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    Umami Ballard

    4.0 (25 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 8:30 pm

    Order Umami Ballard Takeout or Delivery

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    Inside
    Skye P.

    Food is decent! Comes in to-go containers even if you eat in, they feel compostable but are not explicitly marked so unsure about it. Vegetarian ramen is hard to come by so like most places they have 1 non build your own option. The vegetarian shoyu is loaded well with toppings, but I do wish there was a creamy vegetarian option! The broth was okay, not the most flavorful. The tofu was cold but the rest was hot, so just let it sit for a minute to warm it up. The spicy snow crab salad was also loaded! It comes cold and could have used more spice so I asked for sriracha on the side. The watermelon boba tasted more like bubble gum and was pepto pink, I asked for it less sweet which was helpful but probably won't be getting boba here again. Mixed tea drinks do not have adjustable sweetness. Didn't see good parking. Since it's slow I got the one spot that is left of the building on 15th (6 spots, most were taken likely by staff), but probably reliable most busy days. Staff was nice!

    Sushi burrito
    Diana C.

    We got takeout and it was all excellent! The packaging was very good, though one of the boba cups did break once we had it out of the bags and all (not at all their fault - more of a freak accident I think). The food was excellent though. I also loved the option to do combos and that the vegetarian combos were clearly labeled online. We would definitely order again and then come back.

    Build your own Poke Bowl
    Ana K S.

    There has got to be something in the Umami water because their stuff is truly addicting! The shrimp tempura on the poke bowls is perfectly crunchy (even after walking 15min to get back home) and it's also slightly sweet and all around delicious. The tuna is also amazing and I love that the bowls are hefty even if you only get a couple of free toppings. The taro boba tea was so good too! I got it with half sugar and I think that or 1/4 is the way to go if you're not wanting something super super sweet. The ramen is also incredible, though I think the poke bowl is for sure my go to now. I also appreciated the custom take out bag that came with my order, it came in clutch immediately by helping keep my food dry from the rain.

    Gagan G.

    Tasted pretty good! I ordered the passion fruit tea with boba. Could use more boba. No one else was there.

    Poke Bowl
    Patty L.

    Umami is a great place for some takeout in you're craving poke or ramen. My husband opted to build his own poke bowl, which allows for one protein selection and three sides. He had the salmon with tamago, seaweed salad, and corn on top of the brown rice. The fish tasted pretty fresh and the tamago was sweet and delightful. I do wish you could add more toppings though. I ordered the traditional tonkotsu ramen with bok choy, sliced wood ear mushroom, and green onions. The broth itself is not like a traditional japanese tonkotsu broth - it actually tastes more similar to a chinese pork bone broth since there was also an herbal taste to it. I still enjoyed it regardless however. The veggies I ordered were fresh and the noodles were nice and chewy. I give it a 4/5 since the ramen wasn't what I expected from a tonkotsu ramen though.

    Mango Bubble Tea Traditional Tonkotsu Ramen
    Camile F.

    The food was outstanding! The ramen had a delicious flavor. The pork was cooked nice and crispy, and I loved the shrimp tempura. The noodles were good, but I did prefer to have a little bit more. The mango bubble tea seemed to be made with a different type of mango base than what I am used to, and I actually liked it more than most boba places!

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    3 years ago

    Yummy chicken and boba tea! So glad I don't have to go to my favorite place in China town that makes similar chicken

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    4 years ago

    Delicious food and bubble tea. The quality is also great, but for the amount you get the price is pretty steep. Otherwise, excellent.

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    4 years ago

    Love this place! Great service, food (you can customize your ramen and poke bowl) and amazing selection of teas! Great addition to Ballard !

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    Ask the Community - Umami Ballard

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    Ramen Danbo

    4.3
    (2.4k reviews)
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    Came here 6 PM on a Monday, I had a 5-10 minute wait so guess we got super lucky! I'm not a ramen…read moregirl, so it has to be a damn good ramen to convert me. I ordered a miso ramen and my parents ordered the tonkatsu ramen. As someone from the Bay Area, I was so surprised by the richness of the ramen and it definitely beats some of my usual spots. Each bowl was ~$15 and a smaller bowl, so would definitely advise getting an extra batch of noodles. The chashu is melt in your mouth tender. The broth wasn't very salty or over complicated itself with a burst of spices, but highlighted the simplicity of a good ramen, tasting the long simmer of the pork. My dad was honestly pretty pissed circling around the area for an hour for parking, but said it was all worth it, even waiting in a long line.

    Ramen Danbo in Capitol Hill has a simple but focused setup that puts most of the attention on the…read moreramen itself. We walked into a casual, compact space with a mix of counter and table seating that fits the quick ramen shop style. The interior is efficient and well organized, though it can get extremely busy, and the wait times are often one of the biggest parts of the experience, especially during peak hours. Once seated, the space feels functional and comfortable, designed around getting a bowl of ramen in front of you without unnecessary distractions. The ramen is built around rich tonkotsu broth with a lot of customization options. We appreciated the ability to adjust things like noodle firmness, richness, and spice level, which made each bowl feel more personalized. The regular tonkotsu ramen stood out for its deep umami flavor without feeling overly heavy, and the noodles had a great texture that held up well against the broth. The vegan options also stand out, including miso-based bowls with flavorful broths that give non-pork options more depth than many ramen shops offer. The toppings are generous, and the soft-boiled egg was cooked to that perfect jammy consistency. Beyond ramen, the menu has a few sides that complement the meal well, including gyoza that came out crisp and well filled. We also grabbed mochi ice cream for something sweet afterward, a light finish after the rich broth. The seasonal ramen options are worth checking out since they add variety beyond the standard bowls, giving regular visitors a reason to come back and try something new. Service is generally quick and friendly, especially considering how busy the restaurant gets. The ordering system is straightforward, and the staff handles the constant flow of customers efficiently. The team kept the pace moving without making the experience feel rushed, and they were attentive to refilling water and checking in on the table. The biggest downside is the popularity, since the lines can sometimes feel long for a relatively quick meal, but the wait tends to move faster than expected given the efficient turnover. Ramen Danbo is a reliable spot for a satisfying bowl of ramen in Seattle. The customizable bowls, strong broth, and consistent noodle quality make it a place worth visiting, although planning around busy hours can make the experience much better. The balance of customization and quality means you can dial in your bowl exactly how you like it, and the focused approach to the menu keeps the attention where it belongs.

    Photos
    Inside the restaurant at 7PM
    Inside the restaurant at 7PM
    Pork Gyoza Platter
    Pork Gyoza Platter
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    Midnite Ramen

    Midnite Ramen

    4.4
    (140 reviews)
    2.4 mi
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    Such a fun and unexpected gem! This ramen spot tucked inside a brewery is super cute and has such a…read morewelcoming vibe. The ramen was incredibly flavorful--rich, comforting, and exactly what you want. Everything tasted fresh and well thought out. I also ordered a draft root beer which was honestly so good and a fun change from the usual. We came with kids and they made the experience extra special. The kids got to pick out a Pokémon card at the bar (huge win), and our waitress went above and beyond--she was so warm and attentive. She even brought the kids Pocky for dessert, which was such a sweet touch. We also ordered the fried chicken--$8 for a huge portion, which is an amazing deal. The dipping sauce was delicious. Personally, I'd prefer the pieces to be a bit smaller, but that's just a minor preference, As well as a real utensils would be nice over plastic. Overall, such a great experience with amazing food, kind service, and thoughtful details. We will definitely be back!

    This is a great place to get your ramen fix. Its legit. You…read morecan tell they really put alot into their ramen; the broth was great, the noodle is good and the portion was perfect. You order via kiosk; and wait your order to be called when its ready. They got condiments of fresh garlic and chili oil as well. What we got: Kyoto charsu ramen (4/5) Great broth and very flavorfull. Portion was perfect. Miso Bold (4.5/5) Very very rich broth and the black garlic was great. Portion was oerfect for how rich it was. I add the spicy paste and it was great. Overall This is a great spot. I highly recomend it to anyone in the area.

    Photos
    Ramen pickup counter
    Ramen pickup counter
    50's Classic Shoyu Ramen with chicken. Fried gyoza shared with friends
    50's Classic Shoyu Ramen with chicken. Fried gyoza shared with friends
    Tan-tan-men with tofu, at the bar

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    Kajiken

    Kajiken

    4.5
    (223 reviews)
    4.9 mi
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    My boyfriend and I were craving ramen, but the day was too hot to want to sip on broth, so we…read moredecided to try Kajiken, which is known for its "dry ramen" concept. Upon entering the restaurant, all the tables were occupied, and we were told to wait a few minutes before being seated. We only ended up waiting about 5 minutes. The menu was very informative and provided a definition of what aburasoba is. There were also directions at the bottom of the menu explaining how to eat your ramen. Since it was our first time here, we started off with a peach lemonade soda. My boyfriend chose the No. 1, Homura, and I chose the No. 2, Pot Roast. We both ordered a raw egg on top and a side of chashu pork. We wanted to order the onigiri, but unfortunately, they were all out. After about 5 minutes, our food arrived! The presentation was lovely. We took our chopsticks and mixed everything together, just as instructed, then took our first bites, and our minds were blown. The texture was creamy, and the flavors were packed with richness. The portions were perfect, especially for the price. I absolutely loved the experience here and would totally come back to try their other aburasobas. It was so good that I wouldn't even mind sitting through traffic during a World Cup game just to get it again. Until next time!

    Nut allergy friendly: Sesame, but no nuts in the bowls!…read more Time to Appetizer: 7 Minutes Time to Entree: 10 Minutes We came in around 7:30PM and got seated as a party of five with no wait, but it did get a bit busy while we were there. I think 15 minute wait was the longest I heard. We ordered the takoyaki (shared, one piece each) and I got the #1 Homura Aburasoba with an extra piece of chashu. I didn't add anything to mine for sauces. The takoyaki was nothing special, but I got a nice chunk of octopus. (3.5/5) When I saw the photos online, I thought these looked like decorated Indomie mi Goreng dishes. And that's basically exactly what they are. Reviews say that they're filling, but I wasn't that full after finishing mine. It's satisfying but almost all carbs. The flavor was good and I liked the hint of seafood through the fish powder, but it comes at a price point that's a tad high for me for what's in the bowl. Would still recommend ordering 1-2 extra Chashu though. I tried my friend's Original Aburasoba and the flavor profiles are pretty different, so the sauces and toppings definitely play a role. The noodles do soak things up. It was a cool experience but I wasn't blown away. I would bring people for a novelty dish once, probably wouldn't come back.

    Photos
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    Umami Ballard - poke - Updated June 2026

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