ABOUT ME
Me and Rachel Marshall of Rachel's Ginger Beer
Justin Oba
Culinary Tour Guide and Seattle Foodie
Raised in Tacoma, WA since I was 3 months old, I was adopted by my maternal Taiwanese grandmother and her Japanese/Hawaiian husband when my mother couldn’t take care of me. Since I was a kid, I’ve always had a wide range of tastes and an undiscriminate palette. My grandmother would cook various Taiwanese and Chinese food. From golden fried tofu, to steamed bok choy and other greens, to fermented and pickled items of deliciousness. My dad, raised on the island of Oahu, makes the best fried rice around. Breakfast was typically either Spam, eggs and Rice or a bowl of instant ramen with or without the soup. It's safe to say that food was the subject of some of my fondest memories of childhood and and even more so as a teenager and young adult.
Restaurants soon became part to some of my most memorable experiences. Sitting around a table with friends, enjoying food and drinks was how I connected with friends while visiting away from college; it was how I connected with people I just met and how I kindled new relationships. I appreciate the ambiance that a restaurant can provide. Nothing is better than a warm, comfy space where you feel welcomed and served with great hospitality and care.
In College I became a Tour guide for Washington State University’s Pullman campus. It was the perfect job for a guy like me who was social, mildly interesting and enjoys meeting new people. Today I find myself again as a tour guide, but currently in Seattle for a company called Savor Seattle Food tours. I can describe this company with one word, all caps, and no spaces: BESTJOBEVER! (For more info on Savor Seattle, Go to the TOURS menu)
Through my efforts promoting Great Food, Great People and Great Experiences, I hope to become recognized as a personality representing these elements and the go-to for what’s really good in the Northwest. Essentially I want to take Guy Fiery's job on the Food Network (or at least have a show right after Triple D.)
Fun Facts:
Favorite Dish: Ma Po Tofu
Favorite Sushi: Salmon Roe ( Ikura on the Sushi menu!)
Favorite Color: Green
First Car: Pink S10 Chevy Pick-up
Countries Visited: USA, Hungary, Taiwan.
Vacation Destination of Choice: Tie between Las Vegas and Oahu, Hawaii
You can usually find me at: Pike Place Market!!!
Pancakes or Waffles?: Waffles ALL DAY.
Carnavoire or Herbaviore?: Omnivoire - I EAT EVERYTHING!
Tour Guide
TESTIMONIALS
Soooooo awesome! Justin was great!! The tour was the best way to experience the market, and you will be sooo full by the end. The area is so much fun and a ton to do around after the tour. Tour guide gives a lot of history of Pike Place, and the community theme of the tour really brought our "ohana" closer!! Thanks Justin, next time we are in Seattle I will be looking up the booze tour!!
- Jessi, Ripon, CA
... I seized the opportunity to go on one of these tours during my recent trip a week ago. Imagine my surprise when I received a phone call from the tour leader,Justin, reminding me of the tour! I never expected such personalized service from them, which makes you feel special. When our group got together and introductions were made, Justin finally got our tour off and running. He possessed a lot of knowledge about the market's history, and shared with us some little known facts about some of the merchants who set up shop there. But most of all, Justin was funny, quick-witted and very personable, taking time to answer a lot of questions from his audience.
- Cycle_Logical, Victoria, BC