I've been wanting to try Ooink for YEARS and I'm glad to have finally tried it. Ooink is a ramen restaurant in the Harvard Market right above QFC in Capitol Hill. Unlike most places in Seattle, there is a convenient free little shared parking lot for Ooink and the other businesses in this area.
Our group of five got here pretty early on in the day, a little before noon. It wasn't busy yet. There was maybe a group or two already seated and eating before we arrived. The restaurant itself is pretty small, so having a group of five was a bit of a stretch for how small the seating arrangements are. I wouldn't bring no more than a group of four here, unless you don't mind sitting apart from one another.
Once you arrive, you need to order first before getting seated, if you plan on dining in. So placing our orders was quick and easy! Our group was able to submit and place our orders with the self-ordering kiosk, as well as having someone assist us.
I ordered the Mapo Tofu Ramen The spice level ranges between 1 and 2 for this ramen bowl. It has a numbing and spicy silky pork soup with shoyu flavor with ground pork and silken tofu, noodles, and zacai. I have never seen another ramen restaurant serve a Mapo Tofu Ramen, so I was very intrigued by this option. The broth is quite different from other ramen broths I have had. It is super creamy. I wasn't the biggest fan of how creamy the broth was, but it was still good nonetheless.
My sister's boyfriend ordered the Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich, which I had to mention given how fast they made it and brought it out! They brought it out before his ramen. It's a fried crispy chicken thigh with shredded cabbage, cucumber, and house-made sauce. It is a highly demanded menu item here. read more