Wild Ginger in Downtown Bellevue.
Seattle’s Pacific Rim original has cooked in Bellevue since 2009 and across from the Square since 2017 — fragrant duck, satay, seven flavor beef, and two glass private rooms.
Wild Ginger is the Seattle institution that made Pacific Rim cooking a mainstream night out, and its Bellevue room sits at street level on the Bellevue Way side of Lincoln Square South, directly across from the Square, between Fogo de Chão and the W. It is a smaller, warmer version of the downtown Seattle original: 165 seats, a bar up front, two private rooms behind movable glass, and the same menu of fragrant duck, satay, seven flavor beef, and Sichuan green beans that has anchored the brand since 1989.
The Bellevue story has two chapters and DBN covered both: the 14,000-square-foot room at The Bravern that opened in 2009 — our 2010 dim sum brunch report is the earliest — and the January 2017 announcement that Rick and Ann Yoder would move to a right-sized space in the Lincoln Square expansion, where Wild Ginger became the first restaurant to open, on April 9, 2017. Our 2018 kitchen visit with the Yoders explains why: the smaller room fit the way Bellevue actually eats.
It is the reliable, grown-up Asian table in the Collection — less spectacle than the hot pot rooms, more range than any single-cuisine kitchen nearby — and the easiest pre-theater dinner on the block. Where it fits is in our guide to the best restaurants in downtown Bellevue.
What to Order at Wild Ginger
A menu that spans the eastern Pacific Rim, built for a table that shares; these five are where to start.
Fragrant Duck
Twice-cooked with Sichuan peppercorn, served with steamed buns and plum sauce — the house specialty since the Seattle original in 1989.
Seven Flavor Beef
Flank steak with lemongrass, peanuts, hoisin, and chilies — the Vietnamese specialty that has followed the menu across the lake.
Malay Chicken Satay
Six skewers in a lemongrass-ginger marinade with peanut sauce. The satay bar was the original Wild Ginger idea; this is why.
Siam Lettuce Cups
Sea bass, jicama, peanuts, Thai basil, and tamarind wrapped at the table — the plate that starts every group order.
Sichuan Green Beans
Dry-fried with chili flakes and pickled Sichuan root vegetable. The side that outsells half the mains.
Wild Ginger Through the Years on DBN
DBN has reported on downtown Bellevue since 2005. This is Wild Ginger’s story as we covered it, as it happened.
Wild Ginger’s Brunch Offers Dim Sum and New Experiences
The Bravern years: the 14,000-square-foot original Bellevue room and its weekend dim sum brunch.
Wild Ginger to Close at The Bravern, Open at the Lincoln Square Expansion
The move announced: a smaller room across from Bellevue Square, and the Bravern space that would become The Dolar Shop.
New Wild Ginger Location Now Open at Lincoln Square
First to open in the Lincoln Square expansion, on April 9, 2017: 5,900 square feet and 165 seats at 508 Bellevue Way NE.
In the Kitchen With Wild Ginger Bellevue
Owners Rick and Ann Yoder on why they moved, the signature dishes, and the two glass-walled private rooms.
Browse all Wild Ginger coverage in the DBN archive.
Getting There & When to Go
Lincoln Square South is the easiest dinner in downtown to reach by car, sky bridge, or train.
Getting There & Parking
- Drive: Lincoln Square South garage. Weekdays, get your ticket validated at the restaurant for 3 hours free; evenings and weekends no validation is needed. Bellevue Square’s free garages are across Bellevue Way by sky bridge.
- Light rail: 2 Line to Bellevue Downtown Station, then a roughly 12-minute walk west along NE 6th to Bellevue Way — see our light rail guide
- On foot: The entrance faces Bellevue Way at street level between Fogo de Chão and Japonessa. From Bellevue Square, cross Bellevue Way at NE 6th or take the sky bridge and come down through Lincoln Square South.
Best Times to Go
Weekend dinners book ahead; weekday lunch is the calm table and the satay bar is the walk-in seat. Pre-theater and pre-movie dinners fill the early evening on show nights — reserve. Lunar New Year and Restaurant Week weeks go early, and the private rooms book out for the holidays.
Make It a Night
You are on the Bellevue Way corridor of the Collection: pair dinner with a movie at Cinemark Reserve in the same building, Snowflake Lane in the holidays, right outside on Bellevue Way, or The Dolar Shop in Wild Ginger’s old Bravern space, for the next night.
Good to Know
As of August 2026: lunch and dinner daily. OpenTable or phone for tables; two private rooms with movable glass doors through the event inquiry. The menu marks vegetarian options throughout, and the satay bar is the fastest solo meal in the Collection.
Wild Ginger FAQ
Does Wild Ginger Bellevue take reservations?
Yes, through OpenTable on the official Bellevue reservations page, or by phone. As of August 2026 the room has two private dining rooms with movable glass doors, booked through the event inquiry on the official site.
Where do you park for Wild Ginger at Lincoln Square?
The Lincoln Square South garage. On weekdays parking is free for 3 hours with validation from the restaurant; in the evenings and on weekends no validation is needed. Bellevue Square’s free garages are directly across Bellevue Way.
What should you order at Wild Ginger?
The Fragrant Duck with buns is the signature and the Seven Flavor Beef is the other must. Start with the Malay chicken satay and the Siam lettuce cups, and get the Sichuan green beans for the table. The menu spans the Pacific Rim from China to Indonesia, so a group order works best.
Is Wild Ginger Bellevue still at The Bravern?
No. Wild Ginger opened at The Bravern in 2009 and moved to Lincoln Square South in April 2017, into a smaller 165-seat room at 508 Bellevue Way NE across from Bellevue Square. The old Bravern space became The Dolar Shop.
Who owns Wild Ginger?
Founders Rick and Ann Yoder, who opened the first Wild Ginger in Seattle in 1989. The Bellevue kitchen is led by chef de cuisine Sagar Rai, as of August 2026 per the official site.