Looking for Chai Taiwanese Kitchen

Located in an unassuming Lynnwood strip mall, Looking for Chai is one of the best restaurants I've sampled so far.

The interior is minimalist and upscale. Predominantly black tables and walls absorb light cast from the windows to the parking lot exterior, but the white accents keep it from being too dark. Each table is set with both forks and chopsticks.

The menu was comprehensive without being overwhelming, and integrated traditional Taiwanese foods like bitter melon and hot-pot soups (delivered still boiling, on individual kerosene burners).

We ordered an appetizer of tofu with seaweed and soy-sauce eggs ($5.95).

Looking for Chai is known for their drinks. Dozens of teas, milk teas and other drinks (hot or cold) were presented in the menu and on a giant black-wall board. People inside held mugs of various beverages. So my kids and I decided to order a few. Our chocolate-cookie milk tea was slightly bitter but gorgeous to look at. We ordered it cold, but I think I'd order it hot next time. 

The teas described on the menu as "hand shaken" look somewhat like a big pint mug of beer -- but these are green teas. Here, a green tea with dried plum ($3.75). Sour-bitter-sweet, all at once. The whole table fought over drinking it. 

The lunch menu included this crispy chicken with special spicy sauce. For $2 more, our server said we could make it a meal with two sides and rice. In this case, the sides were corn and eggs and tomatoes. I think I'd skip the sides next time unless the sides were spectacular. Although everything tasted fine, the chicken was more than enough for two to split.

Kids (and immature adults) will get a kick out of the bathroom signs, which are sorta awesome.

Looking for Chai Taiwanese Kitchen

Address:  22511 WA-99 #100, Edmonds, WA 98026 
Phone: (425) 672-0880 
Website: http://steve11977.wix.com/lookingforchai 

Hours: 
Sunday 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM 
Monday 12:00 – 10:30 PM 
Tuesday 12:00 – 10:30 PM 
Wednesday 12:00 – 10:30 PM 
Thursday 12:00 – 10:30 PM 
Friday 11:30 AM – 11:30 PM
Saturday 11:30 AM – 11:30 PM