International Ramen Sensation Landing on Capitol Hill This Summer

Get ready to hover over steaming bowls of noodle soup in summer, because internationally acclaimed chain Tentenyu is bringing its Kyoto-style ramen to Capitol Hill in mid-July.

The Japan-based company currently operates two U.S. outposts in California (Los Angeles and Culver City); the Seattle opening will mark its third restaurant on this side of the Pacific. The new location will take root in the former Mercedes-Benz showroom at the intersection of Pike and Belmont (1510 Belmont Avenue). Diners will have the option of sitting at a noodle counter and watching as their ramen is prepared.

The Kyoto-style ramen involves a shoyu (soy sauce) base with a rich chicken broth, which Tentenyu develops by simmering chicken bones and feet for up to 11 hours. Other menu items include vegetarian ramen, Tsukemen (dipping ramen, in which the noodles are served in a separate bowl on the side and dipped into the broth), rice bowls, and chicken karaage (fried chicken).

Tentenyu was born in Kyoto in 1971 as a small food stall and is now the longest-operating ramen restaurant in the Ichijoji area of the city — a district famous for its ramen, thanks to the impressive density of noodle shops.