Kajiken

Clearly an unpopular opinion, but this place shouldn’t be rated a 4.5 and should be much lower. It gives me no pleasure to give a negative review (feel free to peruse my previous reviews where I continuously give praise to others) but what I witnessed when I dined here at Kajiken was unacceptable. It was on a rainy Sunday, around 1pm. Already, there was a line out the door which indicated that this place seemed to be a popular lunch spot. This was my introduction to aburasoba, but thanks to this experience, it was not a great one. In fact, it was awful. I believe the health department needs to come in and check this place out and I don’t say that lightly. I was with one other person and we were seated at a table that seemed to be the closest to the kitchen. I sincerely wish we had sat literally anywhere else. The food came out quick enough, a little bit too fast for my liking, as in, was it even properly cooked? However, what also came out shortly after the food, was a swarm of fruit flies, seemingly out of nowhere. I understand that some restaurants have fruit flies but this was like nothing I had ever seen before. After swatting away a majority of them, we kept swatting one or two throughout the rest of the meal. This alone made the eating experience quite unpleasant. Wondering what could have possibly brought so many of them over to the table, I looked at the kitchen counter and was horrified. Pictures have been attached but let me describe the scene in words: it was dirty. There was residue from who knows what from who knows when. There were flakes of dust. Dust doesn’t build up overnight, people. This counter should have been cleaned a long time ago and likely, this infestation of fruit flies was due to their lack of cleaning. What further disgusted me, was that there looked to be to-go bowls and lids on said dirty counter. In addition to the dirty counter, the side panel wasn’t clean either and I am fairly certain there was a dead fruit fly on it. If we had sat at another table, away from the kitchen, would we have had a better experience? Perhaps. To add insult to injury, the $2 tea we ordered didn’t initially come and while I wasn’t expecting a full-blown apology, none of the staff even said a simple sorry. They just brought it out immediately after we pointed out their mistake, as if nothing had happened. By the way, the tea tasted like newspaper. Don’t get it. The free tea other restaurants offer tastes ten times better than whatever tea they’re serving here. Okay, aside from all of the negative, the food didn’t taste awful, but for its price point, I definitely would have enjoyed eating elsewhere. Will we dine here again? Probably not. Let’s see how the restaurant responds to this first. 1 appetizer, 2 main dishes, and 1 almost forgotten drink came out to around $55. I suppose that is Capitol Hill pricing for you. Will we get carryout? Only if it doesn’t come in one of those nasty containers. Honestly though, for those prices the food is just not worth it and I’d rather eat somewhere else for that kind of money. I wanted to see if I wasn’t alone in this experience and while I didn’t see anything about fruit flies, I did see a plethora of negative reviews regarding repeated negative staff behavior from previous patrons from different dates. This seems to show that despite the restaurant saying that they’ll look into those issues, nothing has changed or been resolved. Reviews as of a few days ago continue to cite the staff’s rude behavior. Based on those reviews and based on my own personal experience, I can strongly say that The Hugo House, the wonderful establishment next door, deserves a better, cleaner, more respectful neighbor.

We went at 2:30pm so we didn't have a problem to get seated. The dry ramen was new for me but so good. We got Homura and Nikumori Aburasoba. Personally I preferred Homura which is also their top selling dish. Very filling. Good portion. Will be frequentling this for sure.

In the abundance of delicious noodle shops around cap hill, Kajiken is a great option if you're looking for a dry noodle dish. I tried the Nikumori Aburasoba which had large slices of pork belly on top. While delicious, the pork was unwieldy and difficult to eat. The real star is the creamy egg yolk over the hand pulled noodles. We came here on a weekday for dinner and were seated within a few minutes. Service was fast and friendly, and the menu is small so this is a great spot for a casual dinner. Overall, this wouldn't be my first choice for noodles in the area, but I know I would leave satisfied. Lots of street parking along Cal Anderson if you're patient. Or there's a paid lot next door if you're not.

Went to Kajiken for the first time. Ordered their Karamen Aburasoba Poached eggs with added toppings such as Bamboo shoots and Nori / Original Karaage. Very delicious and fresh tasting!!! The atmosphere was very pleasant and cozy! Also, outstanding customer service!!! Highly recommended!!! Love love love it 😍!!!

Would I re-visit here? Probably not. My company and I had abura soba combo set for lunch. It came with abura soba + takoyaki or karaage or gyoza + miso soup. After having a first bite, we could tell the food does not taste authentic. Takoyaki and karaage tasted like frozen foods had been microwaved. Also, the soba tasted more like Chinese cuisine. I’m not saying it was bad, but none of the menu we tried tasted like fresh cooked Japanese cuisine. The restaurant was quite spacious and had many tables for 1-2 people. However, we were party of 3 as a result we had to wait a bit.

Cute restaurant with quick service and a nice vibe. Its a little noisy and busy but that comes with the style of restaraunt. Food is moderately priced but quite good and healthy. Not a ton of variet but this is a noodle place so you expect and go for just noodles. Good spot of a date or meetup with friends but not really the best for drinks or taking a family

Kajiken is a fantastic find! The tendon here was beyond my expectation. I especially loved the yam and pumpkin tempura; they were cooked perfectly. As for the ramen, I'd rate it about 4.5/5 compared to all the ramen I've ever tried. It's high quality, and since we didn't have to wait a long time to be seated, it was definitely worth it! Pro Tip: If you're sensitive to salt, I highly recommend asking them to prepare your order with less sodium. Great food and great value, especially for the ramen without the long wait!

Excellent food, great service. Kind waiter, explained everything well and the food was fresh and tasty. Hadn’t eaten all day so I didn’t mind that it was heavy and it was quite satisfying!

Good place to get ramen without soup. Ordered the homura aburasoba with raw egg yolk and it didn't disappoint. Love the ability to add additional vinegar and other seasonings to your liking. We shared the potato croquettes (new item) and both left the restaurant feeling satiated. We came before the rush and were seated immediately. There was a line by the time we finished.

The mazemen itself was good, but I felt the pricing was a bit high for what you get. While I was excited to try this spot, a few things left me disappointed. Areas for Improvement: * Ajitama portioning - I ordered an ajitama (seasoned egg), but it only came as half an egg. Meanwhile, my friend ordered a poached egg and received the whole thing, despite us paying the same price. It felt inconsistent and a bit unfair. * Birthday recognition - It was my friend's birthday, and there was no acknowledgment from the restaurant. While I don't expect anything extravagant, a small gesture would have been nice. * Hot water policy - It was a cold night, and I simply wanted some hot water, but they said they could only serve hot tea, which came at an extra charge. It felt like a small request that could have easily been accommodated. Overall, while the food was enjoyable, these little details added up to a less-than-ideal experience. Unfortunately, I wouldn't return.

Getting tired of the ramen scene Seattle? Wanna shake up your noodle selection? Kajiken has arrived with Aburasoba to Seattle's Capital Hill. What is Aburasoba? Think of it as a ramen, without the soup. Instead, Kajiken has concocted a umami sauce which you can customize to your liking. With sides of vinegar and chili oil, sesame and garlic to make it to your liking. They also have a long list of toppings to add to your dish to make it how ever way you want, at cost. You'll be spending upwards of $15- $18 for the Aburasoba bowls. The menu has photos so you know what you're going to get plus what in each bowl. If you're looking for something a bit cheaper then check out the rice bowl sections. You can get a Chashu Rice bowl for $7 or a Roast Beef Rice bowl for $10. They also have classic side dishes like karaage ($9.50), Gyoza ($7.50) and Edamame ($4.50). They do have one vegan option which as a non-vegan/vegetarian sounds pretty good. But know that like most restaurants there isn't a whole lot of options. What we tried: Roast Beef Aburasoba $17.95 Original Aburasoba $14.95 Keema Curry Aburasoba $14.95 Original Karaage $9.50 Hands down our favourite was the Roast Beef Aburasoba with the raw egg yolk. Making the whole dish rich and flavourful. If you find it too rich, just add a bit of vinegar and it helps cut the richness bit. The Keema Curry was also my top choice. It seems simple but with all the flavours and how well the sauce coated the noodles it was just an amazing dish all together. I like how they have the option to change the egg from a raw egg yolk to a soft boiled or poached egg for those who are concerned about raw eggs in general. Over all a great experience, good food and service was quick and efficient. I had walked recently to see that they're advertising a Lunch Combo Set. Monday Friday from 11:30AM -2:30PM, for $4.99 extra, you can get a miso soup AND a smaller side of gyoza or takoyaki or karaage, with your order of Aburasoba. Its a good option if you want to experience a Michelin noodle spot at a reasonable price. Parking can be a bit of a hassle, but there is paid parking around Cal Anderson Park. Otherwise take the Lightrail and just walk through the park to the Hugo House Building.

Have been meaning to try this place since I saw it had opened in Cap hill. Came for Friday night dinner ~6:45 and there was a long line around the front of the building. For a group of 6, we waited about 50 min? Not awful, but it was cold af. Some staff did come out with trays of hot tea for everyone waiting outside. I thought that was nice. The interior is pretty small, but service moves pretty quickly, so feels efficient. As for food, I ordered the classic aburasoba with a raw egg yolk. Pricey for a single egg yolk, but it was so good with the noodles. Together, it's creamy, savory, and delicious. Noodles had a nice bite as well. I think I'd definitely come back for some of that thick creamy noodley goodness, but perhaps not for that long of a wait.

We arrived around 8:40 PM on a Friday. It was nice that they still let us in, understanding they close at 9 PM with last call at 8:45 PM. The staff was efficient and served our dishes quickly. We really enjoyed our noodles, and I especially loved mine with the additional mentaiko topping. Sapporo was the only beer available. The restaurant was small and cozy.

Tasty and flavorful, though the proportion could be better. The size of the order was good but there was too much noodles. I ordered more toppings of beansprouts and bamboo shoots but they were too small. The service was really great, the staff was very attentive and friendly, with a cool and chill vibes. I wish they could add more tables by rearrange the space - you can check out how Kyuramen in New York City's Chinatown designs the space to be "semi" two floors to add more tables. Because waiting for more than 30 minutes in the freezing temperature was not very ideal.

Finally got to try this place and personally I think it lived up to the hype! Went at around 5:30pm on a weekday and there was no wait. The servers were so friendly and personable. I got the roast beef aburasoba and let me tell you I was not expecting that flavor. It was soooo creamy and so delicious and I haven't had anything like that before. The yogurt sauce added such a nice creamy base and the flavor was nice and strong. My friend ordered nikumori aburasoba and she was not disappointed! It also wasn't very spicy (which is a win for me). Definitely trying to come back soon

Super yummy! I love having the ability to add more garlic, chili, chili oil, and vinegar to this dish! Flavorful. I've been here at lunch (no one inside) and at dinner (had to wait in line). Parking: Crowded; limited parking. You could find something but it will take a bit. It could be free, it could be paid. Depending on where you live, it might be easier to take public transportation.

amazing service here at kajiken! it was really cold and we had to wait in line outside, but a waiter kindly brought us some tea to warm us up. i tried the roast beef aburasoba, which i think was my favorite out of the ones my party tried. this particular dish had a creamy yogurt sauce, adding a nice texture. the noodles itself unfortunately got cold really quickly, and after eating a lot, felt a bit too salty for my taste. overall the flavors were great! im glad i tried it, but probably wouldn't wait in line again.

Arrived around 1:30pm on a Saturday and there was a line, which was quite surprising since they do close at 2:30pm and it was not prime lunch time. This waiting system is not my preferred method as it is cold in Seattle and waiting in line to be seated is not the ideal situation. I would have preferred an online waitlist since this restaurant is located in an area where there are stores you can go into and look around at while waiting. Despite this system, the overall wait wasn't too bad. We waited roughly ~30 minutes for a party of 3. I will say being a party of 2 is better because they have more tables that accommodate 2 people versus larger groups. I ordered their Homura Aburasoba (Top 1) and I really liked it! The flavoring was super good. The karaage was just okay, no flavor or sauce so kind of dry. Would just get the aburasoba here. Also I wanted to point out that my dish came out significantly faster than others at the table, which means that I do think this was a mistake that they made for another table, but since I ordered it they gave it to me instead. No issues with that, but would have wanted it made to order as well as have it come out at the same time as others of my party. The meal was filling and warmed me up on a cold day. I wouldn't say it was worth the wait, but I enjoyed the meal and I would get it again if there was no line.

I was super impressed by Kajiken! I heard the chain is on the Michelin guide and I can see why. The food was incredible. I heard that some aburasoba places can be a little bit plain and you need to use the vinegar/chili oil on the side to season it to your liking but I thought the homura was very flavorful without anything added to it. The pork was not too spicy and there was plenty of sauce to coat all of the noodles. Adding the vinegar, chili oil, and garlic flakes enhanced the dish even more. The noodles were also very chewy. My boyfriend got the roast beef one and he really enjoyed how creamy the dish was from the yogurt sauce. We also got the karaage with yuzu on it. The chicken was juicy and the yuzu added a light brightness to the dish. I recently came back from Japan and the wait list system of just queuing in front of the restaurant and many tables of 2 reminded me of my experience of dining in Japanese restaurants. That being said, since they have a limited number of tables for groups of 4+, if you have that many people in your party you might have to wait longer for a seat. Food comes out fairly quickly once you order though! I highly recommend coming here! I will definitely be back.

We happened to pass by this spot while walking to another restaurant, and decided to change course since there were only a few people waiting in line. After reading that there is usually a 45 minute wait for this place I figured it was worth trying that day! The inside is quite small with not too many tables, and they are quite close to each other as well. I went with the nikumori aburasoba, which had a generous portion of marinated pork belly on top. The noodles were thick and chewy, and the sauce mixed so well with the flavors. I will say the flavor is quite one note if you eat it as it is, but the vinegar, chili oil, and garlic on the side adds SO much - you have to eat it all together! The portions are generous and the price is also very reasonable. If you're hungry and craving a giant bowl of noodles, this is the place to go!

The noodles were nice and thick and the sauce was tasty. Worth trying. I wouldn't wait more than 15-20 minutes though for this so I'm glad the hype has died down and we got in quickly. The wait-list requires physically standing in line so on a cold day that is definitely a minus.

I'm a huge fan of mazemen/mazesoba and order it every chance I get, but I'm by no means an expert. Aburasoba, which Kajiken specializes in, is a simpler dish so it was a surprise to me that the flavor profile was lighter since I'm used to the explosion of flavors and creaminess from mazesoba places. However, the ingredients used in the dishes are fresh and top-notch, and they offer so many toppings from dried garlic to chili oil, sesame seeds, and vinegar, which helped with elevating the taste. I ordered the Homura Aburasoba, which is their top recommendation and also because it was the only version that had fish powder (need that umami flavor!). I do wish it was a little flavorful but there are other unique aburasoba dishes I've never seen before, so I would try a different version next time. It still satisfies my craving for a good dry noodle dish. I also ordered the oroshi ponzu karaage, which was good - the oroshi provided a nice balance to the friedness. However, I'm personally a little picky on having the perfect crunchy yet juicy karaage so I would probably skip this next time. I came in on a Wednesday during lunch and there was no wait. Staff is super nice and chatted with me about recommendations for the next visit. Overall, it's pretty exciting to have a solid aburasoba spot in Seattle and I'll definitely be back to try other dishes.

Delicious aburasoba spot in Cap Hill! We came on a weekend so we had to wait in line for a bit but it wasn't too bad and we were thankful we made it before last seating. Service was really friendly and everyone is really quick and efficient. I also appreciate that they noticed I was pregnant and informed me to ask for no egg with my noodles since the eggs come raw/not cooked all the way. Very thoughtful. Ambiance is clean and there's a good amount of seating. I got the homura aburasoba with no egg and it was delicious! The noodles were perfectly chewy and everything was very flavorful. My husband got the aburasoba loaded with pork and the meat portion was very generous. He also got the niku bowl on the side and enjoyed that. Together we shared the oroshi karaage and by the end of our meal we were so stuffed! Food was really good and would definitely come back again to try their other aburasobas!

I had a great experience at this restaurant and highly recommend their dry noodles. The dish was incredibly tasty, and I suggest adding an egg--it brings a creamy texture that really enhances the overall flavor. It's simple but so satisfying. I visited with a friend during their opening week, and it was clearly a popular spot. We waited in line for about 30 minutes, but it was worth it. Despite the crowds, the ambiance inside was nice and chill, creating a relaxed vibe that balanced the initial wait. Overall, the combination of delicious food and a welcoming atmosphere makes this place a must-visit. Just be prepared for a bit of a wait if they're busy!

The noodles when mixed with everything had a nice flavor and texture combo. I personally prefer soup based ramen more than aburasoba. The takoyaki was standard and good. Nothing super special about it. The staff was nice and we were seated immediately on Sunday at 6pm, but a line started forming outside at 7pm so just be aware of a potential wait.

Wow super impressed!! We ordered two of their top abura soba and were blown away by the complex flavors. Make sure to add chili oil and vinegar for extra umami. I think vinegar plays a big role here. The noodles were perfectly cooked and I fell in love with the rich flavor. The portion was generous as well. The takoyaki appetizer was also super fresh and tasty - perhaps one of the best takoyakis I've had including the ones I've had in Osaka. Service was super fast and efficient. Inside is pretty cozy and clean. The only thing is there is a long line where you need to wait outside standing. On Friday evening around 6:30 pm, we waited 50 minutes. But it was definitely worth it. I would come back here for sure, but probably a lot more often if there is a way to do waitlist or write our names down so we don't need to wait outside in the cold.

I ordered the number one, and I'll say it was pretty good. It's basically a creamy noodle with ground pork. I will likely come back for it. The service is not good though. I didn't get a good vibe from the person at the POS. He seemed pretty irritable. I also didn't like what was going on with their egg. He gave me an egg, still in the shell (????) and told me to crack it open but to only let the yolk out not the egg whites. No idea how that's supposed to work but they need to rethink this.

I've had kajiken in the bay, so this new location is great to see-- although I had to wait a few months after it opened for the hype/lines to die down. I had the homura aburasoba. It was tasty and pretty filling. I wish it had more meat, like chunks of charsiu or something. I would go back if I had the craving, but as it's a bit of a drive for me and having to deal with finding parking, I don't think I would come here regularly.

Came here on a Sunday night and it was packed and we had to wait in line. Thankfully there was only one group in front of us. We came here hungry and got the takoyaki as an appetizer. It was pretty basic but in a good way. I love takoyaki so it was a must get. The noodles were soo good!!! It was just the right amount of flavor and not too salty like other places I been to. I love the addition of an egg yolk, it made it creamy and just blended in perfectly. Don't forget to add some vinegar and chilly oil for that extra kick

Totally worth the hype! I came here on a Friday night and there was a long line wrapped around the corner as expected. We got seated after ~1.5 hour wait. We ordered the original aburasoba (which comes with chasu) and soboro aburasoba (ground chicken). Both were so delicious! The soboro aburasoba came with a raw egg yolk and it was so satisfying to break the yolk and mix it with the noodles. You can also substitute the raw egg with a poached egg instead. They also have vinegar, chili oil, and sesame seeds at each table if you want to add more flavors, but the sauce that comes with the noodles is already very flavorful on its own. It was super busy inside the restaurant but the staff were patient and nice. As some who doesn't like soupy food that much, this was the perfect noodles dish. Unlike stir-fried noodles - another soupless noodles option - the aburasoba don't leave you greasy. I'd definitely be back when I'm craving a big bowl of noodles!

Went back and just wanted to document that I tried the original this time and so far that's my favorite dish I've had there! Everything is so good but I think the original is just more yummy and homey and the homura is def more Interestring. Def add the vinegar like they suggest, changes the game. Service is always soooo nice and so friendly and sooo quick !! Love it!

Homura (Top #1) was very flavorful, delicious, and I will come back for more! When your bowl first arrives, thoroughly mix everything including all the delicious sauce at the bottom. Feel free to add more fixings like vinegar, chili oil, sesame seeds.. I enjoyed mine with all of the above! Very filling for myself; I ended up taking a quarter of my bowl to-go. Their karaage is more on the juicy, tender side, as opposed to crunchy. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed it! Service was great. Everyone was super quick and responsive, but also very friendly. We visited on a Monday night and got seated fairly quickly - especially as a party of 2. The party of 3+ had to wait longer than we did. Ambiance is social, medium/bright lighting. Great to catch up with friends.

You have to wait in line to get your name written down, but there is no calling or texting your phone to notify you. However, they give you an estimated time and you can come back and wait till they call your name. The wait time for us was 45 mins, but they called our name out loud at the 30 min mark. Since we were waiting in our car we didn't hear them. When we checked in with them they told us to wait an additional 10 mins which isn't bad, so we just waited in line to wait for them. The ambiance is casual friendly. Parking was fairly easy as there is back in paid parking near Cal Anderson Park. I'm so glad we got to eat at this place because it helped bring back memories of Japan for us. The noodles were perfectly al dente and the extra seasonings (garlic and sesame seeds) and sauces (vinegar, chili oil, chili paste) on the tables were chef's kiss. They ran out of the roast beef aburasoba when we went there on a Saturday night around 7pm, so if you want to try it I'd suggest going earlier or not on a weekend. If you want to add more to your order, then you can get yogurt sauce to counterbalance with a hint of tangy ness and balance the flavor out of the noodles. Nikumori Aburasoba- the minced pork and pork slices was an amazing paring with the seasoning of the noodles. I requested to get the raw egg in mine because it was similar to the dish we had in Japan. I added in vinegar, chili oil, garlic, and sesame seeds to my dish and devoured the whole meal so fast because it was so good. This was my favorite out of all the noodles we tried based on my taste. Keema curry aburasoba - curry was super flavorful when we tried it Homura aburasoba - had a seafood flavor to the noodles. Gyoza - very soft, but still very flavorful Karaage - was your average typical karaage that does the job

I revisited Kajiken for a recent weekday lunch. It seems like the hype might have died down a bit at this point - throughout the entire lunch rush, the restaurant didn't fill up to capacity and no line developed in the front. There was only a single waiter in the restaurant at the time and I did see that he was a bit overwhelmed managing all the patrons as the restaurant started getting more full. I didn't find it to be a huge problem but I did have to wait a bit to get my food and the check afterwards. My previous 1 star review was purely because the restaurant charged for hot tea while waiting in line when they made it seem complimentary. The manager responded to my review and stated that the tea would be complimentary in the future. While I can't verify it since there was no line, I trust that they have changed direction. For this visit, I ordered an item that I was a bit apprehensive to try the first time, but I decided to brave my fears. Karamen Aburasoba, Poached Egg ($15.95) - An absolute ton of red chili powder is sprinkled on top, giving a good amount of heat and a pleasing sweet pepper fruitiness combined with a bit of smokiness. It's not nearly as spicy as the color indicates, probably topping out at a very spicy jalapeno level. It isn't a sharp spice and doesn't really hurt the mouth, tongue, or throat, but instead builds up a bit and kind of stalls out. It did cause me to sweat a bit, but I don't think the spicy level is overwhelming at all. As with the other aburasobas served at Kajiken, the dish is very rich, with each ingredient coated by a rather luxurious and creamy sauce, boosted by the egg. I opted for the poached egg, which is more than soft enough to disperse throughout the dish while stirring. The sauce adheres very well to the perfectly cooked and bouncy ramen, making the dish very filling. Small pieces of chashu dot the dish, full of sweet, savory, and soy flavors. Some cubes seem to be pure fat, adding additional richness to the dish. The addition of garlic chive and pieces of cabbage help to provide some respite from the spiciness and richness. (4/5) As I stated with my original review, the food served at Kajiken is pretty good and easily deserves at least a 4/5. Since the only thing lowering my score is now (supposedly) solved, I have no more qualms with posting this updated review.

I recommend the Roast Beef Aburasoba because the yogurt sauce made it creamy. The Homura Aburasoba is good for spicy noodle lovers but it is unfortunate that I couldn't taste the other flavors in the bowl. Additionally, there's the option of choosing how your egg is prepared (raw, poached, or marinated). If you don't want to wait 20+ minutes in line, this isn't your ideal restaurant. I saw that my table has been empty for a while but I had to wait outside before the staff seated me. I wished they accept reservations or find an efficient way to keep track of the line.

Came here around 1pm on a friday and waited around 15 for a table. Food came out really quick! Overall food was good and worth a try if you want to change it up from soup ramen but nothing that made us want to instantly come back for more. The #1 is umami packed bonito/ pork based with lots of textures. It reminds me a dan dan noodle with a good amount of chili but not spicy. This one needed a touch of vinegar for sure. #3 was the other one we had and we agreed that this one was more unique and the one to get if you had to choose. It had a beef/mushroom creamy carbonara flavor loaded with shallots. Generous beef slices that were tender, it reminds us of a roast beef/prime rib. This one was lighter, but more aromatic of the two. We got also got chasu on the side it was nothing special. Just a skinny slice of pork that's a little fatty and came out cold. If you like the flavor dense leftover soup from finishing a bowl of ramen, this is it. Slightly thick, chewy, creamy, flavor rich soupless ramen.

A very good and delicious experience in my books. After hearing all the hype, I decided to check this place out during an off time, on a Monday 5pm. I was a bit early and was the first person in line 20min before opening, and you can technically still go in without a wait if you showed up in the first 10 min of opening in this weekday. I splurged a little for my dinner. I got their #1 order, the Homura Aburasoba, as well as the oroshi ponzu karaage. I also added a piece of chashu for $1.75 extra, which is fair price since it costs about $4 to add extra 2 pieces of chashu in other places and I prefer being offered the flexibility to just add a small add-on instead of committing to multiple pieces. The Homura Aburasoba has a bit of everything: spicy minced pork, green onions, bamboo shoots, seaweed, fish powder, raw egg, and chives. The raw egg can be subbed to poached egg or ajitama but I opted to get the full, original experience and stayed with the raw egg. The noodles are cooked to a nice al dente and every single bite is full of flavor. This dish is a bit spicy, but it is not too spicy. If you want the full full experience, the chashu add-on is good to get a glimpse of what the other dishes offer. The chashu is torched and flavorful; not the best but it is still high up there in quality. The bowl is very hearty and one bowl is quite sufficient for a satisfying meal. If I go again, sharing 1 appetizer + 1 bowl is sufficient for 2 people if you don't want to be too stuffed. The oroshi ponzu karaage is karaage with grated radish with ponzu and green onions. The menu specifically mentions the karaage is juicy and tender, rather than crispy, which is good fyi and I expected exactly what was described. It was still very flavorful and I really enjoyed it, and after seeing some of the reviews, I am glad they are incorporating the constructive feedback in these iterations to improve. This is a strong point of this place. Service is mostly hands off as you mostly just receive the food and the jug of water and you flag down the server to get the bill. However, the dining experience is positive and you get the food quite quickly. Ambience is more casual but it is a good restaurant to go if you don't have a lot of time for more formal dining experiences.

Showed up on a Thursday evening and waited about an hour and a half to get seated for a table of two. CRAZY! Luckily me and my friend were just catching up so we didn't feel too much in a rush. Would I wait that long again? Probably not, but the food was at least good! I would suggest they invest in some sort of system to give people text messages so they're not waiting outside and/or rain. Originally some people were waiting inside, but then they kicked everyone out because it was getting too crowded. The food itself is really good, and I have never had noodles like this before. We ordered: - Homura Aburasoba: filling portion and flavorful without being too spicy. I recommend adding the table-side vinegar to it to give more zing! - Ponzu Karaage: delicious! Very tender My friend ordered an additional piece of chashu which was quite small, so I don't think it was worth the added cost. Overall, we would definitely recommend this to someone who wanted to try something more unique! Paid street parking is pretty ample by the park. One gender neutral bathroom that was clean.

Solid dry noodle place! We got an original chashu and the Homura. The original is a simple, but good flavor (I got it with a raw egg yolk added and it reminded me of a carbonara) while the Homura tastes more smoky from the minced pork. I really liked the chashu meat itself: tender and a good balance of fatty and not too fatty so I think I would recommend that one more than the Homura. The noodles themselves are perfectly cooked: they're your standard ramen thickness while being al dente and chewy. Probably the best ramen texture I've had in Seattle. Will definitely come back!

Finally an abura soba restaurant in Seattle! By default the abura soba comes with a raw egg to mix with the noodles. Personally I'm not comfortable with raw egg in the states like I am in Japan, so they let you switch it for poached egg or aji tama. If you decide to switch the egg I recommend getting poached egg instead of aji tama so the egg yolk is still runny enough to mix with the noodles. I got the homura abura soba which was packed with flavor. My disappointment with it was the noodles were cooked too soft and were not firm at all. The takoyaki was also very tasty. The exterior was crispy similar to kanto style takoyaki. I wish they would add bigger katsuobushi or have them as a table condiment.

I had a very bad first experience with mazemen ramen in Vancouver and was very skeptical of a mazeman shop opening up in Seattle. But seeing the positive reviews and photos, I decided to give it a second chance. Upon entering, I was quickly seated and served Hojicha tea which is my favorite kind of tea and usually don't see it offered in restaurants. I ordered the #1 Homura based off other reviews and got my egg poached. I also ordered the oroshi Karaage. The Karaage was alright. Chicken was juicy but the daikon was really dried out and yellowed so I could tell it wasn't fresh-- I almost thought it was minced garlic. If it's gonna cost a little extra, you would think that freshly grated daikon could be afforded. I do wish the breading was a little crunchier! The main dish was great! Not too salty. Not too overpowered by the dashi powder or green onion. The noodles were well coated in the sauce and served hot. All the ingredients were purposeful and well rationed. They don't make their noodles in house but the server said not yet?? Does that mean they will soon? Regardless in house or not, noodles were good. Anyways good experience and can see Kajiken stay if they continue to improve a few details.

I came during Opening weekend, on Saturday slightly after 1 PM (restaurant closes at 2 PM til it opens again for Dinner at 5 PM). A few tables left when I arrived so the wait was super short, they just needed to clean the tables. For opening weekend, they had their appetizers 20% off so I decided to order some of my favorites - takoyaki and kaarage. However, the appetizers weren't too impressive. I found the size of the squid in the different takoyaki balls uneven. The kaarage wasn't as crispy as I generally like (but that might by be a me error for getting oroshi ponzu version). It was my first time eating aburasoba so I just picked the first item on the menu (homura aburasoba) since it looked the best. The original aburasoba is the recommended item for first timers but I rather have the most recommended item. I thought it was really yummy, but really heavy. I wouldn't call it spicy but I do have a pretty high spice tolerance. In terms of service, I thought it was fast and friendly. At the end, they even asked me my opinion on some of the dishes, and I noticed that they recognized the guy next to me a returning customer. Only downside was that two separate waiters hit my table when helping the table next to me. The ambience is nice, they play Japanese music - I want to say the ones you can find in anime openings? I know for sure that I heard the Dan Da Dan opening twice so not sure how long their playlist is. Overall, I would come back again for the noodles, but I probably won't get the appetizers next time.

Oh my gosh. % worth the wait, and so delicious. We didn't talk, just ate - that's how good it was. The staff was very friendly and service was great too. Eager to come again very soon!

My partner and I came in on a Saturday afternoon and luckily were seated right away! We've been meaning to try Kajiken since they opened their Seattle location and are happy to say it lived up to the hype. Our host (Darius?) was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, we appreciated the expertise when going over our lunch selections. Our items came out pretty quickly, we got the takoyaki and nikumori. The takoyaki came with this delicious yogurt sauce and was full of flavor. I feel most places I've ordered takoyaki in Seattle are mostly batter, but Kajiken's contains a good chunk of squid. The nikumori was hearty with the perfect amount of spice, but didn't leave me feeling overly stuffed at the end. I topped mine with additional fried garlic and vinegar which gave it a nice tang to complement the heat. Overall such a wonderful experience, we'll be back soon!

Tucked away in the bustling Capitol Hill neighborhood, Kajiken brings a fresh take on Japanese cuisine to Seattle. Known for specializing in **abura soba**, a delectable broth-less ramen, this Japanese import has quickly become a favorite among local noodle enthusiasts. Nestled at 1640 11th Ave, Kajiken's interior is cozy yet modern, creating an inviting atmosphere for both solo diners and groups. The **menu** offers a variety of options, from the classic abura soba topped with a perfectly cooked ajitama (soft-boiled egg) and tender chashu, to unique variations featuring kimchi, ume (pickled plum), and spicy mentaiko (pollock roe). Their **roast beef abura soba** is a standout, featuring thinly sliced roast beef that melts in your mouth, paired with the flavorful homemade thick noodles that have a delightful chew, all brought together by a secret blend of oils and sauces imported directly from Japan. Beyond their signature noodles, Kajiken also offers a mouth-watering selection of sides such as gyoza (dumplings), crispy karaage (fried chicken), and savory takoyaki (octopus balls). These dishes perfectly complement their abura soba, elevating the overall dining experience. The staff at Kajiken are friendly and attentive, ensuring that every visit is memorable. The combination of top-notch service, authentic flavors, and a cozy ambiance make Kajiken a must-visit for anyone craving a unique and satisfying noodle experience in Seattle.

i've been here twice now and i've had good experiences both times. the first time i came on saturday night around 5:15 and they were able to seat us right away. the second time was saturday noon and we waited ~10 minutes to get seated. service is great, they're super attentive and helpful as well! the homura aburasoba is super flavorful and the chives are a great addition. the noodles had the perfect texture of chewy and bouncy. my friend and i also thought it tasted even better when adding the fried garlic crisps. i do think that this was a bit salty but still delicious nonetheless. i also recommend the roast beef aburasoba. i was a little skeptical at first but it is super creamy when mixed together. and again. the noodles are cooked perfectly. reminded me of a carbonara of sorts. this one definitely strays towards the sweeter end. the roast beef itself had some pieces that were a bit tough to chew but i enjoyed it overall!

Finally a soupless ramen in Seattle! Lots of flavor and great portion sizes. I enjoyed the service, clean interior, and simple menu design. I would recommend and come back.

Service was excellent! They do have a vegetarian (and vegan) option for the mains and two for the apps. They have tea and soda mostly for beverages or beer if you prefer. Very speedy and the noodles are tasty and customizable if you want to add vinegar or chili paste or oil. Not a ton of seating so get there early (probably before 6-6:30) if you don't want to wait. Very cool noodle shop ambiance near the park.

First time having brothless ramen! It's heavy, creamy, and rich. I had the Homura Aburasoba and it was rlly solid. The karaage is not super crispy and is instead juicy and thick. Lightly flavored and really good

Service was good. There is no waitlist, it's first come first serve and you stand in line outside. Can be rough in winter weather. It's a cozy spot, always bustling. Food was... so-so. Not bad, not great. I ordered the most popular homura aburasoba and it tasted fishy for my taste. With vinegar, it was tolerable. My partner ordered the keema curry, and that was better, but still not phenomenal. I think, with the reviews, my standards were quite high going into the meal.

This is a small spot redefining ramen in Capitol Hill. The seating is limited, so be prepared for a 15-20 minute wait. As a vegetarian, I found they only had one vegan option, which was disappointing. The dish itself was quite bland--even after adding chili oil, garlic, and chili paste, the flavor was still flat. Unfortunately, it's not worth the wait for vegetarians.

I ordered the Homura Aburasoba and it was great! Will definitely be returning to try the other options. The toppings on the table such as the vinegar and chili paste complimented the dish as well.

I feel like I haven't found a staple aburasoba/dry Ramen spot in seattle, i tried the homura (#1) and it was def the best, there was strong seasoning and I thought that it was big portions and a lot of Ramen especially for the price, it was around $18 a bowl. but could use a little more spice. I also tried the tacoyaki, which was good, but the dough was a little less cooked. Overall would come back again when i'm hungry! Also there is parking the next block over

A welcome addition to the Seattle ramen scene - in this case, for aburasoba (soupless ramen). It's been touted as mentioned in the Michelin guide - it's definitely great, but Michelin + super long lines, it really depends on your opinion. I loved that they had a vegan option for my friend - I tried some, and it was actually packed with flavor and umami. Would highly recommend, even for non-vegans. I had the takoyaki and #1 homura aburasoba with minced pork, onions, and a soy braised egg. The noodles were perfectly al dente and had a lot of delicious green onion flavor, from a generous braise of onion-infused oil. Loved the condiments provided at the table, especially the chili. Takoyaki was pretty standard. Apparently the chicken appetizer is popular, so maybe will try that next time. Try coming during off hours or early to avoid long lines!

OK this place is truly off the charts and serves the most incredible aburasoba (soba w/o broth a/k/a dry soba) which is an extremely rare noodle dish in and of itself and can hardly be found anywhere outside of Japan (not even in LA), but no surprise there is a place that serves it in Seattle! Their mushroom and minced pork aburasoba is amazeballs, as was their roast beef fried rice, takoyaki, and karaage. Great Japanese beverages like Calpico and that common iced green tea brand (Ito En Oi Ocha) served as well. I think they also had dessert too but forgot. Exceptional and attentive (as well as prompt) service and the interior is relatively cozy but features ample seating and many tables dispersed in a very cool and accommodating, comfortable, relaxed, rustic and authentic Japanese interior aesthetic that greets you warmly as soon as you walk inside (especially from the cold)! Most highly recommended, top rating possible, and next to the Hugo House Writing Center in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle - don't miss it!!!

There has been a lot of noise about this aburasoba spot that has been featured on the Michelin guide. I've luckily had Kajiken back home so I knew what to expect, but I figured that it'd still be worth checking out the new Seattle location. I came by on a Sunday around lunch, right before a lunch rush. My girlfriend and I had to wait around 5 minutes in the line outside before getting seated. We ordered the Original Aburasoba, Homura Aburasoba, and takoyaki as an appetizer. The takoyaki came out very quickly, and it was very delicious. The interior was light and fluffy, and the sauce on top tasted slightly more refined than the sauces I've had on other takoyakis. The texture of it was also slightly thicker, which I enjoyed. Shortly after, the aburasobas came out. The Original was fantastic. The thin slices of chashu were well seasoned and not overcooked. The noodles were perfectly cooked, and the various toppings of bamboo shoots, green onions, and seaweed made each bite extremely satisfying. I ordered a side of corn to mix in, just to add a little sweetness. I used the condiments on the table to also enhance the flavor, specifically the fried garlic, sesame seeds, and chili oil. My girlfriend's Homura Aburasoba was great as well. The minced pork was slightly spicy and seasoned well, and by mixing it in, the dish became reminiscent of a Chinese dan dan noodle. We subbed the raw egg yolk with an ajitama, which was perfectly cooked. This was a great option for anyone wanting a little more spice. Pricing is reasonable and comparable to what you'd pay if you went to a ramen spot in Seattle. The service was great, and I'm glad the food came out quick. Being in Capitol Hill, there's tons of street parking around, as well as some paid lots here and there. The interior is a reasonable size, with tables that are well-suited for parties of around 4. I imagine if you came with a group larger than that, you'd be in for quite a wait. There's currently a lot of hype around this place, so if you don't want to wait, definitely come at odd times and you'll be fine.

Went an hour before closing and we were quickly seated for a party of three. Spacious and chairs were comfortable. Really liked that sauces and toppings were accessible on top of the table. I ordered the Nikumori Aburasoba. I loved it. One of my favorite dry noodle dishes in Seattle. The meat was tender, the egg yolk made the noodles creamy, and the dish was well seasoned. If you are looking for extra toppings, there are plenty of options to add-on. Very customizable. Overall, solid Seattle food choice and a good spot to take visiting friends or family.