As we bid farewell to K-Pop Chicken & Beer, a new restaurant shines in its place. Soho Asian Kitchen & Bar opened its doors on April 1, introducing something the city has been missing out on: authentic dim sum.
Located in the heart of downtown at 202 E. Holly St., the restaurant is open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Friday–Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Soho is the latest venture from owners Surachai “Alex” Teachaakarakasem and Thanisara Tantraporn, the couple behind another Bellingham classic, Wanida Thai.
“Here, they don’t have to go to Vancouver, and they don’t have to go to Seattle to have dim sum,” Teachaakarakasem said. “I want to bring some new food to the Bellingham people. When I was searching, they didn't have dim sum.”
For the first time, Bellingham residents can enjoy a dedicated dim sum menu featuring classics like shrimp har gow, pork and chicken shu mai, fried taro dumplings and bao buns, alongside fresh rice rolls.
A sneak peak of a few menu items at Soho Asian Kitchen & Bar in Bellingham, Wash., on April 16, 2025. Fried rice and garlic crispy chicken are some of the restaurant's menu choices. // Photo courtesy of Madison Linney
With its prime location and fresh concept, Soho arrives with high hopes from the community.
Riley Gamradt, a former employee at K-Pop Chicken & Beer, put it simply, “I hope the new owners use the building and location to their best advantage and attract people who love our downtown scene.”
According to Gamradt, after a lifetime of hard work, the restaurant owners decided to retire in order to spend more time with their grandchildren and have the opportunity to travel.
“I have not been back since it opened. I would like to go, I’m curious,” Conor Powell, another former K-Pop Chicken & Beer employee said.
Teachaakarakasem also touched on the arguably most important piece to the new restaurant. It aims to fill a significant gap in Bellingham's dining options by offering authentic dim sum, a first for the city.
“It’s different than Wanida Thai that has been offered here for 10 years,” Teachaakarakasem said.
With Soho, they’ve also set out to bridge Chinese and Thai culinary traditions in a stylish, approachable space designed for both casual diners and adventurous food lovers.
“I got the fried rice and pork. I would definitely like it to be one of my new favorite spots,” said Madison Linney, a Western Washington University graduate, after stopping in with friends for lunch. “They give you the menu with all of the items and their prices, and then they bring out a separate booklet and have pictures of every single item.”
Eager to try the place myself, I stopped in for lunch. Ordering the wonton noodle and BBQ pork soup and the chicken and pork shu mai, I was immediately impressed with the portion sizes, as well as the presentation and the taste of the food itself.
The broth was rich and comforting, and both the dumplings and dim sum did not disappoint in size. For spice lovers, you can choose your spice level when ordering by choosing along a 1-5 scale, with one as the mildest all the way up to five as the hottest.
“I don’t know if it’s different during dinner time, but it’s a very calm environment.,” Linney said. “Everything has a place in there, there’s flowers on the ceiling.”
From sitting inside the dining room, the ambiance blends urban minimalism with warm, Asian-inspired touches, making it equally fitting for a quick lunch or a nice dinner with friends.
Soho's opening adds to a growing list of new dining establishments in Bellingham, reflecting the city's vibrant and diverse food scene. Whether you're a fan of traditional dim sum or eager to explore new culinary horizons, Soho Bellingham Asian Kitchen & Bar offers a fresh and flavorful experience for all.
The wall of Soho Asian Kitchen & Bar is layered with chairs in Bellingham, Wash., on April 10, 2025. This adds to the unique design and decor of the new restaurant. // Photo by Kaitlyn Ward
Kaitlyn Ward (she/her) is an opinion writer for The Front this quarter. She is a fourth-year news writing and editorial journalist minoring in psychology. When she’s not reporting, she loves singing and spontaneous road trips. You can reach her at kaitlynward.thefront@gmail.com.
