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This place reminds me of little Japanese alley spots with a long bar and couple seats behind. Known for their silky/ milky pork bone broth and flavorful ramen. Thin Noodles had good chewiness. I love the lobster salad that comes with it, nice little treat. Have been coming here last 3 years and in my most recent visit in April 2026 felt the broth was a bit watered down ( not as thick or as white as it used to be) might be just change in couple supplies and the way they do it. Still good ramen. Shila from staff was very smiley and helpful, fast service
Writing this review to remind myself... I decided to check this spot out last night because it was the only ramen place open late. I saw a line outside so I thought maybe this is a good place despite a lot of negative reviews. I got the hakata style ramen set. I don't know how else to describe the food except to say it was quite mediocre? The gyoza was somehow so bad, my egg was literally a full hard boiled egg (none of that runnier yolk you see in pictures), the chashu lacked any flavor. The pork bone broth was interesting though- it's made out of only pork and water so at least that's healthy! I added garlic+chili oil to it and it tasted better with it!
Five stars is what they limit me by physics of Yelp but I'd like to award seven stars for a great filling bowl of ramen Jakarta style. The staff were appropriate and respectful, a little place out of time, love the vibe here Simple broth and lot of surprise clean quiet place to grab some face full of noodles. I'll be back
I keep giving this place a try over the last 4 years and I keep finding it wanting. Their main saving grace is that they're open late--the noodle texture is all right and the broth is fine, but compared to the other four or five ramen restaurants that are a stone's throw away, I would prefer going to them if they're open. What I would like to commend, however, is the authentic vibe inside. As a white guy I've of course been to Japan a few times, and among all Capitol Hill ramen restaurants, this one feels the most like it was plucked out of Tokyo--perhaps it's the small size of the space, perhaps it's the solo diner spots facing the wall, perhaps it's their shichimi and other condiments tossed into well loved plastic containers. It feels very cozy and remarkably less commercial than the other ramen shops. The service was all right, although I got the sense the waitress was impatient
Really good late night spot. The staff were really nice, really liked the complimentary bean sprouts too. The ramen was really porky and the crab salad a must try. I liked the egg the most and the atmosphere -- very homely.
I don't know if we were super hungry or just tired, but this was the best ramen my boyfriend and I had in Seattle. Small + dimly lit bar seating interior + friendly service. We got the hakata ramen + lobster salad set ($22). Lobster salad was okay, but the hakata ramen was on a whole other level. The broth was rich and the noodles were cooked perfectly. Highly recommend.
Came here on a Thursday evening and it's pretty busy. The ramen place is pretty small and has a smelly funk to it, with mostly bar seats and just a few tables. Unfortunately I didnt quite have a good experience here. Ramen broth tasted decent but not milky creamy rich. The noodles texture wasnt to my liking. My partner ordered the set of ramen + gyoza, but after we finished our food gyoza still wasnt served. Customer service is non existence pretty much even when I wanted to put in my order, or ask the server about the missing gyoza or even pay the dang bill. We probably sat here 60% of our time waiting for them to take our order and waiting to pay our bill. When they finally came with the bill, I told them we were missing the gyoza and they said they will give us discount. But they took off the "combo" set and charged us for the egg as if we ordered ala carte. Bad service on their end especially if you are missing serving it and yet you try to charge for extra? No customer service as well. Likely wouldn't come back for a $20 + tips bowl of ramen here.
Solid experience! The food was great, just made by one woman. Small space, the environment was pretty quiet. Service was solid but not overly attentive, which is okay dependent on your vibe!
Getting some easy gimmies out of the way- the service was pretty good. It was fast and polite. The ambiance was really good. There's a lot of comments about how you really feel like you've been transported into an actual Japanese ramen spot. Those comments are true. It's an excellent atmosphere and very inviting. However.... the star of the show, the ramen.... I specifically ordered the Prawn Miso soup ramen. It was honestly kind of bland. There was an aroma there so I knew the Prawn Miso was present, but honestly I just found it kind of disappointing. The toppings that it comes with was good though, I have no issues with that, I just felt that the broth was not it. I just thought it'd be more flavorful. Noodles were fine. Unfortunate. There was also a lobster salad thing I got. While I don't think I enjoyed it that much (seems to be a hint of wasabi mixed in?), I could tell it's something that I think other people would enjoy a lot more. All I really have to say about it is that it may not taste like what you think it might taste like, so be open minded about the flavor if you order it. I recommend eating each bite with a sheet of nori that it comes with.
It was quite busy for a Tuesday night. We went around 11pm and the place was nearly full. We luckily got seated very dash and the worker was very efficient considering that he was one of the only people on the floor and in the kitchen as well. It took a little over 20 minutes for our food to come out, which was fine, but the ramen itself was underwhelming. The broth had decent flavor, but the noodles tasted a bit undercooked and not very fresh. The chashu was the highlight of the bowl. We also tried the gyoza combo, and the gyoza seemed pretty standard, likely premade and refried. Is this the best ramen in Seattle? No. But as a late-night option, it gets the job done.
I was looking for a ramen spot and randomly stumbled upon this place. The interior was well decorated and reminded me of Japan. The server was really nice and personable, and made us laugh. The food took a while to come out but we had some drinks that held us over. I got the Hakata ramen: it was a solid bowl but nothing floored me except for the egg, which was jammy and rich. I also got the lobster salad, which was more on the wasabi side and not really my taste. Overall a nice place to talk with your friends and grab a few drinks in a cool atmosphere.
I came here for dinner after landing in Seattle and I loved how it was one of the few spots that are open late. We came around 11pm and they seemed pretty packed inside, but we didn't wait longer than 15 minutes for a seat. We were seated at the bar area and I ordered gyoza and a hakata style ramen. The food was delicious and it was absolutely the best choice after landing into Seattle on a cold night. The gyoza was crispy yet juicy and the ramen was so flavorful and filling. The prices aren't too bad either and the staff was so friendly while working quickly. I'd definitely recommend this spot if you're looking for late night ramen.
I was recommended to eat here and upon my first time it felt like walking into an actual Japanese Ramen spot. The atmosphere was very nice! The menu here focused on ramen and sides. The lobster salad was my absolute favorite and blew it mind after being hesitant to order it at first. The ramen was great. There were condiments on the side to adjust to your taste. The lady serving us was very friendly and hardworking. I would definitely come back here again.
This little hole in the wall is my favorite ramen in the whole PNW! The private dining stalls are so cute. The broth is very silky and the meat was tender and succulent. They also have a great sake selection. Always worth stopping by while in Seattle. read more
3 years ago
This was a great meal to end our night after going to the bars and clubs. Menu was limited, but I didn't mind it. The service was good. We received our meal at a good time. We didn't have to wait too long to get seated or served. It's a nice restaurant to bring a date for ramen. The food hit the spot and we finished everything! Price was also decent. We would return here again because we didn't even wake up with a hangover! read more
2 years ago
Great place to eat late at night. I came in and the server was full of energy. I ordered the Hakata Style Ramen set with the lobster salad and they gave the gyoza on the house. The lobster salad was my favorite. The ramen had a very clean taste. I prefer stronger flavors but there were plenty of condiments if you want to dress up the ramen more. Overall I had a great experience and would come back again! read more
3 years ago
Good ramen is one that isn't necessarily good in the moment, but lives rent free in your mind. If we're talking about quality ramen, these bowls are crafted to PERFECTION. The base is not heavy, it's drinkable, and portioned just right. They don't have msg or milk in their broth, which I think limits its true potential, but wholesome ingredients are always great. The portion is just right, right down to the last string of noodle. How do they do it?? I am not big on pork slices and often skip it in ramen, BUT their pork is actually to die for -- brilliantly smoked, melts in mouth. I prefer to be able to select the thickness and softness of my noodles, which is not the case here. But if a restaurant only serves two items, you know it's authentic and customization is not needed. Literally two types of ramen (Hataka or prawn miso, or whatever is in season) and two types of sides (gyoza or lobster salad). The lobster salad has a nice kick of wasabi in it and is served with a lot of nori! If you want to feel like you're in Japan, this is as close as it gets. You order first, then take a private booth with curtain. There's only 6 tables so it's always busy. I don't know if the quality is always consistent here, but if anyone has something negative to say about this place they've probably never been to Japan. read more
2 years ago
6 months ago
Overall: A charming, small spot that'll scratch most ramen itches The good: Hearty ramen with a savory broth that was light but filling. It wasn't overly salty and it complemeted the rest of the ingredients in the bowl nicely. Noodles were cooked well, as was the pork. Once we ordered, the ramen was delivered quickly. The gyoza was also great; crispy yet juicy on the inside, and stuffed with a generous amount of filling. They play anime on the single TV they have (Demon Slayer!). The not-so-good: Long wait due to limited seating. Probably only about 4 booths and a small bar (that seats 2). Limited menu, but that probably helps with the quality of the dishes they do have. It's good ramen, but not 5 star. Food/drink: 8/10 Atmosphere: 8/10 Service: 9/10 read more
4 years ago
I've been wanting to try Betsu Ten Jin as it's one of the many ramen restaurants in the Seattle that looked intriguing to me. So we decided to swing by on a Friday around 8pm and had a 20 minute wait to get seated. The restaurant itself is pretty small - only able to seat up to maybe 20 customers if the restaurant was packed. At the time of this review, they had a bar section but it was closed off for what it looks like cleaning. The seating of the restaurant is tight and you definitely get your privacy while you enjoy your piping bowl of noodle soup with black curtains - We got bar seats and were basically elbow to elbow in space, some people may find it bit claustrophobic but it was cozy to me. After ordering at the front, we waited about 5ish minutes to get our food. I got the Hakata style ramen set for $22, which included the ramen itself plus an a la cart item - I picked the lobster salad. The lobster salad was a nice refresher, there was nice small chunks of lobster throughout the salad. Just a heads up, I was a bit surprised at how small the salad was, like if you were to take your index finger and thumb and touch the tips, the circle would be the size of the salad they give you. It is a bit steep if you were to order it on its own, but since it's lobster, I understand the price. The ramen it was decent - if you are into more delicate flavors, you would really enjoy this ramen. When eating ramen for me personally, I love a deep hearty and umami blasted flavor, which I am unfortunately missing from this ramen. Like I was missing that deep porky flavor that I was longing for - I wasn't impressed with the ramen here, as I think there are better tasting ones in the Seattle area for similar prices. Good thing is that there a good variety of toppings that is provided in the booth, from togarashi to minced garlic that gave this ramen that much needed flavor boost. Other components were tasty, the charshu pork was tender, the woodear gave a nice crunch, and the noodles were chewy. Overall, I would say that Betsu Ten Jin is decent given price and quantity of food given. But based on the other ramen locations that I have tried in the Seattle area, I'm not too sure if I would wait another 20-30 minutes to give this location a try again. It could have been an off day, but everyone has different tastes so all the power to you! read more
This place blew my mind! The place is super small. Not good for big groups no more than four people. It gets packed fast, but worth any wait. We came on a Saturday and waited less than 15 mins. Don't expect the waitstaff to be attentive to you, if you need something flag them down. It gets busy. I felt transported to Japan , very traditional vibe. The menu is pretty small but omg amazing! Three different broths and just goza as a side. That's it. But everything was a 10/10. They do their broth with just pork bones and water and It is sooooo creamy. 10/10. I couldn't get enough. They have thin noodles and give you a good portion. The broth is the star of the night. read more
We always come up to Seattle to eat; everywhere we have tried is delicious! We were hankering for ramen so decided to try this new ramen joint, headed out at 7:30 on a Saturday night. Luckily no wait as we got there at 8, ordered the Hakata Style Ramen Set mine with Lobster Salad and my partner D ordered the same ramen set but with gyoza. Everything was fresh and delicious, esp the Hakata pork bone broth was really tasty and flavorful. No complains about the noodles either what surprised me away was the lobster salad - it did have chunks of lobster meat. Everything also was better wrapped in nori . May come back here but there are just too many other ramen places to try! read more
2 years ago
We came here for dinner after stumbling upon it a few days back. The shop is small, but we were able to get seated immediately. I took the limited menu as a positive sign, since that must mean they do those items really well. However, I was disappointed with the food. + Hakata Style Ramen: There was nothing special about this bowl of ramen. The broth was lacking in flavor and richness. It felt almost watered down since the porky rich flavor was missing. (2/5) + Prawn Miso Ramen: This bowl was much tastier than the Hakata Style Ramen due to the addition of miso, but still it was nothing special. It was topped with pieces of small dried prawns, but it did absolutely nothing for the dish. (3/5) Overall, this is not a place I would go back to. The noodles were cooked well and the chashu was very tasty, but the flavorless broth ruined the experience. read more
3 years ago
This used to be my favorite spot for ramen in Seattle but the quality is definitely not where it used to be. My go to here used to be the hakata ramen because the broth was super rich and milky. When I came back here the other night, while the taste was still somewhat there, the broth was much more watered down and bland compared to before. However, I still appreciate the decor inside. The service could have been better; I ordered a set with gyoza however the gyoza never came out. read more
The broth! Incredible depth of flavor. Our favorite ramen spot. Usually we both go with the classic but sometimes we'll mix in the prawn broth for a change of pace. We have never been disappointed and this is our go to spot for ramen when it's just us or a small group. read more
1 year ago
The best broth I've ever had! Paired with the gyoza and lobster salad. Very fresh and very filling! Can't sleep keep thinking about the broth. read more
This menu has 2 mains. Super simple, either pork broth or prawn miso. Love the simplicity. They also have 2 sides. Gyoza or lobster salad. We tried all 4. The gyoza was delicious and didnt taste frozen which is a plus, lobster salad was soo good with hearty chunks of meat which paired well with the nori sheets. But the star of the show was the ramen broths. The pork was great, strong flavor, and the prawn miso was equally good. About halfway through decided to use the condiments provided (garlic, pepper, chili oil and shoyu). It is CRAZY, the difference a little of each did. It was like I was eating a completely different bowl of ramen which elevated the flavor. I would say Top 2 ramens I've had in Downtown Seattle. read more
9 months ago
8 months ago
4 years ago
We came here on Saturday around 1PM lunch for 2 people. Luckily enough, we were able to get seated right away without a wait! The entrance door can be a little tricky to find and the place is small; the space consists of private booths and tables with curtains. I believe max seating is 4 people. When you first enter, you order and pay first before going to your seating. We had the Hakata Style Ramen Set with gyoza and lobster salad. Portions were pretty big!! The sides were alright but the soup was so yummy, perfect for a cold and rainy day. read more
Don't let the long, sobby negative Yelp Elite reviews dissuade you! This place isn't flamboyant, trying too hard, or over complicated with flavors. It is very similar to a ramen place that you would find if you were really in Japan. With a very small and simple menu and extremely friendly host/staff, the ramen hit the spot on a cold and late Friday night out. The food came out quickly and there are many side items you can add to your dish to make it your own if you want; dried garlic, crushed garlic, soy sauce, etc. It was delicious and I can't wait to go again and support this small business. read more
Betsu Ten Jin is open much later than most other places in Capitol Hill, so that's automatically a huge plus. It's a small restaurant with a small menu, but that means you know what they serve is going to be good! Loved how they had private curtained-off tables with all the toppings you could want/need already at the table. The ramen was delicious, probably one of my new top choices in the city. read more
Initially reserved a table for a different ramen place but the wait time was crazy long so we decided to look around for a different spot. Good decision coz this place is a must visit! Ambiance - place was small but had enough seating. They have a ramen bar where they serve ramen directly to you. Gave me the classic ramen places vibe. Service - it's fast! Ample wait time and food came out fresh! Food - one of the best ramens I've had. Flavor is just right. I wish the egg was a little softer but that's just me being picky lol the meat was tender, gyoza and crab salad were good! They have only few ramen choices but hey, they give you a good one! Overall, good choice to not wait on the other place lol read more
1 year ago
food never disappoints here!! service good, but not very efficient. love the cozy atmosphere and late night hours! read more
It was a cold night and we had just recently ate at Danbo so I decided to give Betsu Ten Jin a shot after hearing lots of good things from friends We (2-top) were seated rather quickly and sat a what I imagine was the bar seating. Given covid precautions, the booths/seating are all separated by dividers and curtains. Not the most comfortable arrangement but given the circumstances, we actually enjoyed the privacy We ordered (1) Hakata Style Ramen and (1) Hakata Style Ramen Set with Gyoza side dish to share. The good: - Quick service - Pork bone broth: extremely pleased with the clean flavor of the pork with the right balance of creaminess and depth - The ramen noodles were al dente The so-so: - The flavor of the toppings (black fungus mushroom and char siu pork) were good but nothing special - The egg was a little overdone and chalky instead of runny/creamy The bad: - the gyoza part of the combo was very disappointing in comparison to the ramen and completely forgettable. There was not enough filling and just too much wrapper dough. We won't be ordering these for future visits Overall, I was very pleased with the service, the food (minus gyoza), and overall dining experience at Betsu Ten Jin and will definitely be back for future ramen cravings - cheers! read more
3 years ago
2 years ago
11 months ago
One of the best ramen that I've had in Seattle and the experience was unique even among all the ramen spots in Seattle! I recommend the hakata style ramen and remember to put the extra spices in that are available on your table. The restaurant itself is very small, intimate, and private at the same time. Highly recommend Betsutenjin to everyone! Food I got the hakata style ramen and loved it. The broth is pork bone broth. It is clean, rich, not oily, not salty, and delicious. I would add in the spices available on the table to customize the broth to how you like it. The ramen noodles were also really good and firm so that you can slurp them right up. The meat on top was fatty enough and just enhanced the dish overall. I definitely want to come back here and try the other ramens on the menu as well since I loved my first time so much. The menu is limited and they do the few dishes very, very well. We also got potstickers for the table and I loved how the bottoms were so crispy. The soy sauce is so random because it's just packet soy sauce. Atmosphere Casual, laid back ambiance that is very private for your party. There is a curtain that blocks off your table from the rest of the restaurant and gives you lots of privacy and helps block out noise. The table itself feels very intimate though. It is a unique dining experience and I can imagine that people eat ramen like this in Japan. Pricing Ramen prices are also very reasonable for the quality of ramen that you get. Prices are comparable, maybe lightly more depending on what dish you get, to other ramen spots. The food and experience is very worth the price you pay. Service Service was good. When you first enter, you put in your order at the window and then they bring your food out to your table. The staff was friendly and helpful in answering any questions. Other The restaurant is pretty small so there can be a long wait so be prepared for that. read more
I'm seriously underwhelmed by the ramen here, and not to mention, they randomly closed the last few times I wanted to check out (e.g., I walked by yesterday only to say they suddenly closed for a private party, without giving a heads up)... so just call them an hour or so before opening and confirm they are open or else you can be disappointed. Note that the place is small though, so after 6pm, expect a bit of a wait if you have a large group. I got the prawn miso ramen set with lobster salad. The lobster salad is probably the best thing in the meal, which speaks volumes to how underwhelming the ramen itself was. I wouldn't justify paying $6.95 for just a very tiny scoop of lobster salad, given that getting the side separately is of the same size. It's quite flavorful and is definitely more unique than the gyoza, so I'd recommend getting the set as it's not that much more than just a bowl of ramen. The ramen itself... what made it underwhelming wasn't the broth and noodles. The broth is light and not too salty which caters to certain clientele, and the noodles are cooked al dente which I liked. However, while the pork had a nice torched flavor, it was way too fatty and flimsy, which is a miss compared to the legendary torched pork I had at Menya Musashi about a month ago. Also, the egg is not soft boiled at all and a bit sour, not indicating much freshness. That kinda ruined the bowl of ramen. The corn overpowered in sweetness to make it hard to savor the subtle prawn flavor of the broth. They do have a bunch of toppings for you to add to the ramen to customize to your liking which is a plus. Service is fast albeit a little lacking. I guess it's for the safety / cleanliness and to speed things up serving others, as when I finished the lobster salad, they gave me the ramen and closed the curtains (to indicate you're served and for privacy to enjoy the bowl of ramen) but didn't clear out the lobster salad dish. They did give a jug of water so you can refill on your own, and you do order and pay first before you get seated so the dining experience is quick. It's a pro and con. With some of my coworkers raving about this place and the fact that I passed by this place at least 4 times all of which they have a small sign they are suddenly closed for whatever reason, I finally tried this place and left disappointed. read more
3 years ago
Use to be my go to spot for ramen, but ever since they remodeled, the broth is not as good any more. Use to be private Japanese style setting with individual little booth, and you order at the door before you sit down. But now they took out the booth and increased the price. The broth is not as tasty and the meat slices are much thinner than before. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
11 months ago
2 years ago
Interesting layout for such a small restaurant. My wife told me pre-covid it used to be counter seating. But now it is small stalls separated by curtains. The wait was a little long for Ramen Danbo and I had a plane to catch so I decided to give Betsu Ten Jin a try. I ordered the Prawn Miso ramen which had a rich thich broth and the soft boiled egg was tasty and cooked just right. The ramen noodles were chewy and the gyoza's were on the softer side. It would have been better if they pan fried it a little longer. Overall, it was a good quick dinner that warmed me up on a cold Seattle night! read more
My bookmarked ramen shop and I was finally get to eat at Betsu Ten Jin! We stopped by on Saturday and I was worried about wait time, but we were seated pretty quick! (5:00pm) I ordered limited miso and my fiancé sundered Betsu Ten Jim classic. I was so hungry, so I think I finish my ramen in 10-15min. Their silky to lotus soup is so delicious! This was my first time finishing ALL ramen soup! read more
2 years ago
More info about Betsu Ten Jin
954 E Union St
Ste 102
Seattle, WA 98122
First Hill
Directions
(206) 485-7367
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https://www.betsutenjinusa.com
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Ask the Community - Betsu Ten Jin
Is this place closed permanently? Came on a Saturday night and seemed like it was closed even though Yelp and Google Maps said it's open 🤔
Not unless they're only doing delivery. I ordered uber eats from them last night around 9pm. But if you look at the reviews not being opened when they're supposed to be according to Yelp, looks like a regular occurrence. My guess is they close when…
Is your prawn miso soup made with pork bones or just miso based?
Pork bones and miso based
Do they use peanuts at all?
No. My bf is deadly allergic and he didn't die when we went!
Do they accept Amex?
They accept all major credit cards, including American Express.
Hi, do you sometimes play old school/60s samurai movies in the restaurant? last time i was there, i think i remember seeing one playing, and i loved it. i was wondering if you do that semi-regularly? thanks!
Last time I was there for dinner, they were playing J-Pop.
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