Second time I went out of the way to go here the food is so incredibly good. Have tried two ramens and two bowls and I am addicted. I tried the macha ice cream and it was delicious, not too sweet. Everytime I am in Kirkland I plan to go here for lunch or dinner. I tried the traditional ice tea which was very good and today I tried the brown sugar tea with. Very good. I am so glad I watched David Chang on the food channel or I would never have known Ramen can be such a fine dining experience.
Clinton George (cbaum-us)
First thing, this is not japanese ramen, But Taiwanese noodle soup. If you are expecting ramen, you will be disappointed. If you want straight up noodle soup, this place will be decent.Broth is a standard soup broth, noodles are better that top ramen, but a Japanese ramen restaurant has better noodles in my opinion. Pork was lacking flavor, and cut too thin... the beef shank was solid, and the meat to order here.
Chase M.
Pretty yummy. Got the miso and popcorn chicken. We also tried the green tea ice cream. Would go again.
li xiaojiao
Love their noodles soup. Their food deserve better reviews.
Mengdan Liu
Surprisingly yummy ramen in the heart of Kirkland:)
Henry L.
Not worth the $13 for a bowl. The noodles taste and have the consistency of instant noodles. Had the signature Mala noodles soup with beef shank. The beef was decent. It was extremely tender. It was falling apart. That was the highlight. The soup has potential but it didn't have any complexity to it. It doesn't help that the only other ingredients were green onion and a couple pieces of bok choy. If there were more ingredients it would be more deserving of the $13. As it stands, the soup is too simple. It's almost a little watery. There's no fattiness or chew from Japanese ramen. The service is not that quick. On the way to the bathroom you can peek into the kitchen. There's not an industrial stove back there. So definitely would not recommend coming here during a rush.
Alondra R.
Soooo yum! And very friendly service as well! I'm not from the area but lll definitely be returning
Tommy L.
I'd be honest, food wise, I'd give it a five starts. But everything else needs improvements. We stopped by for dinner on August 30th evening, after we've seen a post on a facebook few nights prior. We actually parked nearly in front of the restaurant on the street, but it took us approximately another 20min or so on google map looking for this restaurant. The reason why we kept missing it was because the business sign still had "Green Juice', the previous business, on top of the restaurant. Only identifiable sign was a poster post on the window, that we kept missing (and its been a month, I hope that has been changed). We were there after 7pm, and the place wasn't busy (one table eating outside, and inside the restaurant was empty). A very pretty young lady was the only one working in front taking our orders, and I could see only one man (asian, looks like chef) working inside the kitchen. It was our first visit, so we weren't sure what was the work-flow there. It seems its like a common teriyaki place, you place the order and pay at the counter first, then pick up your own water and silver ware, and find your own seat, and waiting for your food. But the night was empty, so I guess we could do whatever we wanted. I never visited Green Juice before, so I don't know how much has changed since they took over the business. Overall, it was very simple, clean, and cool (it was a hot summer night). So over all, doesn't feel anything fancy, special, but if you were just there for good food, then its pretty awesome. (since they don't have many staff, so I am not sure how cleanness it gets when the place gets busy)... Food wise... Oh my god... I always say, a picture is better than thousand words..... just look at those meat chunks!!! I believe those are specially selected, that they are not fat, and yet, not overly dry / lean. You don't see this kind of thick, big chuck of meats in ramen anywhere..... They actually give you what you are paying for!!!! And the taste / flavor, it just blowing up my mind..... sooooo good!!!!!! Like I said, this place's food get my 5 stars, but everything else needs improvement. If chef is actually the owner (its very common), I think he really needs help to run the place. I would really hate to see this place to go down because of lacking experience running the front. I will definitely go back again, and hoping they keep the same quality of the food, and yet improve their customer experience.
Jpeaedwin ..
Great standard ramen, not much spice to add to it and make it your own but won't go wrong with the standard ramens.
Dave M.
This is a nice change for Kirkland. There's not a sign up for it...it's in the green juice location. Ramen was great. Had great flavor and meat was tender. I had dry Ramen with beef slices. I'll come back again!
TLDR: oh my god, we were forgotten and didn't get any food! Not written anywhere but the chef takes a break from 2pm to 4pm. Not Japanese food. Rock forward on those interesting chairs. Let me just start off by saying that we placed our order, sat down for about 15 minutes and the clerk came up to us and asked if we received our food yet, which we hadn't. Turns out the chef left for his lunch break. So obviously our food wasn't coming at all, heck it wasn't even started. Thankfully we were refunded. Complete and utter disappointment. I am extremely disappointed and feel entirely neglected. I'm all for appropriate customer service but this situation should have been handled more professionally. We came here two times before and this place doesn't seem to follow the hours listed whatsoever because both times they were closed. I've given this place a third chance and it has completely bombed it. I'm not sad to say that I won't be coming back. Here's at least a review of non-food experience: Parking: streetside, most places are free for 2 hours. Atmosphere: feels like an awkwardly quiet cafe, limited seating, no background music, very clean. Offers free WiFi. Menu: Taiwanese based broths and foods. Short and simple. There are 2 types of ramen--soup or dry and there are 7 flavors. Only two kinds of meat, pork or beef and you can choose shank or slices. Service: order and pay at the register to the left of the counter, seat yourself, water yourself (dispenser located to the right of the counter at the seating area), your table will be bused. The chef leaves from 2-4pm for his break---so you won't get any food during that time.
Lina T.
Pretty average, had their braised beef noddle soup. Didn't taste any "braised" factor, very bland. If you want to try a great braised beef noodle soup, go to Toya Cafe in Bellevue. A good standby in the neighborhood. Or maybe it's just Taiwan taste, not sure.
Akiko K.
The restaurant seemed kind of empty, but their ramen was really good. My daughter and I saw the poster and decided to try it once we got into the restaurant. There was a young lady there, and she was very quiet but nice. We just ordered one spicy slices beef ramen for my daughter. She loved it! I tried a bite and I loved it as well. I decided to get the same thing to go.
Jennifer C.
Definitely not Taiwanese. I almost feel like the broth came from the instant noodles seasoning packages (Taiwanese instant noodles are very good though). For the price it's charging, I would not come back.
Clinton George
First thing, this is not japanese ramen, But Taiwanese noodle soup. If you are expecting ramen, you will be disappointed. If you want straight up noodle soup, this place will be decent.
Second time I went out of the way to go here the food is so incredibly good. Have tried two ramens and two bowls and I am addicted. I tried the macha ice cream and it was delicious, not too sweet. Everytime I am in Kirkland I plan to go here for lunch or dinner. I tried the traditional ice tea which was very good and today I tried the brown sugar tea with. Very good. I am so glad I watched David Chang on the food channel or I would never have known Ramen can be such a fine dining experience.
First thing, this is not japanese ramen, But Taiwanese noodle soup. If you are expecting ramen, you will be disappointed. If you want straight up noodle soup, this place will be decent.Broth is a standard soup broth, noodles are better that top ramen, but a Japanese ramen restaurant has better noodles in my opinion. Pork was lacking flavor, and cut too thin... the beef shank was solid, and the meat to order here.
Pretty yummy. Got the miso and popcorn chicken. We also tried the green tea ice cream. Would go again.
Love their noodles soup. Their food deserve better reviews.
Surprisingly yummy ramen in the heart of Kirkland:)
Not worth the $13 for a bowl. The noodles taste and have the consistency of instant noodles. Had the signature Mala noodles soup with beef shank. The beef was decent. It was extremely tender. It was falling apart. That was the highlight. The soup has potential but it didn't have any complexity to it. It doesn't help that the only other ingredients were green onion and a couple pieces of bok choy. If there were more ingredients it would be more deserving of the $13. As it stands, the soup is too simple. It's almost a little watery. There's no fattiness or chew from Japanese ramen. The service is not that quick. On the way to the bathroom you can peek into the kitchen. There's not an industrial stove back there. So definitely would not recommend coming here during a rush.
Soooo yum! And very friendly service as well! I'm not from the area but lll definitely be returning
I'd be honest, food wise, I'd give it a five starts. But everything else needs improvements. We stopped by for dinner on August 30th evening, after we've seen a post on a facebook few nights prior. We actually parked nearly in front of the restaurant on the street, but it took us approximately another 20min or so on google map looking for this restaurant. The reason why we kept missing it was because the business sign still had "Green Juice', the previous business, on top of the restaurant. Only identifiable sign was a poster post on the window, that we kept missing (and its been a month, I hope that has been changed). We were there after 7pm, and the place wasn't busy (one table eating outside, and inside the restaurant was empty). A very pretty young lady was the only one working in front taking our orders, and I could see only one man (asian, looks like chef) working inside the kitchen. It was our first visit, so we weren't sure what was the work-flow there. It seems its like a common teriyaki place, you place the order and pay at the counter first, then pick up your own water and silver ware, and find your own seat, and waiting for your food. But the night was empty, so I guess we could do whatever we wanted. I never visited Green Juice before, so I don't know how much has changed since they took over the business. Overall, it was very simple, clean, and cool (it was a hot summer night). So over all, doesn't feel anything fancy, special, but if you were just there for good food, then its pretty awesome. (since they don't have many staff, so I am not sure how cleanness it gets when the place gets busy)... Food wise... Oh my god... I always say, a picture is better than thousand words..... just look at those meat chunks!!! I believe those are specially selected, that they are not fat, and yet, not overly dry / lean. You don't see this kind of thick, big chuck of meats in ramen anywhere..... They actually give you what you are paying for!!!! And the taste / flavor, it just blowing up my mind..... sooooo good!!!!!! Like I said, this place's food get my 5 stars, but everything else needs improvement. If chef is actually the owner (its very common), I think he really needs help to run the place. I would really hate to see this place to go down because of lacking experience running the front. I will definitely go back again, and hoping they keep the same quality of the food, and yet improve their customer experience.
Great standard ramen, not much spice to add to it and make it your own but won't go wrong with the standard ramens.
This is a nice change for Kirkland. There's not a sign up for it...it's in the green juice location. Ramen was great. Had great flavor and meat was tender. I had dry Ramen with beef slices. I'll come back again!
Restaurantji Recommends
TLDR: oh my god, we were forgotten and didn't get any food! Not written anywhere but the chef takes a break from 2pm to 4pm. Not Japanese food. Rock forward on those interesting chairs. Let me just start off by saying that we placed our order, sat down for about 15 minutes and the clerk came up to us and asked if we received our food yet, which we hadn't. Turns out the chef left for his lunch break. So obviously our food wasn't coming at all, heck it wasn't even started. Thankfully we were refunded. Complete and utter disappointment. I am extremely disappointed and feel entirely neglected. I'm all for appropriate customer service but this situation should have been handled more professionally. We came here two times before and this place doesn't seem to follow the hours listed whatsoever because both times they were closed. I've given this place a third chance and it has completely bombed it. I'm not sad to say that I won't be coming back. Here's at least a review of non-food experience: Parking: streetside, most places are free for 2 hours. Atmosphere: feels like an awkwardly quiet cafe, limited seating, no background music, very clean. Offers free WiFi. Menu: Taiwanese based broths and foods. Short and simple. There are 2 types of ramen--soup or dry and there are 7 flavors. Only two kinds of meat, pork or beef and you can choose shank or slices. Service: order and pay at the register to the left of the counter, seat yourself, water yourself (dispenser located to the right of the counter at the seating area), your table will be bused. The chef leaves from 2-4pm for his break---so you won't get any food during that time.
Pretty average, had their braised beef noddle soup. Didn't taste any "braised" factor, very bland. If you want to try a great braised beef noodle soup, go to Toya Cafe in Bellevue. A good standby in the neighborhood. Or maybe it's just Taiwan taste, not sure.
The restaurant seemed kind of empty, but their ramen was really good. My daughter and I saw the poster and decided to try it once we got into the restaurant. There was a young lady there, and she was very quiet but nice. We just ordered one spicy slices beef ramen for my daughter. She loved it! I tried a bite and I loved it as well. I decided to get the same thing to go.
Definitely not Taiwanese. I almost feel like the broth came from the instant noodles seasoning packages (Taiwanese instant noodles are very good though). For the price it's charging, I would not come back.
First thing, this is not japanese ramen, But Taiwanese noodle soup. If you are expecting ramen, you will be disappointed. If you want straight up noodle soup, this place will be decent.