Hugely Popular Korean Dessert Shop Milkie Milkie Opens Its First Seattle Location

Finally, some good news in a neighborhood that could use it. Korean dessert specialist Milkie Milkie Dessert Cafe — which has already established a hugely popular restaurant in Edmonds — opened up its first Seattle location right in the heart of the Chinatown International-District. The outpost officially opened Sunday at 519 Sixth Ave S, serving up a variety of snowy bingsoo (shaved ice) in a variety of flavors, including green tea, black sesame, and Orea. There are also smoothies, coffee drinks, and a selection of toasts made with injeolmi (soft rice cake).

This location of Milkie Milkie has been in the works for quite a long time, first announced in the fall of 2018. There were a few delays with construction and permitting, but things look all set now, with a relaxed, mint-colored cafe built for both take out and sit-down dining. Together with nearby Fuji Bakery, Uwajimaya’s mochi doughnut stand Dochi, and the perpetually busy 85°C Bakery Café, there’s quite a dessert hub growing in the area.

Of course, the opening comes at a precarious time in the International District and the Seattle food scene in general. The economic and social impacts of the novel coronavirus has slowed sales dramatically, with some area restaurants reporting being down as much as 70 percent. But, on Monday, Milkie Milkie owner Ivy Lu didn’t seem to be sweating it. She had a steady stream of customers, despite no formal announcement, and was behind the register herself taking orders and serving up those colorful bingsoo bowls.

• Milkie Milkie [Official]
• 11 Essential Korean Restaurants in the Seattle Area [ESEA]