Tentenyu’s Kyoto-Style Ramen Looks Ready to Rock Capitol Hill

Ramen fans are rejoicing as Tentenyu, the internationally acclaimed Kyoto-born chain, arrives in Capitol Hill on Friday, July 28. Eater stopped by to preview the menu and the space in the former Mercedes-Benz showroom at the intersection of Pike and Belmont (1510 Belmont Avenue). Light floods in from tall windows, highlighting dark wooden tables, a brick wall with a giant logo, and an open kitchen with an industrial look offset by green walls.

The menu centers around ramen concocted of a shoyu (soy sauce) base with a rich chicken broth, which the kitchen develops by simmering chicken bones and feet for up to 11 hours. Other menu items include vegetarian ramen, tsukemen (dipping ramen, for which the noodles are served in a separate bowl and dipped manually into the broth), rice bowls, and chicken karaage (fried chicken).

Grid View

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.

Starting next week, Tentenyu will be open for slurping from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.