicy, with a numbing kick."

Good to know

1

Expect long wait times on weekend nights due to high demand.

2

Portion sizes are generous, often enough for 2 to 3 people.

3

Pricing is reasonable for the quality and authenticity of the dishes.

03
Bombay Express image 1
Restaurant

Spacious restaurant with authentic Indian decor and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Music features Indian songs, enhancing the Desi vibe. Open late, it offers a cozy setting for enjoying homelike Indian street food.

Food delivers authentic Indian taste with dishes like pav bhaji, aloo tikki chaat, pani puri, and samosa chaat all tasting genuine and true to tradition.

Fish pakora stands out as a flavorful seafood option. It pairs well with the MASALA FRIES and complements other dishes like the Chicken Crunch Sandwich.

People are saying

"I found the Indian food here to be amazing."

"I found the Indian food here to be authentic and reminiscent of home."

"You have to try the fish pakora; it's really good."

Good to know

1

Bombay Express is open until 4 AM every day.

2

Parking on the street is difficult to find.

3

They stay open at night for late-night cravings.

04
Taste of Xi'an 西安味道 image 1
Chinese restaurant

Large dining area features authentic Chinese décor with Terracotta Warriors at the entrance and Chinese calligraphy on the walls. Atmosphere feels cozy yet lively, often crowded and noisy, creating a vibrant setting. Seating is comfortable and spacious, with self-service chili oil and garlic enhancing the experience.

Northwestern Chinese flavors come through strongly with biangbiang-style noodles and other Xi'an dishes. The food offers a very authentic taste that stands apart from typical Chinese restaurants.

Grilled fish here is tender and free of any fishy smell, cooked right on a teppanyaki plate. The barbecue fish has a balanced flavor that needs no extra seasoning. Seafood hot pot and hot oil ramen also stand out.

People are saying

"The hand-pulled noodles here are authentically chewy and flavorful."

"These dumplings have a juicy filling that explodes on the first bite."

"I tried the lamb stew with bread; it's a specialty."

Good to know

1

You must scan the QR code on the table to order.

2

The kitchen closes at 3:30 PM, so arrive early.

3

Parking can be a little hard to find.

05
Lee’s Kitchen Noodle & Rice U Dub image 1

Cozy space blends traditional decor with a relaxed atmosphere and quiet vibe. Self-service setup offers free soup and sides, encouraging a casual dining experience. Generous portions and affordable prices suit a college-area crowd.

Authentic Cantonese style shines in the rice noodle rolls and popcorn chicken. The beef noodle soup, dry stir-fried noodles, and pig knuckle rice noodle all deliver braised to perfection flavors that feel true to tradition.

Shrimp dishes include shrimp rice rolls and a special shrimp wonton soup, though the wonton differs from expectations. Rice noodles with shrimp, pork, and beef offer delicious flavors, but some items like the mala pork feet noodle lack expected ingredients.

People are saying

"The food here tastes like home-style Taiwanese cuisine."

"It's a great lunch spot with many choices."

"The spicy seafood was crispy and flavorful."

Good to know

1

The restaurant has serious cleanliness issues, with cockroaches and dirty surfaces reported.

2

Safety and sanitation need significant improvement.

3

Portion sizes are generous, providing good value for the price.

06
Korean Tofu House image 1
Korean restaurant

Small, cozy Korean restaurant with authentic banchan and affordable prices. Atmosphere ranges from chill and relaxed with K-pop music to occasionally loud and crowded. Space feels a bit claustrophobic due to table layout and dim lighting below street level.

Food tastes like home cooking with authentic Korean flavors and includes traditional banchan sides. Meals offer good value and reflect genuine Korean recipes.

Seafood dishes feature a crispy and chewy seafood pancake loaded with shrimp and a balanced spicy seafood soondubu without an overly fishy taste. The fish roe soup offers a rich base with clams, shrimp, tofu, and zucchini, while the seafood tofu is soft and fluffy with a slight spice.

People are saying

"This flavorful, garlicky soup is perfect for winter."

"I'd come back for the Korean Food, especially the BBQ beef."

"I found the Korean food here to be really authentic, like grandma would make."

Good to know

1

The restaurant enforces a minimum one order per person rule.

2

They offer free refills on banchan side dishes.

3

Vegetarian options are available, including soup made with water instead of beef broth.

07
Korean Tofu House Express image 1
Korean restaurant

Korean restaurant offers a clean and cozy atmosphere with bright and spacious seating. Wall-mounted TVs show family programs while fun, low-volume music plays in the background. The environment feels friendly and relaxed, inviting diners to enjoy authentic Korean comfort food.

Food shows authentic Korean flavors with well-prepared dishes and a spicy kick for those who like heat. The kimchi stands out as flavorful and genuine, reflecting a kitchen run by Koreans.

Spicy seafood tofu pot and mixed seafood stew offer a good variety of flavors. Fish roe stew and soup stand out as delicious options, while shrimp kimbap is less favored.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be amazing."

"The Korean food here is so flavorful and authentic."

"The seafood tofu stew is so flavorful and spicy."

Good to know

1

The restaurant offers free top-ups for banchan if everyone orders a set meal.

2

Vegetarian options and vegetarian broth are available for soups.

3

The portions are large and generous, often leaving leftovers.

08
Thai Tom image 1
Thai restaurant

Small, tight space with bar seating right by flaming woks creates an intense, smoky atmosphere. The vibe is authentic and original, with an entertaining view of chefs cooking food on the spot. It feels cramped and hot, not suited for large groups or quiet dinners.

Food offers very old and authentic Thai recipes with flavorful and delicious dishes. The menu stays true to traditional tastes and cooking methods.

Shrimp features in several dishes like Pad Thai, Tom Yum Soup, and Thai fried rice. Tom Yum Soup includes shrimp with mushrooms, tomatoes, and green onions topped with coriander.

People are saying

"I thought the Thai food here was packed with flavor."

"I found the food here to be authentic and packed with flavor."

"The seafood was cooked with high flames and fresh ingredients, making it tastier."

Good to know

1

Thai Tom only accepts cash payments.

2

They will not seat your party until everyone has arrived.

3

Expect difficulty finding parking near Thai Tom.

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