Ramen Wars: Capitol Hill
The Mala Kotteri Ramen from Ooink was the most interesting bowl I tried. @stews_thebeef
It is no wonder that Seattle’s most explosive dining neighborhood offers insight into the most robust food trends to hit the city. Japanese Ramen may have been a fad that has so totally passed already but for many of us, ramen is an everyday food. Much more than the latest bone broth or matcha latte trend. This is evident in the 5 solid ramen options that sling fatty pork-laced broth on the Hill. So let’s try them all and see who deserves our dollar.
Kizuki Ramen and Izakaya
Kizuki’s Ramen is typically enjoyed along with their izakaya dishes. PC: Kizuki Ramen Instagram
With locations throughout the Pacific Northwest, Kizuki performs as more of a neighborhood izakaya than a dedicated ramen-ya. Karaage, takoyaki & agedashi tofu might hit the table as you linger in their wide-open floor plan. Their ramen offerings are fine, if not the most pedestrian of the bunch, and pricey. Bowls hover around $16.50. The meat-averse and fans of lighter broth will particularly enjoy Kizuki’s offerings, where the garlic tonkotsu shoyu is by far the most popular ramen dish, blending a fatty pork-bone base with a soy sauce addition.
320 E Pine St
Ramen Danbo
A Fukuoka-based transplant, Danbo packs in the umami with a tight menu of the classics. That translates to piping hot bowls of rich tonkotsu broth. Invigorating your bowl with roasted sesame seeds and a fattier base is suggested. However, ordering their lunch special is a requirement. Diners can snag an order of gyoza with an additional topping added to their bowl for under $16. I added a marinated egg. Visit Danbo for an impressive, straightforward option.
1222 E Pine St
The Negi-Goma Ramen is loaded with fresh scallions & toasted sesame seeds. @stews_thebeef
Menya Musashi Ramen
Menya Musashi’s springy noodles await their dip in a garlic broth. PC: Menya Musashi
Menya Musashi is the black sheep of Seattle ramen offerings. Instead of the traditional hot noodle soup, Musashi doles out tsukemen; fresh dipping noodles with a rich tonkotsu-based soup served on the side. Dine al fresco and grab the Hybrid Tsukemen ($13.50) infused with chili, garlic and sesame. I loved the complex curry-like taste of the broth and the springy noodles had a rugged texture that allowed the soup to cling. Moreover, Musashi is also the only ramen-ya on the Hill with an outdoor patio. I always recommend grabbing take-out and tipping well during the Pandemic so keep an afternoon on their patio in mind for when this is all over.
1510 Belmont Ave
Betsutenjin Ramen
Betsutenjin is known for their incredibly creamy, however dairy-free, tonkotsu broth. PC: Betsutenjin
One might think Betsutenjin is just another Japanese drinking den in a neighborhood that is already packed to the brim with Japanese drinking dens. However, this place is pure classic ramen-ya. Order the Hakata Ramen and add a soft-boiled egg ($16.50). Besides an off-day for the broth once in a while, the noodles are perfectly chewy and their interior can make you feel like you ended up in Shibuya. Betsutenjin is perfectly fine, but in a bustling neighborhood like this, richer options are sure to be found. The shop definitely receives an edge for playing game shows loudly on the TV.
954 E Union St #102
Ooink
When I ordered the Kotteri Ramen at Ooink the server quickly asked if I wanted to add mala spice. She further explained they were known for the Mala Kotteri Ramen, with stinging szechuan peppercorns. I generally like to try a ramen-ya’s plain broth before adding chili but I couldn’t pass up this specialty. The peppercorn cut sharply through the fatty bork base and the aji tamago was perfectly jammy. I added nori which brought the bowl to $14.50. Overall, I would say this was the most delicious of the bunch. Surprisingly, Ooink is one of the more inexpensive shops on the Hill and is the only non-franchise option. Go here!
1416 Harvard Ave
A perfectly jammy Aji tamago comes with every bowl at Ooink. @stews_thebeef