Le Chatel Bakery & Cafe

The food here no longer calls to me. The got rid of my favorite Korean-​style potato salad and replaced it with cut-​up potatoes sprinkled with sesame (I tried it today and the potatoes were undercooked on the crunchy side). The tofu is bland and the pork is on the dry side. On Mondays, they have a special fried chicken but the breading was way to thick for my taste. Unfortunately, I will not be going to La Chatel as often anymore.

This Korean buffet is one of the best lunch options downtown and certainly one of the healthiest. I’ve worked downtown for over 10 years and eat out for lunch EVERYDAY and this is definitely on my weekly lunch rotation, sometimes twice a week. The food is fresh, prepped by hand, mostly vegetarian and gluten-​free but there are some tasty meat and wheat options as well. The reusable containers are genius and practically everyone in my office has one. Jay (sp?), the owner is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet and if Korean food is new to you, he’s always happy to give you samples of the food before trying. They’re located in the underground corridor just off Union St. between 4^th and 6^th Avenue — if you work nearby, you know where I’m talking about. Check this place out and fill up for lunch — it’s well worth it!

YUM! My co-​workers were pretty much pimping this place. I finally decided to go try it and I fell in love!!! I crave it every day and the only downside is that they are only open during the weekdays and there’s no other location to visit on the weekends or evenings. My favorite is the Japchae, a combination of sweet potato noodles, veggies and a delicious flavor mixed in to compliment the dish. I love their kim chi and the kim chi rice. Most of the cuisine are vegetables but they usually have a daily meat special that varies between the bbq beef or chicken «tenders.» Nonetheless I could go with or without the meat and still be happy.
I agree with the majority that the name throws you off. I was enthusiastically recommending this place to a friend and he kept saying «Is it Le Chatel? Because that’s all I’m seeing in my search for Korean foods on 5^th»
If ever you’re in the downtown area, near the 5^th Avenue Theatre, you MUST check this place out.

Despite the name, this is a Korean spot. I have eaten lunch here about 6 times and each time I have tried something new and delicious. Basically, you pay a flat fee depending on the size of your container and choose what you want from the buffet. I always take it back to my office to eat with a big smile on my face.
The owner is extremely kind and offers suggestions for what goes well together and samples of anything new or different.
Unlike most buffets, the selection for freshly prepped vegetables is huge. The owner and his aunt make almost all the food themselves and I can totally taste the difference.
Some of the things that I have had and loved are spicy pork, kim chi rice, marinated eggplant and burdock root, spicy kale salad, sauted mixed veggies, in house made lentil tofu (surprisingly good) and the traditional seasoned cold veggies.

I wasn’t sure I was in the right place when I first checked in here. I came for the Korean food, but my receipt read «Le Chatel»… Huh?
My coworker suggested this place based on the breakfast burritos, so I swung by before work to check them out. There isn’t any signage up (yet) and there didn’t seem to be any food out, but the guy manning the counter informed me that they start serving the burritos around 6 AM (it was early in the morning, so don’t quote me on that. I only know for sure that they were open at 7:55 when I came). You have two standard breakfast options, but recently they added a third: Korean BBQ beef. I went with the new option and was pleasantly surprised. The burrito comes with egg, cheese and meat in a large tortilla. It is more than enough food in the morning, and for $ 4.50, there aren’t many better deals around. Throw in their green efforts at lunch (bringing back the reusable containers earns you a discount) and the convenient location (if you work above) away from the elements, and you have a solid bet in downtown Seattle

This place is the best! They started serving authentic Korean food in downtown Seattle?! In addition to the original delicious sandwiches that remain unchanged, they started offering traditional Korean cuisine like kalbi short ribs, job chae, bim bop, kim chee fried rice all for really cheap! The portions are generous and the owner is really nice, he’ll give out samples if you’re not sure what to get. He also gets there super early to hand prep all the foods, he loves cooking. He does not skimp on quality as for his noodle dishes he uses a yam based noodle that is not cheap and contains zero calories and carbs, truly a healthy option from your typical downtown lunch! You can really tell you’re eating a home made meal that is good for you when eating here for lunch. I’ve been telling all my co workers about his little shop and they love it. Sandwiches, Korean food, fresh pastries, coffee, breakfast items what more else can you ask for? Oh btw it’s family owned too. Continue the good work! Especially the home made Korean dishes that are healthy, well priced, and well portioned!

Buried underneath the 5^th Ave Theater and in the Underground Pedestrian Concourse, this is a nifty snack or meal spot. My breakfast burrito was tasty, plus the apple cinnamon muffin… Decent table number… I think they should clean the top of their card machine.

I absolutely adore this place! The service is very friendly, and I always feel that I receive personalized attention. Their soups are made from scratch every morning, and go perfectly with any one of their many delicious sandwich choices. Personally, I am a big fan of their breakfast choices. I admit, I am lazy and never get up early enough to make myself something at home before I leave.
All in all, this is one of my favorite spots for a bite to eat!

Fancy name for a food-​court-​sandwich-​shop downtown. BUT. These guys are AWESOME. Quality sandwiches, breakfast stuff too. Also, they are incredibly nice. Being a poor worker bee, I don’t always feel like I can afford to go to this place, when I could get a sandwich and chips and a soda at Subway for less… But I LIKE them. I feel GOOD giving them my lunch money. And that’s kind of a big deal. Of course it goes without saying their sandwiches are better… :)