Tan Vinh
Food and Drink Writer, Seattle Times
About
Tan Vin is the food and drink writer for The Seattle Times. Tan has won numerous regional and national awards for restaurant criticism and most recently took first place for excellence in food writing from the Society for Features Journalism.
Tan is also a whiskey connoisseur and judge who has written for Whiskey Advocate and other drink publications, and as he likes to tell his mom, “See, I told you all that drinking in college would pay off.”
Podcasts
Stories
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Revisiting Seattle’s new third place: Breweries
Two big-name Washington breweries have expanded with new locations in Seattle, complete with food offerings from local chefs. Seattle Times food critic Tan Vinh explains the trends that are shaping the city’s brewery scene. He's joined by Seattle Times editor Trevor Lenzmeier!
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Seattle restaurants get creative to keep doors open
Seattle Times food critic Tan Vinh and editor Trevor Lenzmeier break down the openings focused on sandwiches and fast-casual small plates and look at how large format restaurants and fine dining spots are closing or pivoting.
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Seahawks stadium food is changing the game
The Seattle Seahawks want food to be a draw to Lumen Field this fall. Food critic Tan Vinh and producer Brandi Fullwood sample new menu items at the stadium and rank their favorites that hold up to the chaos of game day.
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Keep Seattle ice cream weird
Seattle Times food writer Tan Vinh tastes and guesses some seasonal and secret scoops with Salt & Straw’s head ice cream maker Tyler Malek. We find out why doubling down on unique flavors is good for business.
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Seattle is having a mortadella moment
The hottest meal this summer is a cold one -- a simple sandwich, made with the highest quality ingredients. Food critic Tan Vinh and mortadella enthusiast Adam Weintraub explain why this simple deli meat is so delicious and debate the best mortadella sandwiches in Seattle.
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The Best Bites and Slurps of the Summer
This Labor Day, Seattle Now is bringing you a bonus episode from KUOW's food podcast Seattle Eats. On this episode, Tan Vinh reflects on the best bites and slurps of the summer with Rachel Belle. While Labor Day may feel like the end of summer, it’s not over yet. Tan and Rachel also have some places you should try before fall weather rolls in.
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Last Call: Best Summer Bites
There’s something about eating a Seattle dog with a beer in August at the baseball game that just can’t be replicated in February. In this episode, Tan Vinh and Rachel Belle talk about the bites that hooked them this summer and which quintessential bites you should try ASAP.
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Goodbye Seattle darling, hello meat pies
Food Critic Tan Vinh explains why two beloved Seattle eateries closed suddenly and highlights two exciting new restaurant openings in the city.
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A tip for enjoying ripe summer raspberries: Get them frozen
Washington state produces 98 percent of the country's frozen raspberries, filling baked goods, jams and freezer aisles across the United States. Seattle Times food journalists Jackie Varriano and Tan Vinh discuss the raspberry industry and taste two popular snacks made with frozen Washington berries.
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6 tips to help Seattleites elevate their ramen game
Lopez Island chef Josh Ratza wrote the book about taking ramen to the next level. In "Elevated Instant Ramen: Inspiration, Ideas, Ideology," Ratza explores the art and nuance of the ramen hack. It turns out, even a brick or styrofoam bowl of instant noodles can become a gourmet meal on a budget if you know where to look and what to add.