15 Must-Try Regional Foods of the Pacific Northwest

WhenWhen it comes to the culinary essence of the Pacific Northwest, it’s all about a passionate commitment to seasonal and local ingredients. This stereotype holds true due to the region’s vast farmlands, untamed wilderness, and generally mild climate, which together create a paradise for fresh produce. Idaho’s potatoes are abundant, Washington’s salmon finds its way into everything from burgers to elegant mousses, and Oregon’s berries become irresistible when they’re in season. Locals have a deep appreciation for wild mushrooms, hiking through muddy woods for chanterelles and morels, and Washingtonians often travel far to pick their own apples and pears, as the state leads the U.S. in production of both.

Identifying the definitive dishes of the Pacific Northwest can be challenging, but certain culinary experiences are emblematic: coastal trips with stops for salmon candy, tofu-based “egg salad” sandwiches in lunch boxes, and festival treats like hot dogs dipped in pancake batter or slathered with cream cheese. Here’s a tribute to some of the most iconic and fresh foods from the region. Pickles are not included.

1. Marionberry Pie

In the 1950s, Marion County, Oregon, developed a distinctive blackberry by crossbreeding Chehalem and Olallie varieties. Marionberries, thriving in Oregon’s volcanic Jory soil and cool nights, produce a sweet-tart, floral berry similar to a more potent blackberry. During July, marionberry pie is widely available throughout the state — Willamette Valley Pie Company in Salem offers it for dine-in or takeout. If you miss the fresh pies, marionberry jam, vodka, and marinades are sold at nearly every local gift shop.

2. Walla Walla Onion Rings

Walla Walla onions are the Pacific Northwest’s answer to Vidalias—extraordinarily sweet, oversized white onions perfect for making onion rings. Throughout the region, you’ll find these rings dipped in buttermilk and fried to perfection. During the summer, the demand for these seasonal delights reaches a fever pitch, especially at regional chain Burgerville, rivaling even the McRib.

3. Yumm Bowls

Café Yumm!, a beloved Oregon-based Mytoury, serves up a customizable bowl of rice, beans, cheese, pico de gallo, and other veggies, all smothered in a tangy sauce that has earned it a cult following. This sauce is akin to hollandaise but with a Mediterranean twist, featuring lemon, chickpeas, and nutritional yeast. It elevates what could be a standard burrito bowl into a cherished regional favorite. Don’t forget the spicy jalapeno-sesame salsa, which is a crucial component.

4. Salmon Candy

Salmon obsession is rampant here, almost to an eerie extent. This locally cherished fish, both popular and endangered, appears in various forms: grilled on cedar planks in restaurants, turned into burgers at cookouts, smoked and blended into cream cheese, or battered and fried into distinctively pink fish-and-chips. Coastal seafood shacks offer heavily smoked sockeye or Chinook as 'salmon candy,' a jerky-like treat marinated with sweet maple or brown sugar syrup. Though readily available at fish-and-chip stands or markets, the South Beach Fish Market in Newport, Oregon, is famed for its superb version.

5. Seattle Dogs

Though it trails far behind Coney Island and Chicago hot dogs in popularity, the Seattle dog holds a special place, especially among sports enthusiasts. It’s topped with cream cheese and sautéed onions, a creation that began with Hadley Long’s late-night bagel cart, which served hot dogs in bialys with cream cheese. Nowadays, Seattle dogs are typically found in buns at stalls around T-Mobile Park, in vintage venues, and dives. Rumor has it, these hot dogs fueled many of Seattle's iconic punk and grunge bands. Many carts even offer jalapenos for an extra kick and crunch.

6. Pronto Pups

Corn dogs are a staple across the U.S., but Oregonians take their Pronto Pups seriously. Allegedly the first corn dogs, they were introduced at Oregon’s Rockaway Beach in 1939. Unlike standard corn dogs, Pronto Pups feature a sweeter pancake batter with less cornmeal, resembling oversized pigs in blankets.

7. Totchos

In Portland, drinking foods are practically a cultural institution, with Totchos being a local favorite. These are Tater Tots loaded with classic nacho toppings, often featuring cheddar from Oregon’s Tillamook Creamery. While Tater Tots were invented in Oregon in the early 1950s, Totchos made their debut in 2006 at Oaks Bottom Public House in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood. Today, they’re a popular menu item at Portland bars and hot dog joints, sometimes elevated with gourmet toppings like bonito flakes or smoked salmon — quite the twist.

8. Tofu Pate

The Pacific Northwest is known for its vibrant vegan community, with pioneers like Tofurky and Field Roast leading the charge. However, nothing holds a candle to the regional affection for Toby’s Tofu Pate, a creamy, egg salad-like spread that originated in an Oregon kitchen in the 1970s. This beloved dip was a staple at many school lunches and party buffets throughout the '80s and '90s. Today, Toby’s Tofu Pate is a common sight in grocery stores across the Pacific Northwest.

9. Seattle-Style Teriyaki

The teriyaki craze in Seattle can be attributed to pioneers like Toshihiro Kasahara of Toshi’s Teriyaki Restaurant and John Chung of Woks Deli and Teriyaki. By the late 20th century, this sweet and sticky soy sauce marinade on boneless chicken thigh became a quintessential grab-and-go lunch. Grilled to perfection and served over rice with a side salad, teriyaki has since spread throughout the Pacific Northwest, appearing in spots from Du’s Grill in Portland to Oishii Teriyaki & Rolls in Bellingham, Washington.

10. Finger Steaks

Idaho’s agricultural exports are famously diverse, but its unofficial bar snack, finger steaks, stands out. These beefy strips, somewhere between chicken-fried steak and french fries, are said to have originated at Milo’s Torch Cafe in Boise. Today, you’ll find these breaded, deep-fried steak strips served with vibrant red cocktail sauce at bars across Southern Idaho.

11. Coconut Bliss Bars

For those raised by hippie parents in Oregon (which, let’s face it, is quite a few of us), summers were often marked by melting, chocolate-covered Coconut Bliss ice cream bars at the Oregon Country Fair. This regional favorite is a testament to the area's strong vegan culture, which also gives rise to other popular animal-free treats like So Delicious. Coconut Bliss remains a beloved staple in the vegan ice cream scene.

12. Olympia Provisions Pepperettes

These are not your typical Slim Jims. Olympia Provisions, a renowned charcuterie company from the Pacific Northwest, is famous nationwide for its gourmet sausages, pates, and salamis. However, their pepperettes — akin to mini pepperoni sticks — are perfect for casual settings. These savory treats are often found in gift bags, at convenience stores, or packed for backpacking adventures, and come in flavors like paprika and garlic or caraway and coriander.

13. Bacon Maple Bars

While bacon-topped doughnuts are a trend across the nation, Voodoo Doughnut in Portland, with its distinctive punk rock flair, is credited with starting it all. They first added thick-cut bacon to their maple-glazed bars back in 2003, a full six years before the Great Bacon Craze of 2009. These sweet and salty doughnuts have won praise from celebrities like Brad Pitt and the late Anthony Bourdain, though locals often steer clear of the tourist crowds. For a brioche version, try Blue Star Donuts’ “Real Maple Bacon,” which features pure maple syrup.

14. Chocolate-Covered Hazelnuts

Oregon produces a staggering 98 percent of the nation's hazelnuts, making them a staple in local cuisine, much like marionberries and salmon. These nuts appear in salads, are enjoyed on their own, or used as a crunchy coating for fish. During the holidays, however, the focus shifts to chocolate-covered hazelnuts. Many Oregonians have fond memories of devouring these treats each December, and they’re a must-buy souvenir for tourists. These chocolates are often sourced from the Pacific Hazelnut candy factory in Aurora, Oregon, or from various roadside stands throughout the Willamette Valley, which also features an entirely hazelnut-themed restaurant.

15. Fisher Scones

Fisher scones, or fair scones, are a beloved treat at Washington state fairs. These soft, fluffy scones, paired with honey butter and raspberry jam, have been a fair staple for over a century. Fisher’s scones are so iconic that they might as well be the state’s official baked good, with over 100 million sold to date. While many try to replicate them, nothing beats enjoying the authentic scone at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup.

Brooke Jackson-Glidden is the editor of Dinogo Portland.Carolyn Figel is a freelance artist based in Brooklyn.Edited by Lesley Suter