(Image: Kajiken)
(Image: Kajiken)
Capitol Hill has entered its brothless noodle era. Kajiken is bringing its “soup-less” ramen to 11th Ave.
The U.S. chain of the Japanese noodle favorite is set to fill the restaurant space neighboring the Hugo House writing center across from Cal Anderson Park.
CHS reported last month on the closure of fast casual joint Oma Bap after 10 years in a story filled with Korean Food, CHOP, and the 11th Ave building developed as a new mixed-use home for the Hugo House literary nonprofit.
The development’s restaurant space is ready for a new story. Kajiken began its growth in America two years ago and now has locations across the country in a handful of locations including New York, Baltimore, Chicago, and the Bay Area.
Its arrival in Seattle will add abura soba — highly customizable ramen noodles served without broth — to Capitol Hill’s menu.
While the neighborhood’s ramen community has grown in recent years, the abura soba will help Kajiken stand out but it isn’t the only new broth-less Asian noodle joint to join the scene. Old Street Malatang, from the FOB Poke family of restaurants, opened on Broadway this summer with “build your own” Szechuan hot pot including the growing “dry hot pot” favorite.
As for Kajiken, the chain says its makes its noodles thick, and their sauces, which include a blend of soy, vinegar, garlic and chili oil, are imported from Japan. The thick, chewy noodles are crafted to maximize flavor.
Kajiken’s top selling dish is the Homura Aburasoba, which contains spicy minced pork; green onions; bamboo shoots; seaweed; fish powder; chives; and raw egg yolk. A spicier option is the Karamen Aburasoba, which is a mix of diced chashu; chili powder; crunchy garlic with chili oil; cabbage; chives; bean sprouts; and raw egg yolk.
The paperwork is just getting started but Kajiken’s new 11th Ave home could come together quickly in the space given the few changes required from its time hosting Oma Bap.
Kajiken will open soon at 1640 11th Ave. Learn more at kajikenus.com.
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More of the same old same old. It’s getting so tired.
Broth-less ramen is more of the same old same old? Why, because it’s asian food? Personally I’m very excited to try it out.
What are you looking for restaurant wise that you would prefer? Genuinely asking.
I think the issue is that the asian food in capitol hill is mostly very expensive and not that good compared to chinatown. But because of who lives on the hill now, the people are too good to go to chinatown, so capitol hill ends up with crappy food just because the people there are lazy/snobby.
You paint Capitol Hill residents with a broad brush, and an inaccurate one.
That’s an absurdly judgemental take which ignores the completely obvious fact that traveling from one neighborhood to another takes time people don’t always have.
are those real plates, rather than paying $15-$20 to eat out of disposable paper & plastic? I’m in love already.
I guess standards have gotten low in 2024.
More of the same…in a few years Capitol Hill will only be Ramen and Bubble Tea shops…and then when the next fad comes they will close and become something else.
I’m sorry the hill is becoming less white. Perhaps you can move to Medina.
Great addition, love it
CAN’T WAIT TO GO TRY… MAYHAP TODAY!
On really hot days in Tokyo, they serve cold noodle dishes, sometimes over a bed of ice. Yum I will try this place.
brothless ramen… my interest is piqued