On a budget and hungry? Well, look no further, because this list will help your empty stomach!

5. Marination Station: Harvard Market, 1412 Harvard Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

Kimchi Kalua Pork Quesadilla

Korean-Mexican fusion isn’t really a cuisine that people come across often, but when you try it, I guarantee you you will be floored. Putting bulgogi into a quesadilla with cheese, kimchi, and jalapenos? God, just thinking about it makes my mouth water. You can get a hefty portion of kimchi fried rice for $8.25, or a kalua pork kimchi quesadilla for $9.

4. Piroshky Piroshky: Pike Place Market

Odds are, you’ve probably never heard of piroshky before. Piroshky is a Russian puff pastry filled with a variety of fillings, ranging from meat to fruit or sweets. Seattle is known for its seafood (it is a port city after all), and Piroshky Piroshky’s salmon piroshky can’t be beat. A fluffy puff pastry filled with melt-in-your-mouth salmon? Sounds like under $10 heaven to me.

3. Amazing Thai Cuisine: 5210 Roosevelt Way NE, Ste B, Seattle, WA 98105

This hole-in-the-wall Thai restaurant is on the outskirts of University District, about a 15–20 minute walk from campus. But god damn, it’s the best Thai food I’ve had in all of Seattle. It’s not the most aesthetic looking place, but you know what they say — the best restaurants are the shadiest looking ones. The owners are super friendly (the host calls me sir pretty much every other sentence and knows me by name!), and you get a small chocolate for dessert and sometimes a free soup. Their customer service is definitely the best I’ve had. And it’s only around $9.80 for a meal.

2. Dicks’ Drive-In: 115 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102

Okay, we are talking about cheap, good food here. How could I leave out Dick’s? This Seattle classic lets you get a burger, fries, and drink for under $7! Their menu is small, and their toppings on their burgers are not elaborate, but sometimes less is more. Their plain cheeseburger is just ketchup, mustard, cheese, bun, and a hamburger, but it is to DIE for. Nothing beats those late night munchies after a night out in Capitol Hill more than a nice serving of Dick’s.

1. Shawarma King: 4337 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105

Lamb Gyro plate

Here we are at number 1: my favorite place in all of Seattle. This place is hands-down the best bang for your buck Mediterranean place. Massive portions? Check. Under $10? Check. Is it delicious? CHECK CHECK CHECK. How could it get better than that? And best of all, it comes out to around $9.89 for a combo of a drink, fries, and gyro.

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