4. Restaurants

Samurai Noodle

606 5th Ave S, Seattle, WA, 98104
  • (206) 624-9321
  • Store is closed

Samurai Noodle Menu

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

  • LEN L.

    I looked forward to going there after hearing about it from a friend. I wanted something like you could get at the Fish Market in Tokyo or from a street vendor in Japan. I went to Samurai Noodle and found tasty broth and noodles but in small portions and very expensive for what it was. The noodles cost 6.95 but you'll need to order extra noodles for sure or you can upgrade for 3.50 and get some extras like an egg and some more pork. By the time you are done, it's a 11 dollar bowl of ramen. It does taste good. the restaurant is small like japanese noodles vendors in japan. Bottom line, good tasting ramen but a little expensive for what it was. The search must go on......... A descent noodle option but not ramen is Mike's Noodles House a couple blocks away... I like that place if you can get a seat.

    (3)

  • Jacky A.

    Woow, I feel like I am in Japan!!!!! This place is awesome, although I lived in Seattle for 7 years, but I just recently discover this place, I have never notice there is a ramen restaurant located at the side of Uwajimaya. I wish I have discover this earlier, so that I could have enjoy better japanese food in this area. There are 3 kinds of noddles, SOFT, MEDIUM, AND FIRM. Be sure to answer that question after you order your noodle, it is the softness of the noddles. Then on the side, you can order Samurai armor (extra topping), Rice Bowl (Choose from teriyaki beef, spicy roe..etc), Seafood Siumai, etc. It is charged extra, but all of them taste very good. I always love their spicy green onion, it is not the usual pork booth, but once i got my noodle, I was like "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW, Onions" hahah many many many many green onions floating on the soup. I dont even see another topics until I grab my chopstick and play around with it. If you are a big man like me, you will like to enjoy another bowl!!! IF YOU SAVED YOUR BOOTH, YOU CAN ASK FOR NODDLE REFILL JUST FOR $1.50 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =] As of Parking, You can park anywhere within the Uwajimaya shopping center, it will validate for 2 hours :) Enjoy and have fun discovering Japanese food.

    (4)

  • katie s.

    Am I the only short asian female to miss the gigantic Chinese Gate a block away? I just noticed it today, after driving/walking/galavanting by it for about the last ten years. Someone told me it just went up. About 4 years ago! yeeeeikes! So this noodle place is much much better than boom on the subject of ramen noodles, and I'll gladly pay $10 for my hot and spicy noodle dish with hot green tea. They're pretty good about getting my medium noodles done up right. Next time though, I'm probably getting at least one extra helping of extra noodles (girl's gotta eat) and I'm always going with my vegetarian friend, bc if you ask nicely - they'll give YOU the vegetarian's pulled pork that of course they can't eat. Yeah for me!

    (4)

  • Joy S.

    Chewy noodles (ordered "firm") was great. But I was not too impressed with the soup (green onion something). But, it was still good. I will try again and order different kinds of soup next time. Tiny place, so seating is limited. They take your order and bring out your food once you find a seating.

    (3)

  • Tina W.

    One of my favorite lunch spots. It is a very small place, but has fast and friendly service. Best Japanese ramen in town, although they keep on raising their price.

    (4)

  • Rebecca A.

    I PAID $8.00 FOR MUSHY RAMEN NOODLES AND INSULT TO INJURY. Will, the American guy that works at Samurai Ramen by Uwajimaya (Yup, I'm telling you guys his real name because he's so sure that he did nothing wrong), packed my ramen order to go. I've eaten her before and it was delicious enough for me to come back...plus I really wanted to order a ramen for my boyfriend to surprise him (he's never had the chance to eat one from a restaurant). I regret this because Will goes ahead and packs the noodles In the same container as the soup...How can some one who works at a ramen place do this? When I got home and saw what happened to the noodles, I decided to actually call back and ask them if this did this on purpose...I mean the Guy clearly knows what would have happened. To my surprise, the guy (WILL) insisted that their restaurant always did to go meals this way, and he said it is the CUSTOMER'S responsibility to let them know that we won't be eating the noodles in 7 minutes (that's the magic number he suggested it takes for the noodles to absorb all the soup and ruin the meal). I was like, really? Because I think I would have just sat down and ate it there if I knew that's the case. He then said it was MY FAULT for not clarifying or directing him to separate them. What a typical DOUCHE! I asked for the manager, and he just said "Yeah because HE'S going to tell you something different", and just hung up on me. Nice. I wasn't even asking for any money back. Thanks Will--I WILL ask your boss if this is really how they treat their customers because last time I ordered take out from them, they separated my dish without me even having to ask. It's common sense, like he said. Never thought the guy would insult me back for his own mistakes. Two stars purely for the food, but negative three for the service experience.

    (2)

  • NWMark N.

    Some things change. Some stay the same. I hadn't been in a while and Samurai Noodles in the ID is still as noisy at lunch hour as a Link Light Rail train rushing by in the tunnel. But the heavy metal soundtrack has been replaced by Frank Sinatra. More importantly though, the ramen remains the same: impeccable al dente noodles, broth, and a variety of soup fixings. Besides Ol' Blue Eyes belting out classics, I immediately noticed another change when I espied the signs announcing "Now serving Tampopo Ramen!" Even if you've never seen one of the best foodie movies of all time, definitely try the Tampopo Ramen. Samurai serves a variety of broths; that's where they bring it. Tampopo Ramen is a shoyu broth, lighter than their signature pork broth, but no less delicious. Crinkly, firm ramen noodles awash in the dark shoyu broth are surrounded by scallions, kamaboko (fish cake), roast pork, bamboo shoots and nori (seaweed). On dark, grey days, this bowl is sure to lift any spirits up and away. If movies were not only 3-D, but also had "Taste-O-Vision," I'll bet the noodles in Tampopo would taste just like the Tampopo Ramen at Samurai!

    (4)

  • douglas h.

    Lunch Simple place. It's okay.

    (3)

  • Hiromi T.

    I'll visit the place again. I haven't tried Ramen in U.S. so far because I was expecting it must be bad compare to Japanese ramen quality but I wasn't disappointed at all. The order style is Japanese because you can choose the firmness of noodle and thickness of broth. I ordered Tonkotsu and extra toppings (Pork, Seaweed, Ajitsuke-tamago...etc) with extra pork fat (Kotteri) and normal firmness of noodle. I liked their broth and pork. However, their noodle is thin but I like a little thicker. I will try to order thicker noodle with super extra pork fat (Cho-kotteri) next time. The place is tiny, so, please eat and leave soon after you finish your ramen. That's really Japanese style in ramen restaurant ;)

    (4)

  • Isaac O.

    Stumbled across this while on vacation and checking out Uwajimaya. Great noodles and rice dish. Reminds me of Shoki Ramen House in my hometown of Sacramento. I think Samurai edges Shoki out, but it takes way longer to get there!

    (4)

  • Josh I.

    I have to say, it's embarrassing to live in such a cultured city and have people think Samurai is a good Ramen house. I have eaten there once, and I will never return. Being born in Hawaii and being Japanese I am very picky when it comes to something so simple and elegant as a bowl of noodles. The Broth: It lacks depth of flavor, the chicken soup tastes like it's half water, where is the roasted bones, the robust shoyu and root vegetable layers? Then on top of that they add extra pork fat, which is low quality. When truly Japanese ramen stands add pork fat the jewels of fat are small, well refined and bring more than just fat to the equation. At Samurai all I experienced was extra greasy. I can make better broth at home. The Noodles: people rave over the fact that they allow you to choose your noodle texture, first off, all ramen noodles should be slightly chewy, never soft. Second the noodles themselves have not enough soda in them, they are flat and lend nothing to the bowl of noodles themselves. The Verdict: Look I'm not saying this is the worse bowl of Ramen I've ever had, but sadly there are some high quality package Ramen from Japan that do as good of a job, certainly better broth. I'd say if you were starving for noodles it would be enough, but if you are a true noodle connoisseur then Samurai is not the place for you.

    (2)

  • reese h.

    Been going here for a couple of years, and really love it. I pretty much get the same thing always, spicy chili green onion ramen.... sometimes if I want to explode outta my pants, I get a spicy roe rice cup as well. Mmmm-mmm! True, it's not cheap. But I have spent just as much ($8+) at other lunch spots in P*Square for a sandwich, drinks, and salad or chips. I love taking newbies there, and then watch their face as Samurai BLOWS THEIR MIND. Hurry up already, and open that second location in the U-District....I'll be outside with baited breath....

    (5)

  • Yiling W.

    Oh, delicious, chewy, perfectly cooked noodles in tasty, tasty broth! Also good with a flavored egg. This was definitely worth the 15 minute walk from work for a hot lunch on a chilly day. It was just the thing to warm things up. Yes, the space is very small, so if you're lucky you'll get a seat just before your food is out. Otherwise it may be worth it to take out. Warning: watch out for the food coma that comes later.

    (4)

  • Kate M.

    Well, once again I'm about to expose my total newness to the world. The ramen I've had at Samurai Noodle is the best I've ever tasted. The broth alone is one of those things I have happily walked across town to get a taste of on more than one occasion. I've been reading a lot of reviews that compare the ramen noodles here to those in Vancouver and somehow, even though Chinatown is always among the first places I visit upon crossing the border, I've totally missed out on their ramen. How? I don't know. I like to make totally uninformed travel plans. You should see some of the places I have ended up sleeping in Vancouver for my total ignorance of where the good hotels are. So I have no basis for comparison. Sushi is a whole different story altogether. Oh, Jesus Christ, the sushi in Vancouver is made of pure magic and happy dreams..... I do know this: pork is rad. And at the risk of this next statement sounding like some horny twelve-year-old's version of a sexual innuendo, nothing is more satisfying than poking a big slice of pork with a chopstick and watching it fall apart upon contact. This is always something I can count on at Samurai Noodle and my mouth is much appreciative. I want to hug the person who came up with the soy marinated egg. Scallions give the broth a nice pungency without being overpowering and while I'm not sure if you are supposed to put the pickled ginger in the soup, I always do and it's yummy. Extra points to the dudes behind the counter for being so nice when I stupidly point at the menu and ask retarded questions. I don't quite have this ramen thing down yet. But I will. Until I venture up to Vancouver and have my mind blown in half by their noodles, I will loyally satisfy my violent cravings for ramen at Samurai Noodle.

    (5)

  • Happy M.

    This place is good, not great, but good enough in Seattle for us to go back. I'd say everything is pretty good, except the meat slices can be more tender and the broth can us MUCH less salt!!! I love the firmness of the noodles but the broth kind of killed it for me... I always need to add water in it. Also, the miso ramen comes with butter - yuk! The right way of doing it & making it creamy is to use the actual fat from the meat, so using butter is cheating! Over all, it is a nice little ramen place and we enjoy it. We can not wait for an authentic Japanese ramen place to open someday where everything is just right!

    (4)

  • Barbara B.

    DELICIOUS! The pork tonkatsu is amazing... I added garlic and it was the bomb. Noodles seemed to be homemade and the place was adorable.

    (5)

  • Aaron I.

    Actually 4.5 Stars! Chili green onion ramen, mmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!! Any ramen spot that ask what consistency you like your ramen cooked, al dente, regular or mushy, is quality. Tonkatsu ramen for those pork on pork lovers was very tasty. The samurai combo seems really popular with options of diferent meat and toppings choices. Interestlingly they had run out of bamboo shoots when i was here, but they substituted it for fishcake. What I really like about Samurai is the pride in quality. Another example is the tea they serve, I recommend the sencha or the gen matcha, if you don't mind powder. This spot is not that big as are most ramen houses, maybe 40 max capacity, its clean and the service is very attentive. I can definitely see a line out the door for lunch. Will go back to try the dipiing ramen and if I get brave tetsu's hell fire ramen.

    (4)

  • Kiel H.

    If there was a three and a half star rating, I would probably give it that instead of a full four but I guess I'm being a little generous. Now, this is not to say Samurai Noodle isn't the best ramen in Seattle. It is. But it has been kind of hit or miss for me the past few times I've been there. And as a ramen shop, I feel like I should be able to go back there and receive the same quality each time, especially at a shop that gets ramen pretty close to authentic. Samurai makes the broth for their tonkotsu ramen pretty well - better than I've had anywhere outside of Japan so that's saying a lot. But their noodles can be iffy. I do believe their noodles are purchased from a wholesaler who probably imports from Japan. But, it takes good skill in preparing the noodles, and this is where I've had some variation in my bowls. I like my noodles a little more kata, or on the firm side. One time I went and I received noodles that had been overcooked and that were gummy. Yet another time I went and they were decently firm. I guess it depends on who's the cook. The noodles themselves also seem a little on the thin side, but perhaps this can be remedied by one of their dish upgrades. I do like that you can order kaedama or an extra plate of noodles. Another thing that can fluctuate here is the timing. One time I went, I had to wait 20 minutes for my bowl to come out after I had ordered. Normally, I don't mind waiting for food, but ramen is not really a sit-down, chat, have a long-meal type of affair. It's more of a single, quick, never lift your eyes up from the bowl type of meal (sitting or standing sometimes!). Most of the time though, Samurai is pretty quick. Just expect to wait to get a seat during the peak hours! Next, I like to load my ramen up with toppings that are usually available in jars on your table. Samurai's toppings are good but are missing some things. I like having crushed garlic, chili paste, ramen sauce, and a little bowl to grind my sesame seeds in (or even a grinder would do!) Samurai Noodle doesn't quite provide all of these items, but they do have variations on some of them, which for some people, could be close enough, but for me, leaves me wanting the real thing. Also, they don't put a hard boiled egg in the soup automatically which I thought was standard. But, you can purchase it for a small cost. In general, their bowls are a little pricey I think for what you get, but I guess sometimes you have to pay for the luxury of simply having it available. All that being said, Samurai does make one mean bowl of ramen and I feel fortunate to have it close by. I like the interior as it is very cozy and the kitchen is open so you can see the chefs at work - very typical of a ramen shop. The final verdict, although this is the best ramen in Seattle and possibly outside of Japan, I leave Samurai Noodle still craving the real thing. For me, it's in the details. But, I guess there's a trade-off... BTW I really wish they would open the one on the Ave but at the rate it's been going, I may be back in Japan before that happens :P

    (4)

  • Mark K.

    Been to Samarai Noodle many time and today was really bad. The service sucked and the broth was week. I don't think I will be going back to this one ant time soon.

    (2)

  • Lily N.

    Nothing beats a satisfying bowl of savory broth and delicious, chewy noodles. I got the chicken broth (with chicken topping) and firm noodles and I find my mouth still wanting to roll around the texture and consistency of those noodles in a pool of delicious, warm broth. Awesomeness: Good eats -- you will feel full without feeling gorged and popping at the seams like you would if you took a trip to a good buffet. You have three choices for noodle type: soft, medium, and firm. They have both meat (chicken, pork, chicken & pork) as well as vegetarian (tofu) broths. Suckage: Standard bowls come with a meat topping of choice, green onion, and roasted seaweed. Additional toppings cost anywhere from $1-$1.50 (seasoned bamboo shoots, which I recommend; fish cake; extra noodles; etc.). Seating is VERY limited, the space is very cramped, there is only one bathroom, and prices are rather high for the small bowl that you get. Tea isn't free, either, which is disappointing. If you're looking for a bowl of hot noodles this isn't the place either since the broth comes out lukewarm as not to further cook the noodles. The place is attached to Uwajimaya so you can expect parking to be a bitch.

    (4)

  • L. Y.

    Best ramen in the Seattle area, hands down (though there's not much competition). It's a real shame that I live on the Eastside, because I'd eat at this place every day if I could. Haven't had a bad bowl of ramen yet, and I'm just picking off the menu one bowl after another. Oh, as others have mentioned, this place is really, really small. Fits maybe around 12 people, 15 if you're lucky and there's a bunch of abnormally small people, which isn't so out of the ordinary for us Asians. :) So if you want a seat, arrive a bit earlier or later than "normal" eating hours. And if the owners are reading this, PLEASE OPEN A LOCATION IN REDMOND/BELLEVUE. :)

    (5)

  • Arnnie S.

    I would definitely give this place five-stars, but I have tried ramen outside the United States. Comparing it to other restaurants that offer ramen, Samurai Noodle is the best. When I had this soup during the summer, I felt that it was too rich. However, now that it's winter, it was very tasty. The tonkotsu broth is awesome. It's creamy, rich, milky, and robust. I haven't been here since summer, and they now offer miso broth. I definitely have to check it out. So, if you are tired of the Vietnamese and Chinese noodle soups, go to Samurai Ramen and have a wonderful experience.

    (4)

  • Brady A.

    This was ok. I had the Miso Ramen and some edamame. It's quite expensive for what you get, though. I probably won't be stopping by too often, although it's right across the street from my office.

    (3)

  • Sarah C.

    I was super excited to try to this place because I had been meaning to for awhile now. It was OK. Ramen is Ramen! But this place was doing all sorts of stuff to it. I guess I have not mastered the art of Japanese ramen. Once I learn, I may be more appreciative. It's TINY! You need to squeeze in there to place your order. But an extremely popular place anyway. I guess it's tough to find good Japanese ramen in Seattle & this place is rated by far the best from other reviewers. I don't have any other places to base it on- wish I was able to be in Japan and try it there to compare! Since the weather has been so cold, a hot bowl of soup does sound appetizing. I got the pork broth- it was pretty thick & I could taste the buttery fat. Yum. PS: Wasn't too keen on the extra charges for simple add ons.

    (3)

  • Mandy C.

    Hot rameny damn! This place is amazingly delicious. Absolutely not noticeable but a true ramen gem. I've had the immense pleasure of enjoying a bowl of tonkotsu and it was SO good I can't really find words to describe it. The broth is extremely flavorful. Like POW, I'm some bad ass broth! Seriously, if you like ramen, you must check this place out. It's small so don't bring your 10 closest friends, just the ramen fanatics in your life. My friend had the hot ramen that basically had red broth and he liked it. It looked intense. I went with a friend from Japan and she thought it was pretty legit too so I'm impressed. Even though the place is run by some nerd white kids, they know their shit.

    (5)

  • Jonas D.

    This place is legit. Tiny and cozy. The prices could be better (that would make it bargain), but the ramen is quite tasty. and the location is good- (um- it's next to my fav bargain sake source). I like.

    (3)

  • Jason L.

    I seriously hate this website. I alt+tab and my review is gone. Long review short: this is the only place in Seattle to get good ramen. I suggest tonkatsu and then add an appropriate amount of chili. I advise against the seaweed as it turns your wonderful bowl of ramen into something of a foul smelling beach. I like dried seaweed but just not in my soups.

    (5)

  • Amy S.

    Wow. Just had lunch here. Incredible soup. Got the spicy noodles and green onions special. Lots of tasty sesame oil. The roast pork loin was perfectly cooked and melted in my mouth. Ordered the noodles firm and their chewiness didn't disappoint. I wish I had a Samurai Noodle in my home neighborhood. It would be the perfect wet weather comfort food. Who knew ramen could rock my world?

    (5)

  • Jon X.

    Firm noodles (adjustable) and great broth make this place a must-try for any Ramen lover. Really those two factors can make or break a ramen place in my eyes. A few years ago, I really thought there was no good Ramen in Seattle and one had to trek about 2 1/2 hours (plus border wait time) to Vancouver for good quality ramen. But Samurai Noodles has changed this and so far takes the cake for best Ramen in Seattle. Because of it's proximity to the stadiums, this makes a great pre-game stop (Mariners or Seahawks) for those that don't necessarily like to load up on game-day sausages.

    (4)

  • Josh M.

    Good pork broth ramen. Dont get the chicken broth. Although they are a little skimpy on the amount of pork given with the ramen it has a nice flavor and the noodles have a nice consistency. The pork broth makes this a solid ramen place in the seattle area. It was nice to have this hot bowl of ramen in the cold weather.

    (4)

  • Tom T.

    Samurai Noodle is the smallest restaurant I've ever been to in Seattle, but they also have the best ramen in town, so it's always worth the short wait for a table. I've been there many times, and it's always very good. If you park in the Uwajimaya lot, Samurai Noodle will validate your parking ticket.

    (4)

  • SK L.

    Authentic, friendly & quick. Go after the lunch rush to enjoy your bowl of goodness slowly. :)

    (4)

  • Zebarina H.

    I have never been to Japan so I don't know how it rates next to the original but I think there is not anything quite like it in Seattle. The big simmering pots of stock emit their delicious smell into the tiny corner restaurant. There are several small tables, and although it is always full, by the time your food is ready you can sit down. I really liked the Green Onion Ramen. The broth selection is fun experiment with. The have a beautiful pork stock which is rich, full, and sinfully savory (imagine a sinful chocolate, but substitute pork). However, you may opt for the lighter choices which I often do. You may also order your noodles cooked to your liking-how nice is that? Did you know how you liked your noodles cooked? And there are additional toppings you can add to your bowl for a small upcharge. I really like to add a hard boiled egg. It is fun warming place to stop and have lunch if it is another one of those cold, grey and damp Seattle days. p.s. You can get free validated parking in the Uwajimaya lot next door!

    (4)

  • Micha V.

    If you're a fan of ramen (or you've just returned from Japan and you need a fix) this is the closest thing to authentic I've found yet. Either way it's pretty tasty and not too expensive. The broth it thick and delicious and comes with all the traditional fixings. Watch out though it gets pack quick and has very little seating!

    (5)

  • Haru K.

    I was a little skeptical of this place when I first came here. It hadn't been open too long and they were selling t-shirts (we have one), espresso (owner used to have a coffee shop business), an iced ramen dish (i still have no idea where this comes)... in addition to the normal ramen menu...But then I took one bite of my shoyu flavored ramen and realized, these guys actually do know a thing or two about ramen. Their noodles are really really good - home made of course and you can ask for soft, medium or hard. I highly recommend both the shoyu and the pork + chicken flavored broth. The shoyu+pork broth was good, but the other two were really really good. The pork slices, as others have said, are generous and juicy.... They have all the expected side compliments on the table. I think this might be the best ramen shop in Seattle. Come for a late lunch or early dinner to avoid a wait.

    (4)

  • Andrew C.

    So I've been to this place twice now, and I wanted to go at least twice before I judged it. And it sucks. 1. It's expensive--10 or 11 dollars for food that I'd expect to be worth $7 or 9 2. The broth is always lukewarm. I feel like this is the one thing you cannot afford to screw up if you're a so-called "great" ramen place. Lukewarm broth is like curdled hollandaise, or a fallen soufflé, or soggy buffalo wings. It just doesn't work people. 3. The toppings are meager, and you have to pay for every single one. 4. The pork was not tender. 5. I've had better ramen stock that came out of a milk carton. Aloha Ramen and Lounjin are waaay better, $7-9 and you get extra toppings or sides with your meal.

    (2)

  • Sangorama s.

    You're going to wait for a table and you're going to wait for your food - keep that in mind and you'll be fine. There are a total of 6 tables in this place and 3 of them seat only 2. This was our fourth food stop of the day and it was just past noon (yeah we're freaks like that). I got the lunch special of ramen w/ a cup of rice and pork on the side. The wife got chicken broth ramen w/ extra order of noodles and the kids split a pork/chicken broth blend. We all loved it. The ramen just can't be beat this side of the pacific. There is one place in Portland that we know of that hand makes their own noodles but they do it udon style. It's a nice change of pace to have hand made noodles ramen style. The broth is very good and they keep a simple menu which seems to keep the quality high in everything they put out. Again, be ready to wait when you get here. They open at 10 and close around 8:30ish. Not sure who voted that this place is good for late-night since they close at 9:30 at the latest... We'll definitely be back on every visit to Seattle.

    (5)

  • Veronica S.

    It's a small noodle shop with tiny tables and wood stools. Order and pay at the counter, and the cashier will seat you. I tried the regular ramen bowl with pork broth (almost $7), plus "Armor Up" which means the addition of egg, extra pork slices, nori, and bamboo shoots, for $3.50. It's on the pricey side, even though I realize I can't compare it with what I'd get back home. The broth is warm, flavorful and comforting. The noodles (I ordered it al dente) were done just right. The portion size was plenty for me, but there is definitely enough broth for an extra portion of noodles ($1.50) if you have a bigger appetite. It was a nice change from our usual pho or HK style noodle soup. I'd visit again.

    (3)

  • Tricia C.

    When I was pregnant, I swear I came to Samurai Noodle every other day during my 2nd trimester. Why? Because I could not get enough of their Pork Tonkotsu. Don't know what this is? There's only one way to describe it: a huge bowl of porky goodness. I was looking online for "authentic" Japanese Ramen, and the first time I tried the Tonkotsu I was in heaven. The broth was so creamy, rich and flavorful, I swear I must have swallowed the whole bowl (and burned my mouth at the same time) in 5 minutes. I couldn't believe how tender the pork was, swimming in that delicious broth. I went there the very next day, around 10:45am to avoid the lunch crowd, and added a boiled egg, and added extra mushrooms. The egg topped it off.. I think it's marinated in something before it's added to the soup. Amazing. Unfortunately, I haven't tried any of the other dishes because I'm absolutely stuck on this one, and can't bear to order anything else once I walk through the door. Downfall of being a pork-lover. I love that you can add extra noodles, which is great if you'd like to save some broth and make meal #2 for later. I, on the other hand, have problems saving anything, as the bowl is usually empty shortly after it's placed at the table.

    (5)

  • Nina R.

    Arguably the best ramen in Seattle. The chili sauce is unreal.

    (5)

  • Becky G.

    This place is yummy. I asked the guy what was good and he pointed me towards the pork ramen. yum. the pork just melts in your mouth. I added some extra garlic to spice up my soup and added some chili flakes for some spicyness. Yum, I'll be back In the same building the grocery just around the corner. And across from king street station.

    (3)

  • Art P.

    The broth was authentic, brings me back to my days at Yokota Air Base and Fussa. Noodles were clearly handmade to perfection. Right combination of salinity to noodle ratio, that is very important.

    (4)

  • C S.

    The noodle and broth tasted like ramen I had during my time in Japan. Yes, I am using past tense. After the unfriendly owner opened a second store on the Ave, flavor of the broth has gone down hill ever since. Not only it took them forever to conger up a bowl of ramen, the broth tasted like water down instant noodle. I really hope the flavor could return to what it was 2 years ago.

    (3)

  • Rossana Y.

    This place has the best ramen in Seattle! There are many different broths to choose from in addition to how you want your noodles cooked: soft, medium or firm. One of my faves is the tonkotsu where it has the creamy pork broth that's really good. If you like to have more flavor in your ramen, I highly recommend the spicy chili green onion ramen! (tastes really good with a hard-boiled egg) The place is small so it's better to go without a big group of people.

    (4)

  • Kimmie N.

    Tetsu Hellfire? -- Hell's yes! I hate it when foods are just spicy and not flavorful. The Hellfire has just the right amount of heat so that you don't feel like a wussy and a ton of flavors and textures: tangy, sweet and meaty.

    (5)

  • aaron e.

    This IS the best ramen I've had in America. First time visitor MUST order the pork broth. Add an egg and maybe garlic but you don't need to get carried away with it. the pork broth is authentic and extremely rich. Order your noodles firm and try to enjoy it while it's still quick. If you're more of a soy-ramen person, this place might not be your place, though. My wife as ordered other ramen dishes here but for me, the Pork broth is their true passion and strength. I stick with that.

    (5)

  • A C.

    No complaints, but there is better ramen out there. Went with the Armour. Plenty of food at a decent price. Dining area is limited so don't always expect to be seated immediately.

    (3)

  • eugene f.

    I wouldn't even give them a star. this place is a f'ing joke, what they are serving is not ramen, it's straight up garbage. weak and whack.

    (1)

  • kehlee t.

    They have good ramen noodle here. But sometime I find it inconsistent with their broths. Sometimes its so salty and sometimes it perfect :/ Anyways, great place to come on those rainy days in Seattle!

    (3)

  • Bunneh L.

    I love this place! I had no idea that there was such a thing as "fresh" ramen until recently. Comparing fresh to instant is like night and day. The noodles were perfect. Slightly wavy, thin, chewy, and tender. I got mine in chicken-soy broth, which was very flavorful and clean tasting. It was served with a slice of pork (a little fatty), nori, green onions, and a hard boiled egg. Delish. Tadao V. got the tonkatsu ramen (pork broth), which was just as good, if you like that porky flavor. It was interestingly opaque, which must come from bone marrow I'm guessing.... I didn't think either broth was even remotely salty, let alone enough to "kill a cat" as one reviewer claims. I actually had to add a little salt to my broth. So either they've lightened up on their sodium input, or cat-killer is crazy. I can't wait to go back and try all the different varieties. Especially the dipping ramen where the noodles are served dry and you dip them in various sauces. I'm already planning my next visit.

    (5)

  • Yvonne D.

    We went to this place a couple of times because my friends like Japanese ramen, however I'm not, so the flavor's ok to me. However, the place's very small, and you do have to go the counter to order, pay, and then sit down and wait for your noodle. That's not a problem to me however, I do like the decor and the atmosphere of the place, feels like beef bowl, or ramen cart kindda thing, it's an ok place to experience.

    (3)

  • Mairead R.

    I'm the kind of girl who savours ramen for the broth. I'm really only happy when the broth is strong enough to grow legs and walk all over me. This broth has the gams to keep up with my wants. The tonkatsu broth had layers upon layers of flavor, which casually seeped into the delicious noodles. Noodles are so fresh that I would suggest ordering the softer noodles - better for slurping. And slurp we did. The staff were courteous and obviously skilled in keeping up with the line of lunchtime diners. They seated us briskly and made sure to point out the shelf of precariously placed ramen toppings, a few feet above our heads. Only complaint is that the pork was a bit gristly. Though others have complained about the fat, I found the light sheen a delightful addition to this brothy adventure. Worth it, especially, for that leggy liquid base. Slurp.

    (5)

  • Srta L.

    best ramen in seattle. Super fast food and good quality. Love their rice dishes as well.

    (5)

  • Zulkiffly S.

    I love the ramen here. It's the best in Seattle. I usually get the vegetarian soy broth or the Tetsui Hellfire. It's soooooooo sooooooooooo soooooooooo good. The place it small though. But the wait is usually not that long. Definitely worth the wait. Try it if you get the chance. Best ramen in Seattle.

    (5)

  • Sunny L.

    This place is great! The pork broth is a bit too salty for me, but the chicken broth is pretty good. If you're feeling ravenous, order extra noodles for an extra $1 or so. There is always broth leftover. The restaurant is pretty small with only a few tables, but you can always order takeout and go to the Uwajimaya food court to eat. They validate Uwajimaya parking tickets too :).

    (4)

  • Mike P.

    Pretty good, but I'm not as crazy about this place as everyone else I know. First of all, it's kind of small and tends to get crowded. Second, I find the ramen a little over the top, like they are trying to ratchet the flavor way up. Though I'm not going to turn down a good bowl, and I do like that I can choose my toppings.

    (3)

  • Timon G.

    The house specialty pork broth ramen, not so good, the broth reminded me of deep fried pork rinds and left a bad taste in my mouth. $7.25 for a bad bowl of soup, ouch. Top Ramen is just as good if not better we will not be going back.

    (1)

  • Selena B.

    If you want to taste what real Ramen is like, go to Samurai Noodle. Its got that hole in the wall, mini kitchen, hard working guys feeling that is present in many noodle stores in Japan. There several different ways to order your noodles to customize it to your liking (Very much like Japan) I always get the Tonkotsu-Shoyu Ramen with extra firm noodles... *drool*. There menu has pictures so it's easy to order, the staff is friendly so if you have questions ask!! You can even order "Kaedama" which is more noodles into your broth when you're done with the first batch. If you're down near Uwajimaya or in Chinatown give this one a try! Of course, if you're looking for REAL Ramen, you must by a plane ticket to Fukuoka, Japan and go to the Ramen stands of Nagahama, and eat... trust me.. cup noodles will never be acceptable again. (not that they ever were)

    (5)

  • Bryce S.

    Effin'-A this is a good ramen place. They're more generous with their pork slices (1/4 inch-- thick!) than any place I'd seen when I lived in Boston. If you have a healthy appetite, try the $9 Samurai "armor" bowl, which includes extra toppings for about $3 above their regular prices. If there's any downside, it's that the place only has about 6 tables...

    (4)

  • Tony W.

    The noodles tasted okay, but the portions are a bit on the small side. Also, the forgot to add the meat to my broth, which is fine, but when I asked them about it they were spoke back to me in a rude and dismissive manner.

    (1)

  • H K.

    I tried this place a couple of times. I have to admit, the broth and noodles are fabulous but I can't seem to chuck over $10 for a bowl of ramen and still be hungry. Add extra noodles and other topping for more money but after tip, you are paying $15 for a bowl of ramen. Even after extra noodles and an egg, I was still hungry. Food is good, price and portions... not so much. Girls who don't eat too much would love this place. Expect to wait during busy times since they only have seating for only like a dozen people at a time.

    (3)

  • Quinn R.

    I was soooo excited to find this place and yeah you read that right..so with not one not two but four Os..that is how happy this place made me. If when you hear Ramen you think of the top kind please go to this place immediately. 'True' ramen is a wonderful thing not to be missed. finished all the noodles go back to the counter and get a noodle refil for a couple bucks (might have only been one buck cant remember).

    (5)

  • David N.

    Everything is good.

    (5)

  • Tobias K.

    I had the chicken ramen and it wasn't bad definitely light years better than Top Ramen... but it wasn't great either. The problem was fact that it took them over 20 minutes to serve us (it's soup! it shouldn't take that long!) and I was still hungry after my $7 bowl of soup. I could have spent an extra $3.50 on meat and an egg but is it too much to ask to get some meat and an egg? Part of my frustration is the knowledge that I could have walked 2 blocks to any of many Pho restaurants and received quick service and a huge and delicious meal for less money. But it's certainly a different experience and has way more variety than Pho.

    (2)

  • Tony L.

    This is the best ramen spot in Seattle! 5 stars for being the best in the area. In fact, it's the -only- place to get "real" ramen. Speaking outside of Seattle, it's really just a 3 star place. Do go there, it's good. Nothing to get excited about, but it'll hold you over.

    (5)

  • Doctor S.

    since the last time I gave this place rave reviews, something has changed--namely, their 'staple' shouyu ramen broth has gotten much saltier. Seems as though they have changed their recipe... anyhow, this drastic change leads me to deduct 2 stars from their rating...

    (2)

  • Eric D.

    If you like Ramen, you definitely need to try Samurai. The combo is alot of food. But if you are still hungry, add 1.50 for more noodles.

    (4)

  • Kimberly H.

    Great, authentic ramen house located just outside of the entrance to Uwajimaya. I love their tonkatsu (sp?) broth ramen. Seating is a little tricky because the place is so small, and the chairs have no backs (which is probably a good thing to keep the traffic moving on through), but somehow they make it work. I really advise using the spicy sauce they have near the tables. And, if you're really hungry just add "samurai armor" to your meal to get additional ingredients!

    (4)

  • maruko c.

    It's a small place with less than 20 seats or so, and you''ll need to place your order first before getting a table. Both their tonkotsu and shoyu broths were delicious. But I liked their tsukemen the best (they also have a hot&spicy version of it, which was also very good, if you can take the heat). The BBQ pork was tender and flavorful (although sometimes it might be a bit thick and dry). It''ll be perfect if they can cut the scallions into finer pieces; they tend to overpower the broth flavor as an add-on to the ramen.

    (4)

  • vernon y.

    The ramen here is gross. This was my third try and I give up. It's like salty water with thin slices of spongy pork and the noodles are not hot and chewy, they are cool and gummy. The soup is tepid because the dudes in the kitchen just don't care I think. The green onion is cut too large so it overpowers the already weak broth. I tried the tonkatsu, which tasted gamey, and the chicken soup base which was like soy sauce water. Forget it, seattle is sooooo ready for ramen shops, REAL ramen shops, not this weird place.

    (1)

  • Austin L.

    "How would you like your noodles?" Puzzled, I raise an eyebrow. Never before have I been asked how I would like my noodles. I reply "al dente" and before too long I had a nice hot bowl of ramen in front of me. The meat was deliciously fatty, and the mushrooms had a crispiness to them I haven't experienced before or since. I slurped everything up within five minutes, it was that delicious. Best thing about the place, extra noodles. Just $1.50 gets you a whole 'nother lunch.

    (5)

  • Derek C.

    Amazing noodle spot. Cooked the exact way as I requested. Only downside is the waiting time, it is not a very spacious room so waiting can take a bit but it is well worth the wait. Prices match the menu quite well i feel. A definite place i will be returning too. If your planning on trying a new place or just want some noodles i highly suggest it.

    (4)

  • Fumiko B.

    I went three times to Samurai Noodle. The first time I ordered Tonkotsu (pork bone based) soup noodle. It was OK. The second time I ordered special noodle with shoyu(Soy) soup. It was tasty and I loved it. The third time I ordered the same and went with my Japanese friend who loves Japanese Ramen noodle. She told me that lard is used for Authentic Japanese Ramen soup but Samurai's shoyu soup seemed to be lack of the lard taste. I still love its non greasy soup and go back again. I recommnend you to order firm noodle with shoyu. If you are hungry, try special large noodle. fumikob-foodtalk.blogspo…

    (3)

  • Rachel S.

    Get the ramen with extra pork! The broth is rich and thick - the closest to the real deal in Japan...

    (5)

  • Paul F.

    Tonkatsu broth I had last week was really, really salty. Big disappointment since I hadn't been here in a while. Watch the salt!

    (3)

  • Bjorn S.

    My first Seattle ramen experience, my coworker brought me here for lunch today and it's a good thing he brought me early because there was a line out the door as soon as we got our order in. I had their tonkatsu ramen and the single slice of pork was a bit fatty. The broth was excellent, but the huge handful of green onions on top left me looking for a breath mint. Unfortunately, the only thing keeping the pork and green onions company were a few slices of mushroom. I ordered a tea egg to add to the soup, I'd recommend you do the same. I didn't get a choice for how I wanted my noodles done, they came out a little thin and chewy which apparently is all the rage here. I'd prefer them to be more substantial and doughy. I sincerely doubt they prepare their own noodles like any self-respecting ramen shop would do. The iced green tea was really weak, like they had swished a green tea bag in some hot water and then filled the cup with ice. Will definitely pass on that next time. I giggled at the white guys cooking the noodles there, that's just silly. $10.13 including tax for a bowl of ramen and a cup of ice water with a hint of green tea. Bottom line: I'll go back there if I've got money to burn and can't find a better ramen place nearby.

    (3)

  • Cat S.

    I'm nearly addicted to this place. I don't care if I have to wait outside in the cold rain to get a seat because patience will be rewarded with Shoyu-Tonkatsu. Fresh ramen noodles in a bath of rich, lovely, creamy pork-chicken broth, topped with melt-in your mouth pork slices, thinly sliced shiitake mushrooms and fresh green onions. Absolutely divine.

    (5)

  • Julia C.

    My review of this place is less review and more a piece of advice. First of all, everything here is delicious. The pork broth is so hearty and substantial it is a meal in itself. Then there are the noodles, which are exactly what the over-fed Ramen eater has been seeking all these years--flavorful and tender, but with substance. I caution you, samurai noodle's dishes fill you up quickly and stick to your bones. Savor slowly, and be sure to leave some for tomorrow. You won't be sorry.

    (3)

  • Candice E.

    Today was my first time going to Samurai Noodle. I was pleased with my ramen, but the service was horrible!!! The grumpy girl taking my order was impatient and even told me that I was confusing her. Then she had the nerve to tell us where to sit. The guy who took my friends order was nice, it was just that rude lady that just had the biggest TUDE! Her bad service just ruined my experience here!!!

    (3)

  • Esteban D.

    My wife and friend frequent this place after hitting the gym, which seems like it would be a great place to hit after burning off a few calories. I finally came here with them and other friends and saw the place I've heard about so much for myself. It's pretty small. I mean SMALL. They have a modest menu with traditional options on a huge chalkboard that you can't miss on your way in. I had the tonkotsu ramen and... it was fine. The noodles were fine. The other menu items seemed... fine. I wasn't impressed or blown away, and I didn't hate it either. It was fine. I wasn't disappointed, but I expected something else from this place that just wasn't there. I can't seem to put my finger on what it is, but the soup here s lacking something.

    (2)

  • elena k.

    The ramen broth is very rich and tasty, but a little too salty for me. Also, it's a very tiny cozy place with little room to sit and usually a huge waiting line. But aside from that it's definitely quite an experience.

    (3)

  • matt c.

    Samurai Noodle is about as good as it gets for Ramen in Seattle. They make every effort to make authentic tasty Ramen. Tonkatsu Ramen is filled with pork fat and thick flavor; as it should be. When combined with dried garlic and Chashu (bbq pork), the bowl is absolutely delightful. The gf tried the seasonal Yuzu Shoyu ramen, which is very refreshing. The citrus really adds to the overall flavor and balances the soup out perfectly. Yes I've had better Ramen in Japan, but 4 stars for great effort in establishing a real authentic Ramen shop in the rainy city!

    (4)

  • Sean M.

    Small, quaint and great broth. You can tell they make a bowl of noodles here with lots of love. It hit the spot on this rainy day.

    (4)

  • Richard P.

    After living in Taiwan and visiting Tokyo I've been missing Ramen over the last year. I went to LA and tried a famous Ramen place there but was very disappointed. Samurai was very close to the Ramen im use to eating in asia, and I was impressed despite them being sold out in pork that night. I will definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Chiu L.

    Ten bucks for Ramen... right... give me Mike's Noodle House over this shit any day.

    (2)

  • Calvin C.

    Went there today and had a Tonkotsu ramen. Friend had shoyu. Pretty good, the Tonkotsu broth is a bit smoky, and I wish they would cut the pork into thin slices. Interesting add-on combinations, good atmosphere... Good for America I say. Ippudo and Ichiran are better IMO. Ingredient quality may be to blame.

    (4)

  • Retired B.

    Cheap! Tasty ramen. I tried the tonkatsu broth and it was nice and fatty. The noodles were pretty good. You have the option to add extra noodles for like $1 too if you are still hungry. I agree that it's more of a fast food joint than a place to meet up with your friends. There a few 4 seaters that are reserved for groups over 3, and then a few 2 seater tables. It seems that it gets busy around 7.

    (4)

  • Deborah S.

    Yum! A big bowl of pork broth, done up all the way. It was the Armor bowl, A big bowl of broth, with roast pork, bambook shoots, pickled egg, mushrooms, green onions , and garlic chips. My partner got chicken broth instead of my pork brother, and he also got extra noodles. The choices were simple but overwelming the flavors are rich and long lasting. I cant say enough good things about the flavors and the heartiness of the soup. When i am sick this is the soup i will crave.

    (4)

  • Syd C.

    I don't understand what the fuss of ramen noodles is all about. When eating a bowl of asian style noodles, I want all sorts of stuff in it like noodles, meats, veggies, spicyness, flavor, etc...so I was kinda disappointed when I got my bowl of noodles from here. I guess its the way ramen noodles are served and eaten. Very simple, not too flavorful, limited meats, veggies, condiments. So, I'd say if thinking of getting a bowl of asian noodles, I'd recommend going to phnom penh which is like 5 mins from here.

    (2)

  • Al S.

    I finally tried this place, after reading a review in one of the major papers. It was packed, so I decided to order mine take out to eat in the Uwajimaya food court area. I'm convinced that the take out containers hold less soup than the bowls used in the restaurant, so I probably won't do that again. I tried the Miso Ramen, which is my reference standard. The broth was great, the noodles were different from what I am used to getting in my ramen. They were straight, round, and kind of thin, while ramen is usually a bit curly, and a little thicker. My beloved Ezogiku of Honolulu and Vancouver have nothing to worry about. But short of a trip to Hawaii or Canada, this will do, but only during a quiet period. This place really needs to expand, and ramen should properly be eaten at a counter, and not at small crowded tables.

    (3)

  • Drew C.

    Hey its ramen... and its in Seattle. Its not as huge or cheap as authentic ramen, but they've got the flavor down. They should get miso ramen.

    (4)

  • Tori J.

    I have to be honest- not that I think I'm in danger of seeming like I know a lot of about Ramen- I don't. I use my knowledge of how other things in freeze dried packages are not as good as fresh to say with confidence : the real thing is much better. It was really different- I have a really limited knowledge of Japanese soup bases so I wasn't prepared for their chicken broth. I don't know how to say it any other way. It's like the whole experience has been filtered through a not so good translator. I'll just run through my experience- It was a really cold day and I had the nastiest throat thing coming on. My sister and I rarely get to hang out together so despite our collective throats closing on us -we decided we had to enjoy Uwajimaya that day and what is better for a sore throat than SOUP, huh ? Going in it , I was a bit overwhelmed by how much I needed to know about my bowl of noodles before ordering it. Kind of like a obstinate Sunday School Teacher from Missouri complaining about having to pronounce everything at Starbucks- but I managed to gargle out an order for noodles with chicken broth, nori and chicken. I got some weird looks from the despondent youths cooking noodles in the back like I ordered ketchup on top of sardines to be eaten out of the hollowed skull of a virginal young male. They seemed to have a severe emotional reaction to my not wanting pork in it when the nice lady taking order (she was awesome, very polite and helpful) offered it- they were talking to each other all hushed when I said I didn't want any. I guess it's really popular and maybe I did do the ramen equivalent of ordering it out of the hollowed skull of some dude. She did ask how I wanted my noodles done and I was really happy to know a I got a choice- it had been part of my not ever trying it for going to Uwajimaya for about six years. I got mine kinda al dente. YUM. Anyway it was speedy and delicious- very soothing for my throat, but she forgot the chicken. The place is very small and if you want to eat it - you have to sit on these milking stools/ torture instruments. It's all very close quarters too. Though with weather getting cruddy again- I think I'll go and Maybe I'll be brave enough to try their super spicy specials. It gets three stars for close quarters and weird Ramen technicians being all gawky. Otherwise I would have voted four- but it's mostly the close quarters. They also kinda wanted a lot for noodles and broth. IT was nine dollars each with tax- I think she rung up the chicken but didn't put it in the bowl or something. their tea is pretty good too.

    (3)

  • John W.

    Was hoping for authentic ramen but I could only give it 3 stars. The soup wasn't strong enough, the appetizers didn't have the 'Japanese' taste and the noodles didn't taste that great either.

    (3)

  • Neil C.

    My college kid visiting from school took us to Samuri for dinner. And I am so happy he did! We loved it. It is a pretty authentic noodle house that serves excellent noodle soup. We all ordered the same thing...the combination broth with the extra goodies, noodles prepared "medium" (not soft or hard ..."good choice" according to the dude taking the order). Scrumptious. Make sure to get the extra stuff...seaweed, mushrooms, a hard boiled egg and your choice of meat.. The bottom line is that we will be back!

    (4)

  • Cynthia C.

    Close to Japan. They have the brown egg like my favorite ramen shop in Japan but with way more pork. YUM

    (5)

  • Momo M.

    I first came here when they first started off, and they didn't have that much business. I was caught off guard by the high prices for ramen, so I decided not to add any extras to my order. I don't remember what I ordered exactly; I just remembered it had pork. I've eaten noodles practically every week all of life - at home and at restaurants. I will pick noodle soup over rice any day. The noodles I had were chewy, and really good. I loved the texture and they were much fatter than the ones I've had at Chinese ramen restaurants. That was a big plus. My pork on the other hand was very dry, and small. It came with seaweed and some other things; however it wasn't enough to satisfy me. The broth was mediocre. I really wanted to like it, but it failed to meet my expectations. I came back numerous times because my boyfriend loved this place. The second time I went, I found out that you could substitute the pork for chicken for free. Considering the dryness of the pork I had the first time, I was happy to do so. However when I came here with a friend and my boyfriend, and my friend and I wanted to split a bowl of noodles - as in we were just asking for an extra bowl and utensils - they were very rude about it. It made my friend feel very unwelcome, and they didn't really want to accommodate us. It seemed to me they only wanted to give seats to people who were paying for an entire meal, which is a legitimate reason for such a small restaurant. But they didn't need to be so rude about it. They ended up giving us an extra bowl but no extra utensils. My friend just wanted a pair of chopsticks, and it took them forever to give them to her. She had to go up there to ask for it. My most recent visit was about couple weeks ago, after a long hiatus of not coming here. My noodles this time weren't as great as they were before, and I ordered chicken again, only to find that their pork was tastier and fatter than before (I tried my boyfriend's). In the end, I just couldn't find myself being in love with this place, as much as I tried. For their price of their noodles, I rather get a Nabeyaki Udon at Village Sushi which has FAR more things in it, and at much better quality. Or, be cheap and get a nice bowl of Pho. Pros: Good noodles; moist pork (used to be dry); you can add things to your noodles (seaweed, egg) Cons: Expensive bowl of ramen, lack of consistency in taste, if you don't order additions to your ramen you're not given much in quantity; rude service; cramped room

    (2)

  • Nick H.

    The best ramen in Seattle hands down, and best deal for the buck.

    (5)

  • Emily C.

    It's not quite like I (dimly) remember from Japan but it's a decent approximation. The meat is a nice change from what is usually provided with pho. I really like the chili & green onion but for some reason it's quite a bit more expensive than the regular shoyu. They provide chili flakes to spice up your ramen but screw authenticity, what I really want is some sriracha.

    (4)

  • Herschell T.

    Liana and I bought some furniture yesterday from Kasala (more on that later) and had a deeeeeeeeeeeelicious lunch @ Samurai Ramen. It's a cute 7 or 8 table restaurant with striking red walls, really attentive staff and great food! I ordered the tonkotsu (which is pork in Japanese) ramen with roasted sesame, egg and seasoned bamboo shoots, while Liana got the lunch special, which came with a bowl of soup and a small helping of rice and shredded pork. We still have leftovers in the fridge! Haha. It was the best ramen I've had, possibly in my entire life (there aren't many options growing up in Chicago)! This, ladies and gentlemen, is what those $0.10 bags of ramen dream to be. The pork slices were tender, the noodles were cooked perfectly to my specifications (firm), the broth was flavorful, the roasted sesame provided a distinct smokiness and the egg gave it an overall creamy texture. I ate and ate until I saw the bottom of my bowl. Hee hee. It was that tasty! We had a really good view of the kitchen (read 8ft x 5ft space) and I tried to record the assembly in my mind... 'cause you know... that's one of my hobbies. LOL. Seriously. LOL. 1. Drop noodles in water 2. Add pre-made seasoned liquid mixture (ex. shoyu (soy sauce), sake, sesame oil) 3. Shake off noodles and add to bowl 4. Pour stock 5. Lay toppings on top (ex. pork slices, egg, fish eggs, tofu) and serve! I should find a recipe and make it soon! Come to think of it... the possiblity of a "ramen party" is pretty easy! Everyone would get to choose their toppings and it'd be a great way to hang out during the cold winter months. And it'd be pretty inexpensive too! Hmm... just a thought. Hee hee. Hell, it'd be pretty fun to own a ramen shop! I'd setup some video games for the people waiting and maybe play some Anime in the background while my Dogglounge.com brothas spin some house in the corner. One day, one day! If you're visiting Seattle, I'd highly recommend this place. It's cheap, it's authentic and it warms your body enough for a couple more blocks of sight-seeing and shopping! YAY ramen! :) ~Spec

    (5)

  • Joey Y.

    bushido: the code of the samurai warrior, by which to live and to die. the seven virtues of bushido ["way of the warrior"] are as follows: 1) rectitude [integrity] 2) courage 3) benevolence 4) respect 5) honesty 6) honor 7) loyalty does samurai noodle follow its code of conduct? you bet your sweet, lumpy ass it does. by far the best ramen joint in seattle [after my beloved takohachi left me]. one of my best friends who recently returned from a 2-year excursion from the mecca of ramen, japan, was pleasantly surprised at the noodles here. 1) rectitude: the integrity of my noodles was not compromised!! firm, medium, or SOFT. KIIIIYAAAAAHHH!!! i always ask for medium and they're never too mushy or brittle. 2) courage: the selection is pretty okay here. the green onion chili and tonkatsu ramen are what i had and they both made love to my taste buds, so if you've got the balls to try out something way different than the shitty microwaved, "oriental-flavored" cup o' noodles you're used to, DO IT. 3) benevolence: service is quick and responsive. KIIYYYYAAAAHHHH!! 4) respect: the wait staff is always so apologetic when they get really busy and always make sure to come by and ask you if you need extra noodles. way to go. 5) honesty: they now let you choose how fatty your pork slice can be. that's honestly the best thing ever. 6) honor: wait staff did not commit seppuku upon request. where is the honor in that? :[ 7) loyalty: samurai noodle, you've made a loyal customer out of me and my friends. one thing i was nitpicky about was the flimsy chopsticks-- they felt like they were going to snap every time i tried to shovel my double-order of noodles into my gaping maw.

    (4)

  • Mary K.

    These good ramen restaurants are small so that it gets crowded easily and thus, a line forms outside, making passer-bys think.. "Hey, must be good. I should try it out!" Well, that is at least my thinking. Been here several times already and have lived in Japan for 7 years, so I can say that I do know my ramen. While nothing can come close to some of the ramen places in Japan, like Kohmen or Jangara, I have to say this place is the closest I've found to a good bowl of ramen outside of Japan. The best part is that you can throw in a lot of extra toppings (which can be a bit pricey if you're like me with toppings). I like mine with egg, garlic chips, and best of all, spicy cod roe which adds miles and miles of flavor to their somewhat light broth. You can even ask for the noodle to be cooked firm, medium, or soft. Great place to get your ramen fix!!!

    (4)

  • Ashley B.

    After a while break from visiting (I used to visit once a week when I lived in Belltown), I still enjoy the Pork Tonkatsu. The price isn't bad for a base, but the toppings get pricey if you want to add a lot of flavor to the meal. The base broth is a bit salty, but the pork is deliciously tender, if not a little fatty. Overall, it sat quite well in my stomach, even after a rough Caopeira class. Cheers to Samurai Noodle, I'll have to start coming back again. Only downer, the small location means it gets packed quickly and there is almost always a bit of a wait.

    (3)

  • Andrew S.

    The shoyu ramen here is good, but the others are just okay. It's also a bit pricey: you have to buy all the toppings.

    (3)

  • Chris H.

    Well I am behind all you other yelpers and have been slow to make it down the street to the Samurai. Well today I wasn't feeling like my normal lazy self, so I took off for a walk at lunch and found myself at Uwajimaya staring into Samurai. I opted for the chicken broth and got extra noodles as it was recommended to me by the guy working the counter. I was pretty well impressed, I never knew a simple dish such as ramen could be soooooo good. I got my noodles firm and loaded up on the hot peppers and then wolfed my bowl down. I will be coming back for more noodles. mmmmm noodles

    (4)

  • Rachael E.

    Okay, here's the deal: If you want to be snobby about ramen because 'you've had the real deal', well then fine. But to be frank there isn't anywhere else in this city to get ramen! This place is absolutely delicious even if it isn't "authentic". Their broths are rich, flavorful and always hot. Its very hard to get a seat at lunchtime but I never mind waiting. The only bad thing I can say is that for some weird reason they are serving a different type of noodle with their pork ramen. Why I have no idea but its almost like angel hair ramen, which is soft and I don't like it. The rest of the noodles are tasty!!!

    (4)

  • Geoffrey R.

    Thank's to my main man Sarah for brining us to another wonderful restaurant in the heart of the Chinatown, or.. I mean the International District This little hole in the wall has it all; Noodles, Broth, Pork, Saki, Tables, Doors, Tables, Flanged-Back Reticulation Systems, Hobson Spigots... everything. Check It Out. GRR

    (4)

  • Minotaur N.

    Better than Boom - reminiscent of Japan but broth is not quite there. Glad they finally have a Miso Ramen.

    (3)

  • Aaron M.

    I wasn't impressed at all with Samurai. How do I want my noodles? WTF? Telling the cook how to cook my noodles is never something that would be asked of me in Japan. If I knew how to make my noodles just right, maybe I'd open my own restaurant, because obviously they don't. I was hoping to find something that would at least satisfy my noodle cravings, but instead it left me disappointed.

    (2)

  • Jean P.

    omg omg omg [hyperventilating]. this is what should happen to pork. wow!

    (5)

  • Yoshi S.

    It's hard to find a good ramen place in the states but this one the better places. The tonkatsu broth is really heavy and rich. May be a little too much. The portions of chashu is very generous. The noodles are closer to that of soba noodles then ramen though.

    (3)

  • Corrie S.

    After reading the favorable write-up on this place in the Seattle Met, we had to try it. It was my first ramen experience, and it was awesome! So comforting on that drizzly, cold March day. Ramen has since replaced pho as the dish I crave most, but can't have as often as I'd like since I live in Montana. I took away one star because the young woman behind the counter was a bit too anxious about "the rule." The place is tiny. So, it's understandable that they ask, via a small sign, that you not sit at a table before ordering. Well, my husband had dropped me off, and was in the process of parking while I went in and used the bathroom. When I came out, there was a group of 5 crowded at the counter, placing their order. To get by them, and walk to the two chairs at the door where you are allowed to sit before ordering, I would have had to say, "excuse me," and they would have all had to move and scrunch single-file for me to get past. So, instead, I just took the nearest seat at one of their larger tables, figuring that by the time the group was done ordering, my husband would have come in, I would get up, we would then order, and take a seat at one of the small tables for two. No big deal, right? The place was pretty much empty at the odd hour we were there. Ohhhhh no! The girl at the counter had to pause from order taking to tell me to please not sit down before ordering. Good grief. Despite that, I would definitely go back.

    (3)

  • B K.

    Oh how I miss you. I used to work across the street and go here once a week. Only downside is it's incredibly small. But the Tonkotus and Shoyu are both amazing. Save some broth, get extra noodles. I can't wait till the U District location is open.

    (4)

  • non o.

    I liked this place when they opened, but when I tried recently their soup tastes gamey. Their char shu were fatty. I haven't been there since. I always hit my head to the little condiments shelf above the table!! I wish if the place is bigger. I'll try again soon.

    (4)

  • Carl L.

    Reccomended to me by an older japanese woman, was very surprised when I walked in. Very small, and loud rock music. This place has good ramen, and pork tonkatsu. Good food, good value.

    (4)

  • Vivian L.

    My friends recommended this ramen place, knowing that I have a thing for ramen. So naturally, I had to come here on my first trip to Seattle. We arrived at 1pm on a Sunday and there was no wait. We walked in and got our menus within a few minutes. Note, this place is TINY. Two tables that seat four, and maybe four tables that seat two. Don't quote me. Basically, it's tiny. I can see there being a wait during normal consumption hours. The menu was clear and easy to read and I am glad they had pictures. I've been to ramen places that have the name in Japanese with no picture or description and I hate having to ask about each bowl. I don't eat pork so I tried to avoid most of the pork broth bowls, which were a majority of them. I still had a fine 3-4 to choose from. I ordered the Spicy Miso with chicken broth and tofu instead of the pork slice they give you. I'm happy they have that option! One of my friends got the Tonkatsu from Hell with Samurai Armour (extra $5.50) and I can't remember the rest of my friend's orders to be honest. Samurai Armour is basically extra pork slices, green onion, mushrooms, bamboo, and seaweed. All of us shared the Samurai Armour. This place also makes their own noodles and you can choose from thin wheat, thick ramen, or gluten free. Also another plus. Options are nice! My soup came out and it was extremely red. I was prepared to have my mouth burning within the first bite and so I was both scared and excited (I love spicy foods!). Unfortunately the color was misleading and it wasn't very spicy ...at first! The more I had, the more I found myself choking on chili. It was a creeping spice and I have no problem with that. I loved my ramen to say the least. The noodles were perfectly cooked, the broth was tasty, the spice - although a creeper - was on point. I could eat this for daaays. If I did I'd probably die from all the salt, but it'd be worth it. Why must you be so far from California?!

    (5)

  • Jenny D.

    I can't remember the name of the noodles I ordered but I'm positive it was #5 off the menu. I think I had too high of an expectation for ramen as it was the first time I ever tried restaurant ramen. It looked super satisfying when the waitress brought it out to my table. I was also excited because there was a poached egg in my noodles. However, the overall ramen failed to meet my expectation. The noodles were very firm and under cooked. Maybe I should have specified the texture of the noodles I wanted but I just assumed it would be soft. I really wished our waitress had asked how we liked our noodles. I doubt that this would be the case for everyone since I have read pretty positive reviews. However that first bad impression makes me not want to go back. I wouldn't go back to this restaurant but I would definitely check out the UVillage location to see how they differ from each other. I am definitely on the search for better ramen places.

    (2)

  • Kat W.

    Went to Samurai Noodle about 40 minutes before closing a couple nights ago. Service was great even though it was close to closing. I got a summer noodle salad that had egg, chicken, tomatoes and noodles in sesame sauce. So good! Perfect for a hot night in the I District. My boyfriend and I love going to SN every once in a while and it was nice to try the one out in the I District and know that we were being taken care of just as well as in the U District.

    (5)

  • Matt N.

    Ordered Shoyu Tonkotsu and the noodles were cardboard textured with bland broth. Was served quickly and the staff were friendly though.

    (2)

  • Katherine C.

    Went here. Very small and had to wait outside. But it wasn't too long. Ordered based on Yelp reviews. We did the Tonkatsu Ramen and the Spicy Ramen. I was surprised when I saw Caucasians doing the cooking in an Asian restaurant in China Town..but it made ordering easy. The broth was really tasty and rich. I like ramen but found myself wishing this was Pho with the broth. Very tasty though and cheap. It was a satisfying lunch.

    (4)

  • Anthony N.

    Food is 4 out of 5. Service is 1 out of 5 so I give you two stars. Get your sh*t together. We took advantage of the summer deal and got the 1 beer + 2 appetizers for 7.50. Awesome deal right??? They brought out 2 beers, one appetizer (chicken Karage). 10 minutes rolls along, and the pork katsu comes out. It's been 20 minutes and the 3rd one has not come. I look around the restaurant and it's half filled. I think they forgot our order. I asked for the wifi password and my response is "let me get that for you". Nobody comes back. That pisses the hell out of me too when they just really give a damn about what's being said, and that's what it appears like what's happening to my order. Anyways, since your deal is so good, I'll be back. Hopefully to give a better rating for the service.

    (2)

  • Anita C.

    If you craving for ramen then this place is pretty good option. The food is okay, the restaurant is really small. Services are okay, the price compare to food quality is not matching, the price is a little expensive compare to the bowl's quality.

    (3)

  • Brian L.

    The egg noodles are to die for here! They make it fresh, no packaged noodles here. "Ramen" probably gets a bad rap because of the infamous packaged delights that starving students are used to stocking up in their closet, but the real deal ramen is da shiznit. The broth is really good.. very salty, though. The menu is divided well, into ramen (meat and veggie) and some rice dishes, a good number of selections.. about 10 bucks a bowl. The staff here is really friendly as well. It's kind of small, but a nice intimate feeling. I'd definitely frequent this place if I lived closer to the area. I have friends nearby so hopefully we'll grab lunch here once in a while.

    (4)

  • Gabriel C.

    Swept off my feet by the Tonkatsu Ramen, I had to come back and try another bowl of ramen. Do keep in mind to park at the Uwajimaya since they validate parking! Shoyu Tonkatsu Ramen - 3/5. It may have been a poor choice on my end, but it didn't quite stand up to the Tonkatsu Ramen I had the first time. Definitely delicious and flavorful broth with perfectly firm and chewy noodles, but much less creamy and a surprisingly small slice of pork belly (had two the last time). Regardless, I'll be back to try another bowl!

    (4)

  • Janice C.

    Samurai Noodle apparently spearheaded the ramen craze in Seattle. They're best known for the Tonkotsu Ramen ($8.50). The broth is made from long-cooked pork bones which is very good, but I think it was too salty. You get one slice of tender, fatty pork, some wood ear mushrooms and green onions. I added on a seasoned soft boiled egg, extra green onions and garlic. The noodles had a nice chewiness to it which I loved. Skip the appetizers! the $4 edamame came straight from the freezer bag and didn't taste fresh (wasn't even salted!) and the shrimp siu mai was just blah.

    (3)

  • B J.

    Ambience. C+ Service. A Food. A Price. A Located on side street of Uwajimaya bldg. Street parking or they validate for Uwajimaya private parking lot. Service was friendly and quick. There was hardly anyone here. At 4:30 pm. You choose your broth, type of noodles and firmness to cook. Don't forget to add any additional sides. I chose the pork broth tonkatsu. $8.95. Lovely rich but litely meaty broth. Which had a lovely tender pork belly slice, sliced blk mushroom, green onions. I added a perfect soft boiled egg as a side for $1. Soup is perfectly balanced and flavorful with all ingredients. However, mid meal I added fresh grated garlic (you need to ask) , sesame seeds and ginger to change up the flavors. Like getting a. Different 2nd Noel of soup. So, good for a cold day. I'm a fan.

    (4)

  • Julian T.

    Great hole in the wall joint awesome location. It's nice to not eat at Uwajimaya every single time I come to grab my favorite asain food. I'm a little biased as I've been to Tokyo and used to live there and I'm still searching for that same flavor. Otherwise pretty good joint!

    (4)

  • Jeffrey N.

    Service The service was alright, the waitress was really nice and took our orders. It was my first time eating there so I was looking quite forward to it. The wait between our order and getting our food was a bit longer than expected (half an hour tops?). The staff seemed a bit stress but was quite friendly overall. Food I ordered the Sumo Bowl (steamed white rice, corn, shredded pork, greens and japanese mayo?). The portions were generous but the shredded pork wasn't up to par the rest of the dish; some parts of it were extremely dry to the point that it was crunchy and I didn't know what I was eating until I spat it out. I did try to give the dry parts a chance, but it ended up being too chewy. I did finish the rice and other veggies, left most of the pork in the bowl where it was too dry to even attempt to eat. I tried some of my friend's broths, as they were a bit iffy about the quality. I believed he ordered a spicy miso and it was horrid. It was quite concentrated, oily and you could almost taste some salt/precipitate when you put a spoonful of the thick red broth into your mouth, spat it out right away.

    (2)

  • Jordyn S.

    Oh boy. Will never go back there. They don't serve real ramen noodles!! They are Chinese noodles. Being a Ramen fanatic, this is a big no no.

    (1)

  • Eugene H.

    I'm done with this place. I went back tonight after not having been here in a while. The last time and this time I ordered the tonkatsu ramen. The broth was tasty, the noodles were good, the extra were fine, but the pork was horrendous. The last time I went here I ordered just the basic (no upgrades) version, and was left with what amounted to a bacon-strip of pork. This time I added three extra slices, but i was left with pork that tasted rancid. In the past I've only complained that the pork was overcooked/dry, but tonight the flavor was really off. I've given them enough chances, but there are other better options in Seattle for ramen.

    (2)

  • Leland B.

    Great soup from what I had. I ordered the Ton-something from hell. Its just a spicy ramen soup, it is red in color. It was a 3/5 stars TOPS in my book, i still added crushed peppers. But very tasty! I heard that this place makes its noodles FROM SCRATCH! this is HUGE!! I placed my order and within 3 min it came out to me super hot and ready for me to enjoy! I came in about 20 min before closing on a saturday night, and they asked me to cash out my order before i got it, which i did, I didn't mind. I got my order super quick as I stated and I was enjoying my meal (here is 1 reason why I dropped the score) When it was closing time I was told that I had 5 more min to eat. I didn't appreciate being told that. I was inferring that she was trying to get me to rush my order. I mean i understand you want to leave but I wouldn't have been there more that i needed to. Also this place can only sit MAYBE 10-14 people MAX!! so be prepared to wait for a table or do Take-out. Overall though the food was good, it was fast, people were nice about everything! I would come back here again. But only if i had the craving for some noodles.

    (4)

  • Michelle M.

    Great slim noodle dish with pork, as well as chicken broth dish with wheat noodles. Great recommendation on the Sen Cha blend tea! We'll be back!

    (5)

  • Proper D.

    Came here twice during a four day trip to the city because it was that good. Probably the best ramen in the Pacific Northwest. Can't speak for other locations, but this one had some of the best, fastest, and friendliest service I've ever experienced at a hip, high volume restaurant.

    (5)

  • Stan Y.

    I visited Samurai noodle a couple of years ago and it impressed me very much. So when I got a chance to drop by international district again last weekend, I chose it for lunch with my wife. I have to said that I'm kind of disappointment. My wife ordered miso ramen and I ordered ramen with pork bone soup Tonkotsu. I have to say that the my ramen soup tasted too salty and a little sour, not the creamy rich broth I expected from previous experiences. And when my wife and I tasted each other's ramen, we noticed that her noddle is much harder than mine, though we did not specify this difference when ordering. I assume the chef could not keep the consistency of the noddle boiling time during lunch hour. Will I visit them again? Sure. Will I keep my expectation high? Absolutely not.

    (3)

  • Alley P.

    Their ramen selection was quite extensive! They have a variety of noodles to choose from, and they also provide vegetarian/pescetarian options. Great staff and quick service. The ramen, I will give a B+/A-. Maybe it's just different from what I'm used to?

    (3)

  • Phil C.

    I want to love this place, but I just really like it. Their service is extremely friendly and helpful. Foodwise, I'm partial to the shouyu tonkatsu (chicken/portk broth), and while the noodles are a bit more al dente than I'm partial to, they do a fantastic job with the broth. Definitely check out their happy hour deals. I'm a sucker for an Asahi with either gyoza or agedashi tofu.

    (3)

  • Glen P.

    $8 can get you a bowl of shitty watered down tasteless ramen at Samurai noodle or you can feed a small family in Africa with instant noodles. Both have equally the same nutritional value but at least the latter gives you a warm fuzzy feeling and not a disgusted resentful I just wasted money on shitty food feeling. Did I mention I hate wasting money on food I can make myself? The economy sucks right now. 1 in 4 Americans are on food stamps. $8 in food stamps would of bought me enough instant ramen at Walmart to last me a week. Anyone who thinks this place is good obviously has never had really good ramen. The soup is bland with lots of msg, the noodles were soggy with no flavor or texture. The bamboo tasted like it came from an old can. Thinking about how shitty it was is painful right now and it ends the review here. If you want good ramen, check out Kukai at Northgate or Bellevue.

    (1)

  • Emily W.

    Maybe better than edible. I got the tonkotsu from hell and the broth was unpleasantly textured, tasted too strongly of roasted pepper, and not spicy at all. The karaage was decent, but I won't be coming back. I'm sure I'm spoiled from eating tons of great ramen in my life, and I hope to find something better than this close to the office.

    (3)

  • Laura C.

    This place is great! Tiny. But fast service. Options for vegetarians. Of course, the meat-eaters in the group loved the add-on armor - bulking up the ramen with an egg, more pork, etc. Delicious fresh ramen, and great location on the same block as Uwajimaya. It is a win-win!

    (5)

  • jason b.

    Yeah, pretty good tonkotsu. Would eat again.

    (4)

  • Alice T.

    While not my favorite ramen spot, it does resolve the craving as needed. The location is really tiny, seating maybe 15 people. The service has always been quick and friendly, and they have a pretty broad menu to choose from, with all the typical varying Ramen broths that you would find at any Ramen spot, such as Shoyu or Tonkatsu. I've been here a handful of times, and most times (even at 1:30 on a Sunday), have had to wait for a table (again, because it is a small location), but the wait is never horrible. This past Sunday, I tried the Tonkatsu from Hell. Don't be mislead by the name, as it really wasn't spicy at all, just looks like it would be. It is more of a 1-star spice. Pretty good. I added a flavored egg which was nicely soft boiled as Ramen eggs should go.

    (3)

  • Thuy T.

    Absolutely love this ramen house! I was on the hunt for a new boodle place after a horrible experience at King Noodle and Samurai Noodle seemed to have pretty good feedback, so I decided to give it a try. The service was really quick and our food came out in no time. It also tasted great. I didn't need to add any extra sauces or condiments like I typically would at other good restaurants. I will definitely be back again. :)

    (5)

  • Tony B.

    I have a huge issue with Samurai Noodles: There isn't one near my house! I went here for lunch with a party of four. I knew as soon as I opened the door that we were in for a treat. The place was packed and people were waiting for tables. If you are in a hurry, this isn't the place for you (unless your order is to go). I ordered the Spicy Miso with a soft boiled egg. Get this! The broth is so much more than just broth. I swear that i could chew it. Wonderful. The rest of the ingredients were spectacular and the ramen noodles didn't betray the restaurant's name. My only criticism is that the place is small. The kitchen is bigger than the standing-room only dining area. (I think I saw someone go into the bathroom jus so they could have room to turn around before leaving.) They need a bigger space (near my house). Seriously though, i can't wait to go back!

    (4)

  • Andrea C.

    I ordered online for delivery and it came much quicker than estimated! The delivery cost was low as well. The food was still hot and fresh and seemed pretty typical of good Japanese cuisine. I ordered a poached egg along with ramen and they thoughtfully kept the items separated so that the noodles wouldn't get too soggy in the broth. I'm only giving four stars because it was good, but not amazing just from my experience.

    (4)

  • L.A. S.

    Came here for the first time. The place was a bit dingy, but I do like dives so I didn't let that stop me. The food was alright...although I could have done without the slab of lard that comes in the ramen...if there is a next time I will be sure to request a leaner option. The part that makes me give this 2 stars is the fact that there are needle bins in the bathrooms...GROSS!! That in itself was enough to make me want to run out of there...luckily I had already eaten my meal so I could rank them higher than 1 star...the noodle bowl wasn't terrible.

    (2)

  • Marcus N.

    I had the spicy miso. Just a nice amount of heat noodles were fantastic and broth was very thick. The locale is tiny but if there on right day and time more intimate /enjoyable than has any reason being.

    (4)

  • Elisha T.

    I think Samurai Noodle is better than ramen restaurants that are 'inspired' by authentic Japanese ramen noodles popped out of nowhere to monetize on the ramen craving crowd. But it's definitely not up to per with other authentic Japanese ramen restaurants in the Seattle area. In another word, it's just an average ramen restaurant. The ramen still tastes fine, it's just not what I get excited or take time to visit for.

    (3)

  • Dan L.

    The ramen flavor was very delicious. I just wish there was more than one piece of meat in it and the bowls were bigger. I agree with most of the Yelpers that they make great food here but a bit on the pricey side, especially since there are many other restaurants in the neighborhood that serve ramen.

    (3)

  • Clint D.

    Marvelous! A coworker and I were able to catch a table at lunch there as 2 other were leaving. I had the basic tonkatsu with a soft boiled egg. I'm not big on scalding hot foods. When I brought the egg to my mouth with the sticks, I was PLEASANTLY surprised that it had been chilled! The rest of the meal was only uphill from there. The broth was amazing- dense with flavor. I spoke with one of the staff and she said "we take our soft boiled eggs quite seriously here." Wonderful.

    (5)

  • Finn N.

    I'm curious the reason why people like this place. Perhaps just because of its name "samurai." The soup is not tasty and doesn't match with the noodles well. The looking of the ramen is quite far from the qualities of those of other ramen restaurants. I definitely recommend others to go to Ramen Man for rich chicken broth, Kukai for more authentic ramen, or Fuling for old-fashioned cheep Japanese ramen.

    (1)

  • Lawrence S.

    I have been here probably 7x Tampopo Ramen is a favorite. Small place but typical for a ramen house. My buddy ordered the sumo bowl pics attached. My favorite ramen place in Seattle.

    (4)

  • Rohan K.

    Went here for a second time today with my team since one of my friends kept raving about it. We had to wait for 20 minutes for a table for 5 at lunch on a friday. It was well worth it. We all ordered the Tonkatsu from Hell with the Samurai Armour. The broth is amazingly rich and flavorful but not very spicy despite the name. You always have to option to spice it up further at your table. Perfect. The armour comes with 3 slices of pork, spring onions, black mushrooms, nori and pickled bamboo. It also comes with a soft boiled or poached egg. This is an amazing assortment with the tonkatsu when you are really hungry. We each devoured one of these amazing combos and left feeling extremely happy and satisfied. I think the food has gotten better. The staff is very friendly and despite being a small place, they really care about their customers and will customize each order to your liking. My only complaint is that it's a tad bit on the pricey side. A bowl of ramen + an armour will cost you $17 + tip. I'd definitely recommend this place and would love to go back here.

    (4)

  • Zach A.

    Best ramen noodles I've ever had! The broth was amazing and the noodles cooked just right. A very cozy spot and worth the visit. Took the wife and kids, we all were mighty impressed. Thank you for the tasty noodles. Can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Alex W.

    I am a big fan of ramen noodles, so I was very excited that there was a ramen restaurant close to the place I work. However, I was a little bit disappointed about my experience there. I went there on a Tuesday lunch. It was a quite small place and I waited there for 20 min to get seated. Most staff I saw were not Asian , which make me doubt whether it is an authentic ramen place or not. The tonkusu ramen I ordered tastes just fine , and there is a strange bean flavor in it. I don't think I will go back again, and I will keep searching the best ramen restaurant in Seattle.

    (3)

  • Alex Y.

    My friend took me to this small Ramen store when the "Pineapple Express" still lingers in Seattle. Rainy day is always the best time to have a bowl of hot Tonkotsu Ramen. Their Port Broth is good, topping like soft eggs, seaweed, tofu is OK as well. But the noodle is a bit hard and you cannot choose------ I may be a little too used to Shin-Sen-Gumi Ramen House. Anyway, not bad to try them in Seattle but not enough for them to survive in SoCal. PS: Although they didn't use the name of Shin-Sen-Gumi, you can find a Samurai robe of "诚" on the wall, which implies a bit of copycat.

    (3)

  • Karena D.

    I came here once for lunch with my manager, and we waited for almost an hour for our food! We ended up getting it to go because we had meetings and weren't able to wait any longer. The food was not very good either. It seemed greasy and made with low-quality ingredients.

    (2)

  • Katrina C.

    Fast service, great food. I've been here three times in the past month and have not been disappointed. Dining area is very small and parking is sparse. Staff is very fast and friendly. Will be back!

    (4)

  • Katsuma T.

    Normal ramen. I tried SHOUYU TONKOTSU (pork bones and soy sauce based soup). It was good, but noodles seemed not completely boiled. My friend tried KANRO (dipping noodle) but the soup was not good. This restaurant is near the International District/Chinatown Station, so easy to access.

    (3)

  • Breezy M.

    Boyfriend and I love ramen, but since we live in Rochester, the closest ramen is north. We were in Seattle, so we decided to try Samurai Noodle. It's a little hole in the wall in the international district in Seattle. It was awesome. So good. Their prices are reasonable, they have gluten free noodles, and a huge variety of broth and ingredients. If you're still hungry, keep your broth, cause its only another dollar for more noodles! I love this place, so yummy. We'll be back!

    (5)

  • Richard G.

    So sad - this place used to serve good authentic Japanese ramen where you could order how you wanted your noodles cooked. The waitresses and cooks used to care. No more. Now the noodles come out barely cooked, the takoyaki is from a package that gets microwaved and thus ends up soggy, menu items are mispronounced, and checks are rung up wrong. My wife, daughter and I had dinner here last night. My daughter and I got the basic shoyu ramen; my wife got tampopo ramen. We also got an order of takoyaki. The takoyaki as noted above was microwaved into a gelatinous state and were no longer round. All three orders of ramen had noodles that were way too al dente. Then to top it all off when I went to pay our bill AND TURNED IN A COMPLETED PUNCH CARD (you're supposed get a free ramen when this happens) the waitress said that she would not charge for one of the ramens. When I got home and checked the bill I found that she had actually charged us for all three and the takoyaki. I called and left a message last night -- no response. I called again this afternoon and spoke to a guy who said he'd call me back after he figured out how to issue a credit. I doubt anyone will call. Avoid this place!!

    (1)

  • Carly R.

    I actually think they deserve a 1 star for being worse... And never try to get better from reviews. The first time my friend introduced me this place and I was really excited. That was 1 year ago, and the quality of their food was great! And lately I've been craving for ramen noodles and the first place ever crossed my mind is here! But since I had a huge excitement before my lunch there, I also came out with a even bigger disappointment. :( First, the noodles. All stick together and so weird. If anyone visited Japan before, you would know that Japanese have a high standard for their noodles quality. So this is already a huge mistake. Not even just the noodles shouldn't stick together, they also do not have any hard/soft texture. It is like those trashy cup noodles you make with your microwave. What is that even... And I can't taste the eggy flavor from the noodles too. What am I eating!? Second, the stock. I ordered Spicy Miso but I didn't know that means spices in chicken stock. Not tasty, not fresh, and powders. If you like the meal, usually in Japan, it is polite to also drink the soup as a accomplishment. But NO! Don't drink that... It is all just powdered stock with spices. Third(yup...this is that bad), the waiter told me they don't have egg yet so is it okay to order it without the egg or just order other noodles. I thought about it and I didn't really care so it was fine without it. Until I waited 20 mins for my noodles and I just couldn't understand. If it takes 20 minutes to prepare the noodles, then why not boil some new eggs for 5 mins(or less)...? Doesn't make sense. Shouldn't wait for that long. Last, service is okay, not too bad. Just that I guess it is better if the workers there know how to smile to others...? Maybe I am too much for that...oh well. So I wouldn't recommend this place anymore.. What a disappointment :( Now I need to find a better place for my ramen tummy good luck to you too!

    (2)

  • De L.

    Place is a JOKE! I feel sorry for the patrons that have been fooled into thinking this is a good bowl of Ramen due to an obvious lack of exposure to a good bowl. Go to KUKAI it is the the only thing that comes close to an authentic Ramen shop. Santouko is a good second but they have been set up to much to apease Hakujin comfort levels.

    (1)

  • Tyler C.

    On my previous visits i found the food is good but the service is terrible. Went in on a Saturday, only two other customers and four people behind the counter. We still had to wait 10 minutes to get seated and the waited another 10 before having to ask to get our orders taken. After waiting another 5 with no response let alone an apology we walked out. It's one thing if they are busy, but this was not the case. Clearly they aren't interested in my business.

    (1)

  • Tuan L.

    Tip: Tiny place. Don't bring more than 4 people. I got the garlic shouyu. Overall I'd say it's alright. Most of the garlic collected at the bottom so make sure to mix the broth well as you eat. The ramen was a little tough. The fried chicken tasted funny, I wouldn't recommend it. The strawberry mochi, on the other hand, was surprisingly tasty.

    (4)

  • John M.

    I think I like the Broadway location better..... This place was less comfortable, crowded cramped etc. Altho I will say its much more authentic in a Tokyo noodle bar sense. They really need a ticket machine for the ramen and dumpling orders and they would be very legit Tokyo-perfect. The thing is I have eaten in hundreds of cramped, not as nice back alley tokyo noodle bars and I just happen to prefer the layout of the Samurai noodle on Broadway better. I actually like to sit and eat my meal in there and order more and have a beer - relax etc.... In the more authentic location in the International district, it feels like one of those lunch rush "you don't wanna be there and someone else needs that stool to suck down their noodles in 1 minute 30 seconds so move" kinda things - which again very Tokyo but FFS I'm not in a rush and I like to eat a lot. Need big table :) So only a 3 star rating vs my much higher rating for the other location based on what I just explained ^^^

    (3)

  • Nick B.

    Samurai Noodle is a delicious ramen shop. I dropped in for the first time as the first part of my quest to find delicious ramen in Seattle. What a great place to start! I ordered the spicy miso, with a spicy pork rice bowl on the side, and it was delicious! The portions are quite generous. I initially had ordered the rice bowl because I assumed that the bowl of spicy miso would be smaller than it actually was, and when the food came out, both the rice bowl and the miso were much larger than I had assumed they would be. Definitely a pleasant surprise. The spicy miso was delicious. It had a really nice array of flavors, and the spiciness was present, but certainly wasn't overpowering, although they had condiments at the table that could certainly be used to change that fact. The noodles were high quality and quite tasty. The standard bowls of ramen seem a tad plain in terms of the ingredients involved, although the menu details a large amount of ingredients that you can request be added to your ramen, which I thought was a nice touch. The rice bowl was great! I would highly recommend them to anybody who eats here. The quality of meat was very nice, and the sauce and seasoning they used was superb. The friends I came with were pillaging the pork that came with my rice to flavor their ramen with, hahah. The service was excellent. Our waitress was really friendly and had a great sense of humor, and also made sure that we were taken care of for the whole meal. We were seated promptly, and our waitress came back to take our orders pretty much exactly as soon as we had decided what we wanted. I'll definitely be coming back sometime soon to try more!

    (4)

  • Jen K.

    I came here after the Seattle auto show and ordered the Tampopo. The noodles were very fresh, and the bamboo and soft boiled egg in the soup were cooked to perfection. I also got pork shumai and the Sen Cha green tea. The shumai were very small but tasty, and came with a mayo sauce that was really good. The tea was seriously the best tea I've ever had. It was life changing. The place is super small, so be prepared to wait a bit to be seated if you come during a rush. Also, you may have to go up to the front to place additional orders. They offer extra noodles for $1.50, which is awesome if you don't get full quickly. Overall a great experience, will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Rich T.

    Maybe it is a function of what u order and what u expect but this particular location is so close to ramen that we've had in japan it is eerie. First of all get your ramen al dente. That is firm. It will at first taste nothing like the soft mush ur used to from ramen in a cup. Just as the spaghetti-o's aren't really much like pasta in Italy :-). And the second is to go for the right broth. Their tonkatsu broth is just amazingly flavorful and is at the heart of great ramen. Finally get the samurai armor. The soft boiled egg in particular is the perfect accompaniment. And the gyosa orpotstickers here are so Japanese in style. So light and delicate compared with their bigger and thicker skinned Chinese equivalents. They validate at the uwajimaya lot. So its easy to get there and park. :-)

    (5)

  • Xiaoru M.

    I came in with a baby, the guy work at the kitchen saw me but he ignored me, so I was standing by the door for 10 minutes even they have tables available! After I ordered food, I ordered a glass of water, the waiter forget about it,so I asked again,another guy ignored me! The waiter was nice! People worked for the kitchen really mean! Food was good!

    (1)

  • Nio S.

    Its been a while since my wife and I had dinner here and this time I tried something different besides getting my regular Tonkatsu Ramen. I decided to go left field with the Sumo Bowl which ended up so good that I had my wife try a taste and she ended up munching back and forth from her Ramen bowl to my bowl. I'm a big guy and the portion of this dish was so much that I actually had to take some togo and that rarely happens. Soon as we got home, my take home Sumo Bowl was taken by my wife that following day and it was still good. Seriously its that good, no joke!! Give it a try!! Happy Eats you guys!!

    (4)

  • Alex D.

    My gf and I ordered this for delivery. We got some ramen, some dipping noodles, some stir fry and some gyoza. It all came in two bags, and in each bag, the food containers were stacked smallest to largest so it was falling over and starting to leak. I am curious to know what idiot packaged these bags, but I digress. We ordered chicken for our ramen and for our dipping noodles, and they still sent us pork for both. The diping noodles were a brick of disgusting noodles straight from the package that smelled like old fish. The ramen smelled and tasted only of seaweed and salt, with no flavor. The chicken stir fry was bland and the chicken was totally dry. The gyoza was some of the worst I've ever had. Overall, this was easily the worst delivery experience I ever had. This restaurant is terrible. Do not eat here unless you like food that tastes of seaweed or fish or is dry and generally disgusting, and also not what you ordered. For the love of god, save yourself.

    (1)

  • Henry L.

    I believe to be fair, Japanese ramen these days are all around 10 bucks. The flavor of their noodles are good, I'd say one of the top ones. With that said, the amount is small, and there is not much meat in the noodles. So the value isn't the best.

    (4)

  • Dan P.

    I got the tonkotsu ramen. This is #1 on the menu and is the standard ramen that I order. This broth has been simmering in pork for a long time and I liked the flavor. I think that the broth is legit... The noodles are also the real deal. I didn't specify how hard I wanted them but the default was great. I like them a little hard and these were cooked exactly that way. I have to knock off a star due to the small portions. I felt like I ate 2-3 mouthfuls of noodles and that was it. I ordered extra noodles though and I think it was something like $1.25 or so for the extra noodles. I have been to some places where they give you a little bit of broth with the extra noodles but not here...it was just noodle so be sure to save the broth. Also, the temperature of the broth was not quite hot enough. It should be scalding hot to the point where you will burn your tongue if you are not careful. This ensures that as time progresses your ramen stays hot. The staff was friendly. I parked on the street but they told me that they validate if you park in Uwajiyama so I'll probably do that next time. I stopped by on a Friday afternoon at 2pm so it wasn't crazy busy. I did not have to wait for a table so that was great but the place is tiny. Food came out quickly (within 5 minutes of ordering) which is how ramen should be. If you want a decent ramen fix, this place will do.

    (4)

  • Emily T.

    This Samurai in the ID has really gone down hill. No Japanese staff on hand. Young kids working hard, but a bowl of ramen should not take 25 min. Especially when luke warm. Their spicy ramen is no longer tasty either. I would stay away and go to Kukai or Jinya instead. Sad.

    (1)

  • Katie F.

    What a tiny place! However it was amazing. One helping is definitely plenty.

    (5)

  • Harry L.

    So I've been to samurai noodle quite a few times these last 3 years and I have to say as I continue to eat the food here it has been on the decline. This last time was the last straw. I could sub the broth for any type of bowl of ramen there before and this last visit my waiter decided to use the kitchen chefs as an excuse of not subbing my broth. Then the happy hour special where you can get a beer, an appetizer, and edename was made unavailable even though we were seated at 225. Isn't that just a little bit stingy? The noodles were not cooked all the way and slightly starchy when bit into. The pork slices as well was the blandest I have ever tasted. My feeble attempts to make it home had more flavor. It tasted as though the meat wasn't marinaded, as if the simply had rolled the pork belly tied it off and boiled it. The eggs were perfectly softboiled with a delicious yolk, however I expect it to be made as a ramen house would with the eggs marinating in a mixture of soy sauce, Marin, and sake giving the eggs a distinct flavor associated with great ramen shops. Poor service and poor food, samurai noodle has fallen quite a bit. I recommend not coming here as it is a slap in the face for all ramen shops in the greater Seattle area. Kukai-ramen would be a place I recommend if someone were to gauge what my tastes are like.

    (1)

  • Jonathan S.

    The one at int. District is smaller than at the U district. Great taste for ramen and pork shumai.

    (4)

  • Cassie C.

    Food is awesome - pork broth was so good would be ok bathing in it - LOL. Noodles are just as good. Small place probably best to do take away orders.

    (4)

  • Arisa C.

    I don't think the ramen here is good, it's not even fine to me. There is not any asian work there, the people there obviously don't know what texture is good for ramen. The noodle was really hard, not a good texture for reman. The service is bad as well. I won't go again.

    (2)

  • Katie K.

    This casual ramen joint is PERFECT for a quick dinner or a hot lunch on a cold day. It's upscale compared to the bricks of ramen you bought in college. But it's fabulous comfort food and they have lots of customizations such as chicken or lean pork cuts. I also recommend the gyoza which come with wonderfully crispy bottoms.

    (5)

  • Vivian H.

    I was craving ramen on Saturday, and got here an hour before closing. I really wanted to try the tonkotsu broth this time. The bowl was $7.25. One piece of pork, some wood ear, and green onions. I was able to finish the bowl, which means it is a smaller portion than most of the ramen restaurants I have been to. The broth was good; creamy and rich, but too salty! It probably would've been four stars this time, except the person at the counter (girl who looked half Asian/half white) looked and talked and acted like she either hated life, or hated her job. If you hate your job, quit. If you hate your life, don't show it. I just want my ramen; I don't need to see the angry cry for help in your eyes. I usually don't let service affect my Yelp rating, unless I am REALLY annoyed by it.

    (3)

  • Jackson L.

    Always busy and cramped as this is literally a hole in the wall of an eatery. Not accommodating for large groups or kids. Make sure to put your name on the waiting list to avoid any confrontations with other patrons waiting in line to get a seat. I got the tonkatsu (pork) broth ramen with extra noodles. The broth was excellent and I liked how the extra noodles were placed on a plate on the side so they wouldn't become soggy sitting in with the rest of the ramen. We also had some gyoza and chicken karaage which were tasty as well.

    (4)

  • Peter K.

    I remember a while ago when this place first opened I had to wait in line forever. The ramen was better and the portions of vegs and pork more generous. It went from Rashemon Epic to Dragonball Z ... a cartoon of its self. Did they over expand? Hopefully they'll get back on plan and up the game.

    (2)

  • Nick T.

    Order was to take 45-60 minutes. Currently sitting at 90 minutes and still no food. Called restaurant. Was told to wait longer, up to another 20 minutes even though the driver has been out with our delivery for over 30 minutes...can you say gross...

    (2)

  • Jeff S.

    Love the tonkatsu from hell with braised pork! This location is a little tight but well worth it.

    (4)

  • Morgan R.

    This is a dive of a noodle place, located on the outside of Uwajimaya. The focus is on Japanese noodles - udon, ramen, and the broth that goes with them. We enjoyed it, though it was a little more expensive than cheap-eats, while the atmosphere is friendly but down-scale. I'd go again, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.

    (3)

  • Marti L.

    Samurai Noodle. The elusive destination we had our hearts set on. Our local friend told us that the International District location is the best. But from day one, our attempts to go there have failed. We were either too early, too late, or the restaurant was too packed. Finally on the last day of our trip, the 4 of us decided to ditch the other 5 people in our group. When we got there, lo and behold, a table for 4 available to us. I ordered the tonkotsu ramen, which is my usual ramen pick and I heard great things about the one here. The broth exceeded my expectations. It was rich and flavorful, but not over salty or oily. I also liked how we can choose the type of noodles and cooked to what firmness.

    (4)

  • Ann W.

    Never again. The service is consistently unfriendly, cold, and impolite. I didn't understand why there was a guy reaching over my head to refill condiments while I was eating....as if waiting another 20 minutes would mean the death of him? The ramen is just ok for me. I don't think the noodles taste fresh or homemade and I was surprised to read that they make them. I think it is quite a stingy place. They never give enough noodles and the toppings are so sparse. Of course that is why they put extra noodles and toppings on the menu for extra costs. I also tried a spicy pork rice cup, which was a huge rip off....just some dried out strips of pork that reminded me of jerky, all covered in Korean bibimbap sauce. Not impressed. I also dislike how they are very particular over where you sit when they don't even take your order at the table!! As an adult, I think I am capable of making that decision for myself, especially at such a casual shop where they don't take your order at the table, but maybe there are others who are not good at sharing. In general, I do not feel comfortable dining here and I do not feel welcome. I think it goes back to the poor customer service and the rules that they post in the store. When I dine out, I don't want to feel like I am in detention! Deuces.

    (1)

  • Elizabeth T.

    I had some sticker shock when it came to the menu. I was surprised at how much they charged for a bowl of noodles, especially for a restaurant in Chinatown. The food was tasty though. Definitely not your $1 Top Ramen from the grocery store. I had the tonkotsu shoyu ramen. It combines chicken broth with chicken broth. It was delicious. The pork slices were exceptionally tender. I picked it up with my chopsticks. It started to fall apart! Yum! The service was good. The waitresses were quick and had the "Yessir!" attitude that really lacks in some restaurants in Chinatown. The reason I gave this a three star is because I cannot see why the ramen is worth $8. The portions are adeqaute and quite filling. Just seems wrong to pay almost $10 for a bowl of liquid, noodles, and two slices of meat. It's good. Just not the best thing I ever had.

    (3)

  • Ryan R.

    The food is pretty tasty. The service is fairly terrible. Every time I've been in here they have someone brand new working the front, which I assume is because it's a terrible place to work. They just cannot seem to hold on to employees. Delivery is a pretty risky proposition. They promise 40 minutes or whatever, but my last order took two hours. Frustrating stuff.

    (3)

  • Sandy L.

    Very average ramen much better than Aloha but not comparable to Kukai or maybe NEW Jinya (coming to Bellevue this summer and it has good review for other locations!!) Samurai is small and old. There isn't much to talk about ambiance. I am quite uncomfortable to see piles of take out box/bowls stored inside the bathroom. The height ratio of stool and table was not right makes it hard to sit down to eat the noodles. The dishware looks very food court style on the red tray. Menu selection is HUGE, much bigger than other ramen places I have been to. We ordered my all time favorite tonkotsu ramen and chicken karaage. The noodle is good and very authentic Hakata style while the broth has nothing special or it tastes quite similar to the expensive frozen ramen kit in Uwajimaya. Worst part is the egg...FULLY hard boiled egg?? Chicken Karraage is average, it was overcooked with too thin coating. The chicken had been seasoned for too long that the meat is tougher than it should be. Price is cheap but I am not sold on the quality.

    (3)

  • Jeff B.

    Still good, but not as good as the first time we visited SERVICE: no change from my last review AMBIANCE: no change from my last review FOOD: 3.0 to 3.5

    (3)

  • Paris C.

    As a vegan, I had really high hopes for this place knowing they have a few vegan options. Ehh youre better off skipping this place, What you get is a bowl of noodles and watery broth. its not worth the price here. VERY oily, left super hungry after. The vegan gyoza is a hit! but portions are so small, the price should give you double what you get. They need WAY better vegan options.

    (3)

  • Harrison M.

    Noodles were great but the overall meal wasn't appetizing. I had the Rice Broth and Vegan Gyoza. The Rice Booth was bland salt-less and tasteless. Vegan Gyoza was cold on the inside and had little taste other than spinach.

    (2)

  • Irish C.

    Place is tiny...better to go near early coz they run out of appetizer or some on food on the menu if u go late...soup was good as well...great costumer service!^_^

    (4)

  • Entrenamiento C.

    Not my favorite. The pork broth is too strong for my taste and the pork was a bit too dry. I've had better. The gyoza were very good, though.

    (2)

  • Dylan F.

    Had lunch here around 11:30am. Waited a long time to receive food after placing an order. Ordered the Tampopo and Pork Garlic Rice. Both were decent but nothing to write home about. Tampopo lacked flavor and the rice dish was cold. Service was good. I might dine here again but not if I was in a hurry.

    (3)

  • Amanda L.

    I've been here and the other locations a couple of times. It's always good on a cold dreary day, or even if you need a quick bite to eat. I've had nothing bad here and recommend it to everyone. Great place to go.

    (5)

  • Dlite X.

    I had the bacon tonkostu. Fairly good meal. But it seems almost to greasy. Nice staff.

    (3)

  • Kyle F.

    Best ramen I've ever had. Great food to have on an overcast day. Had the tompopo (#5) with chicken, corn, and double noodles. So good!!! Broth was spot on, and the wheat noodles were perfect. Got some edamame to start out; which was also solid. I'm definitely coming back next time I'm in Seattle!

    (5)

  • Israel M.

    Seattle doesn't have a huge number of ramen joints but Samurai Noodle seems to be the most popular. What's nice is they've got several locations but I've only eaten at this location in the ID. Their space here is pretty tiny and there usually isn't a free seat if you come during the lunch hour. Best to stop in during the late afternoon when it's not crowded. Every usually recommends the tonkatsu ramen but I found it pretty average and lacking in flavor. My favorite is actually the miso ramen. Their noodles are usually cooked to perfection and I've always gotten great service. You'll spend roughly 8-10 bucks for a bowl but I can't complain given that fact that it's always good.

    (3)

  • Gillian P.

    Really enjoyed samurai. Tiny restaurant - with not too many tables. When we arrived it was empty which was nice, but as soon as we got our dinner the place filled up quite a bit. So I think weekdays in the late afternoon/early evenings are probably the best times to check this spot out so that you're sure to get a seat in the tiny restaurant. I got the miso ramen and it was awesome. Noodles were cooked perfectly, and everything in the bowl tasted fresh. The to-go container they put the rest of my meal into was really neat (I know that's a weird thing to comment on...) easy to reheat ramen for a midnight snack later on. Over all super yummy little Ramen spot. Found it after we dropped our friends off at the train station. Parked in the market parking lot and were pleasantly surprised when we didn't have to pay because eating at Samurai validated the parking for us. I'd check it out again for sure.

    (4)

  • Rachel H.

    There are some things about Samurai Noodle that are spot on. A warm bowl of ramen in a city of near constant rain? Genius! A refill on your noodles if you slurp down to just a simple bowl of broth? What Einstein thought of this concept? I love it! its tasty here, and the prices are pretty fantastic. Some things about Samurai Noodle though are a disappointment. Broth that is just okay. A substantial notch below fantastically flavorful. Service that is painful at times. Service here translates into: wait in the corner. Wait in the corner. Wait in the corner some more. A seat becomes empty? Pounce! Seriously, it is more than a little Darwinian up in here, and that leads to confusion. Seating here is apparently on the honor system. (And there is no honor among --ahem, ramen-- thieves.) Its a room full of elbows and grumpy customers who need their noodles. By the time you are slurping up your ramen, you may have some stress induced injuries -- a strange set of maladies that you are only likely to contract here at Samurai Noodle. Still, a warm bowl of ramen in a city of near constant rain? Genius! (Rewind. Slurp! Mind erase.) Okay, I'm in. All in.

    (3)

  • Hoc P.

    I am super disappointed after all the hypes about this place. I don't care if it's small, location hidden in the corner, tight table, etc.. but the ramen just ain't right. The broth is not that solid white looking, as a matter of fact, my tonkotsu is some what dark. The flavor is not strong as from Kukai Ramen in Bellevue. The noodles were claimed to be handmade, I can't see the difference. Maybe it's just me but the wife said the same! The pork piece just feels like it's been boiled, zero flavor what so ever. I like the pork to have some flavor of its own and a little burned from a blown torch. That's how it's supposed to be. The egg is biggest disappointment of all. It's not included by default, so I had to step up and order as a side. And it's not soft boil egg where the york is still somewhat liquid. It's hard boil and look like it was done in the morning. This seems to be a fast-food ramen place where everything has been precooked and the people worked there just resemble everything. I am not trying to be racist here but two white couples working there and making ramen for us Asian people!!? Where are the Japanese cooks yo!!?? Good thing about this place though: they have a lot of options from broth to side dishes... It's a large menu to pick from. I won't go back though. Parking is terrible around there is one reason to add in.

    (3)

  • Philip L.

    Sad to say, I'm pretty disappointed. Really nice service, but the food doesn't make me want to come back. The noodles don't taste fresh and the broth isn't enticing; there's an aroma that is missing, the edamame is served with shoyu in the bowl... it just feels unauthentic and wrong.

    (1)

  • Danielle C.

    This small ramen shop is located right off the "back" exit of the Uwajimaya grocery store. There are a few Samurai Noodle shops in the Seattle area, and this one is the easiest for me to go to after work. You have to order at the counter first (unlike the one in Capitol Hill), which I thought was quite strange. You don't really get full service here. There is a variety of ramen here, including tonkotsu, miso, shio, shoyu, and a combination of ramen types. My favorite one is the pork broth (tonkotsu) so I usually get that type. There is also a spicy red tonkotsu from hell that is rather tasty (although too spicy for my poor mouth). The ramen noodles by default come with some string mushrooms, green onions, and a tiny slab of pork. The pork pieces are rather fatty and tasty, but the portions are so tiny. They have wheat (or egg) noodles here, and you can order them based on how soft or firm you want them. The noodles are okay, but something is missing! Also, The tonkotsu broth is of the right color - the light brown color - and it tastes good, but for some reason it lacks the pizzazz of the ramen broths that I dream of back in the NYC area. Something special is missing in this lackluster bowl. Perhaps there is no globs of garlic oil? (not sure if you can get that here and if it would cost extra - it should really come on default!) Also, whenever I come here, I do not spot Asians manning the counter or the kitchen. Every legitimate ramen place I go to usually has an army of Asians. This could just be a coincidence, of course. In summary, mediocre ramen to be found here. Unfortunately, Seattle lacks good ramen and I think that Samurai Noodle, while it had a lot of promise from the variety of ramen it offers, is really not that great.

    (3)

  • Mitch N.

    Had the Tonkatsu from Hell, and it was AMAZING!!!! The pork broth had great flavor, the extra pork belly I added was welcomed in my own belly. I had to also add some noodles post meal to my left over broth it was so damn good. The spice, while not uber hot, a 3 out of 5 at best, it was perfectly matched to the dish with the sweet bites of corn kernels, the pickled ginger on the side, and wheat noodle's chewy texture. OMG, I'm salivating as I write this review. Space wise, this place is small. Really small. So it's probably a great idea to avoid the lunch hour or dinner hours. They do validate parking within the Uwajimaya lot. When you're stuffed full of noodles, walk across the street to Oasis for boba, or inside Uwajimaya for Bearded Papa.

    (5)

  • Jim C.

    There's better ramen to be had in the International District. Namely, Kaname, which only has two types. While the tonkotsu broth is good, it doesn't make up for the fact that they serve frozen shumai.

    (2)

  • Kit K.

    Ehhh. I don't get the hype. I think it's because it's cheap, but you could just go get pho for the same bang for your buck. The first I came here, I ordered the miso broth and I was pretty sick afterwards. So when my friends really wanted to eat here, I stuck to the shrimp shumai appetizer and a cup of beef gyudon. Both were passable, but I had to add a lot of ginger and sesame to the gyudon to make it "good". Neither dishes were great, nor bad, but later in the evening I felt a little nauseous again so I think there's just something they do with their food that doesn't sit well with my stomach! I was leaning towards 2 stars, but the prices really are fair for the amount of food and I think it's really cool they have veggie AND vegan options. ...plus, the two cooks were wearing Team Aqua bandanas so, bonus points!

    (3)

  • David J.

    Yum, slurp, wipe! This place is fan freakingtastic. My husband had the pork broth ramen while I had the spicy miso. Oh. My. God. The pork broth was butter rich and so spot on while my miso was delicate and, well, incredibly wonderful. It's great going with your partner so you can share.

    (5)

  • Camille V.

    I was first introduced to this place years ago by my sister. It was cash-only, run down, and the most amazing ramen I'd ever had in my life. Fast forward to this year, on the hunt with hubby for some food before the Sounders Game. We must have passed the noodle place two or three times, before I finally gave up and wandered in. It was the same space, but not the same place. Freshly painted, hand-out menus, and cute girls behind the counter (I kinda missed the grumpy old lady). The place was packed, and it took us about 20 minutes to place an order. There wasn't any seating inside, so we ate outside instead. Have you ever eaten ramen over your lap? Kinda awkward. However, the ramen is so worth the wait and the price. I can never eat the stuff from the grocery store again. I just wish there was a Samurai Noodle closer to Tacoma.

    (4)

  • Rick S.

    Bottom Line - This place is okay, but why come here when you can go to Aloha Ramen in Greenwood? If you're stuck, I guess this place is okay as it will satisfy your ramen craving. As I write this review, I keep thinking about the ramen and miso base from Aloha Ramen. This is not a good sign. This is why I give 3 stars (2.5 if I could). Samurai Noodle obviously didn't leave a memorable impression on me. Sorry! Regardless, I am still searching for ramen as good as what I've had in Japan. And the search continues!

    (3)

  • Jason K.

    It seems like Seattle is a bit behind in Japanese ramen. This was pretty subpar ramen place. I was really hoping that it was good, but there were several things I wasn't happy with. - Noodles felt bloated even though I asked for lightly cooked. - Had ran out of egg noodles when I went there. - Broth isn't tasty. - Very little veges - Too expensive for what you get Save yourself money and just get some instant ramen and put a slap of Spam on your own.

    (2)

  • S L.

    My kids and I went here awhile back ~ 4 years ago, so take this review with a grain of salt (things may have changed but....) The reason why I'm writing this is because we went here because of the high ratings on yelp at the time we went. I'm planning to go back to Seattle for my step daughter's graduation and was checking out ramen places again and I still see the high ratings and frankly, I'm floored. This place was absolutely the worse ramen place I have ever been to. All 3 of us said we could have done better making instant ramen at home. (I was tempted to write a review then but stopped thinking the masses will auto-correct but I was wrong so this is my attempt to warn others from not making the same mistake). Seriously, I couldn't force myself to finish and I love ramen. The noodles were not al dente but tough and soup was nothing special. It was just plain awful! Either I went there on an off day or something is weird with the ranking system. When you have 33 1 star vs 99 5 star that strikes me as a inconsistent performer. Most of the ramen places that I've enjoyed generally had 1 star to 5 star under 10% not 33% like here.

    (1)

  • Faye F.

    YUMMY! Perfect place to go on a cold, rainy day. My friend and I came here Sunday morning. We got lucky with parking and the place wasn't full. I've never had butter in my ramen before so definitely had to try that and see the difference. Tried their ramen with their thinner homemade noodles and side of fire paste, which wasn't that spicy so I had to keep adding a ton into my broth. Overall, great tasting ramen and because their noodles are great, it wasn't super heavy noodles that made you feel like you just ate a ton of carbs. The butter in the broth made the taste a little bit more flavorful and less brothy... more SOUP with lots of substance and flavor. Service was great! Will definitely keep this in mind the next time I'm in the area.

    (5)

  • Amy L.

    One of my favorite ramen places in the west coast. This place has tons of ramen options I don't mind the tiny space or the long wait. We I go we're pretty lucky most of the time in getting seated quickly. Love how you have to order the ramen at the counter first and then sit down. They know their ramen well, I've tried several different broths shio, miso and spicy garlic. All were very delicious. I love the large variety of toppings you can add to your bowl to customize to your perfect bowl. I would come here everyday if I lived in Seattle.

    (5)

  • Shari d.

    It is still as good as it was before. I ordered the Soy-Tonkotsu broth because they said they didn't have any Chicken broth at the moment which pretty much eliminates 75% of the menu items. My coworker had the Tonkotsu with firm noodles. Soup was piping hot and noodles cooked perfectly. He absolutely loved the broth and said it was well worth the trip to the ID. My broth was a little weak but I'm sure that is attributed to the fact that half was a vegetarian broth. Hopefully next time they have the chicken broth because I am coming back and want my Shoyu-Tonkotsu Ramen - medium firm noodles with extra Togarashi.

    (4)

  • Lor B.

    Finding good ramen out of Asia or LA is tough in general - Samurai may be the only option in Seatown. This is a tiny joint outside of Uwajimaya in the ID - lines may be long but the ramen is worth the wait. We usually order the Pork Tonkatsu or Shouyu and always Samurai it. You'll know what this means when u get there. If ur not in the mood for soup - you can do the Tetsu Hell Fire dipping ramen (FYI it's hot!) order garlic chips to top off ur meal. This place is the real deal. Warning I've been here many times and sometimes it's inconsistent. Hopefully u visit when it's good....

    (4)

  • Enoch L.

    This was my first commercial Ramen experience and I have to say, my home cooked ramen doesn't stand a chance! Samurai Ramen definitely hit the spot on a cold and rainy day. I got to try both the Tampopo and Tonkotsu ramen. Both were delicious but I preferred the cleaner taste of the Tampopo and the delicious pork slice that came with it. Seriously the pork was out of this world. It was so tender and flavorful and went perfectly with the ramen. The space is a bit small and the hostess/waitress/cashier is a bit intense for my taste but I guess you have to be when trying to get everyone served and seated in a timely manner. Overall I enjoyed the experience at Samurai Noodle.

    (4)

  • Matt N.

    I really like this Ramen shop. I ended up going about a week ago to meet up with a friend. I would like to make clear that you should get the thick noodles because that's what I think of when I think of Ramen. I tried getting the pork broth. One thing I do appreciate is they ask you how you would like your noodles done. I prefer mine a little on the stiff side so as I take my time to eat the noodles, they can get soft without making it feel like it's falling apart in the soup. It's definitely worth checking out!

    (4)

  • Thigh C.

    This place kind a reminded me of Naruto a little bit. Anyways, I ordered the Tampopo ramen and I would say, it's just ok - nothing spectacular (there's a light bulb on the top of my head that says "ah, I can make this at home"). The place is also very small - if you bring your co-workers or friends here on weekday during lunch time, good luck - you might decide to just dine in at the Uwajimaya food court instead. It's not an apple to apple but I'd rather buy a bowl of Pho if it's on the same price range.

    (3)

  • Diane M.

    This place is so creepy, crammy, squishy for a restaurant! I have read the reviews and it sounds like a lame place to go. But in my experience, the food that my friend and I ordered was sooo good. I had the "Spicy Roe Rice Bowl" and the friend, "Shou-yu Ramen." We loved it! I've never had a "spicy roe" before and I was hoping for not the roe to be covered in some sort of gross spicy mayo that was deadly. And turned out to be not! It was just mixed with spicy paste and spices lol... But so good with everything about my dish! And the friend also enjoyed his ramen. :P

    (4)

  • Gee B.

    Phenomenal noodles and you can even order the texture you want i.e. firm or softer. What a treat. This is a truly delicious restaurant that is reasonably priced.

    (5)

  • Jerry L.

    Average Raman. The noodles weren't as fresh as I was expecting. Maybe, I'm spoiled from eating ramen in Japan.

    (3)

  • Valerie T.

    Cost was decent, food was very very good! I loved every aspect of it even if the place seems fairly small. The only reason I didn't give a 5 star rating was our cook seemed to be very grumpy or upset at the time and kept writing us off and pushing our food on the table (to the point where some of the ramen splashed out on the table) as if he wanted us to leave the restaurant, which didn't appeal to my out of state friends.

    (4)

  • Karen C.

    Dude this place is SMALL!!!!! there's only 6 tables that fits two ppl per table (I think). Seriously eat and run, if you have to eat in the restaurant. We had pretty good timing because when we went it wasn't pack and we got a table right away after 10 mins the place started to get packed. Good thing they put the condiments on a shelf above the table, so it doesn't take up table space. This place is really easy to find. It's located next to the Uwajimaya Store and it's diagonally across the street from the LINK International District stop - really convenient if you're using the LINK to get around Seattle. (when you're done eating, go visit the Uwajimaya Store - it's fun just to walk around) A friend recommended this place, I asked him what restaurant should we try in Seattle; the first and only recommendation he said was Samurai Noodle. I told the BF about this place and pretty much the whole day he was like "I'm saving my tummy for ramen.... I can't wait to have ramen, etc, etc." Let just say, the Samurai Noodle lived up to the expectation. It's also reasonably priced: 2 bowl of ramen + 1 order of extra noodles = $15 "AWESOME!" He ordered the Tonkatsu and I order #8 (they soy based veggie one).... My #8 was good in flavor and had a nutty flavor to it - I don't like the brown mushroom thingys and forgot to ask them to leave it out (oh well - it didn't ruin it for me). I loved the bamboo shoots. The tonkatsu broth was really good (probably one of the best one I had besides the one at Ipuddo NY) and the pork had good flavor. I'm definitely coming back here again next time I'm in Seattle. I love the place.

    (5)

  • Dan G.

    After living in Japan for a couple of years and having the privilege of eating ramen in Sapporo, the birthplace of Japanese ramen, I've been really trying to find passable ramen since I've been back. This place was pretty good. Missing a lot of general staple types of ramen, but its good, not great, but good. People who rave about this clearly haven't had the real deal.

    (3)

  • Nikki H.

    My husband and I stopped here because of the great reviews. It ended up just another underwhelming meal in a weekend of OK food. The place is cute (cramped) and the food was good. Just not as great as everyone said. Maybe it's hard to do amazing things to broth? Still, it was very nice on a cold, rainy, dreary (read: amazing) day.

    (3)

  • Mel S.

    The place is "cozy". We were a bit apprehensive about the ramen when we arrived as the restaurant was manned by two teenagers. I guess I'm under the impression that delicious ramen can only be made by the hands of seasoned (old) ramen masters. Apparently this was not the case. The ramen was good- not quite 5 stars, but better than most in the Seattle area. You can choose to add extras in your ramen. You may even consider adding extra fat for taste. We had the Shoyu and Tonkatsu ramen. I elected to add a little fat in my ramen (you can 3 levels of extra fat to your broth- the final level with the most fat is said to induce a food coma). I can't say it did very much for taste as my soup was very light to begin with. The Tonkatsu ramen was very good- even without the fat. And the pork was delicious! Overall, very good ramen. If you know of better, please let me know.

    (4)

  • Chris F.

    This place is a total waste of time and money. They serve noodles, sure, but if it's "ramen," then it's the kind of fifth-rate slop you might expect to eat during a train transfer at Tokyo Station. I can't think of a reason why I would ever want to go back. At least Aloha Ramen serves decent gyoza. Specific complaints: Ordered edamame ($3), received no more than a dozen pods, no salt added. Definitely not fresh. I have better edamame sitting in my freezer. Ordered menma (seasoned bamboo shoots), received straight up bamboo shoots instead. Much as I like bamboo shoots, they have to be prepared the right way and for the right dish. Here it was just awkward. Ordered miso ramen, got a broth that didn't have a hint of miso. Literally the only thing keeping this place open is the 150 miles between Seattle and Vancouver's Kintaro Ramen. Seattle, we can do better.

    (1)

  • Chad Y.

    One of the best places in Seattle to get ramen! Their noodles are freshly made and the broth has great flavor! It's pretty traditional and sticks to what you would expect if you were in Japan. If this is the first time you are going, be sure to stick to the staples such as the pork broth. It's pretty small and can quickly fill up. It is definitely worth the wait though!

    (4)

  • Elizabeth C.

    Samurai is the first ramen shop I tried in Seattle, at the recommendation of a friend. The pork broth is deliciously rich, and you can even choose how rich you want it. The pork slices they have in certain ramens are always cooked perfectly and have just the right fat/meat ratio. I've also had the spicy green onion one, which, after adding a ton of chili flakes, made me down about eight glasses of water in one sitting. I've always been very satisfied with the food here. However, there are not many tables at all, so if you're smart, please try and avoid the lunch rush. Otherwise you might find yourself waiting an hour for a table.

    (4)

  • Stephanie T.

    A lot of people hear Ramen and think, "that 10 cent stuff college kids eat." This is so not that. Samurai Noodle means business about their ramen dishes.The huge vats of steaming broth in the kitchen, the pre-measured packets of handmade noodles that get hydrated into your soup on order, um, and what they call "armor." For three dollars, you get the add-on of a number of Japanese vegetables, thick-cut slow-boiled pork and the best part: a "seasoned egg." What is that, you might be thinking? Well, it's an egg that seems like it might have been medium-boiled in soy sauce and when dunked/broken into the soup it's also fabulous. And of course, it really wouldn't be a ramen shop if it weren't a hole-in-the-wall. Get there very early if you actually hope to get yourself one of the prized seats. They advise eating on-the-spot but if you, like me, don't have that luxury, the signage advises that consumption within seven minutes is thought to be acceptable. I want one. Now. With armor.

    (4)

  • Karen N.

    Samauri popped my Ramen cherry and it was glorious! I will never go back to Pho again! The pork melted in my mouth and the broth was to die for! I'll be back!

    (4)

  • R K.

    Awful. (But not as bad as Tanakasan) You like it if you've never had authentic ramen before.

    (1)

  • Liz D.

    This was my first time having "real" ramen, and I was unfortunately very disappointed. My husband and I both ordered chicken ramen with extra noodles, I'm not sure if "real" ramen is just super freaking bland or if their broth chef was feeling lazy that night. Even after trying to give it flavor with the sauces and peppers/chili options they had it was just way too boring for me, especially for that price. Service was fine, I was just not impressed with the food...

    (2)

  • J K.

    Kudos for showing people in America that ramen noodles can be good eats - not just budget food for when you're scrimping and saving - and their broths are decent. Overall the food is good, but not amazing and there's very little seating. Unless your timing is good, you'll be waiting for a while to have somewhere to eat. I actually like the dive-y, hole-in-the-wall atmosphere that reminds me of my favorite ramen places in Japan but even those places have stools or sufficient counter space so you can get your food and eat. I prefer the ramen and gyoza at Fu Lin around the corner and they have plenty of seating. I'm looking forward to checking out the new Capitol Hill location to see if the seating situation is any better.

    (3)

  • Vince N.

    I guess I'll have to invite everyone over to eat my Ramen! Sorry boys and girls, this place just doesn't compare to the Ramen found in Japan or my own kitchen. Maybe it's because we don't have many Ramen joints in Seattle, but the Ramen broth is a bit bland, but with a kick of salt. The noodles are ok, doesn't taste like it is freshly made or anything. I do like the option of how you want your noodles cooked. Chicken was tender, and the green onions were fresh. Price is good for what you get though. If someone knows of a better Ramen place, please send me a message!

    (2)

  • KT L.

    My best friend & I came here after reading the reviews on Yelp :] We've been craving legit non-packaged ramen for an eternity it seems! Samurai is conveniently located on the outside of Uwajimaya which I found to be perfect. The inside is INSANELY small. Maybe only 4 or 5 mini wooden tables total. We were lucky to get a table. I ordered the tonkatsu ramen & added nori & the flavored egg. I asked our cashier what the flavoring of the egg was & she said the egg basically sat in a soy sauce mixture over night & that it wasn't that special. Apparently many people like it, though because she said people will come in & order only the flavored eggs to go. Our food arrived pretty fast. Now let's get down to the nitty gritty, shall we? The broth. I MEAN. It was awesome! It was creamy & not too salty. I ended up with no broth by the end which never happens when I eat noodle soup dishes. The pork aka tonkatsu? There was quite a bit of fat on mine :/ The flavored egg? To be honest, the cashier was right. It wasn't all that special. It tasted like a regular hard boiled egg to me. Maybe it was because it's flavor was over shadowed by the broth's flavor, who knows. The noodles? I read a sign by our table that said they specially make their noodles. My friend & I felt like they were kind of hard. Don't get me wrong, I am not a fan of mushy noodles by any means but I felt that my noodles needed to cook just a tad longer. I liked the extra flavor the nori, corn, & green onions gave the ramen. Next time i'd like to try adding garlic & a bit of heat to it. This place is worth checking out for the broth alone.

    (4)

  • Johnny W.

    Compared to places I've been to in both the Bay and LA, Samurai Noodle falls squarely under the more mediocre and pricier ramen joints. It's one of those hole in the wall (seats about 15) ramen houses where you order the base and toppings separately. Go up to the counter, choose a soup base (which comes with some very basic garnishings), additional toppings as you see fit, and how you'd like your ramen cooked (soft, medium, or firm). I ordered the miso ramen with firm and extra noodles, and the samurai armor (a helping of extra chashu, an egg, green onions, bamboo shoots, kikurage, and roasted seaweed served on a side plate), for about $15 total. Assuming one orders the samurai armor, which I'd highly recommend since it's a good mix, I'd suggest passing on the extra noodles because it results in far too much food. If you'd like some to bring home though, the extra helping balances out the sheer amount of toppings and condiments you end up with. Overall, okay flavor and broth, not being horribly salty as long as you don't drink the soup, with good, but unusual chashu (about 3x thicker than traditional chashu, and reminded me of roasted BBQ pork, mostly in texture, but also slightly in flavor). Fills up easily (small surprise given the size), but turnaround is relatively quick. Prices are about a tad higher than I'd normally pay for ramen, and things like green tea being extra. That all said though, I'd probably come again if I'm desperately craving some ramen, authentic or not, but opting for medium instead of firm noodles, with the latter being too tough for my tastes.

    (3)

  • Philip L.

    Good, good stuff. Blasted me right back to Japan for half an hour. I had the ton-katsu ramen, which was rich, smooth and hearty with deliciously tender pieces of pork. The noodles were perfect. It's a cozy little shop with just a few tables. However, turnover is quick so you shouldn't have to wait for a seat too long. Great stop for a quick, filling meal.

    (4)

  • A.J. S.

    When I was in Junior High I happened to have the opportunity to be involved in a foreign exchange program with japan. I distinctly remember that while I was there I was sort of wandering around the Shibuya area, when my stomach told me it was hungry. Glancing around a shop in which they were selling "noodles" appeared before me. I remember being skeptical because to me, at the time - ramen was that stuff you got out of packages. But, I was really hungry, and the place called to me, so I went in and tried the ramen. The entire experience changed my view of what Ramen were possibly for the rest of my life. However, back on this side of the pond, I had never been able to find a restaurant which could come close to the level of magic which I felt at that one ramen place in Japan. That was until I happened to come upon this place. Samurai Noodle is honestly the best Ramen that I have had outside of Japan, I would totally go back there, and recommend it to me friends. I love this place. The food is great, the setting is good, the service is good, I like how you can order extra ramen if you keep the soup you get with it. Also, which they don't have a lot of choice, this place is vegetarian friendly, and possibly vegan friendly (not sure about the latter).

    (5)

  • J. P. K.

    Don't let the name fool you. I avoided this place for a while because I thought the name was silly. But since I started going, I've lost track of the number of times I've eaten here (filled up several of those loyalty stamp cards), and I have never been disappointed. It's my favorite place to eat, hands-down, in the ID. My current favorite is the relatively hard-to-find dipping-style Tsukemen, especially worth trying if the only kind of ramen you know is the hot soup-based styles. I had this dipping style a couple times in Tokyo last year, and Samurai's rendition compares very favorably. Other miscellany: order the noodles firm. Avoid the Tampopo Ramen. The movie is far more hunger-inspiring. The place is small, so if you time your arrival wrong, there can be a wait, not so much fun when it is cold, wet, and windy...

    (5)

  • Ann V.

    I've been visiting this location of Samurai Noodles since 2007 or so? Its been a long time. But over the time the place just gets less and less satisfying. One thing I'll say for sure, the best time to go here is Lunch, the rush hour when theres a lot of people. Because then, you get the big shots, the people who knows how to make good noodles will be there. Its worth it even if you have to wait for a seat. However my main reason for the 2 stars is that lately this place has been horrible. Every time I look into the kitchen I see the employee making the noodles. You see this employee nodding and singing to the music, grabbing the noodles without gloves and without measuring the portions. My way home was not pleasant after eating there. Now I don't even feel like visiting Samurai Noodles at all because of the bad experience I've had with this and the U-distric location . I highly recommend the owner to take a good look of their employees and improve them. Maybe then, will I return to Samurai Noodles.

    (2)

  • Daniel S.

    First comment: When it is busy, eat fast and scram!! Otherwise, don't go when it is packed full of people. Second comment: Ramen in Seattle?!! Why aren't there MORE of these places!! YUM! I love ramen and samurai noodle is a good place to start if you are exploring new options. I might argue even to try it before Pho coming to Seattle, but both have their equal share of culture here. Love soup, love ramen - Two thumbs up to Samurai Noodle

    (4)

  • Mark L.

    True Ramen places in Seattle are hard to find... I'm glad that Samurai comes close. The "Tampopo" Ramen is my favorite... with extra garlic chips. I like when ordering that they ask how I like my noodles cooked... again, a good sign. This location in the International District is a nice hole-in-the-wall... out of the "food court gauntlet" environment of Uwajimaya. Very limited seating and be careful because half the seating is reserved at lunch time for locals... That makes me feel like a second-class citizen. I'll be going to their other locations, but I'll probably have to time it just right to avoid crowds....

    (4)

  • Nolee N.

    My family like that they offer kaedama! :) Best Ramen in Seattle!

    (5)

  • Rudy W.

    their ramen is too salty for my taste. but their taiwanese food is actually not bad.

    (3)

  • Kelly M.

    Ramen. I could live off just ramen, then again I'd probably get pretty hefty and bloaty. Nevertheless, I love ramen. I have been here countless times, to the point that I just keep losing my punch card which should be the opposite, no? Anyway, the first time I heard about this place I was uber hyped. For how many years was I searching, hoping to find a ramen place and there it was. Now my favorite is the miso ramen and I always, ALWAYS, get it. Call me boring but it makes my tummy happy. They serve it with all the goodies like corn, bean sprouts, green onions... Depending on my mood I will add naruto or garlic chips but always the samurai chili sauce. I like it spicy, yum! I'd say the service and prices are fair/reasonable. It's a small little restuarant on the side of the Uwajimaya building, so it can get pretty cramp in there. Doesn't take very long to be served and the ramen is just so delicious that there's not much to complain about. I just came here again last Saturday and it is still oh so good as I remembered. Brought a friend in for the first time and he seemed to have enjoyed it as well. Overall, I'll keep referring friends here as long as they're open to some real ramen and none of that top ramen crap :)

    (4)

  • Nyuki S.

    I have been eating at Samurai Noodle for 2 years because it is next to Uwajimaya which is very convenience place. Every time I go Samurai Noodle, I got disappointing feeling. But I went there again because I forget about that and am remembering during eating..

    (2)

  • Michael W.

    Decided to stop by here since I wanted to try all of Seattle's top ramen spots. Samurai Noodle was first on my tour. I dropped by here around 2pm so it wasn't crowded at all. Small shop, but cozy I guess. Interesting ordering method. You order first at the register then sit down. I kind of felt like I was ordering a burrito or something. Anyhow, I went with the tonkotsu ramen with extra pork, menma, and noodles. The best and most surprising part was that they have stewed pork instead of chashu. That was a pleasant treat. Good amount of food, but I thought there could have been a little more soup in my bowl. All in all, great ramen spot. A place where I would definitely come back to.

    (4)

  • Cameron S.

    Seattle is infected with pho. It's freakin' everywhere! Don't get me wrong, I like the Vietnamese noodle soup, but pho places have populated so much that it's hard to tell the quality of items served there. Where I work in Redmond has about nine pho shops alone, not including it being offered in our own company cafeterias. I compare pho restaurants to teriyaki restaurants; it used to be hit or miss, but now there's this huge in-between area where the food is just okay. I mean, you have all these places opening and having to compete with each other, which means they have to lower prices and, consequently, the quality of their food. And that's how I feel about pho places now. I've never had a bowl of it and gone "Wow, that's some really good pho!" Thus, I never crave it. On the other hand, ramen places are few in the Seattle area, so the attributes of the ramen shops are higher. Enter Samurai Noodle, one of the most popular ramen restaurants in Seattle. The first Samurai Noodle opened up in Uwajimaya Village in the International District, and additional locations opened on Capital Hill and the University District. This review is for the original International District location. I had never been to Samurai Noodle before. Its exact location is on the west side of the Uwajimaya Village next to Herfy's Burgers. It's one of the only stores on that side of the building, so knowing that, you shouldn't have any problem locating it. The first thing you'll notice about Samurai Noodle is how small it is. There are only nine tables that each seat two people. Even at 2 p.m. on a Saturday, the place was full. I've heard that lines can form outside if you go during lunchtime. Best to go well before or after the rush. The first thing you do when you get inside is go up to the counter and order. The selection of ramen is good. There's the three main broths, tonkotsu, shoyu, and miso, as well as some spicy and vegetarian specialties. Most of the ramen include a slice of pork and at least two veggies. Any of these items can be opted out. There are also some dipping ramens and rice bowls. Also, the ramen can be cooked however you like from soft to al dente. I ordered the tonkotsu ramen which is a pork meat, pork fat, and pork collagen based broth. The broth is cloudy and it came with "thin noodles". The noodles were indeed a bit thinner than your average ramen, but the major difference I noticed was how straight they were. Like spaghetti. It was very tasty though. I requested no green onion and black mushrooms on mine, but it did come with a slice of pork which had too much fat on. Still, a very satisfying soup that I would recommend. My wife ordered the shōyu ramen which is a chicken, vegetable, and soy sauce based broth. It came with "fat noodles", which I don't understand since they were your average sized curly ramen. I tried some of it with the broth and I think I liked her's more. We both ordered medium firmness noodles, but my wife's were a little more firm. My sister-in-law ordered the spicy pork rice bowl. I tried some of that, too, and it was really good. She also got some edamame, which I did not try since I am not a fan. But, she did say they were good. While slightly inconsistent, my first experience with Samurai Noodle was a pleasant one. It's unfortunate that there aren't more ramen shops in the Seattle area, but if that means maintaining good quality, then I'm satisfied with what we have right now.

    (4)

  • Kristine H.

    A couple of years ago, I was happy to hear that Seattle was going to get a noodle house. We love Kintaro in B.C. but three hours is a bit much for a bowl of noodles. Over time, we began to notice the diminishing customer service. Previously, an employee would walk the dining area to replenish the Styrofoam cups of water but lately, we found ourselves getting up for more water. Other things struck us, little things... like not acknowledging thank you's or clearing the dirty bowls away. Prefaces aside, indulge me in a mini-rant while I relay the tale of the straw that broke the camel's back... Yesterday (Friday), we had some errands to run around the I.D. so we braved the sluggish traffic to enjoy a bowl of hot noodles. Rainy day + hot broth = the win. I secured our seats while my boyfriend ordered for both of us. He accidentally ordered the soy broth instead of his usual shoyu. When our ramen was brought to the table, we smiled at the steamy broth full of noodley goodness and happily tucked in. He took a slurp of the broth and immediately realised his mistake. He stood in the two person line and waited patiently to speak with the cashier. When it was his turn, he explained what happened and how it was his error. It's necessary to add that he was not rude nor was he dismissive to the cashier. We have both worked in customer service and food service so we know what jerks people can be. He asked if he could have the alternate broth and the cashier said that he was unsure. The cashier said he'd ask his manager and took the bowl full of uneaten noodles. My boyfriend came back to the table and we waited while being subjected to crappy metal blasting from the speakers. A few moments later, the cashier came back with a bowl. He placed it back in front of my boyfriend and said that his manager said no. He then added jokingly that we could always buy another bowl of noodles. We weren't asking for the entire bowl to be remade, just for alternate broth. I was irritated by the manner in which we were addressed. We ended up leaving and wasting $15.00 on noodles that aren't even made in-house! The employees no longer seem to care and management would rather lose two customers than replace broth. I plan to write a similar letter to the owner including our nearly full stamp cards to illustrate our point. One can eat cheaper inside the food court at Uwajimaya and get nicer service. We strolled down the street and decided to have some crêpes. Ironically from the moment we entered through when we left, they were pleasant and happy to have our business. Hearty cheers to Unicorn Crêpes. And resounding jeers to Samurai Noodle.

    (1)

  • Marybeth C.

    Disappointing and not impressive. Expensive for a such a small bowl of soup, small amount of noodles. Wouldn't eat here ever again. The people were nice, but the atmosphere was super cramped and everything just felt dirty.

    (1)

  • Yolanda N.

    With all the hype around this place I was really expecting some exceptional Ramen but turns out....It was just okay the broth is always super salty and that takes alot for me to say because I LOVE SALT! It got a 3 star from me because the staff is nice and the decor is cute and the food was alright nothing special. I would say everyone should try this place at least once to decide for themselves.

    (3)

  • Angelina S.

    Samurai Noodle is a tiny place. This is the first thing you need to know. It only seats about 20 people at a time, so this is the first thing you need to know prior to complaining about it's size. It is small, miniscule, diminutive, tiny. Second, for meat eaters, the Tonkotsu is the best of all the noodle dishes. Very rich and porky. I apologize to all the vegetarians with your watered down Tounyo broth and lack of flavour, but the Tonkotsu is the freak diggity! (Yeah, I said freak diggity...) If I am unusually peckish, I will go for the Samurai Armour Bowl with an extra hunk of the tonkotsu pork. Although, the price disuades me most of the time. I enjoy Samurai Noodles not only for the wonderful noodles but because it has the ambiance of a tiny ramen stall, except you don't have to sit next to a busy street under a tiny awning when it rains. Samurai Noodles is NOT a restaurant where you sit around all afternoon and chat with your friends. This is an E.N.G.O., an "Eat and GET OUT". Do not tarry, or dilly dally, eat your lunch, drink your tea and move on out to let the next person get their chance at a lovely noodle-icious meal. Do not chit chat on your cellphone, hogging a seat after you've emptied your bowl and ignore the malicious stares of the people waiting for a place to sit. You are done. Get out. There are plenty of other restaurants that you may go to if you want a long, leisurely lunch. Even just looking at Samurai Noodles you should know that it is not a place for you to sit and digest. It is built for efficiency. In quickly. Enjoy. Out quickly. Fast food with better food.

    (4)

  • Rochelle W.

    I go here every third Saturday of every month with my best friend of 4 years to celebrate our "best friend anniversary". There's a reason why we come back. The tonkotsu ramen soup stock is AMAZING in flavor (sometimes a tad salty though) and their soft noodles are cooked to the right tenderness (you can buy extra noodles too for under $2). Their pork has great flavor but they cut it with-the-grain so biting/chewing it is a tad un-enjoyable. The hard boiled eggs would be better if they took off 4 minutes for their cooking time. The lighting and atmosphere is very peaceful (with either metal, Japanese, or classic rock music playing overhead) yet can get a tad crowded during rushes. Overall, it wouldn't hurt to give their tonkotsu with samurai armor and soft noodles a try. It's good enough to make me crave it once a month :D oh and they can validate your Uwajimaya parking!! ITADAKIMASU!

    (4)

  • Kevin S.

    Truthfully, the best ramen place in Seattle and for those of you who are big Tacohachi fan y'all need to walk over a few blocks and give this place a try. The broth is very thick and flavorful and the noodles definitely hold up well. The only real draw back is that its VERY SMALL, like we're talking it seats maybe 20 people. Which is truthfully a decent size ramen shop in tokyo, but here in the US where a size ZERO really isn't a size ZERO its quite small. Anyway, portions are pretty generous and the pricing is quite reasonable around $5 / bowl of ramen (give or take depending which one you pick). Definitely give this place a try, but I'd encourage you to go a little early to beat the lunch or dinner rush.

    (4)

  • E S.

    I would give this place 4 stars but the sheer fact that it is the only solely ramen place in Seattle bumps it up to 5. It's not _really_ a 5 star place, and I'll explain why, but if you want ramen this is the place to go. So if you've read my other reviews, I'm a Japanese food snob. I'm about as Japanophile as it gets. I actually just got back from a pretty long Japanese vacation recently, and having ramen in Japan at a legit place with a counter you sit at with the dude making ramen in front of you is heaven. Logistically, Samurai Noodle will never be this place. It's still hole in the wall, but "nice" hole in the wall. There are real seats and real tables (albiet very few of them), but the atmosphere of a truly legit ramen place this isn't (only place in America I've been to that had this feel was in the East Village in Manhattan). Anyways, ambiance aside, the food is great! It's not as... rough around the edges as legit ramen should be, but it has all the flavors right and the ingredients right. You can even ask for the noodles a little soft or a little hard to suit your tastes. They have something called the Samurai Bowl (IIRC) that also involves a chopped char-sui bbq pork ricebowl along with your ramen. The whole meal seriously fills you up and it is wonderful. They're even expanding their menu to have different types of broths. The yuzu (a type of Japanese citrus you find typically in ponzu dressing) broth is especially interesting (although not my favorite). Tonkotsu is always the way to go, but apparently they run out of it if you go later in the day because it's especially good. So yeah... it gets a 5 because it's the only place in Seattle to get real ramen, but if it were in a market with more competition it'd probably get a 4 or maybe even a 3 if there were super legit places. But seeing as Samurai Noodle is the only place available, a 5 it gets! Take it from me, Seattle's most Japanese non-Japanese person.

    (5)

  • Jfo L.

    Of all the places I've been to for ramen in Chinatown, this is definately one of the better places (the best is Fu Lin). Their choices are great and their food is delicious. Although I've only been here once, I can't say how consistent they are, but they did leave a good first impression. I've heard complaints about the noodles being to soggy at times, but otherwise, everyone I know loves the flavor. On the downside, the restaurant is pretty darn tiny and it's quite overpriced for ramen.. so be prepared to wait or arrive on an off time to eat.

    (3)

  • A E.

    This place is goooood. Totally had a major craving for REAL ramen, and it defnitely hit the spot for $5!!! I got the tonkotsu ramen, which I thought was very flavorful and not too salty (I hate salty things)! They are very friendly and the charsui is super thick--they don't skimp! The limited seating is pretty cute--it really reminds me of what a real ramen place is supposed to be. I'm so happy that there is finally a ramen shop! :)

    (5)

  • Linh H.

    I've only ever had the ramen with pork broth (tonkotsu), but that dish has made me a hardcore fan of Samurai Noodle. It isn't reassuring to see the broth congeal after 5 minutes of cooling off, but it's just so tasty.

    (4)

  • Mikiko T.

    As a Tokyo native, I have a tendency to avoid any Japanese restaurants include "Samurai" in their names because most of those are usually NOT owned by Japanese people. When a couple of friends of mine recommended this place, I was like "yeah right, whatever. Samurai Noodle doesn't sound authentic at all." I went there last night with my boyfriend. I was totally blown away! I had the Tounyu -the soy broth ramen for vegetarians. The soup, toppings, the noodle, the service, the price -everything was just perfect! And yes, a staff spoke Japanese to me. That's always a big bonus too :) Highly recommended!! 4 stars only because they have one ramen option for vegetarians.

    (4)

  • krisztina g.

    Maybe I'm just not a huge fan of pho type foods but i didn't really like this. I felt the food was bland.

    (1)

  • mimi j.

    Best Ramen. This is exactly what I can get in Tokyo, Japan also.... Super friendly staff, fast service, deliciouse ramen, good price....need I say more?? I had my creditcard charge issue by them once. I came in to discuss, they deeply appologized, and took care of the issue right away. Very proffesional attitude.

    (5)

  • Sam M.

    I use to come here and eat a lot. I mainly order the tonkatsu ramen and the tetsu hell fire two of my favorites. The last time I eat there I realize the taste aren't the same it use to be more enjoyable and more flavorable I'm getting to get dissatisfy.

    (3)

  • Simon L.

    You get a lot of bang for your buck here. I had the tonkotsu ramen and it was delicious. It's tucked away to the side of Uwajimaya. I would never have known about this place if it wasn't for Yelp. They will validate your parking at the Uwajimaya parking lot. Get there early if you can though so you can get a table. This place is really small and has about 4-5 tables. It doesn't take long for this place to fill up during lunch time.

    (5)

  • Keisha R.

    It is a very small place but the ramen was fabulous.

    (4)

  • Joseph P.

    my go-to ramen place is always Samurai Noodle. i typically get the Tonkotsu with the Samurai Armor add on. the place is very small, with only a half dozen tables, but i always stop in when i'm around the international district. i spent a few weeks in tokyo, and this is pretty good from what i remember. i'm sure you can get better in japan, but you can't get better in seattle.

    (4)

  • Lisa N.

    I definitely want to like this place, but my initial visit was really nothing to write home about. I got the green chili ramen because I felt like something spicy and was kind of disappointed by how UNspicy it was. I'm usually pretty sensitive to levels of hotness in my food, but this didn't really phase me. The broth was way too salty and it definitely felt like something was missing.

    (3)

  • SML C.

    We've been here a couple of times and I enjoyed the noodles although they were a bit on the pricey side for the mediocre quality. In my personal opinion the pork is kind of overcooked and dry. The place is kind of a wall in the hole, but that never stops me from going to a place. I was a pretty loyal customer up until the day after Thanksgiving..... Since they are one of the very few places that are opened so early we decided to go there after some black friday shopping. For anyone that's been there, you know how small and cramped it is. My boyfriend was up next to order and I was tired and since we were next anyways I sat down at one of the tables for two (usually you sit down AFTER you've ordered), but I thought heck! We're next anyways so it shouldn't be much of a problem........WRONG!!!! I got screamed at by the girl that was taking the order! She asked me who I was with and after I pointed to my boyfriend who was ordering, she rudely yelled at me and told me that I'd have to wait for HER to seat me. Okay I admit I broke the rules, but is that how you seriously treat a customer, especially since it wasn't that big of a deal anyway since SHE was going to seat us at that table anyways?????(Control issues on her part maybe?) I mean the noodles are good, but totally not worthed getting screamed at and embarassed. I would have been fine if the delivery of her message wasn't so mean, but again I felt that it was kind of pointless. Unfortunately after this little incident I have not returned and do not plan to for awhile...Maybe once I get over it I will, but still have not felt that urge.

    (3)

  • Desiree V.

    I had high hopes for this place and was sadly disappointed. We came here for lunch today and got here before the line out the door started. The people were pretty friendly. You can order your noodles soft, medium, or firm. I had the spicy chicken one and also tried the pork one. I was sad there were no veggies in it and honestly for $8.50, it was basically top ramen, which I probably would have rather had. I was expecting something tasty and it was just pretty blah, the noodles weren't anything special. Save yourself $7.75 and pick up a pack of ramen for $.15 instead.

    (2)

  • Michael E.

    Fresh delicious and certainly reminded me of the noodle shops in Tokyo except they speak English. The noodle guy was making balls of noodles from the large tray which must have just arrived from the noodle factory, where ever that is. Then the rest of the kitchen staff was busily doling out all the various preparations of said noodles. It's ramen only, I get that, but I would like to see udon too and while they may have had it, I didn't notice it, but I wondered if the option to take my noodles cold existed, certainly in the summer right?

    (4)

  • Kiran C.

    I have been working across the street from Samurai Noodle for 2 and half years. I finally went in last week and it was tasty warm goodness on a cold day. There are only a few tables and this place does a lot of take out business. However, if you don't mind small spaces this place is an authentic International District experience. If you like Ramen Noodles this is a place to try. The portion is just ok but for an extra couple of bucks they will give you a refill on ramen noodles. The broths here are excellent. Chicken and Pork are the options. You can also order a dish where they mix the two broths together. Overall, my favorite dishes here are the super spicy ones. If you can take the heat, I am sure you won't be dissappointed...

    (3)

  • Maureen K.

    I have been there several times with my fiance and have tried their tonkotsu ramen, shouyu ramen and their fire hell noodles (noodles served separately and dipped in a spicy broth). Their noodles can be ordered soft, medium or firm. You can also add on seaweed, flavored egg and other condiments for a little bit extra moola. Seating is limited...probably only about 14 seats in the restaurant. But I believe you can also take-out and eat in the Uwajimaya food court. It's not too hard to find, but it is awkwardly located because you can't get to it through the food court. It's between Herfy's and the former Chinoise (now vacant). Just walk outside the doors near Herfy's and turn left. Overall, this place is the best ramen joint we've found in Seattle thus far. Of course, this doesn't compare to the ramen shops in Vancouver, BC (specifically, Kintaro on Denman St.). I'm still on the hunt for mind-blowing ramen, but for now, this is good enough!

    (4)

  • Bonnie C.

    Samurai on the Ave is now open so I have to make good on my promise and update my review. Yay for tasty noodle goodness!

    (4)

  • Ray Z.

    Tonight was my third visit to Samurai. Oh me, oh my! The noodles are so chewy al dente, the pork broth so sturdy it would satisfy those of us with the fiercest of pork lust. I'm not going to say any more as they only have 18-20 seats and it would break my broth-loving heart to have to wait and witness as others slurp theirs down. 4 Stars - I'll be back. Really soon. [20070828 Update] Glacially slow service today. It took 15 to 20 minutes to assemble 2 bowls of noodles, with no orders ahead in the queue (both parties ahead of us were already chowing down when we got there).

    (4)

  • Hello P.

    I've lived in Seattle for a little over 3 years, and I often go to Uwajimaya, so I feel really stupid that I've only known about Samurai Noodle now. It's actually thanks to other Yelpers that I know of this place. Samurai Noodle has the best ramen in Seattle that I've ever tried. Their broth is so rich and tasty. My favorite broth is the soy+pork broth. Their portion is okay, just right for the price. And if you're a heavy eater, you can get extra noodles for about $1.50. Oh yes, the noodles are really good and fresh. It's definitely not the kind of noodles that you get from packaged instant ramen. I like their pork slices too. They have the fats in the slices, but I think that's what makes them taste really good. One downside is that the place is really small! Thanks to other Yelpers (again), I went there not during lunch or dinner hours. When I went there at 2pm, there was only 2 seats left (1 table). But when I went there at 3pm, almost all seats were available. Only a couple of customers there. I was really sad when Takohachi closed down, because it was the place where I could get some good ramen. But now I'm glad I found Samurai Noodle, because their ramen is just as good, if not better! I've gone there twice now. Currently I'm out of town, but once I return to Seattle, I'll definitely go back to Samurai Noodle.

    (5)

  • Carlos E.

    I had a mix of the hell fire and another ramen bowl. It was amazing. I accidentally laughed and inhaled this spicy dish and although tears came, I don't regret it. Yummy.

    (4)

  • Richard U.

    Oh, I like this place. I have no idea if it is traditional or not, I don't care! Its tasty! I got the tonkatsu (pork broth) ramen. I guess the thing here is the charging for some extra items which throws some people off. I actually orded mine with the samurai armour addition which included even more roast pork (hmmm yummy!), a soy sauce flavoured hard boild egg, seasoned bamboo shoots, nori and spring onion. It was very good and enough to satisfy my then gargantuan appetite. I'm not kidding, before I sat down I had foolish thoughts of not being satisfied here and heading to the Uwajimaya food court for a bulgogi sandwich at Herfy's after Samurai Noodle!. No need for round two after this gut busting bowl! The tonkatsu broth is rich and I liked it. The place is beyond tiny, so pick your time to got wisely. I would avoid the place during peak hours. You can order to go and head over over to the Uwajimaya food court to eat although the ambience just isn't the same.

    (4)

  • Matt S.

    Best ramen in Seattle, according to my Japanese friends. I'd agree; Fu Lin, while decent, doesn't have a certain something. The space sucks and the service sucks, but come on, man, that just makes it authentic!

    (4)

  • Maryneth K.

    My favorite is their spicy green onion noodles because it tastes good.

    (4)

  • Jason S.

    This is some of the best ramen I've eaten in a long long time. The noodles are cooked to order, the meat is tender, and the add-ons are fabulous! However, I must say that the broth takes the cake! Thick, rich broth that sticks to your bones is what good ramen is all about, and Samurai Noodle delivers.

    (4)

  • Kevin W.

    Best ramen I've had in Seattle so far. Granted, I don't have much exposure to ramen in the area, this place is comparable to places I've eaten at in the bay area - top notch. They even ask how you like your noodles - a first for me. Pork broth-based ramen was delicious, Tsuke-men (cold dipping ramen) was delicious as well. Thick cuts of pork could have been a little more tender. The lunch combo is a great deal and very filling - comes with a bowl of fried rice as well. Be prepared for a wait during the lunch rush - the place is TINY, probably seats at most 20 people. If they made the restroom smaller they could have fit more tables! Reasonable prices, and an ever changing menu. A+ service, very friendly staff and they are always on their feeting refilling your water.

    (4)

  • Zoe T.

    I am sorry to find their ramen going downhill. We ordered the Tonkotsu and dipping noodles. The Tonkotsu broth wasn't hot enough and salty. My shredded pork was way too salty that I have to dip them in water instead of my dipping sauce. The noodles are too firm even though we asked for "soft". I lived in Japan for a few years and this is getting disappointing! I wish I don't have to drive up to Vancouver BC for authentic Japanese Ramen.

    (2)

  • Ryan A.

    We go here often when we stop by Uwajimaya. Outside of Japan, this is the best Ramen place we have found, beating some of our old stand-bys in L.A. The Tonkotsu Ramen is easily my favorite - add a hard-boiled egg and some extra pork and it is perfect. The soup is definitely good enough to drink. Assuming you eat in the restaurant, the noodles are done perfectly, and you can save some broth and add more if you are still hungry.

    (5)

  • Anyong N.

    It has more ramen choices than Fu-Lin and taste about on par with them. I found the broth and noodles to be tasty. I ordered the Tampopo which had a shoyu- chicken broth, green onions, seaweed, and bamboo shoots, pork, egg, and naruto (a pressed fish item) It was a good size, although I could definitely see the appeal of ordering more noodles ($1.50 and save your broth) I enjoyed it's dark, simple decor. It's small (keep your party to 4 *max*), dark, and has curved wooden stools. Be kind to your fellow customers. Eat, enjoy your incredibly quick ramen, and don't dawdle afterwards. There's no room for that here. The cashier and the woman who brought my soup out were both very kind. They told me to just ask if I had any questions. I didn't, but nice of them to offer. These were minor annoyances that could make it 'good' to 'oh thank heaven': The pork would be good (and seem like more) if it was sliced a little bit more thin. It was tender, but I think this would be nice to do. Canned bamboo is not nearly as delicious as fresh bamboo. It's edible, but don't taunt me with the temptation of fresh bamboo! I will sign away my rights to sue you for food poisoning if you let me have an onsen tamago (a barely cooked, silky delicious egg) in my ramen. Please!

    (4)

  • MickYee M.

    When we come to Seattle, we're gonna visit this place. Love the ramen noodles. A good ramen is in the soup base and of course the noodles....they have both. I wish I could tell you what I had but I can't. I was too busy eating and eating and eating. The soup base is not salty or watered down. If I'm not mistaken, no MSG. Too bad you can only have one....good size portions.

    (4)

  • Yue Z.

    Huge portion for the extra topping!! Loved the armor. Tiny noodle house. But very tasty and cheap. If I live in Seattle, I prob will go back there a lot. The only flaw is the tonkatsu, dry, too thick, hard , just not good enough for a good ramen house.

    (4)

  • Becka L.

    I've never had fresh ramen before Samurai, so I'm not sure how it stacks up next to the stuff in Japan or Vancouver. However, I can tell you that the food here will more than satisfy you if you're looking for a good bowl of soup noodles. And, the service is fast, efficient, and friendly. I tried the tonkotsu soup noodles with firm noodles, and it came with a lovely piece of pork (braised?) that was appropriately fatty and delicious. The wood ear fungus and green onions added that perfect bite of crunch to the dish. The highlight of this simple dish was the soup. Soup that has been simmering for 24 hours, according to the menu. It was thick, unbelievably flavorful, and deliciously murky. Those of you who have had good broth before know what I'm talking about. Perfectly sweet and salty - a dish unto itself. The noodles and other toppings were perfectly done - but really, without the soup, it would have been any other noodle dish. The four of us sipped the soup, looked at each other, and said, "Wow." So go, my friends, and enjoy some heartening soup noodles! I've heard they're opening up a place on the Ave soon (Spring 2008), much to my delight - now I won't have to trek down to Chinatown to get a ramen fix! Seating is very limited, so don't bring too many friends. Take-out is an option, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you plan on eating "in the next 7 minutes" as they suggest. And, if you're feenin' for this in the late afternoon/evening, I'd call ahead - the two times my Mom's wanted to go they have run out of soup and have had to close because of it.

    (4)

  • Nanana A.

    It's right next door to the Hefty hamburger place. It's a very small place, and you have to order first. There's about 6 tables and each table has a few condinments above on a shelf (red ginger; sesame seeds, pepper). You get 3 choices of soft, medium or al dente noodles. We all went with medium. The best broth was the pork broth and chicken broth. The soy broth was not my favorite, but it was okay. It you get a spicy broth, beware it's spicy. The meat was tender and the ingredients in the soup was very good. I thought it was expensive for a small bowel of noodles, but I would go back and try it again. Each bowl was about $7. - $9. Well...you could have gotten more noodles for an additional $1.50. I would have liked more meat and vegetables.

    (4)

  • Patrick M.

    In Seattle's International District, next to Uwajimaya, is a small shop called Samurai Noodle, specializing in real Japanese ramen. Oh my goodness. SO good. My lady had the tonkotsu (pork) broth "Samurai Armor Bowl" I had the shouyu (chicken) "Samurai Armor Bowl". Both came with a bowl of noodles, broth, and a side of pork cutlets, a flavored egg, bamboo shoots, nori, mushrooms, and green onion, to add into the ramen. The broth was very light and flavorful, and the noodles, (I ended up getting extra noodles) were very good. They ask how you want the noodles cooked, we both opted for medium. Very nice meal on a cold snowy evening - and gave us enough energy to prowl the Japanese market and bookstore next to it, (with a really good Anime music selection.)

    (5)

  • Joy L.

    I kept thinking that Samurai noodle was somewhere behind that wall with the samurai mural, but now I'm not even sure that mural exists... ummm... So the pork broth was truly excellent, fatty, thick, opaque. I must be a firm noodle girl b/c the medium cooked ones feel like mush and got really soggy at the end. Noodle sadness. At least the option is there. The space is pretty small and my friend told me it gets packed during lunch. Dinner on at Wednesday night was fairly empty and low-key. The prices seem kind of steep for a bowl of ramen noodles, but damn, that was some yummy broth. I'd have to come back for a better feeling of the place, must've been in pretty tired that evening. My first impression = has potential, needs another visit, could be awesome or at least is yummy.

    (3)

  • Shane B.

    You know, Samurai Noodle is thoroughly OK. The tonkotsu (pork bone, its an "O", not an "A") broth was the right color, but seemed like the white milky color was achieved by the addition of pork fat, not by boiling the bones to get that richness emulsified. That said, it tasted good, without being spectacular in any way. The thin noodles were pretty good, the fat eggy ones (straight off the shelves of Viet Wah down the street) smelled really strongly eggy, which I have to admit was a little off-putting and more than a little distracting. I was more than a little disappointed by the pork though. Tough and dry, they honestly don't need to be such fat slices; this is America, but its not Texas, come on guys. Seeing as how they form the core of the Samurai Armor, its not worth it. Just get the egg.

    (3)

  • Maki T.

    I've tried their Tonkotsu (pork broth) and it's too salty!! Both times I went there in the evening, and I suspect that the broth has cooked down. My stomach cannot handle this sodium bomb.

    (1)

  • Avitania B.

    Happiness, thy name is Samurai Noodle! Nothing beats the chill from a grey Seattle day than a hot bowl of ramen from this shop, located on the west side of the Uwajimaya building. Choose from five different broth for your noodles, or mix and match to find your perfect combo. I prefer the shoyu (chicken) + tonkotsu (pork). Your ramen is embellished with a tender slice of pork and fresh green onion. If you're feeling extra hungry, save some broth for a second serving of noodles! However, don't come with a big group of people. This place is tiny and seating is very limited. But they offer takeout, and you can carry your food to the Uwajimaya food court if you must. But the best place is to enjoy it is in the shop, slurping your noodles noisily. They say that ramen tastes best within 7 minutes of serving, so eat up!

    (5)

  • gary g.

    wow. the best ramen i've had in seattle. super duper awesome. choice of broths, choice of what goodies you want in with the ramen, cold or hot. what more can you ask for? it is really really small, so it is tough to find a table at rush times. but it is soooooo good.

    (5)

  • Pendleton F.

    If Uwajimaya is a major draw to the international district, I'd be tempted to add Samurai Noodle as an adjunct attraction. Maybe its only because I haven't had real, authentic Japanese ramen in many years. Pho is good, but pho is no ramen. Ramen was my 600 yen food of choice after a long day trekking around Kyoto or Osaka and I had thought we would be parted as soon as I left Japan, until I could come back and re-embrace this very working class food. But a friend in Seattle tipped me off to Samurai Noodle. I was wary at first. It sounded like an enthusiastic entrepreneur had made a lackluster Asian noodle place and clumsily stuck a samurai on as a marketing point. Not so. From the very start it feels at least a little bit like a real ramen place, by dint of being about as big as a janitorial closet. And if you think the dining area is tiny, check out the kitchen. You've got to be friends with your co-workers in there. There are a lot of ways to order your ramen. The two big choices are the katsudon-ramen and the shoyu-ramen. It seems to be a pretty basic formula of broth, noodles, scattered vegetables and a meat, but you can add further "Samurai armor" which adds things like additional vegetables and an egg. I mean, it seems pretty customizable, but I was there just to try the staple pork ramen. Note - apparently, if you order the pork ramen you can request that the broth have extra rendered pork fat to add richness and flavor. You'll pretend to be grossed out if you're with friends, but you know it sounds good. It's good. It's very good. Crammed in a corner, alternating between spoonfuls of rich broth and cold gulps of water I'm in my natural state. Most important, it is very similar to what I had in Japan - a Japanese madeline. It also makes a great prelude to shopping at Uwajimaya. Can't go grocery shopping on an empty stomach right? Now all I have to do is wait for Samurai Noodle's U-District location to open up.

    (4)

  • Xenia A.

    I like Samurai Noodle a lot. I have never been to a noodle restaurant before and I wanted some soup. My boyfriend suggested this place after already going and creating so much hype for it I just had to say, "Yes, lets go!" He doesn't lie when he finds a good place to eat and he was absolutely right. I loved it a lot and have already gone twice. Noodles are just right and I like the tofu there especially as a topping. I don't like the pork so the tofu was just right. Only con is the wait time. If you are not a patient person and are really hungry I suggest to go to Uwajimaya's food court. Also you can have it delivered to you at the food court after you pay if you wish to not wait for seating, but who knows when you'll get your order and if the noodles will be good. Otherwise, I love it!

    (4)

  • Brian F.

    Pretty damn good ramen, I had the shoyo-tonkatsu and the pork was super tender and really delicious. I would go with the "samurai upgrade" or whatever it is called, despite other reviewers, as I think the shoyu egg and other extra fixins are worth it. This is on close to some excellent ramen places I used to go when I lived in Silicon Valley, which is loaded with great asian food. The restaurant is very small, the kitchen is tiny and open with maybe 8 tables scattered around it, so you might have a hard time finding a seat. I got mine to go, but I work across the street so I ate it well before it got cold or soaked up the broth. Overall a great little ramen place which I will be back to, there isn't an equivalent that I have found in the area.

    (4)

  • Yoko N.

    I am disappointed as they don't serve authentic ramen at all :-( Having had ramen hundreds of times in my life back home I have to admit I am a ramen snob..... sorry.

    (1)

  • Francisco A.

    Ramen! I crave ramen quite often and this place is just off of the Metro bus tunnel in the ID. It's decent, but not amazing. They have several types to choose from. I recommend starting with the standard ramen and working your way into their special spicy ramen or dipping ramen. Seating is tight but people are in and out quickly and I have managed to snag a table each time.

    (4)

  • Mom O.

    a warning for all the first-timers: samurai only seats 18. this little noodle shop fills up fast. the first thing on the menu is their tonkotsu ramen, a heavenly rich pork fat broth. it's an absolute work of art. why 3 stars then? their bowls of ramen only come with ONE slice of (deliciously tender) pork (about 0.5" thick and 2.5" round?). though the ramen itself is perfectly al dente. unfortunately, the bowls/servings can be easily classified as small-to-medium relative to other noodle shops in the city. they are no where near as big as the servings you would normally find at the many ramen places in vancouver, let alone japan. samurai is a fine example of the overwhelming demand of ramen in supply-deficient seattle. they can get away with one slice of meat, in a moderately small bowl of noodles for $7-8 because there really isn't much competition. i would come back, but only if i was moderately hungry and happen to be in the area.

    (3)

  • Eric H.

    Service can be flaky, but the stuff sure does taste good.

    (4)

  • G P.

    Cheap, warm,yummy food - what else do you need? Last time I had the chile green onion ramen al dente...I'm writing this so I remember next time what to get again!

    (4)

  • Kyle W.

    Samurai Noodle. What can I say. Except if you have been eating Pho and are ready for a fun and verrry tasty substitute then this is the place to get it. I recommend the shoyu with firm noodles and extra pork. And if your a spicy Eater onion green chili with firm noodels extra pork. It is worth the wait/drive/and money.

    (4)

  • Wei L.

    As a ramen enthusiast, I must say, this place is legit. I found out about this place through a blog, and happened to be in the area so I checked it out. The place was packed when we came for lunch, but we were still served within ten minutes. Everything from the broth to the meat to the noodles was awesome. If you're into ramen, this place is a must try.

    (5)

  • Vida A.

    Yummmmmm!!!! I love the ramen here and I'm desperately waiting for the U-district version to open!!! I love that they ask how firm I want the noodles, and I love the option of adding another load to my broth. You can't go back to the top ramen version after visiting Samurai Noodle.

    (5)

  • a a.

    As good as it gets in seattle.

    (4)

  • cindy w.

    Disappointed by the lack of freshness in preparation in their ramen. The place had potential with its location and set-up but the ramen didn't deliver. I ordered the hell-broth version with pork slivers, what I got was basically unmemorable ramen noodles served with a bowl of red broth soaked in a very generous portion of hot chili oil....my BF ordered their pork ramen and again mentioned his meal was pretty unmemorable. I give them an extra point in their logo design, that's pretty nifty.

    (2)

  • Leonard Andrew M.

    This is really the only Ramen shop I know of in Washington so it's the best one. It's a restaurant in the same building as Uwajimaya and it's a small one too. The feeling inside almost feels like the small business of mama-san and papa-san restaurants in japan because of it's small space. It's great, I love it. I used to be stationed in Mcchord AFB down in Tacoma and I'd drive all the way up north just have the same goodness as I used to when I used to live in Japan. It's very close to Japan but no cookie. I lived in japan for 10 years so I can kinda tell. Anyways, if you feel like eating some authentic ramen and not no cup ramen noodle or any other ramen involves dried powder and boiling hard ramen for 2 to 3 minutes, then you'll enjoy this place. Bring a friend or 2 because it's best eating with some close friends to pass along your discovery. Enjoy!

    (4)

  • Ngoc H.

    This is the only place to go for ramen when you're in Seattle. The noodles and broth are decent. You definitely gotta try it if you're a ramen fan. This place is a far cry from Santouka in LA, which has the best ramen I've ever tasted. It's definitely worth a try but don't eat too much of the fatty pork slices, it can make you feel sick when you're done.

    (4)

  • Ivan M.

    i was originally only gonna give this place 2 stars but i couldn't justify giving them less stars than boom noodle. in my opinion, ramen shops should have 3 very important qualities - be delish, be quick, be cheap. in that order. boom noodle failed all 3 but samurai had the first criteria down by far (at least in seattle area), the latter 2 not so much. i was there last week on a thursday, well past the noon rush, and still somehow spent over an hour there. the place is small, i understand that but even after i paid and was finally sat, it still took a long time to get my order of noodles. noodles shouldn't take quite that long to make, the broth is already there and simmering, it's just a matter of putting the ingredients in the bowl and serving, right? i ordered extra noodles and got the samurai armor add on which pushed my bowl of ramen to over $12 (i didn't order a drink) which is pretty darn expensive to me for ramen. *sigh* it's still cheaper than a ticket to tokyo but if the bay area can do it cheaper (and just as tasty if not tastier) then why can't we here? ramen is street food, ya'll. act like ya know!

    (3)

  • Ryan L.

    We ordered the Shouyu and Tonktatsu ramen and it turned out to be pretty good compared to some of the other places in the area. It seems the noodles for the Tonkatsu was thinner and less hearty to accomodate for the lighter, less salty flavor of the soup. The noodles for the Shouyu flavored one was a bit thicker and was just as good. We enjoyed this place more than we had expected. We'll have to try the spicier noodles next time. Don't make it here too late, they close around 8:30pm.

    (4)

  • Laura L.

    After going to Japan last year, I've since longed for good Japanese noodles that have the distinctive flavor of Japan. This sounds easy, but it's not easy to find. I was grateful to find Samurai Noodle, because it not only feels like a small Japanese noodle shop, but the flavors from the soup, and the additional options, were reminiscent of my best Japan experiences. It's a good value for a lot of food, and I highly recommend it. Sometimes the lines are long, and the wait for a table can be more than you want. They do have to-go available, and you can eat in the Uwajimaya Food Court, but that's not nearly as comfy.

    (4)

  • brian a.

    One vegetarian option, but it's a good one. It's a soy broth with what must be a miso sorta base and somehow it seems almost creamy. You get three big hunks of tofu along with the noodles, some bamboo shoots, black mushroom, and green onions. It's small but if you order and tell 'em you're staying you can usually just wait 5-10 minutes and be seated. They'll time it just right, too.

    (4)

  • Karen L.

    Hooray! A ramen place in Seattle and it's actually good! I had the pork broth ramen with seasoned egg as an add on. The broth was so rich and PORKY!!! The pork slices and egg reminded me of the Chinese hong shao (soy and anise) pork roast and soy egg. The slices of pork was a bit fatty but still very tasty. Hubby had the vegetarian version. It came with big blocks of white tofu...it would have been nice it the tofu was flavored. The broth was definitely not as good. The sliced bamboo tasted a bit tinny...Next time I think he'll try the seafood ramen and I'll try the chicken ramen for something lighter.

    (4)

  • drie C.

    decent ramen.. love the tonkatsu ramen and the dipping ramen too !

    (4)

  • Taggart H.

    I love the ramen. Perfect lunch for a cold day. Further, I love that they are organized. After you order they get you a table or have you wait. They never let people split up and hold tables while their buddy orders. They make everyone wait, order, then sit. This also makes for good entertainment while you eat, watching the staff shakedown the suck-artists who jam up tables with their not-eating. Good stuff. They've added a chili-green onion variety. That is good. The pork broth is a must have, but I like the spicy contrast as well. A good place.

    (5)

  • Milaflor E.

    mmmmm...such a perfect treat on a cold rainy windy spring day in seattle. my man who recently lived in japan for eight months did not even eat any ramen over there so i was so disappointed when i asked if this stuff was authentic. all i had to compare it with is top ramen (ugh, i know) and that does not even come close. i had the meal called "samurai armour bowl" which is the standard ramen bowl w/extra stuff (hard boiled egg, green onions, mushrooms, and seaweed). the pork was so tender & fatty that it melted in your mouth! i chose the tonkotsu broth w/firm noodles (yes, you can choose how firm or soft you want your noodles!). wow, i was extremely impressed in how all the flavors just blended together so well. my man and i both left very satisfied. we desperately needed naps after that meal and thank goodness for hour long ferry rides!

    (5)

  • Greg S.

    When I lived in Kitsap County, I had to go all the way to Seattle for decent ramen. Since moving to Honolulu, I've found quite a few good noodle shops to say the least and Samurai's ramen matches up decently against the places here. I do miss the fatty tender pork though, the equivalent of which I haven't quite found again yet.

    (4)

  • ann m.

    I love the food here, but you can never get in!!!

    (3)

  • Anya D.

    I want to like this place, but after trying it a few times, I don't crave it any more - time after time their ramen has been a disappointment. I've tried their chashu and shoyu ramen and last time I got the new Tampopo ramen. The broth is bland (especially the shoyu variety); the chashu itself is usually tender, but the overall flavor is mediocre.

    (2)

  • Garann M.

    The huge menu of options is great, but the pork broth has enough salt in it to kill a cat. Additionally, this place has kind of a weird atmosphere. The (white) cashiers were very snooty, as though they'd invented ramen themselves. The place is papered with advertisements for "real" green tea, but their beverages are served in styrofoam cups. Beyond the novelty of having ramen with something other than noodles, pork, and onions, I don't see any reason to go back.

    (3)

  • Kinnewick M.

    So, I have been frequenting Samurai Noodle for about two years. I was ecstatic when I found out this ramen place - at the time the only ramen place in Seattle. I'm born and bred in Japan so this was a god send. The ramen is fabulous. Cheap, hole-in-the-wall, fabulous soup, just like in Japan. But in the past 6 months to a year, I noticed a change. Of course it's more popular than ever, but their Japanese staff disappeared. And then I noticed a change in their food. I usually get the tonkotsu ramen, with medium noodles. All of the sudden, my broth was tepid (tepid!) and my noodles were rock hard. And the toppings were scant! Then, undiscouraged, next time I got the hiyashi chyuuka (they translated it was "salad ramen", but it's not that) and again my medium noodles were rock hard! The sauce was good, but the toppings were thick cut and the egg was in slabs. Not the Japanese way. They were kind enough to redo the noodles, but I am so crest fallen in the change in the food. Perhaps all the energy is going to the University location? I would normally have given this place 5 stars but I have become so disappointed in their food....

    (3)

  • Stacy J.

    tonkotsu ramen is to die for. i believe if this place were more convenient for me, i would eat here all of the time.

    (5)

  • Stephanie M.

    Samurai, you lose a star. Not because of the food, but because of the service. The McDonalds drive through is a more pleasant experience.

    (3)

  • June N.

    After having Tonkotsu Ramen in Osaka...I've never experienced the same thing in the States. Although they tried hard, the noodles were of the frozen variety. They do however get 3 stars for making their own broth. Although the flavor wasn't quite what I remember, it was decent. Nice and thick, but the flavor from Japan still haunts me. I had some kind of lunch special where you get the ramen with a bowl of rice covered by some kind of chopped pork. It was alright, but I haven't been back since. I was talking with one of the Japanese workers there and they promised that they were trying to start making their own noodles. Maybe I'll try it again when they do, but probably not until then.

    (3)

  • Chris C.

    We need more really good ramen in Seattle! And this place has definite potential! I had high hopes but in my opinion the price, quality of noodles(microwaved??) and _INTENSE_ amounts of MSG keep me from going back. I hope this place gets better, in the meantime I'm going to stick with Fu-Lin. :)

    (2)

  • Wendy Y.

    Great cozy noodle shop in the ID...but poor quality noodles and slow service. Also, most of their broths use MSG. Hopefully they'll get their act together and improve.

    (3)

  • Shar S.

    Only they need is CONSISTENCY. Most of the time, their ramen is great, but sometime not.

    (4)

  • Hayato I.

    I'm from Japan and I can confidently say that Samurai is the most authentic Japanese ramen shop around Seattle area. I just went there yesterday and had a bowl of Shoyu ramen with Armor something... I can say it satisfied my taste. I'm giving 4 stars because I had better ramen in Japan and I think they can make it better. Also, the naming doesn't sound so authentic. If I hadn't heard about this place from a sushi chef at Nishino, I wouldn't have even tried because it sounds like Chinese or Korean imitation of Japanese food. I asked my son and he is giving 5 stars. I'm really hoping that this place will take off as a real good Japanese ramen shop.

    (4)

  • Kathleen W.

    i think this place is adorable, but I'm going to give it three stars until my next visit, solely because they messed up my vegetarian friend's order by giving him pork with his tofu.. hmmm. i hear the pork is good, but the wait was already a little too long to ramen, and this mistake made it even longer. really accommodating when they realized the mistake and instead of taking the pork off they actually recooked the whole meal... i feel like this is a rarity in the restaurant biz.. but with an open kitchen it is a wise move. i recommend this place to anyone who likes noodles and would like to assure you that the ramen is not at all similar to the ramen you lived off of in college, the noodles are fresh and come with fresh veggies, meat, and/or tofu... etc. adorable space saving interior too. ps- i think they have a location in the food court.. if you don't feel like waiting inside, although it may lack the charm of the place...

    (3)

  • Annie M.

    Perfection on a rainy day is looking into a deep endless noodle bowl at Samurai.. So satisfying!

    (4)

  • Alary M.

    I love noodles! Best noodles ever, hands down is in Japan. But when in Seattle, this is probably one of the closest you can get. The broth was is very rich and I love all those extra toppings you can get. I do wish there was more seating but perhaps it's modeled after those TINY Tokyo ramen shops?

    (4)

  • Tri S.

    the service was terrible, but the food was OKAY. i wouldn't come back here again. i was there with 3 of my friend and the hostess gave us sit for 2. (we ate 3 bowls there) i've waited 20 minute for that seat as well. i wouldn't recommend this place.

    (1)

  • Malia F.

    Thank god that there is finally a ramen house; after the closing of takohachi I was appalled that a metropolitan city does not have a place for Japanese style noodles. I think the rating I give is solely on the fact of no competition, the soup was a tad oily and they didn't have miso ramen; but this was overlooked because I appreciate them asking how I like my noodles cooked. Most of the ramen is served with a salted pork (reminds me off a modified Hawaiian kalua pork) and red ginger, nori, green onions. I will be back on a cold-winter Seattle day. They validate for the uwajimaya parking; this is a good thing because chinatown parking sucks! They are on the 5th avenue side of the uwajimaya building, but you cannot enter through uwajimaya. Price is decent around 6 bucks but if you add-on the extras this can exceed 10 bucks. Now if only I can find a place that can make good zaru soba.

    (4)

  • Tina H.

    i love their tou-nyu, especially with hot sauce and especially on a cold, rainy day.

    (4)

  • Angella L.

    Food is delicious here. It's the best ramen I have ever had. The place seats about 18 people max, but the food is worth any wait.

    (5)

  • Sam C.

    No wonder this place is so busy. Simple food, done right, by efficient, friendly staff. The flavors are clean and authentic. A great lunch joint - maybe the best in China Town.

    (4)

  • Dale W.

    This was my favorite ramen place in Seattle in 09 before I left for San Diego. As such, I try to eat here whenever I'm visiting Seattle. This review will focus on my most recent visit I had the bacon tonkatsu ($8ish,) with added pork ($3.50,) and egg ($1.) My friend had the garlic. The bacon ramen is different but not impressive. I inquired as to if they had kakuni, but neither the cashier nor the cook were familiar with that word (answer=no.) I ended up giving 4 stars for nostalgia, they used To be a 5 in my book.

    (4)

  • Jason M.

    If you don't know what to get, try the Tampopo. It's one of the most stereotypical ramen bowls on the menu, but it's also really good. Also, treat yourself to extra noodles ;)

    (4)

  • Kristin C.

    Love this little place. They make their own noodles from scratch, and you can definitely taste it. About $9 for a real, solid, filling bowl of ramen. I come here at least a few times a month to get my fix.

    (5)

  • Wyatt H.

    It's nothing like the Ramen I had in Japan. I could fly back to Japan just to have the wonderful Ramen. However, the ramen in the States I've had has been so bad that I'd rather eat Top Ramen or starve. Samurai noodle shines as the only place in the USA where I've eaten ramen and it tasted remotely like authentic Japanese ramen! oishii desu! arigato gozaimasu! The only ramen I like, is the Pork Tonkatsu with al dente noodles. The Capitol Hill location makes their own noodles. The small place near uwajimaya seems to make the best ramen, but its ultra small. The most spacious location is the U-District. I used to rate this 5stars, but lately, the soup has tasted too salty, and they've skimmed on the pork cut -- used to be a thick slab, but now its like a piece of processed ham from the deli. Still a solid ramen place. I've filled up my punch card several times. I love Ramen! There's no where else I will eat ramen in the US.

    (4)

  • Sheila L.

    This place serves up the best ramen ever!! Never have I had the urge to pay for ramen itself because I figure hey it's only ramen. Well... Samurai serves more than "just" ramen, it's also has one of the best broth I've ever tasted in my life!! Usually I order the pork/chicken broth because the broth isn't as 'fatty' as the regular pork. But either way it is delicious. For the ramen you have a choice of how well you want the ramen to be cooked and to me the perfect texture is 'al dente'. Then you have the choice of adding more sides to your bowl of ramen such as bamboo shoots, egg, seaweed, pork, etc... OR you can also add the rice cup which has a couple choices between spicy pork, pork, or tobiko eggs. What I like to do is order a bowl of the chicken/pork 'al dente' ramen with a side of the samurai armour which is basically an egg, seaweed, green onions, extra pork, and bamboo shoots and then share that with my fiance. It's plenty for just the two of us. :) Downside is that this place is tiny and can only be seated when you order your food so be sure to hit this place up on a non-busy time which varies alot. Upside is that they offer validated parking if you park at the Uwigymaya parking garage/lot. Score!

    (5)

  • Keith T.

    The basics: This is a small place. You can choose the firmness of your noodles. It's a dollar or two more expensive than Fu Lin a block or so away. They're reasonably quick and have many kinds of ramen. I'm giving it 5-stars because: 1) Firm noodles are awesome. Like so awesome that they've changed my opinion of ramen. 2) Tonkotsu from hell is awesome. I was afraid it was going to be too spicy with a name like that, but it was just right. The flavor was so good and really hits the spot when it's cold and rainy.

    (5)

  • Grace C.

    The tonkotsu ramen is decently good, but I've definitely had better elsewhere. They ask you how you like your noodles: al dente (slightly chewier and springier) or regular. I had the al dente - it was interesting because I've never had al dente ramen before! Worth a try. One order of ramen is a pretty good size - if I had eaten the whole thing myself, I would've been totally stuffed. But if you're someone with an enormous appetite, then get some appetizers too.

    (3)

  • Adam C.

    Been coming here (Uwajimaya - Intl. District location) since they opened and have gone though 8 or 10 punch cards in the U-District location. After 6-months absence I am struck by the shockingly callous service. As other reviewers mention, the front-desk is not at all organized and basically invite you to leave. Against better judgement, we decided to place an order and take our seat. Out with a friend and we were in good spirits - but with everything being mis-handled I had to share my thoughts. Think surly dive-bar waitstaff ...but sober. All was not lost - we took our (by invitation) to-go order and enjoyed another place nearby. And continued an enjoyable evening. There are too many good options in the neighborhood to put up with this. I'd suggest Kaname / Phnom Penh Noodle House / Green Leaf / Purple Dot or choose randomly from the scores of very reaosnable options a short walk away. Or hop the lightrail and let Yelp be your guide.

    (1)

  • Alex G.

    We used to frequent Pho Cyclo for our noodle kick and walked by Samurai Noodle on Broadway and decided to give it a shot. Watching them hand make the noodles and then asking us "firm, medium or soft" during the order changed our noodle eating habits forever. After a few more trips to the Broadway location we found the ID location because it's closer to home and the parking situation is awesome. You can park in the Uwajimaya lot and they will validate your parking ticket. So you don't have to look for parking along Broadway. Huge time saver. Although Pho and Ramen are completely different we choose this place over Pho 9/10 times. The predominant reason is you can really taste the better quality of the ingredients. I would compare it to one place shops for its ingredients at the clearance section of Albertson's the other place gets theirs fresh from WholePaycheck. You get quite a few options in terms of soups. You have a choice of two noodle styles. Both are handmade buckwheat noodles one recipe has egg the other doesn't. Then you basically have a choice of chicken or pork broths (they do have vegan options but who cares, you're not even a real person at that point and you clearly hate food). Some broths contain miso, chili etc. You definitely need to go with a friend and stick the spoon in to their soup and try it. The faster you sample the selections the sooner you'll know what you like and you'll keep coming back for more. Personally after having them all I keep coming back for the Shouyu with extra noodles in firm. It's a classic taste. It kind of reminds me of the college TopRamen days except with Daniel's Broiler style ingredients and quality. I kind of get that "be somebody" feeling from The Jerk when he has a fancy umbrella in his drink - hah.

    (4)

  • Amanda S.

    I don't know why but I love this place. Their #3, which is a mix of Tonkotsu and Shoyu is sooooo good. I usually get mine with an egg in it and extra noodles, the portion alone is really not a lot so definitely go with the extra noodles. Only 1.50 maybe. Don't usually get anything else though, the Gyoza and other rice dishes aren't so good. I would love it if one day they had katsu ramen. Then this place would be the bomb. For Katsu Ramen I usually go to Aloha Ramen.

    (4)

  • Daniel P.

    Well seeing as a last resort to finding a ramen restaurant we went here to see how it is. Coming here to hope for authentic ramen my hopes was up. Coming in it was small and it seemed pretty authentic. Now here is where it gets bad. I ordered my ramen and I tasted the broth, it was too salty. It was like someone putting a little pinch or two more for my taste at least. Then the noodles is where it got worse. The noodles wasn't fresh it tasted like something you buy from a store. Service was good but the ramen wasn't for me.

    (3)

  • John L.

    I think it's quite funny to see the five stars this place gets from some reviewers. To me, this is an indication of how starved we are in Seattle for an authentic bowl of ramen. Sadly, this isn't it. The soup, while okay, is pretty unremarkable once you have tried better places down in Los Angeles, like Santouka or Ramen Yamadaya. Even a place like Ajisen, more corporate-like has better soup base and tastier pork. The pork at this place is what I have a problem with. It is brutally unrefined, and tastes like a foreigner with no concept of what the original is supposed to taste like would make. I know that when this place opened, there were two guys from Japan making the food. It was good back then. I think things have changed alot since then, and now we're in the "fusion" phase here, because the people running it have either succumbed to American palates or aren't good enough to replicate the original back in Japan. There's supposed to be a place in Bellevue which has opened up that is truly authentic. Looking forward to trying this place out. There's a big opportunity to sell good ramen here in Seattle, folks!

    (2)

  • Jonathan E.

    Having lived in Japan, Ive always found something comforting about a bowl of hot ramen. I think many people in the States think of ramen as being some 50 cent instant stuff that gets you through your college years. What might surprise many is how satisfying a properly prepared bowl of noodles in a rich broth can be. I stopped at Samurai Noodle on my way to SeaTac airport. It was conveniently located just outside Uwajimaya (Japanese grocery store) and near the International District Station. The space is quite small and there are only a few seats, but you could immediately smell the rich tonkatsu ramen broth. Ive always liked Hakata style ramen because of the richness of the stock and that pork flavor. I had the tonkatsu ramen and it was satisfying. The noodles were a tiny bit undercooked for this type of ramen, but it was tasty just the same especially on a chilly day. It was priced much like what you would see at a hole in the wall ramen place in Japan--nothing to complain about there. Pros: Satisfying ramen, friendly staff, affordabble price, convenient location Cons: Definitely not top of the line ramen (thought still tasty), small dining space

    (3)

  • Jason P.

    Seattle lacks good ramen noodle places. There are only a few that I'd say are good. This is one of them. The noodles and broth are fresh, tasty, and pretty traditional to what you'd find in Japan. Their broth can be a bit salty, but nothing that some additional water can't fix. I call it comfort food. Too bad they don't open later. The place is a hole in the wall that fills up quickly but its worth the wait.

    (3)

  • Selina P.

    One of 2 places we go to get our ramen fix in Chinatown, the other being "Fu Lin". I know, I know...that's like comparing apples to oranges. I promise to explain later, but I do like the fact you can get in & out in no time even if it's a small joint. The ramen is pretty good, flavorful & rich. Had the pork shumai & karaage too which was ok, nothing special. I like that they've added more options & appetizers to their menu. Service is always good & fast, never have problems with that. Maybe I'm just picky, but my only complaints with the ramen is the how they cut the green onions, I can't get over that. I'm just use to most places cutting them thinner & rinsing them, so that the flavor isn't so strong. Even the cut of pork is disappointing being paper thin. The atmosphere itself is no big wow factor, it's like so much is being condensed in one little space. Not really good for an overall dining experience, but ramen-wise it's good for what it is which is a.....quick fix.

    (3)

  • Victoria C.

    I only came here b/c my friend visiting from out of town insisted on it. PROS: 1. Really nice cashier. 2. Speedy. Food came out fast. CONS: 1. Food was just okay. I got the chicken broth ramen with tofu and a hard boiled egg as an extra. I dunno what it is about ramen, but I just can't see the point in paying $8 for a bowl of ramen that would cost me less than a buck to make. It was kinda bland, and the "chicken" broth taste fishy to me. Kind of like miso. 2. $1 for a hard boiled egg as an extra. 3. My bf said his "Hell Fire" ramen was not spicy at all. It looked and smelled spicy, but apparently was not. 4. Only pork for meat options. No chicken or beef.

    (2)

  • Nicole N.

    I love the ramen at Samura Noodle very muchoooo .. this was where I had my first breakfast in Seattle and I loved it .. i have always wanted to come back at this place to try everything on their menu .. So, the food was very good ... the price was reasonable .. I loved the broth of their ramen.. it was flavorful and not too salty for me .. but there were two things that I didn't like about this place . First of all, the store was tiny tiny .. they didn't have many seats .. so if u were unlucky, you would have to stand and wait until someone finished their food ..Then, I had the problem with the parking.. I have never ever liked to park in the International District .. sometimes, you just couldn't get the parking in front of store and end up parking somewhere far and have to walk over ..

    (4)

  • Shina R.

    The ramen was great but the staff was very rude. Just for the fact of how pretentious they were we won't be going back. But the ramen was very flavorful and it wasn't too heavy. Definitely good food. But again, bad service.

    (3)

  • Daren D.

    I'm not big into ramen, but decided to try other stuff. Got me the Mentaiko Rice Bowl with added seasoned bamboo shoots. It's too dry by itself so I added some soy sauce. Simply, subtle flavor and just good & satisfying... however, now I want to go back and try almost every other item on the menu---including the ramen. Staff seemed nice & cool. I like the dark paint.

    (4)

  • Katya L.

    Gave the original location of the business another chance because I was insanely curious about their Hellfire dipping ramen. It's small, much smaller than the new U District one, but cozy. The service was fine, although they didn't bring us water and I was eating the spicy ramen... no big deal. The ramen itself was just the right amount of spicy, and the heat built up so nicely. Great flavors! So why only three stars? It's not a lot of noodles for $8 ($10 after tax and tip) and I would expect to be stuffed after eating a $10 bowl of ramen. I wasn't. Also, it could have used some veggies to dip or something... there was some pork in the broth but eating noodles dipped in spicy sauce with a few shreds of meat got kind of boring really fast. Variety is the spice of life, after all. It seems like the shrinking portions are a trend at Samurai these days. That's unfortunate. I probably won't be back unless it's reversed.

    (3)

  • Jean Y.

    I've eaten at the International District location of Samurai Noodle fairly regularly since late 2007. I already wrote a review a year ago that talks more about the food. My opinion of Samurai Noodle has always been that it benefits from having very little competition in Seattle. To my knowledge, there aren't many other small shops that specialize in ramen in Seattle. Since I wrote my last review, Kushibar, Boom Noodle, and Aloha Ramen have popped up. Kushibar and Boom Noodle are even pricier for those who already complain about Samurai's prices. Aloha Ramen (in Greenwood) may be out of the way for some. Every time I have gone to Samurai in the last 4mo between noon and 2pm, I've waited 10min to order and another 35min for ramen. The staff seem to have become slower and more absent-minded. (I hope I heard wrong, but I'm fairly certain the cashier said "tonkatsu" and not "tonkotsu" to a customer today.) I don't know how the kitchen operates, but considering that most of the broth should be premade and ingredients pre-prepared, it cannot possibly take 35min to make a bowl of ramen. There are many ways I'm sure they could speed up service - making more in parallel, cooking noodles ahead since there is obviously constant demand throughout the lunch hour anyway. The staff have recently started recommending that you order takeout and eat in the Uwajimaya food court for faster service. I already mentioned in my previous review that I have not had good experiences with takeout. Their menu even recommends against takeout for "true al-dente lovers." Having staff tell customers to order takeout against the recommendation written above the menu seems irresponsible, in my opinion. I feel that based on recent visits here, Samurai's management simply doesn't care to improve customer experience. What about the food? * The flavor of the broth has gone downhill. * Each bowl of noodles comes with fewer toppings than before (today I only got one slices of pork, coarsely chopped green onion, and a piece of seaweed). * Prices have gone up. If you are visiting from East Asia, the Bay Area, Vancouver, or LA, don't even bother eating here! You can get way better ramen at home.

    (1)

  • Josh C.

    Samurai has great ramen; no argument there. The broth is consistently tasty and reminds me of my years in Tokyo. I always get the shouyu (chicken) + tonkotsu (pork) mixed broth because I have a hard time deciding between the two, and am not really a fan of miso. The menu is enormous so you can get a lot of add-ons to your ramen and have side dishes/desserts. Now, ramen shops that skim on the noodles pisses me off, and Samurai is no exception. I don't mind paying for extra meat because it's tradition and worth it. But when ramen is served in such a big bowl and they add just 3 mouthfuls of noodles, it's a little insulting. Seating area is...tiny. I went on occasions when there were tables left uncleaned and was asked to squeeze in a tight corner with other patrons. It's fine to sit elbow-to-elbow at a bar all facing the same way, but to be in a closet size corner with three others is asking too much. By the way, wtf puts a 'reserved' sign on a table when your place has just 4 tables. Location can be hard to miss as most people wouldn't think to walk past the entrance to Uwajimaya.

    (3)

  • Dawn H.

    One of my absolute favorite places to eat in Seattle, especially on a cold day. Delicious, savory, and super-filling ramen in all sorts of varieties. Tonkotsu with egg is my favorite whenever I come by, but honestly, I've tried most of them and loved each. The atmosphere is also nice--cozy, small, laid back, and mostly quiet unless you're in there for lunch on a busy day. The people there are great and I've never been disappointed with my service. If you've only ever had crappy, instant ramen, do yourself a favor and try this place. You'll never want instant ramen again!

    (4)

  • Angel I.

    I highly recommend the tou-nyu (soy broth) ramen. I think their shou-yu ramen is also great. I don't really like their miso ramen. Samurai noodle is as good as it gets here in Seattle. Of course, it's uncomparable to the ramen noodle places in Vancouver (see my other reviews), but it will hold me over until I can make it to Vancouver! Also, start a punchcard with them! After 12 bowls, you get a free bowl! This location is much smaller than the new location in the U-District, so I would recommend getting here before or after the noon rush hour. Service is efficient, and the staff are friendly.

    (3)

  • Karen L.

    Mmmm, I love this place! I think this is the best ramen place I've tried in the Seattle area. Honestly, it can't compare to Daikokuya in LA, but it is still soooo good that I think it deserves a 5-star review. After all, where else can you find such delicious ramen around here (please, do tell me)?? I've tried their miso ramen and their tonkotsu ramen, and I am in love with their tonkotsu ramen. Super flavorful and filling--that's all I gotta say. The prices here are actually not too bad. A bowl of tonkotsu ramen for less than 7 bucks?? Whaa?? This is definitely one of our favorite restaurants.

    (5)

  • Danielle F.

    Very good ramen (but not quite as good as Samurai). The portions were not as huge as I expect from a ramen joint, but with a side of the garlic rice, I was plenty full. The ramen I ordered came with straight noodles, which didn't have the chewiness factor I love most about ramen - next time I go I am ordering one of the varieties with wavy noodles. Well worth a visit if you are a ramen-lover.

    (4)

  • Jenny L.

    I'm used to a richer, fuller loaded tonkotsu in L.A., but I digress. The good: -great service -the noodles were al dente and nicely firm -the genmai tea was awesome The bad: -for the price, it was didn't have a lot of pork (1 slice) and green onions or mushrooms. -the broth wasn't sweet and milky -the pork tasted off, like it was old...a lil' sour even Would I come again? Prob cause ramen's a good choice for rainy Seattle.

    (3)

  • Dee T.

    Whoa...totally unexpected; Sorta like a hole in the wall type restaurant, dim lights, run by three Caucasian folks, and menu is not too descriptive. So the deal is, you need to select what you want off the menu before grabbing a seat. They are pretty adamant about this rule as the rude cash register guy will tell you straight up. I ordered the Samurai Armour Bowl with Tonkotsu broth. The 'Samurai Armour' is basically an add-on or more toppings which is extra pork slices, flavored egg, extra green onion, extra roasted seaweed, seasoned bamboo shoots. I could have done it without the Armour because the original contents were generous enough. The ramen is delivered fresh daily to Samurai. You'll see the stack of cardboard boxes behind the register. There's two types of ramen used. I don't know the names of them, the texture looks different, but I'm sure they taste exactly the same. Now, let's talk about the broth....so heart-warming. No MSG here. Fresh, savory. The roast pork slices are so tender. I think it can almost melt in your mouth. Sooo goood! The ramen here is supreme in my books! I will definitely come back again when in Seattle. Prices were alright. About $10 for my serving.

    (4)

  • Cora L.

    My friends and I were skeptical about trying this place, because we're from the SF Bay Area and we're probably spoiled by Santa Ramen and Santouka. But actually, we all enjoyed our ramen, even though it was a bit different from what we're used to. The pork was served in thick (centimeter wide) slabs, and was very tender and tasty. The Tonkatsu broth was milky and pretty good. I ordered firm noodles, and although they were much more thin than I was expecting, they were still delicious. I think it may be inconvenient that there are only a handful of tables in this establishment, but we were lucky enough to go when one of the larger tables was open. The limited staff was friendly enough - you order and pay before you're seated so it's pretty straight-forward. All in all, for ramen in Seattle, this place is just fine. All I can warn against, is to try and not sit by the door - the cold winter breeze is not very pleasant when people come in and out.

    (4)

  • Yumiko K.

    I have eaten at this ramen place 3 times now. I love their tonkotsu soup, which is pretty rich and silky. I love how their noodles are not overcooked. Nothing is worst than limp ramen noodles! Their chashu (pork) is moist and tender. My boyfriend loves their spicy pork rice bowl. It is a bit salty for me, but it is very filling. I just wish they served gyoza (home-made, of course!), which would complete the whole ramen experience...

    (4)

  • Hayley V.

    I've had my share of home front iron chef battles where the only secret ingredient readily available in my cupboard is ramen so I consider myself a connoisseur of zee ghetto packet soup. My favorite versions end up cooked and pan fried with tons of veggies: mushrooms, onions, bamboo shoots, baby corn, shoyu, oyster, and chili garlic sauce. So when the fellar said: "I'm going to take you to have the best ramen noodles of your life" I was skeptical. I ordered the chili green onion ramen craving something more Pho-esque fresh veggies but what I got was a salty, oily, & HOLY-hearty broth that left my belly demoralized with big noodles, some green onions, a sprinkle of bamboo shoots, and a slab of fatty pork. There's authenticity here worth exploring- the pork for example has one of the most mystical buttery finishes I've ever experienced. I'm also told that perhaps I ordered wrong and the dipping noodles are really the way to go. I will update this review with my thoughts on the Tetsu-hell fire dish (dipping ramen with spicy sauce) once I brave another round. A word to the wise: expect lines during lunchtime or get your pot to go and slurp quickly in the Uwajimaya "food court" (the noodles keep cooking in the broth so they are best eaten instantly). The cafeteria is a fun place to people watch or pretend to yourself that you are in an Anthony Bourdain episode filmed far far away from seattle...

    (3)

  • Linda C.

    I adore this place. The shoyu ramen is phenomenal. I've tried other ramen places in Seattle and Bellevue and Samurai is, by far, the best of them all. The boyfriend and I moved out to Bellevue, but we still make the trek over for the nummy ramen. Even on their busiest nights, the service is super-fast and the food is always spectacular. I haven't had a ramen here that I didn't like, but my favorite is shoyu. I highly recommend the flavored egg and some Genmai Cha tea, but they don't have any sweetener for the tea and it comes piping hot. Still, I'll bring my own damn Splenda, as long as I can have an awesome meal at Samurai Noodle.

    (5)

  • Jon D.

    Not the best ramen in town - but pretty dang close. These guys are definitely in the running and still improving. Their broth is a little bland - I found myself having to add quite a bit of chilli oil and peppers to spice it up. I love the fact that everything is pretty much made to order here. Lots of different options and combinations for ways to brew up your most scrumptious concoctions of noodle goodness. Couple words of advice - get here early. This place (like all good ramen places it seems) is small and fills up fast. Also - if you're got an appetite going - make sure that you get the extra noodles. Probably on the side. The average bowl of noodles isn't quite enough, where if you add the extras IN the soup, it's almost too much. Getting it on the side? ...you can add it yourself which makes it... juuuust right. Get the Samurai Armour. You'll be glad you did. The guys working here are super helpful in case it's your first time and you get at all confused about the menu and the ordering process. They'll walk you through it and make sure that you get something that will bring out your inner Samurai or Ninja... or Ichiro. Whatever you prefer. Best time for Samurai noodle? On these cold, rainy, damp Seattle days/nights. So...in other words.... just about anytime. Good stuff. I'll be back.

    (3)

  • Alysha K.

    6 of us got there around noon & got a table right away which was surprising considering the restaurant is really small. You need go up to place your order individually, however I like this idea since you don't have to wait for a server to take your order. It was weird though because I was the first one to place my order, but the last one of us 6 to get it. The pork broth ramen was okay, I've tried better. There could've been a little more flavor. I added egg & corn. Corn was just canned corn. I also ordered the shumai. This could've been cooked or heated-up a little longer. It was still a little cold. I tasted the broth of my friends who ordered chicken & pork/chicken. I thought my pork broth was the best. The ramen noodles were good. Typical "hakata" style which I like. They are the thinner noodles than the usual Americanized version.

    (2)

  • Jando S.

    Best way I can sum up this noodle bar is: silly name, good ramen. My first time here was marred by the fact I had very little expectations for a place. I've been to other "Samurai" named joints before and they've all resulted in disastrous dining experiences. The tables turned as I had my first taste from a bowl of Tonkatsu Ramen, and I was hooked. The noodles were soft, the broth was savory, and the pork while slightly tough, was very decent. The prices are about average for a dedicated Japanese noodle joint, with most of the dishes ranging from $6-12. Aside from the Tonkatsu Ramen, the Tofu Veggie Broth ramen (black noodles) was fantastic with lots of flavor and perfect for the chilly evening. Combine that with a side of Gyoza and a Japanese beer and you're set. They serve a lot more than just ramen here, with a solid variety of Japanese comfort food. Service is generally pretty good here, though they can be rushed at times due to the small staff being so busy all the time. I don't think I've seen a lazy worker here yet. Avoid this place during the lunch time, since the restaurant isn't all that large and seating can get limited at times, the lines to order often go out the door. The worst time to dine here is when the games finish at Safeco Field and traffic is just a mess. Give this place a shot on week nights and preferably a cold one.

    (3)

  • Camille N.

    So this place is not bad at all! Considering we need to drive over an hour to get here.. it better be worth it lol. I got the shoyu ramen with 2 (yes 2) flavored eggs and firm noodles!!! I also tried the gyoza, chicken karaage, and pork rice bowl. That rice bowl was pretty good, I'm actually craving it right now! The wait can be crazy at the U district location, so don't come superrrrr hungry like me hehe. Place is cramped and you get kinda pressured to eat and go cause the other customers waiting are just looking at you like "leave already!" Not a bad experience, we've gone back 3x since living in WA. I do miss our ramen spots in Hawaii, where ramen is offered with fried rice or curry plate combos. Oh well, this place will do :) it's way better than Biwa in Portland.

    (4)

  • Ronny S.

    Good: Good broth. Very rich! Good taste and big bowl. You can have it to go when the place is full. Bad: The place is too small to move around. Even though the bowl is big but the portion is small. They filled your bowl with plenty broth, medium amount of noodle, and 1 little tiny bity slice of pork. I'm guessing their their katana is too sharp to cut nice thick of meat :( So for the price of $8+tips=$9....better find another place with extra meat!

    (3)

  • Micah S.

    This restaurant used to be one of my favorites but not anymore. I can understand inflation is taking a toll on every restaurant in Seattle but $27 for two bowls of Amour noodles? IThat's steep. But why higher prices if you start skimming on noodles (one third less than before) and pork (at least 50% less)? The broth tasted like it has MSG too. Samurai, you have missed the mark on food quality and portion but your knife has sharpened the prices. Pass.

    (1)

  • Chi N.

    I've been here twice. The first time, I read reviews on here and decided to give it a try. I had Tampopo, which was a standard shoyu ramen, the broth was mediocre, but it still satisfied my ramen craving. I came back the second time before the Sounders game because this place is near the Qwest field, ramen sounded good and we needed something quick. When we ordered, the lady working LOOKED and pointed at a table to sit down which still had a dirty towel they wiped the table with, sitting on the table. We kind of hesitated for a moment but took a seat thinking she'll probably come by and take it away. Well we sat down and waited. There is something about staring at a dirty, wet, stink towel before a meal that really gets me in the mood for ramen. Mmm.. that towel was not taken away until at least 10 min after, and we didn't even get water served for another 5 min. I ordered their Shiro Tonkotsu this time. I got my ramen and decided to locked up that image of foul towel deep in my memory closet. At first glance, it looked delicious. First sip of the soup, I almost couldn't believe it.... It tasted like lukewarm skim milk with butter, no real flavor to it at all. Ok, how about the noodles? They weren't cooked all the way!! The soup was not hot enough to let it cook further. It also came with bean sprouts but that too didn't cook in the soup. The pork charsiu that it came with tasted awful, it was cut way too thick and had more fat than meat. They call this authentic? Really? Honestly, I rather have bought frozen ramen from Uwaji and made myself a bowl at home.

    (1)

  • Nana K.

    This was the second time I've eaten at this restaurant and it will now be my last time. The location is very small and confined, but I was lucky to find two small tables to accommodate my friends and me. As I pulled one table to the other one of the employees (Will) rudely said "don't re-arrange our furniture you can sit at that table!" The table he wanted us to sit at originally had a "reserved" sign on it which is why we didn't sit there. I told him I was sorry and he slammed the table back into its original spot. As I proceeded to the line he gave my friend a hard time about not paying all together. Didn't know that was a policy? The ramen was ok, but after experiencing the service I know I will NEVER go back. I'll stay loyal to Fu Lin where they are always nice, fast, and have plenty of seating available.

    (1)

  • princess a.

    They put MSG in the soup bases and I got such an awful headache from it. You'd think it was healthy to eat, but it's not.

    (1)

  • Paul L.

    This is the best Ramen in Seattle Tucked away on the side street attached to Uwajimaya, this little secret is my favorite Ramen place in Seattle. It blows away Boom and rivals some of the Ramen I've had in Japan. The keys to good Ramen are broth, pork, and resiliency of the noodles; Samurai has all of it down. The broth is properly cooked all day, bountiful with flavor. The pork is nicely done with the right amount of fat for flavoring. The noodles are freshly and chewy (you can get it cooked to order, hard, medium, or soft) This is a hole in the wall and homey place, where you can see your noodle being made and get (flavored) sake by the bottle. There are no tables, rather bench like seating. There are two drawbacks. First, the soup, while good, is actually way too salty. Second, to get to this place you have to walk past the dumpsters of Uwajimaya, which reek. Some inside hints: Get the armor. The normal order of noodles comes with only a small amount of meat etc. You will want to get the armor to upsize the meat and an extra soy boiled egg (very tasty). The volcano noodles are REALLY hot. Worth trying if you like spicy stuff. Save your soup, you can order extra noodles for $1.50. The noodles are really good... You can also get gluten free noodles (meaning, there's no bleached flour in it) it's made from some kind of plant or something (gluten-free is very good for you and something that some people live by). It tastes pretty good (sorta like vermicelli) Taking you to the next level: the best Ramen I've ever had (and I've had lots of Ramen) is in Cali. yelp.com/biz/santa-ramen… ; definitely worth a try if you go.

    (5)

  • Willamenia B.

    Noodles are not consistent between locations. I prefer their hole in the wall location in the ID over the new Cap Hill location although it's tiny and the menu is smaller. I've never had a bad bowl of noodles and usually order the Tampopo with an extra soyu egg.

    (4)

  • Joe B.

    First visit this weekend prior to the Sounders FC match (finally, three points!). I had no idea that this place was so small! Luckily, we got there before the crowd. I ordered the #1 Pork Ramen and The Wife had the soy broth ramen. I really enjoyed the flavor of the pork broth and the hunk of pork that came in the bowl was very tender and flavorful. I did add some chili flakes to mine just to bump the heat up. I did feel that the noodles themselves were a bit ho-hum but that broth made up for that. I had a taste of The Wife's dish and was impressed on the subtlety of the broth. It almost had a tea like flavor to me but once again, the noodles were average. Her only disappointment was that the tofu in hers was just dropped in plain rather than getting a quick grill or fry to provide some flavor and texture. Oh, and the sake is cheap, both in cost and in quality. $4.50 for 6 oz. is generous but you get what you pay for.

    (3)

  • derek c.

    Very poor service. The cashier girl basically asked us not to wait because we have 8 people, even though there are 2 empty tables. She is definitely rude.

    (1)

  • Pearl O. W.

    The ramen was delicious, I just give it four stars because I'm pretty sure that I got overcharged...

    (4)

  • Nicholas S.

    The international district does not have a strong hold on ramen--Samurai Noodle fails to provide excellent food but does so with a smile. The menu has expected (karage, gyozas...) appetizers and surprisingly good Shumai. You are faced with a variety of tonkotsu and miso based ramens with options to add 'armour'--more toppings--to your bowl. As a ramen shop there attention should be primarily on: noodles, broth, and then toppings (remember: Tampopo!). What Samuari Noodle has achieved is a streamlined, chain like imitation of the ramens zeitgeist. So expect broth that is thick and savory but without the nuances of say, Kukai, who develops deep flavored from long simmered broths. Further, the 'hand made' are thick gummy and undercooked. To this point-- the staff at the int. district store seemed young and inexperienced in the kitchen which is easy to judge as the room is small and exposed. But, the service, a nice student, was accommodating, patient and interested in making our experience pleasurable. The venue is waxy and chain like--the antithesis to ID's venerable establishments. Let's expect more from noodle restaurants in Seattle--especially at allocation that caters to many first time ramen eaters.

    (2)

  • Sophia W.

    Samurai Noodle has been around before the ramen boom enveloped all of Seattle and Bellevue. With that being said, Samurai Noodle falls short on a multitude of levels. Having spent time in Japan eating authentic ramen, you could say that I've developed a slight bias. When you compare Samurai Noodle to others in the area, you would be hard pressed to say that their noodles are cooked consistently or that they have a flavorful base/broth. With that being said, I do give them credit for offering what they offer, but I have to say that Samurai Noodle just isn't quite my bowl of ramen.

    (2)

  • Emiko K.

    If you're looking for something warm to eat, this is a fine place, but I didn't think they used the best noodles in their dish. It tasted too soft and kind of meshy I would say. The flavor was good but they've got to use better noodles since it is such an essential piece of Ramen. I like U:don which is up the street better than Samurai Noodles for Ramen and udon. I just don't think this place is authentic and I've had a ton of Ramen, coming from a Japanese culture, having been to Japan many times. I am sorry to say, this is not the best Ramen in town. I don't like writing bad reviews but I gotta speak up if something tastes a bit off so that restaurant itself can improve on their quality. My Personal Restaurant Rating Key One star: the food was bad and I had a negative experience. Two star: I had a more negative experience and would not come here again but the food was good so I may. Three stars: everything is good except one thing. Example-the food is good, the price is more reasonable but the atmosphere is lacking class. These are sometimes my go to more than four stars because I usually care about price more than I do about atmosphere. Four stars: Everything is great, food, experience but the price may be on the upper end. I would not recommend this first to Obama unless he didn't like my five stars. Five stars: I would recommend this to Obama. The price may be on he upper end.

    (2)

  • Iris L.

    I was really skeptical when a friend brought me to this place for the first time. The menu on the board was hard to read, but then even with the printed menu in my hand, somehow I didn't feel like I really got it. So finally I figured out some noodle thing to order, along with some rice side, and I mean seriously I felt like it was hard work for me to pick those things. And then five minutes after we were seated, the server came and informed me that they were out of the noodle thing I had ordered, so I just threw my hands up and said I would get the same thing as my friend, which I think was the veggie-soy option. Then five more minutes later the server came and informed me that they were also out of the rice thing I had ordered, which worked out because I was kind of wishing that I had ordered the shrimp shumai instead anyway. So I wasn't impressed so far, but then our bowls of noodle came, and it was really, really good. I'm not sure whether part of it was just from having waited so long for the food though. I went back two more times by myself, and was less impressed each time.. they always managed to get my ingredient selections wrong, the service seemed less enthusiastic each time, and it seemed increasingly ridiculous to pay $10 for a bowl of ramen in the International District when you can get something just as yummy and big for $5 in other restaurants in the same neighborhood. So, I don't know, some part of me kind of craves that veggie ramen bowl again, because it was a unique and tasty flavor, but a bigger part of me isn't sure if I want to go through the messed up order and the bad service again. I guess I'll probably come back eventually as the weather cools down more.

    (3)

  • Marta L.

    Had heard great things about this place from people at the office, and it did not disappoint. It is small, cramped and busy, the last of which is usually a good sign. I had never had ramen before so take my review with a grain of salt - but what I was served was so flavorful and the ramen noodles so tasty that I see what the fuss is about. I had the chicken broth with chicken and got the "Full Armour" which meant more chicken, nori, and a hard-boiled egg. I was not hungry until dinner! All of that for about $10. Go early - the line's pretty long at 12:15.

    (4)

  • B C.

    Ok. First of all there are not many ramen noodle places in Seattle. I waited a long time to find a decent ramen place, so just because of that it get a star. The noodle is good. Love the thick noodle(you get to choose.) But the place is small. And the broth could be better. Overall, I am happy that we have a ramen noodle house in the International District.

    (4)

  • Sheree Ann E.

    Tried this place yesterday and was not fully satisfied. We had shoyu Tonkatsu ramen. Noodles were abit al dente but it was alright. Definitely not how you see it on thr pictures from the menu or on here(yelp). For the price of $8.50 a bowl and extra charge for everything else, I should come out of there good and full. NOT the case yesterday. So all in all, I give it 3 stars. Atleast, I tried it.

    (3)

  • bradley s.

    I used to love this place; I don't know what's happened. Several times now, the old staff has been replaced with unhappy, untrained, workers; the wait has been much longer even with less of a crowd; food orders not consistent. Now that they've gone to table service I've waited longer than 20 minutes for someone to come take my order or acknowledge that I sat down in the restaurant, even when the restaurant is empty. Too bad samurai, I'll miss you!

    (2)

  • Kaylie P.

    I try to be sparing with my 5-stars, but I don't see a reason NOT to give this place 5. Here's why: 1) GREEN MENU! OMG! Listen, ramen is my FAVORITE food on the planet. I could eat it everyday. But recently, as in the 5 months, I went ethical vegetarian. Back in San Diego I had a favorite ramen place that came out with new vegetarian options that were insanely good. Since moving here I really wanted to find something similar and in the same price range. Well, I didn't have to look far. This is actually the first ramen place I came to in Seattle last year when my bf and I visited, so the other day when we had a hankering, my bf said let's return since it's just a 15 min walk from our place in First Hill. Okay, wow, long story short, I was SO EXCITED to see a whole "Green Menu" with not only vegetarian options, but plenty of vegan as well... Including... Wait for it... *drum roll* VEGAN GYOZA! I have been searching for vegetarian gyoza at nearly every Japanese place I've been too since becoming veg and I was so happy! And not only are they vegan, but they're super tasty! Mmmm... 2) My ramen was kick ass. At first I was a little bummed that they didn't have miso based broth on the Green Menu because miso is my jam (they add pork broth to the miso, so Vegs, beware of assuming it's animal-free). They had a couple different broth options so I went with the spicy soy + onion broth and it honestly tasted exactly the same as a miso-based. It was super flavorful, spicy enough to where I got the heat I wanted but I wasn't melting, and the egg noodles and tofu were so good. I added a soft egg as well :) Oh yeah, and the boyfriend ordered the Tonkatsu From Hell (daily special) and ate that shit up in no time. 3) Great service! Our waitress was a super friendly and helpful woman (with glasses, didn't catch her name). I had called since it was Labor Day to ask if they were open and she answered and gave me their hours. She helped me pick which broth to get and honestly told me about the miso having pork in it (I dunno, sometimes I feel like places will lie if they don't really care about your dietary guidelines). 4) I like that you get up to pay. We were in a huge rush so as soon as we were finished we popped up to pay. It's quicker and easier and helps keep the tables flowing so people who are waiting can eat. The only cons: 1) Both times we went (last year and Monday) there was a decent wait. The first time was about 30 minutes. This time we were told 15 minutes but ended up waiting at least 30. Luckily the big Asian Market is right next door and is always fun to go browse around in. But, like I said, we were in a big hurry and the longer wait time threw us off (we ended up practically running up to First Hill to get my bf to work on time). 2) It's so tiny! For me, this isn't really a con (I love a good hole-in-the-wall place) but because of how busy it can be, this is kind of a bummer. Yum! Can't wait to go back :)

    (5)

  • Jarenn N.

    My favorite ramen place! Service is fast and the ramen is delivered quickly as well. My go-to is the Tonkotsu ramen. I wish they served more ramen in the bowl, but you can ad more ramen for only $1.50 so that's a great deal if you add that in. The only thing is that you have to pay for parking unless you park at Uwajimaya and then buy some groceries to get it validated. Also, the venue is very small for groups of 2-4.

    (4)

  • Betsey S.

    The miso was such a disappointment... why was it served with a giant cube of butter on top? The broth was oily enough as it was, so I scooped that thing out of there right quick, and was glad I did. I wished it had a few more veggies in it, too. But the noodles were great, so we'll definitely give it another try and I'll seek out something to replace my usual miso order.

    (3)

  • Jennifer O.

    Bought the Samurai Armor Ton-Katsu Ramen To Go. It was no where near as good as I remember it being. The broth is not as rich or complex as it used to be and the Pork was on the dry side. The cost was almost 12 dollars without a beverage which is more than I like to spend on lunch, especially when you are getting your food to go.

    (2)

  • Jacqueline T.

    When I'm craving my ramen, with scrump-ti-licious soul warming broth.. but i'm miles away from vancouver bc... this is my TO GO place. Only the International District one. I don't think University Ave has got it down pat yet. Noodles are good. Broth is savory and delicious. The only ramen that has come close to hitting it like home. I could go for a little bit more delicious slices of pork.. but so far.. i've only liked Santouka's pork jowel, and Kintaro's super fatty pork slices :P hahah I like it how its supposed to be served in ramen. FATTY AND DELICIOUS! Samurai also some delicious small rice bowls. Just tons of rice, with small toppings. But still delicious.. even tho its a rip off :P $4 for a small bowl of rice and a scoop of tobiko and mayo :O I NEED TO START SELLING THIS STUFF! I think I can make tons of money opening a delicious ramen place in bellevue. Any angel investors interested in investing in me? :)

    (3)

  • Quinn D.

    My first time here...atmosphere was sleepy. The cafe needs a good cleaning. T he bowl of ramen was presented beautifully. Overall taste? Not exciting. The bowl was half-filled. Over-priced for the portion received.The cafe felt like it has been around for a very long time, and that regulars will visit. The walls praised their noodles and award-winning green teas. Tea was nice. Kudos for offering gluten-free noodles; did not see until I left the cafe.

    (3)

  • Rachael C.

    My boyfriend and I stopped here for pre-movie dinner last week, as both of us were craving ramen and we'd heard good things about Samurai Noodle. The place isn't very large, but we were seated fast enough and got to perusing the menu. I will state now that one of my only complaints was that we were asked to move after we'd already ordered (likely to let a 4 person party sit at our table and the one next to it together). I know it's a bit more of a casual place, and maybe it's just me, but I simply can't remember the last time that'd happened to me..just kinda felt intrusive. But anywho, we both went with the pork ramen and shared the sumo bowl add on (comes with extra meat, green onion, bamboo shoots, and seaweed--highly recommend if you want a little more meat. I forgot to specify how I like my noodles, and I guess their default is firm. I like mine a bit more tender, but after a few more minutes of eating, the broth cooked them to my taste so that was no biggie. All in all, the meal was super delicious and am eager to go back.. Sorry Ramen Man, you've got a bit of catching up to do!

    (4)

  • Don H.

    I like the atmosphere of this Samurai noodle. It is small and busy which reminds me of the ramen places in Japan. Having to wait five minutes smelling the ramen just makes it taste that much better when I get it. I usually order extra noodle. For parking just park in the Uwajimaya parking lot and they will validate parking. You need to come with a friend to spend enough money.

    (5)

  • Beatrice L.

    When I first tried out Samurai Noodle in cap hill, I was drawn at seeing how they make hand shaven noodles. i liked the shoyu broth. i liked that i could order how I wanted my noodles cooked. I appreciated that I could customiZe my noodles ( add/take out ingredients). This was before I tried the other ramen places in Seattle. overall, it's ok. Try it at least once to get a feel for what to expect.

    (3)

  • Chandini S.

    After spending the last three days watching a Korean drama that takes place in a ramen shop, we came here on the 4th of July. Seating was a breeze, and the server was friendly. I really liked my shoyu tonkatsu. The pork was a little bland, but the broth and noodles were really tasty. I don't have much else to compare it to, though.

    (4)

  • Rona L.

    The jury is still out on this place. I don't quite LOVE it, but I keep coming back. But I prefer this location to the location they have by UW, though even this one isn't great. You order at the register and your food comes out to you. Last time I came, I ordered their daily special (Spicy miso tonkatsu). I ordered my noodles firm which they got right, but I could tell that something was off. I usually like my ramen spicy, so I thought that this would do the trick! The soup came out hot and was flavorful but had a fatty stickiness to it, which was slightly off-putting AND disappointing since I'm more of a finish-my-soup than a finish-my-noodles type of girl. There was a bright layer for red floating on top of my soup, but the color wasn't consistent throughout. I did like the green onions and corn that were in it however, but then the pork tasted extra porky (and not in a good way). Anywho, my review doesn't sound very coherent or organized, because my thoughts about the place aren't. I'll probably be back just to see if I can make up my mind.

    (3)

  • Sarah C.

    Great find on our trip to Seattle. Casual atmosphere. Great selection of Ramen. The gyozas were perfectly cooked. I would definitely come back when in Seattle.

    (4)

  • Jessica L.

    I had the spicy miso. I didn't really care for the super fatty broth. The added chili oil just made it even greasier, it definitely made my stomach turn. I barely even wanted to drink the broth. I've been here before and I'd say it's not worth the price. I'd rather go to Zen Noodle or U:DON on the Ave for some good noodles... or anywhere else really...

    (2)

  • Sam H.

    Samurai... Of seattle, this may be one of the better japanes ramen places in seatttle. What makes this alittle less japapanes is the atmosphere is ... small and not as inviting. But other than that, the soup is ready, the noodles are right with the few variety of styles they offer. On a cold rainy day... it's a goodplace to stop by and have some noodle soup. :)

    (3)

  • Yvonne C.

    Meh. Ramen is not great, expensive, and comes with one small piece of pork which was really dry. I really liked this place a few years ago but it has really gone downhill

    (2)

  • Brian K.

    I'm not sure why this place has such great reviews with all the comparisons to ramen in Japan. This was my worst ramen experience as far as I can remember. I ordered the Chili Green Onion ramen. It is supposed to come with extra green onions, which I love. However, the green onions were cut too thick. No knife skills at all. The broth was quite bland and wasn't even hot (which made eating the raw thick cut green onions even worse). The Gyoza was decent. Aloha Ramen blows this place away.

    (1)

  • Anthony N.

    I've been on a mission and that mission was to find a ramen noodle house and did I ever find one! This place was TINY! I think it only holds like a maximum of like 15 people. I could see how there could be a long waiting line. Lucky I was early and got there before the crowd. I was overwhelmed and confused while looking over the menu. Lucky the nice waitress helped me out. I decided to get the Samurai Armor Bowl with the chicken broth. You also get to decide if you want your noodles soft, medium or hard (That's what she said!). I picked the medium. The noodles came out quick. I got a tray with two bowls. One was the broth and noodles. The broth was lip-smacking good as the chicken flavors burst on to my taste buds (not salty). The noodle texture, flavor and firmness were also amazing. The other was a bowl consisting of the following: thickly sliced pork -the meat was so tender and salty which went great with the broth and noodles a hardboiled egg - it was cooked in the same marinate that the pork was (I love eggs) Bamboo shoots - It was thinly sliced and I ate them all Seaweed - Rectangular cut piece added extra flavors to the broth Diced green onion - help give it some bright coloring and a slight onion flavor The service was fast, efficient and they even valid your parking! I was so full after eating the noodles with all the fixings too!

    (4)

  • Chris Y.

    I've tried all 3 locations and the good 'ole ID location is the best... I've tried every bowl of ramen on the menu but always come back for the Tonkotsu, firm noodles and extra rich broth! YUMMY! I'd say its easily the best bowl of ramen in the emerald city. Bonus points for parking validation in the Uwajimaya lot.

    (5)

  • Woo K.

    First impression- OooOO nice looking menu, I want all of the menu please. Decided on the Tonkatsu ramen with the pork broth (recommended by the staff) Second impression- YUM, broth has a nice deep flavor- I was told that they boil the broth for 3 days. It definitely shows. Third impression- a bit on the salty side once you keep eating, but still good in my book. That and I will admit that I like things on the bland side (I'm a bit weird sometimes) Price was not bad but not great. The soup only really comes with one chunk of meat, but you can do a lot of add on's to the dish which is pretty neat. I guess the bigger stomach you have, the more money you will spend, but that's usually the case everywhere. The staff here was only two people, but that's all that is really needed to run this place since it is a hole in the wall. I liked it- a warm friendly vibe and it came out speedy fast. I saw that they made their own mochi's here and was super excited, but realized that they had run out a few hours prior. That can only mean that they are super delicious. I WILL be back for those mochi's!

    (4)

  • Winnie T.

    I didn't expect this place to be so hipster. A little weird that there were no Japanese staff at all, but rather tattooed Seattleite dudes with emo 'tudes taking my cash and serving me my ramen. Hrmm. The broth was OKAY. I'm not a ramen snob but I've been testing out ramen lately in Washington/California and wasn't greatly impressed. The ramen bowl without the "armor" is a bit on the lean side, so I had to fork out another ~$5 for the side dish to make up for it. $13 bucks for ramen in the ID is kinda cray-cray. I DID end up buying seven servings ($1 each) of their homemade ramen noodles (the thin wheat ones) to make tonkotsu ramen at home for the family. I made a stop at the Uwajimaya around the corner to pick up the rest of the ingredients, fed four people with about $30 total, not too shabby.

    (4)

  • Bigfoot ..

    $12 a bowl Damn good noodles. I did the Hellfire, not bad..not bad!

    (4)

  • Anuj K.

    This small, crowded room with steam, soft lighting, and compact wooden tables and chairs takes me back to Japan. It felt like i had walked into a different world, and it wad awesome. I really appreciate the vegan and veggie options that are available, however I would recommend going to the Capitol Hill or U District Samurai Noodle if you want more options - the one in the ID has only one type of ramen if you want a vegetarian option. I had the miso broth ramen with extra noodles and a flavored egg, which was bomb. The noodles were al dente (the way I like it), and you could tell they were made in house. The broth was good, and I wish I could judge the other bases, but sadly I do not eat the meats. I'm excited to go back - the price wasn't ridiculous, and the meal was quick. It's a nice place to stop by on a cold, rainy day (did somebody say Seattle?)

    (4)

  • Michaela W.

    Best ramen I've had... I became addicted and have gone regularly over the past few weeks. Perfectly cooked noodles, the broth is fantastically flavorful, and tons of add-on ingredients that take the ramen to a new level. I recommend adding a flavored egg or poached egg, and definitely the spicy garlic. Of all the noodle places I've tried in Seattle this place is doing it right.

    (5)

  • Charlie L.

    I am a huge fan of noodles... especially the street style noodles of asia. Although Samurai is no where near the absolute amazingness served up in San Fran's Japantown (Maki, if you ever find yourself in that city), it is the best I've found in Seattle so far, which is kinda disappointing because of the huge Asian population here. Tried the tonkatsu noodle - really good (almost "slurp it out of your bowl" good), reasonable price, just one bus stop from work. I would totally go again.

    (4)

  • Rebecca S.

    Service here was really, really awkward. The girl working up front was just kind of all over the place. One minute she was taking orders from the line that went out the door, the next she was yelling at customers to not sit down before ordering and then she was assuring me she was doing it for me. She remembered some tea orders, but forgot mine until I was halfway done with my ramen. As for the ramen, it's just glorified $8 top ramen! It's good and all, but I could just heat up some top ramen, add sesame and chili oil and be just as happy and have only spent 10cents. Maybe I'll be happier if I go on a cold winter day, but so far, I'm not so impressed.

    (2)

  • Tokyo Girl J.

    Although I am willing to admit that they try hard, I think I expected too high. The noodles were supposed to have more texture, and the broth can be more flavorful. Maybe the time we went was not good. Will have another try.

    (3)

  • Joe B.

    My favorite mid-day meal on a cold rainy Seattle day is either a great bowl of Pho or a great bowl of Ramen. When I want porky good Ramen, I come here, to this little hole in the wall on the back side of Uwajimaya. (If I want any other variety, I head up to Aloha Ramen) They have the best pork ramen I have had any place, even Tokyo (where they barely give you any meat) Their pork broth is terrific and so is the pork sholder (Well most of the time. I have been here later in the day, and have clearly gotten the dried-up pork meat left overs tossed on my Ramen, so come early). You can get your noodles cooked traditional al dente, or soggy American-style. I recommend al dente. I also recommend ordering all the extra goodies too, such as aded egg and fried garlic chips. (Just make sure you date eats them too) Note: There has been rumors that they might open one up on the Eastside in the Bellevue Uwaji's - I sure hope so!

    (4)

  • Tamila H.

    Ramen was pretty good, number one it had homemade noodles and broth was perfect. Good decision before we head out of Seattle.. Yum!

    (4)

  • Samantha M.

    Tonkatsu with the pork belly and samurai armour....perfect. There are no other words. I took what I couldn't eat home...and because I don't have a microwave just ate it cold and it was just as good. I'd eat here everyday if it were across the street :)

    (5)

  • Stan L.

    good ramen albeit slightly overpriced since the portions are a bit small.. noodles came out perfectly (al dente).. and they even sell it to go so you can make it at home.. i like the fact they do give you free 2 hours of parking too

    (4)

  • Leslie N.

    I might be a bit biased because this is the only ramen I've ever eaten but my boyfriend especially loves it since he's from Hawaii and used to frequent a ramen shop there once a week. I like this location a lot more than the busy Ave one, its more homey feeling since its small, and with that being said. I NEVER go with more than a group of 4. I've come to love ramen for comfort over my people's food; pho. I think it's mostly my noodle preference though. Ramen is just soooooooooooo tasty!!!!! :D

    (5)

  • Erica C.

    DELICIOUS! If you are craving authentic ramen, this is the place to go! It's a very small but quaint sized restaurant, and the food comes really quick. They have lots of yummy options to choose from. I chose the tonkotsu ramen, and it was so tasty! You can also add different sides to your ramen, such as a boiled egg, corn, scallions, and whatever else they have on the menu. I love Samurai Noodle, they are worth the hype. Check it out!

    (5)

  • J1 J.

    Best ramen in Seattle. (That i've had so far). I think this Samurai location in the ID serves better soup than the bigger Samurai on Capitol Hill. What to order - their tonkotsu with pork belly. The tonkotsu broth is - in a word - craveable. It's the essence of japanese umami. They also started serving a bacon tonkotsu - which I gotta say, as a bacon lover, hits the spot. Definitely not authentic japanese, but still goood. Yeah, goood with that extra "o." The noodles are made fresh in their Capitol Hill location. You can actually order extra noodles if you're left with extra broth at the end. I find that I have the reverse problem - I go straight for the broth and always end up with more noodles than broth at the end. Can't reiterate how good that broth is. They've got pickled pink ginger at each table that you can add prn/asneeded to your soup, and oh man - it's the perfect cut of acid for the rich, fatty, meaty tonkotsu broth. I haven't had many of their rice dishes, but there's a wide variety of them if you're not looking for ramen. But the ramen here really is the star, and if you order a rice dish, you're missing out on what this place has to offer. Granted, I've been to better ramen places in Vancouver, the Bay area, and LA. But Seattle's ramen soup spots are few and far between (on my count, it's Samurai and maybe boom noodle... and Tsukushinbo's Friday ramen, which I've yet to enjoy). I'm sure ramen conoisseur's will have something to complain about after eating at Samurai, but there really aren't better places here yet. So Samurai is it in Seattle, and hopefully more will follow.

    (4)

  • J S.

    Had spicy miso with pork broth. The flavor of the soup is too strong, and it made me feel a bit sick after a while. Service was good though.

    (3)

  • Ken S.

    Samurai Noodle serves ramen 25 yards away from where Uwajimaya food court also serves ramen. If it's a choice between the two, then Samurai has the edge, but not by a huge margin. Because Seattle has so few dedicated ramen joints, I can't allow myself to be too picky, but the ramen itself was about par with what you'd find at Boom Noodle or the like. I felt that it was overpriced for what it is. The first time I went, I ordered the miso ramen. I was a little let down. The noodles tasted like the the standard refrigerated noodles, a definite step up from dried instant, but I still felt that pang of disappointment. The toppings were very meager and the broth average. The next time, I ordered the extra toppings, called "samurai armor". This addressed the toppings issue and significantly improved the dish to a solid but not particularly memorable ramen. Including tax, the ramen plus the extra topping was $15. That's a bit like being charged $15 for a burger; it better be a damn fine burger or there better be a white tablecloth on the table. I asked for gyoza, a ramen house staple, but they don't serve that. So make that a $15 burger with no fries. I have a high bar for places that are dedicated ramen joints, so I'm writing from the standpoint of high expectations. Those less frantic for ramen probably wouldn't see things the same way.

    (3)

  • H T.

    The best pork tonkotsu I have tried in Seattle area, soup is with complex flavor and very tasty. Store is a bit cramped though, other food is ok but the best they have to offer is definitely the tonkotsu ramen.

    (4)

  • Katy H.

    It pains me to write an average review for a place everyone loves. I certainly had a pleasant meal here but after all the rave reviews, I expected to have the ramen blow my mind. It was good though, don't get me wrong! My dad and I enjoyed a lovely (and filling) meal. Here's the even better part though... I walked in, asked for recommendations and asked a few questions. the woman behind the counter was incredibly kind to me. She explained how some people prefer softer noodles to harder noodles, how the different broths varied, what soups were the most popular, etc. I was so impressed with her customer service skills and was so glad she was so polite. I was worried that at a place so popular, she'd brush me off or hurry me along. Instead she took her time helping me place and order and my dad and I had a lovely meal as a result.

    (3)

  • Cameron L.

    This place is really cute in a tiny corner of Uwajimaya. But when you walk inside, oh dear it was smaller then most studio apartments! Which was cool in a way because I'd imagine it would be this small in Japan or something. The poor staff there have to stand in such cramped areas next to like 3 huge pots of broth. They were quite sweaty... though I cant blame them but it was kind of nasty... There is a reason why you dont see the people cooking your food at most restaurants. Also there was only on restroom there but since it was so small you can kind of hear all that goes on in there... The place must be like 450 square feet or something. I can only imagine what it would be like to have someone in there suffering from major diarrhea The food was not very impressive. It was really plain and not all that special really. The miso ramen was kind of strange. It was really greasy in apparence with this redish oil like thing on it. It was kind of salty and they added a piece of butter in it haha which I heard they did in Japan too. I would recommend ordering something other than that. But seriously in the area there are TONS of other choices you can go. And at that price... I'd rather go elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Yulia L.

    I got the seasonal mackerel. It was delicious. My boyfriend got noodle soup Shoyou. Noodles and broth were fantastic. Get extra noofles for 1.50. Great noodle night! 10\10 would recommend!

    (5)

  • Patrick L.

    I absolutely love this place, and wish I could eat there more often. If only I lived closer and they were open for more hours. Authentic Japanese Ramen with plenty of selections for broths, noodles, meat and vegetable ingredients. If you're really hungry, you can add extra noodles and ingredients as you please. Granted, this place can get a bit spendy for noodle soup when you start adding more ingredients, but I feel it's worth it. It's a really tiny place, so much so that you really don't understand until you go there. Because of this, you're required to order your food at the counter before they'll seat you, if there's even anything available. They only take cash, and you pay when you order. Whether you love ramen or are just interested in trying it, this is the place to go.

    (5)

  • Karen D.

    It was my first time trying ramen of the non-supermarket variety, and I found it okay to good. Loved the flavor of the noodles; just wished there more of them. Also the broth could have used a bit more flavor. But I'm not sure if this was unique to Samurai or if it is just the nature of the ramen beast. I'm going to try a few more ramen places and then will decide if I should return to Samurai.

    (3)

  • Jon L.

    Located in the Uwajimaya complex, but separate from the food court. Samurai Noodle is a small ramen shop with a few tables. It has been a while since I last visited, so with the weather getting cooler, Samurai felt like a good place to go warm up on some noodles. The focus here is on the noodles with many variations of toppings, broths and a choice of noodle textures. They also have an eggless noodle for those that can not handle gluten. There are also rice bowls if you somehow decide against having noodles. I got the tonkatsu ramen ($6.75) which is made with pork broth with extra noodles ($1.37). I decided on having the noodles prepared firm. They were out of pork slices, so it came with shredded pork. The noodles itself were okay. Even without the extra helping of noodles, I would have been full. I should tried had them prepared soft or less firm. The toppings were good, though I would have like to have seen kamaboko fishcake as an offering. While the noodles were just fine, the broth was truly amazing. It was very rich, almost creamy tasting. Samurai is the best ramen shop I have found in the Seattle area. I know that Samurai was thinking of opening a place on the Eastside, I hope they actually do. For now, Boom will suffice I guess.

    (4)

  • AT C.

    a couple times i went, broth is always saltier than my preference. noodles are not bad though. i like the options. just the place is so freaking tiny! i wouldn't come back because of that.

    (3)

  • Char Y.

    we were here on a week day and ordered tonkotsu ramen the noodles were ok, just need more bite and texture, and the soup is just ok, and the texture of the pork is not soft enough. can be better but there isn't a ramen store in chicago that can beat it!

    (2)

  • Suie C.

    It's okay. There are very limited choices for Ramen in the Seattle area so I've ended up here a few times. Portion wise- they're good, I usually can't finish the whole thing, but most guys I know can scarf the whole thing down even with added toppings. The pork is okay, not the softest, can be a bit dry at times, but not bad either. I usually get the Tonkotsu broth, but the last couple times I've been here, the broth has just been overly salty and lacking in flavor. I've had much better ramen, but those are mainly in Vancouver BC and california. Price wise- ~$10+ for a bowl, especially if you get the armor (extra meat/toppings). Pricey for mediocre ramen. Still searching for a good ramen place around the area.

    (2)

  • Henry N.

    This place is about average to slightly above average.the broth and noodle is pretty good, but the extras are insufficient. The shoyu just has ramen, egg, and pork slice and nothing else. The portion is a bit small for the price. I don't want to compare but Kukai in Bellevue tastes as good if not better with the portion being bigger and offers more items in the ramen. I would come back if I can't find anything better in the area so the search continues.

    (3)

  • Clint W.

    Itty bitty place on the back side of Uwaji's. Seating for about a dozen folks and you have to sort of cram inside to order from the counter. There are quite a few choices and its sort of like Paseo, where you are in line and the clock is ticking and you cant figure out what you want to order. I decided on the spicy onion noodles, which is basically noodles in a bright red broth. Not horrible spicy, but I thought the broth was tasty. The noodles weren't as good as I had hoped, but still it was a fun sort of meal. The regular noodles are about 6 1/2 bucks...not too bad. Mine was 8 bucks and I'm not sure it deserved the premium. Honestly, I'm being stingy here. I think this is a 3 1/2 star place but I'm docking half a star because we could not get a seat and it was freezing outside.

    (3)

  • Derrick V.

    I know having my first real bowl of ramen at Santouka (one of the best) would come back to haunt me. I'm not sure anything else will measure up. The menu at Samurai allows you to customize your bowl but the default ingredients aren't much so it ends up being pricey if you order everything you really want. You can have the noodles cooked firm or soft, the broth with extra fat, and add all sorts of extra toppings. Their small portion of firm noodles were thin and weren't as firm as I liked. The extra rich tonkotsu broth I asked for was well, extra rich, just an extra layer of fat on the top. I tasted the plain broth which was already rich on its own so no need to "pork up". The thick slices of pork weren't the most tender and definitely not silky like at Santouka. The only other ingredients were scallions and woodear mushrooms. No egg or bamboo shoots, basically everything else is extra. They even have signs saying if you're still hungry, order extra noodles for $1.50, which we actually did, but it didn't necessarily hit the spot, I was just underwhelmed with the small bowl. I hear it's probably one of the better options in town so if you're a ramen fan, check it out if you visit.

    (3)

  • Husky D.

    Get the Tonkotsu with firm noodles - al dente - style. This is what they are known for according to the person who took my order. Rest of family was also impressed. Too bad couldn't make back for 2nd/3rd trip.

    (5)

  • Tina L.

    My friend, Sharlyn L, and I went to Seattle for the first time, and she was wondering if there were any ramen houses in Seattle. So of course, what do we do? -- We Yelp! We googled "nearby" and they weren't actual ramen houses, but a little more digging, we found Samurai Noodles. The zip code on here is actually different from what Google Map gave us. So I gave them a call to confirm, I was totally expecting an Asian voice to pick up, but this voice was clearly Caucasian-y. Haha. So we went there, and there was no one there yet, but we ordered our food, and BOY did it come FAST or what?! It was really good. I wanted to order more noodles, just because "if you're hungry, save the broth and order more noodles". I was honestly full, but I never seen a ramen place offer such thing, so I just wanted to do it to say I did. This place was definitely on the smaller side, but if you come early, I'm sure there is plenty of room available. Plus, they serve fast, so maybe people will be hustling in and out of the place.

    (5)

  • Dean H.

    Homemade ramen noodles in different firmness? That is what you get at Samurai Noodle. Don't let the name fool you, most of the places with clique "Japanese" names are usually not so good, was I wrong. This places has the normal fare of shoyu, miso, spicy, and tonkotsu and mixtures of all but this place also has ordering of different firmness of noodles. Yes, if you like mushy noodles, you can get that, if you want SUPER al dente, you can get that too! What is that all about?? I tired the ramen noodles one night (curly) and then did the thin noodles the second night. Both with tonkotsu broth. MMMM good. Happy hour gets you 4 shumai, some edamame, and a full glass of sake. When I say full glass I mean about 8 ounces of sake for 5 dollars. Yes, you heard that right, 5 dollars. You can also add on a rice bowl. I got the pork bowl and it was basically the "char sui" pork from the ramen broken up on rice with 5 tbsp of green onion. It was pretty good cause the pork is lightly flavored with shoyu sugar mix. I liked it a lot! Another thing is that you can add extra noodles to your bowl for $1.50. It says, "save your soup" and get another order of noodles after. I was like WHOA, good stuff if you are still hungry. The serving was pretty big so it was more than filling. The validated parking at uwajimaya is a good deal and the bathrooms were clean. The wait staff is very friendly and the restaurant was clean. Small place with about 4-5 tables. Go and order first at the counter and then go sit down. Yeah, that is how they roll. Go get some of that good hot broth and stuff, you won't be disappointed....

    (5)

  • Laura B.

    I used to love this place. Ever since they opened the U-dist location, quality & customer service has declined greatly. Too bad.

    (2)

  • Ryan N.

    Talk about HEARTY ramen! Larger than normal portions for a bowl of ramen. GO BIG and order the Samurai Armor combo with your ramen. Go even BIGGER and order an extra side of noodles since you'll definitely have enough broth left over for some. Just peaked at their menu and looks like they've added more ramen options. I might have to make a trip back here....IF I CAN GET A SEAT! This location fits about 12 people at max. QUICKTIP: SODIUM OVERLOAD...quite possibly more than your average recommended in-take! Fu-Lin anyone?

    (3)

  • Jen T.

    Currently craving it as we speak! The tonkatsu broth is divine. Creamy and savory! I like that they give you options for ramen. Skinny or fat noodles, soft//med//hard. I always get the Tonkatsu with skinny ramen medium- extra corn & bean sprouts. Service is good- quick and delicious. I also appreciate the condiments that are available at the table- Chili flakes, Sesame seeds, Japanese red pepper seasoning, and pickled ginger( my fav!) It feels like a real ramen shop in Asia :)

    (5)

  • Huong N.

    Mom and I had lunch. We both got the ramen noodle soup. It was good but the broth was not as flavorful as other places I've tried.

    (3)

  • Kimberly B.

    Exceptional. My roommate brought me here before an Uwajimaya trip, and I was totally blown away. This is absolutely the best ramen I've eaten, anywhere, and the price is right. It's tiny, and occasionally the service can be a little spotty, but it's worth it.

    (5)

  • Laura P.

    Both entertaining and delicious! The spicy dipping noodles are addictive, I could've eaten 5 bowls worth! The Offspring was playing the whole time we were there which kept us laughing the whole meal. Great place, great food, great prices! I'll be back!

    (5)

  • Mei C.

    2 stars, only because the broth was ok. My instant chinese noodles were better than here...and that only cost my 35 cents compared to $8 not well spent. After the first few bites you kind of realize...:uhm, maybe not". I'm glad I tried this place but I won't be coming back. The enterage of white waiters who talked about smoking weed and skate boarding should have dropped the hint.

    (2)

  • Mitsu K.

    Really yummy ramen. This is actually the only ramen restaurant I've been to in Seattle, and I really enjoy it.

    (4)

  • Nanako E.

    As a Japanese food snob, this place just doesn't live up to my standards. I've had good ramen in Japan and yes, it's unfair to compare this place to ramen places in Japan, but, with that said, I have been to far better ramen shops in the states as well. The soup is bland and doesn't have any flavor. I went for the first time a few years ago, walking out of there unimpressed, but I decided to give them another shot today. Because I had remembered the ramen to taste so bland and...blah from my previous experience, I decided to order the teriyaki pork rice. The pork was dry and therefore not pleasant to eat. Rest of my family ordered ramen and they all said the soup was bland and not good. I think if the owner, or whoever is in charge of coming up with the recipes for the ramen, knew what they were doing, they would put more effort into improving the dishes here. I think I'd rather eat instant noodles than this. :/ Look elsewhere for delicious noodles!

    (1)

  • Reesa T.

    Nothing to say here that has not already been said. Wow- very good. I like the inexpensive edamame too! The soy broth was really good. My boyfriend and I split things pretty frequently and I really really like that here you can get more/extra noodles for what, $1.50-$1.75? if you haven't eaten all the broth! I'd like to trey more and more vegetable combination's here so I know I will go back. Their tofu itself was a bit meh- that is the only really tangible reason that its a 4 star and not a 5 star location. The firm noodles were also a little, meh- the medium is probably my favorite. Its a small little place that can get pretty crowded pretty fast. The people working here do an excellent job though of keeping things moving, fast service is always good. If you have to wait around for a few for a table know it will be worth the wait!

    (4)

  • Kelly H.

    i agree with Johnny W... this place is just ok. I've must prefer the bay area and LA ramen shops than this one... i got the tonkotsu with ultra rich pork flavor... and i was disappointed... i guess i really was expecting something super tasty... i thought the soup lacked the true tonkotsu flavor... noodles aren't great... better if they were home made i suppose... eh... just made me miss LA ramen THAT much more... kinda feel bad that this is suppose to be the most authentic ramen shop here... =(

    (3)

  • Eugene C.

    This place is getting progressively worse. The first time I had their Chili spicy Ramen thing, it was divine. I swore to myself I would never eat packaged ramen again. I went a second time, I was less please. But I could still remember the taste of the first time around so my hope for the place remained high. The third time I went, I had the Chili ramen and I tried the Soba thing as well. I split with a friend and was less than thrilled this time. The exact level of "less than thrilledness" would be that now I prefer packaged ramen at home over this supposedly "gourmet" ramen. When I can boil water at home and eat ramen for $1 that tastes better than a $8 ramen at a store, it really is a no brainer. Unless I hear they reverted to their old standards of quality, I definitely won't be coming back here in the near future. I give three stars because it's a mix between 5 stars the first time, 3 stars the second time, and 2 stars the third time. Since there aren't any .5 stars or anything. That's what they get.

    (3)

  • Wyman L.

    This is a fantastic noodle place Ihave been so far. The broth taste pig's bone and so rich. The meat is soft and tasty. My favorite is "Hell Fire" which I always request to mix the noodle in the soup so it tastes so much better. Other choices are awesome too. It's a must go place for Japanese noodle.

    (4)

  • Mida P.

    I would advise not coming here with a large group because this place is TINY! I came here with my 2 friends and we arrived before two groups of 3 people as well. Although we arrived first, we were seated LAST because we got to the counter and paid last. It was strange to have to go to the counter to order and pay for our food before even being seated. But anyway, we just waited outside for 5 minutes in the cold until a table was open for us. This will probably be the first and last time eating here because I was disappointed with the food. I ordered the tonkotsu ramen because other Yelpers have raved about it. The noodles were REALLY thin! I'm talking chow mien thin. I have never had ramen noodles as thin as they were at Samurai Noodle. The pork broth wasn't very flavorful like I imagined it to be, but I did like the roasted pork in the ramen, it was so soft and flavorful! I know it seems like I'm knocking on this place, but I'm from Hawaii and I've eaten at a ton of ramen places and I'm just basing my experience off my usual ramen experience. Tonkotsu ramen wasn't that good, but the workers/service was good.

    (2)

  • Jennie R.

    I got a number five. This was my first experience with ramen that wasn't from a packet and I LOVED it. There wasn't a single bit I didn't enjoy- from the pork, to the fish cake, to the firmer, fresher noodles, to the hard boiled egg. I will definitely be back and will likely bring friends or family with me. The only down side is the tiny space with a few tables.

    (4)

  • Irene L.

    When I moved to the Seattle area, I asked a Japanese friend at work for recommendations to ramen places. She said that though Samurai Noodle is not great by her standards, it's the best place in this area. But I think it's great! I order the soy/pork broth (I think it's called tonyu-tonkatsu) the first time and have ordered it everytime since. And after I let my boyfriend have a taste, he now always orders it as well. Their pork is also more delicious than most other ramen places I've eaten at. It's not too dry and it's thick. I also like the cold spicy tofu appetizer. I didn't find the additional toppings portion worth the money. The major reason I don't eat here more is that the restaurant is so small. I suggest avoiding peak meal hours and large parties. Parking can also be a pain, but it helps that they validate if you park at the Uwajimaya.

    (5)

  • Harmony V.

    I love noodles so very much, and noodle soup in particular. This place is the best I've found in Seattle. Their tonkotsu broth is tasty, and I appreciate that you can specify the noodles' firmness. I always make sure to order the extra noodles, and pay for it afterwards when all that starchy goodness starts expanding in my stomach later. Still, totally worth it.

    (5)

  • Lily H.

    Now THIS is what I'm talking about. My first foray into the Seattle ramen noodle scene was at the Boom Noodle Bistro, which was a mistake. (Seriously- who tries to make ramen into a high end foodie adventure? That is not in the true nature of ramen) Samurai Noodle is much more authentic. I knocked off half a star because the space was so cramped and the ventilation in the room was really bad, so all the kitchen aromas infiltrated the dining room and made my very sensitive red headed boyfriend sick to his stomach. He felt better once the food got to our table, though. The bowls are decently sized and come with a boatload of toppings, which is unusual for any ramen joint. Usually you just get a smattering of corn, scallions, and two pieces of meat. Not so here. The noodles were also just the right amount of chewy (I ordered the medium), and the scallions and corn looked fresh. I knocked off another half star for the slowness of the meal: when you eat ramen, you're looking for a simple, filling, fast-food meal. The speed of the service here was a tad slow for that. At your table there's also a little shelf just above eye level with all the seasonings you need for a perfect bowl of ramen. I will definitely come back for my next ramen fix, but I'm still on the search for the true ramen experience.

    (4)

  • MAX P.

    My friend took me here, she was raving about the place. She ordered her usual and when it came, it was like water with warm noodles. The soup had NO FLAVOR and was barely warm. The place wasn't busy, but service was slow and took forever to get someone's attention and make us another batch. Second batch came and that took forever as well, this time, broth was way too salty and I pretty much lost my appetite. She said she never had such a terrible experience her and apologized for my experience. I told I'll never come back here again, for crappy tasting noodle/broth. Sorry Olivia, this place sucks.

    (1)

  • Jeong K.

    If you like noodle soups but are sick of Pho, try ramen at Samurai...but be warned. The place only seats around 16 people and gets very crowded. Typical of ramen broth, it is very salty. Noodles had a good texture. Everyone in my dining party, either with a third world stomach or an American-born flora developed stomach aches after dining at Samurai. I would rather make ramen at home or go out for Beef Noodle Soup at Chiangs.

    (1)

  • Naurry K.

    Meh.... That's the most I can come up for this place. The ramen was mediocre and definitely not to my taste... I've had better couple blocks over. So with this place I must bid adieu because, while I adore and respect my fellow Yelpers, I have to respectfully disagree and carry on.

    (2)

  • Timmmaahh W.

    Honestly, the ramen was pretty good. Tasty broth, succulent pork bits. The problem is, way over priced. For about $4 cheaper I can eat a much larger and tastier bowl of ramen down the street at Fu-Lin. Also, $1.50 for a half cold can of coke, are you friggin kidding me?! I won't be back anytime soon. Don't get me wrong, decent food, just way over priced.

    (2)

  • Nina N.

    I hate that everytime I come here there is a mother f'n line.. but I bite the bullet one day, and came by myself and just ordered my bowl(s) of delicious ramen.. YES THEY CAN MAKE IT ANY WAY YOU WANT IT.. that means I can have my ramen noodles so soft that I don't have to wait for it soften!!! double yes!!! So I got the spicy noodles with the shrimp; deliciousness... I also Got a bowl of the miso broth one which I love so much.. and I think the people there thought I was crazy.. but I just did it to try.. sheesh... Some girls buy shoes, I buy two bowls of ramen to taste.... yes even through our economic downshit I can still eat the way I love.. I just won't have new clothes haahah jk...

    (5)

  • Cinderella T.

    I heard great places about this place but at the end, I had to give it an average rating. This is a tiny place and it is not child friendly. I do not like how close the bathroom door is to the seating area. It is a place to order, eat fast and go. There was a long line and we waited maybe 45 minutes for 3 people. Food was OK and I have had better ramen before.

    (3)

  • Candis A.

    I'm kinda obsessed with this place right now. I always get the same thing: tonkotsu. It comes with black mushrooms, a slice of pork, and green onions. I add a soft boiled egg, which really puts it over the top. The broth is creamy without being too thick. It is really well seasoned. Typing this review is making me want one riiiight now. Most of the time I get it to go and I LOVE the way they are able to package their ramen to go. The bowl is exactly big enough to house the noodles, broth, and the extras. The noodles are a little on the firm side once I get back to the office, but I'll let them sit in the broth for a while and then use my chopsticks to break them up a bit. The restaurant itself is tiny. Maybe 6 tables? But the service is fast and they turn over quickly.

    (4)

  • Vanessa W.

    Havent been to this place in awhile. I ordered a bacon tonkatsu, add an egg for $1. It was as tasteful as I can remember it. It wasnt a wow must try ramen, but if you are in the area, it will do the job to get you filled Small little tucked in restaurant, next door to boiling point. It was the servers first day of working, so we were super patient with him. At the same time, we were on a time crunch and everything seem to be coming out a bit slow for our liking. 3 stars because of service and how small the place was plus felt a lil rush because of the seating ( ppl were waiting) food wise not bad.

    (3)

  • Rhonda S.

    So. Good. And let me tell you why: I'm a vegetarian. My boyfriend is a meat lover. We both have so many different types of ramen to choose from! It's a beautiful thing. Most of the time I go places and there is one vegetarian option. And of course it has kale in it. BUT NOT HERE! THE OPTIONS ARE LIMITLESS! Personally, I love the Miso soup but the spicy veggie option is delicious too. Plus I have yet to see kale on the menu. Today, I got even better news: THEY DELIVER! It's too far away from work to walk on my lunch break so I ordered through eat24 and it got here just in time for my lunch! Also, they are 10,000 times better than the chain ramen restaurant that just went in up the street! Save your tastebuds and go to Samurai instead!

    (5)

  • Daniela B.

    My friend recommended it to me .. So when I first walked in I thought what the **** it looked so bad and old. But we tried anyway and OMG. I'll definitely go there again. The soup was amazing I don't even have words .. It's all I ever wanted from a noodle soup. I had a stir fry soup and it was so goooddd

    (5)

  • Roger B.

    Was doing the spicey miso and tonkatsu from hell bowls. Loved those. Now gravitating towards the garlic with an extra slice of pork. That and a cup of gen mai cha. First, the tea is majestic. If you haven't tried, please do. The Ramen bowl is perfect as well. Noodles all dente. My only wish is for thicker and fattier slices of pork. My belly is full and happy! Very busy at lunch. Try to come a bit before noon or after 1 pm. Small place. Maybe 10 tables. Service is friendly. .

    (4)

  • Cat L.

    I probably should be giving Samurai Noodle less than 4 stars. It's nowhere near the best ramen that I've ever had, and my bowl left me slightly unsatisfied and wanting more. However, because I am a fan of ramen in general and because a hot bowl of noodles will make anyone happy on a cold day, I'm giving this place 4 stars and plan on returning in the future. This place is seriously a hole-in-the-wall. It only seats about 15 people max inside, and if there's any sort of wait then it's definitely not worth it. I came on a Monday night with a group of 6 for an early dinner and luckily did not have to wait at all, although we ended up having to split up and sit separately. The ramen we ordered came out quickly, and we were in and out in about 30 minutes. The menu has a nice variety of different ramens, and you can get your noodles cooked to your preference. I got a shoyu bowl ($8.95) with extra firm egg noodles and was satisfied with the noodle texture, but the rest of my bowl was pretty bland. The soup was thin, and the bowl only came with some seaweed, about 1.5 slices of pork and a handful of chives. I'll definitely have to add on more toppings next time (at least corn, sprouts, and an egg), but that'll add a few extra bucks on top of the ramen.

    (4)

  • Anthony S.

    I went here for dinner tonight. Had a great meal. Loved their noodles. Soft, chewy. You knew these were fresh just biting into them. My friend and I ordered the Tonkotsu and the Tonkotsu from Hell (spicy version). While the hell version came in a bowl deep red, it definitely appeared more hell-ish than the flavor led me on to believe. It was lightly spicy with deep flavors of toasted red chili flakes over a medium rich pork broth. Paired with two appetizers, some sort of marinated pork dish and a dish of takoyaki, all in all was a good dinner combination.

    (4)

  • Michael B.

    As close as you will find to authentic Japanese Ramen. Each day there is a showcase ramen that is marked down in price.

    (4)

  • Lin R.

    Let me preface this review by saying I absolutely hate going out to noodle places. My mom taught me how to make one dish before I left for college, and yep ... it was noodles.The issuesI have with most noodle places are that: 1. Its wayy to bland 2. There's not much other than noodles in the bowl making me sit there wondering why I'm paying $10 for this thing in front of me instead of dunking some noodles in broth back at home. Samurai noodle exceeds in both flavor and variety. There is a pallet of flavors to choose from ranging from non-spicy to spicy and you get tons of stuff inside along with the noodles (meat, corn, green onion etc...). I got the spicy miso bowl which was delicious and something I can genuinely say I wouldn't know how to make at home.

    (5)

  • Steph F.

    On my first night in Seattle, there was a night market in the International District in celebration of the Moon Festival. We didn't feel like eating at one of the food trucks and opted to eat at Samurai Noodle after a yelp search in the area. This place had fairly decent reviews but the ramen was so-so in the end. There were less than 10 tables in this small restaurant. However, it was full when we entered. I ordered the shoyu tonkatsu ramen with then wheat noodles. It's a chicken and pork broth and topped with pork. The portions are small and the broth wasn't as flavorful as other ramen places. For $8.50 a bowl, you're still left a bit hungry afterwards.

    (3)

  • Sarah M.

    Wow, really cramped space. Our table was right by the door and we had to listen to 3 people waiting chat the entire time we ate. Soft boiled egg was cold in the middle! They don't make it fresh?! Tonkatsu ramen was really good. Thick, flavorful broth, kind of creamy, and the noodles it comes with (wheat?) is super. I ate it way too quickly, it slurps right up. My husband got tanpopo which is a chicken broth with egg noodle. The noodle was way too firm for a "medium" which he requested but they happily made him a new one. Nice service. Unfortunately he got sick immediately after the meal...

    (3)

  • Jordan M.

    Stopped here with some family before heading to the airport to go back home and I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of my ramen. I ordered the spicy miso, which the guy said was a 3-4 or the 1-10 spiciness level. The soup came and it literally looked like death it was so red, I think it the fat level of the broth might have contributed to that. The spicy miso ramen was sooooo delicious. Yummy! It was really flavorful and the spiciness was about 3-4. Nothing too crazy and not spicy enough where you couldn't taste the actual flavor of the broth. I also ordered my ramen with two soft boiled eggs. I read another review where the soft boiled eggs were cold and he/she was disappointed because the eggs weren't made on the spot. I worked at a ramen restaurant in Los Angeles and all our eggs were made earlier in the day to make the entire process quicker. I would have appreciated if they were in some type of heater or warm water bath because the hot broth with the cold eggs did throw me off a little, but I don't think it's unusual to pre-make the eggs. I do wish there was more nori (seaweed) and bamboo shoots in the ramen! Bamboo shoots would have given it that authentic touch.. I think you had to pay extra for them? I did think the ramen was a little on the pricey side, but I'm not from Seattle, so I'm not sure what the general price is around here, but in Los Angeles and San Diego you can find a great bowl of ramen for a few bucks cheaper and the sides/extras are half the price. Although, they do give you a decent amount of noodles. My boyfriend always orders extra noodles because he feels that they never give enough and he couldn't finish his extra noodles there were so many. We also had the spicy garlic rice and if you're a garlic lover, I definitely recommend trying it out! The rice was actually spicier than the spicy miso ramen!

    (4)

  • Johnny L.

    Samurai Noodle Part III I have been here a few times, this being my 3rd. I thought it was ok, the other times I went, until today. I had the miso ramen and it was tasty; it had corn, green onions, a slice of pork, bean sprouts and gentle noodles. I selected the chicken miso broth; the other choice was pork. Also, it had a slice of butter that melted into the broth and that probably gave it more flavor to make it over the top. The other times I been there I had the tonkotsu and thought it was ok, not worth the price. Service was good for a place that is small and busy in orders. Prices are pretty high, but ramen places has always been that way. I will only come, when my lunch crew comes.

    (4)

  • Qi L.

    So every time when I move to a new city, I try to find some best ramen in town. The tonkutsu here is the worst ramen I had in a while. Won't recommend it.

    (1)

  • Gavin N.

    I remember many late nights in Guam hitting up Fuji Ichiban for 24-7 Chasu Ramen with a side of Karage and salad for under $10. Where could I find something similar in Seattle. Well time to give Samurai Noodle a shop. Drove up late Saturday after a full day hanging out with my fellow nerds at the nerd fest (PAX 2008). Wow this place is really a hole in the wall. I thought Salumi was small, but there's like only 5 tables in there and I think only one or two that can accommodate 3-4 people. I actually ended up laughing at the party of eight who came in shortly after...good luck with that. Anyway, I order their pork ramen, value sized up or whatever. Basically means extra meat, bamboo shoots, I think some bean sprouts, and green onions. I also ordered a side of the pork teriyaki and rice, since they had no Karage so this would have to do. Oh and some of their green tea. So what did I think? Ramen noodles were very yummy, soup also had lots of flavor, your choice of amount of pork fat in the broth is a nice option. Chasu slices, and all the extras also yummy-ness. Okay everything was yummy...even the tea. So why only three stars. Well for the price you pay being some hole in the wall with just basic service (take your food, serve yourself). You really expect more bang for your buck here. The basic $7 ramen here comes with just noodles, one slice of meat, and broth. That's pretty cheap if you ask me. For $7 you should probably expect it to come with everything they charge extra for "Armor'ing it up", but that's my only real complaint. In the mean time I'll still pay the extra $3, but it's just hard to say you're getting a great deal when you're paying $10 for a bowl of noodle soup. I will for sure be back, because yes the ramen is yummy, and the price is still fair. Maybe next time I'll Super Saiyan Shogunize Kamehamehama my Ramen noodles... ~G p.s. I must have lucked out cus when my party of three got there, there was no line and a table for three just waiting for us. I do however with they let us close the damn door. I guess they care more about keeping their cooks cool in the kitchen then their freezing customers.

    (3)

  • J.J. B.

    Do not get Ramen confused with Pho. However if you love Pho, you'll love the Ramen at Samurai Noodle. The rich broth and the flavor of the pork in the ramen dishes are a great combination. You can get your noodles soft, medium, or firm depending on how much "bite" you like. I love to add a scoop of the pickled ginger into the ramen for a spicy/sweet flavor. Another great dish at Samurai Noodle is the Spicy Pork bowl. You can get a large portion of the spicy pork bowl as your lunch, or if you are very hungry (or a big eater like me) you can add a cup of spicy pork to your ramen order and indulge. It's tender roasted pork tossed in a perfectly spicy sauce, served over rice with scallions and pickled ginger. A very tasty dish that is great on the go. Samurai Noodle is a tiny little joint that is always swamped during lunch. It's on the west side of the Uwajimaya building, so it picks up a lot of foot traffic on sunny days. If you have time/patience, it's worth the wait to get a small table in the restaurant. It's fun to sit inside if you don't mind the madness around you. Otherwise, get it to go.

    (4)

  • A. F.

    So I usually go here at least once a month for ramen. It's pretty tasty, but then again I have nothing to really compare it to. The food is pricey, and if they charged a bit less I'd definitely be there more often. I also recently had an awful experience with the service. I ordered a teriyaki pork rice bowl (wasn't in the mood to get soup on my shirt lol). Their bowls come with seaweed and green onions, which I asked to not have in mine. I watched the order taker write it down (not because I didn't think she would, I just happened to see her write it since she was right in front of me when she did it). A few minutes later the food came out and my bowl had green onions on it. I mentioned this to the person bringing it and he was like "well it only said no seaweed," like I ordered wrong or something. I was kind of annoyed, and I didn't actually say "dude, I saw her write down my order, and you're a liar," but I did insist that a bowl without green onions be brought. He left with my food and not one minute later came back, clearly having just removed some of the onions, and dropped it on the table without a word. There were still bits in there I had to pick out, and I was pretty annoyed. This was maybe six weeks ago, and I haven't been back since. I probably will go back eventually, since I work pretty close and it is tasty. But that was crappy service and really not acceptable. He could have just owned up to it, but nope. And then to just kind of toss it at me... Not cool, glasses dude. I hope you were just having a bad day. So... Four stars for food, two stars for service. Three overall. Side note - if they ever have a chance to lease more space, they should absolutely take it. It is SO tiny in there.

    (3)

  • Shannon T.

    This restaurant sure was an experience. I was walking around Uwajimaya with a friend and my brother when we saw this place. It looked kind of sketchy, so we tried to find another ramen place that was legitimate, but ended up returning here. First thing first: the ordering. I have never experienced a restaurant that had an ordering service like this. Basically, I had to order and pay first then get seated. It was almost like fast food. At the same time, I understood that it was more efficient since the place only has 10 tables, and chairs are more like stools. It was a very small place. I got the tampopo, my brother had a tonkotsu, and our friend had the shouyu. The tampopo was really good. It came with a pork slice, a hard boiled egg, naruto (fish cakes), nori, and noodles. The broth was a chicken broth, so probably shouyu. The most notable part of the ramen was that the broth didn't get saltier over time. I was immensely satisfied after the meal. Overall, the ramen was good. The only disappointment was that the pork wasn't the thin, delicate slice I'm used to. It was a thick, cooked piece of pork. Also, the egg was hard boiled instead of soft boiled. They both tasted great, but the authenticity wasn't completely there. I'm also pretty sure that there is no Japanese cook in the back. All I saw was a couple of college kids working their neck off in the back. The service was friendly and laid back. I'd come back, but it'd be more for the experience than the food.

    (3)

  • R W.

    This small restaurant around the corner from the entrance to Uwajimaya has the ambiance of a hole-in-the-wall place in Japan. It is quite small and there always seems to be a wait, but it's one of the better ramen places in the International District. There is a variety of broths to choose from ranging from simple shoyu to spicier fare for those who prefer that sort of thing. I opted for the miso, and it was pretty good. I decided to try it with the pat of butter, but next time I think I'll skip it... it adds a weird fatty flavor that doesn't seem to blend well with the broth. The noodles were cooked well, and over all it was pretty good.

    (4)

  • Ane P.

    There isn't another place like this in Seattle...at least that I'm aware of. Saimin with any toppings you like??! And it's not all freaking westernized, causing you to spend a small fortune on what you know you could probably just whip up in your kitchen. In mine, I added a seasoned egg (hard-boiled in teriyaki sauce or something...it was seasoned..soooo well!), garlic flakes, water chestnut... And you can stat with whichever soup base you like. Want extra noodles? You've got it! Really...you need to try this place out. I don't know why it took me so long, when everybody was recommending it. Only thing is...you're going to want to make sure you don't miss the early closing hours or the crowds. It's a small place.

    (5)

  • Jasmine M.

    Good compared to other ramen I've had in Japanese restaurants in the Seattle area but still no where near anything we have tasted in Japan, Hawaii or even NYC. It's good to come here when you have a craving for ramen. Keep on eating, diners!

    (4)

  • Josh P.

    This place is awesome. I go to the one connected to the outside of Uwajimaya for lunch. I've been going here for the past few years and have got my go to meal. Pork/chicken broth with the Armor. I mean if you are going to a place named after a traditional Japanese warrior, how can you not get the accompanying goodies? It's like going to a place called The Centurion's BBQ and not ordering a gladius upgrade. Ok that made no sense, must be the years of Discovery channel talking. Anyways, the armor upgrade includes more pork slices(can be a bit on the fatty side, but oh so good), bamboo shoots, seaweed, and mushrooms. It comes on an entire separate plate from your regular Japanese style ramen and I just dump it all in. The noodles can be cooked to order(I always choose mine a bit soft) and the pork is juicy, the bamboo shoots...bambooey, and the seaweed...oceany. I'm coming up with a lack of adjectives but its just good overall. This place is mobbed by Amazon people(all located in the buildings right across the street) and has very few seats, so try to get there a bit early for lunch. Dinner is easier to get a seat at; I've heard a few new ones have sprung up which may have more seats. If after your first meal you aren't satisfied, think about upgrading to the armor...its only natural.

    (4)

  • Alice C.

    Theres something about a Japanese restaurant staffed almost entirely by white college/post collegiate aged men that makes me a little wary of a place that claims to be an authentic ramen place. Maybe Im in the boat that ramen should be made by someone who is Japanese, not a white guy obsessed with Japanese manga. Ramen was good- Id never had ramen that hadnt come in a styrofoam bowl or plastic bag (mmmm, gotta love those food banks), so I have no idea on the "Im going to be an authenticity whore" spectrum. Really salty, though, and slow service- there were two other people there, WTF? And expensive for a tiny assed bowl of noodles.

    (3)

  • Dub N.

    Went here twice. Both times were pretty bad. Anything from the undercooked noodles, watery soup broth, service, parking, seating area, you name it......THIS IS A 1 STAR RESTAURANT. go to Aloha Ramen in greenlake. (but, they are only open for 2 hours!)

    (1)

  • Robert K.

    Honestly, almost all ramen in the Seattle area is bad. If i compared to just this area, i would still only give it a 4 though. Noodles are below average, soup is similar. Pricing is slightly high for what you are getting. Dishes: Shio ramen and rice dishes Disclaimer: I will actually say I think I know ramen taste very well and could say I'm even a tad generous with this rating. I had to be since I'm comparing to my experiences elsewhere. I also haven't been here in a long time so maybe it's improved/not?

    (3)

  • Aris L.

    Ive tried many type of ramen. For this restaurant the ramen has a plain taste. NOT RECOMMENDED!

    (2)

  • Michelle S.

    I love thee ramen, but the hungover guy running the register was not very nice to me. I get it, you went out last night. I tried to be friendly because sometimes that is all someone needs to brighten their mood. This guy was having none of it! I got take away and while I understand they are busy, why don't they just put the broth seperate from the noodles and such. No mushy noodles, just a kit to put together your own meal. Two containers is all it would take. Three if you get the extra armour. Who am I kidding, I will come back. I just will eat there and keep my head down. There are only so many ramen houses in the city. Pho does not count as ramen. They are different creatures. Both delicious, but different.

    (3)

  • Thomas L.

    Great food? I guess that's up to what you are ordering and how you like your ramen. Now, please don't compare these to top ramen you buy at the grocery store for $0.10... full of salt... We've tried many different ramen from here but have settled for the best 2 in our book: chili green onion ramen and the tetsu max. Chili green onion ramen: good solid broth with the bunch of green onion for extra taste. Chicken based broth. Tetsu max: spicy dipping ramen, add some pork slice and just eat away, you don't need to add anything to it. Probably the best ramen place in the pacific northwest, way way better than boom noodle, but still not as good as Shin Sen Gumi in southern california.

    (5)

  • Sarah G.

    This ramen is good and possibly the best in Seattle (still no Daikokuya!). I'm skeptical of the option to adjust the noodles -- Nina N. likes soft, I like extra firm though there's something to be said for specialties and house secrets. The sesame is optional, on the table, rather than put right in the ramen. I prefer my sesame directly in the ramen because table-side sesame potentially means powdered sesame or broken pieces that overpower the broth. The meat was plentiful and the broth rich and fatty but delicate, thin, melt in your mouth meat is ideal. I'd give it another try for sure, but I won't wait more than about 30 minutes! + $1 for egg? Boo!

    (3)

  • Randall H.

    I'm very much new to ramen. Even though I went to college and come from a lower middle-class family, I did NOT subsist on ramen at any point during my time at school. I don't know why that seems strange to so many folk, but it's some combination of the midwestern diet of my youth and the fact I lived in residence halls my entire time studying. Just didn't come up. Then, once out of school...just seemed unappealing. Now, I have recently begun to sample the instant ramen offerings found in crazy variety via the numerous Asian groceries in and around Seattle, which I now adore. All that being said, this is NOT the same as the stigmatized instant noodle dish with which many are familiar. The broth is instantly memorable. Never had anything quite like it. Have gone with the rich pork broth, as well as the "Tetsuo Hell Fire" broth (twice now), which makes an interesting splatter pattern on my shirt front due to my amateurish slurping habits. Last time in, I added the "Ramen Armor" to my Tetsuo plate. WOW! In addition to ending up being WAY too much food, I was overwhelmed by the abject joy of dipping hard-cooked egg and tasty chunks of pork in the spicy (not too spicy, really) broth. This place has quickly become one of my favorite things about Seattle. I guess one could easily be critical about the lack of seating and the awkward service, but, for me, the food is what's important here and there is not a bowl of noodles and broth in town for me which comes close.

    (5)

  • Hamakko N.

    This place provides a reasonable price, quick service but still the noodles are too soft. I personally like Kata-men. The tonkotsu tastes pretty good - not too oily but simply melt on your tongue and finishes smoothly. But if you are a fan of ramen, it worth driving to Seattle because feel like I am home. (everything is so japanese-size, but wish it was more spacious, the air from the outside comes from the front door and it was ridiculously icy cold during the winter.) Overall, it's a nice little ramen store closed to Uwajimaya villege.

    (3)

  • Liza R.

    I loveeee this place!!! My dear friend took me there one time and now it has become our date night place to go. She is always the one that orders for me because I have no idea what to get! The ginger is devine, I feel like I could eat the whole plate of it and both my friend are petite, but we finish that right up! Delicious!!! Cute little place, no loud music, so you can just chill and chat. Not for large groups, best for 2-3 people! Love it!

    (5)

  • Jason H.

    I was here with my buddy and we were hungry so we order a lot of food. In particular we ordered: 1 Miso Ramen 1 Hells Fire (the spicy one at the bottom) 1 Tonkonsu (not sure if it is spelled correctly) ramen 1 Bowl of the friend rice 1 order of the Pork Siomay 1 order of the Shrimp Siomay. The Miso and the ramen I can't spell are 3 stars. It is not the best I've had but we are in Seattle so can't really complain. Not sure if it was the soup base or something, but it is just not quite right. The Hells Fire, we ordered because we wanted to try how hot it is. It is spicy and leave a dry thoart feeling afterwards. When we got the food the soup has warm and the noodle was cold. Hence, it really wasn't that great. 2 Stars The Siomays.. were probably 1-2 Stars. I have a feeling that they are the frozen type, probably from Uwajimaya next door. The pork siomay was hot and alright, but the shrimp was horrible because they didnt heat it up enough. I remember 2 of the shrimp siomay, I bit into it and could feel the coldness, which indicates a frozen type. You could save yourself a few bucks here and go next door buy a couple of packs and heat it up at home. Now for the fried rice. 1 or less star. It was ordered because the picture makes it look so good. The rice was too wet, meaning that they either used fresh rice or didn't turn up the heat high enough at the wok. This was a total failure. I would advise that you stay away from the fried rice. I guess I should of realized not to order rice in a noodle restaurant. Final verdict: Get the ramen and nothing else. It not the best but we are in Seattle :)

    (2)

  • Brad A.

    Should be: MSG Noodle Soup! If you are either allergic or sensitive to Monsodium Glutamate, this is not the place for you. If you don't know about MSG, see: resourcesforlife.com/doc… Ask for the MSG-Free items. If you feel drowsy with a headache after eating things with MSG in them, then you are like about 10% or more of the population who are sensitive or allergic to MSG.

    (1)

  • Elizabeth T.

    Their tonkatsu is SO GOOD! It's rich, thick, and so complex. I'm on a hunt for something similar back here in Houston. The noodles aren't the most flavorful or well cooked, but they'll do. The chicken and miso broths are good, but drastically pale in comparison to the tonkatsu. The samurai armor is ALOT of food. It's easily split between 2 people. I also wish that they had more of the toppings that they serve in Japan in their ramen. I'm also scratching my head as to why it takes so long to dish out a bowl of noodles. They have the broth in huge pots in the back. Maybe they wait until you're seated to start boiling your noodles, who knows. The wait is worth it, especially if you're from Texas, like me, where Japanese ramen is difficult to find. The bowls don't look big, but they're easily 1000 calories and surprisingly very, very filling.

    (4)

  • Faffy L.

    3.5 stars Best char siu in ramen. Chunky, thick and tender. And I really liked their flavored hard boiled egg. I don't think I'd care for their standard thinner noodles tho. But I got the Tampopo twice and their thick ramen was cooked al dented, as ordered. Good stuff.

    (3)

  • Tony R.

    The good: Located right next to Uwajimaya, this place serves up ramen. But this is not the dry nasty flavorless ramen of your college years. It's full of flavor and you choose the type of broth and the meat. Get the Pork, its the most tender I've ever had. You will need to order extra meat because you only get one slice in the soup but you get 4-6 if you get a side of meat. Prices are decent but not cheap. The bad: My problem with this place is their service. They are always really curt and when my wife went to order and I took a seat, the waitress goes out of her way to come over and snap at me that there is no sitting until I've ordered. Granted there were a couple people in line, but there were three tables open and after I got up and moved all my stuff, we ended up sitting right back down in the same place once we'd ordered. After ordering, plan on waiting at least 20-30 minutes if there is even one other person in the restaurant. I always tip, ALWAYS, and I'm generous, but for the first time in my life, I left no tip and didn't feel bad at all for it.

    (2)

  • Paul B.

    One of my regular lunch places in the Intl. District. I don't know why people complain about this place so much. I think the broth is fine. The food comes fast. The service is nice. The noodles are fine. If anything, they could afford to keep the soup hotter. This place is a lot better than its larger UDistrict counterpart.

    (4)

  • Sirio B.

    Average Ramen. To be honest I came out really disappointed to find out that this unique sounding Ramen place can't be bothered to make their own noodles for the price they are charging. I got the tonkatsu with the 'samurai armor' upgrade(added egg+sides) with a spicy broth. The presentation was really pleasant and the service was good. However, the pork was rubbery, the noodles were hard and the broth was overly oily. Noticing something was off with the food I turned around to see the boxes of shipped in ramen bricks being taken out for each order. What a disappointment.

    (2)

  • R M.

    Visiting family in Seattle, I got a chance to hit up some ramen cause it be cold up there-my family be from LA & Hawaii-we be tropical people son!!! Not sure if the stars were aligned but I had the Tonkotsu with Samurai armor-Damn that sh*t be good!!! Felt like my ancestors woke up and bowed down to this establishment and they gave really thick ghetto booty sliced cha shu with extra green onions and memma. Definitely Sansei approved, go and try it on a cold Seattle day!!!!

    (4)

  • Kevin H.

    Not a Ippudo from NYC or Daikokuya from LA but still wayyy better than anything Washington DC has to offer right now. Get extra fatty pork! I am definitely coming back here next time I return to Seattle. And I am sorry but to hold this on a standard next to Ramen from Japan is a bit absurd. The best that American has to offer is apparently the bottom tier of Ramen you can have in Japan so with them being the best, by default everything else is not within any grasp of decency compared to the mainland homemade stuff. Name me one cuisine where it's American version is nearly as good as it is back home. Well San Francisco does have ridiculously good Chinese food but that's besides the point. It's unfair to hold these places to these ridiculous standards that one know's is impossible to reach.

    (4)

  • Tori S.

    Family places are close to my heart. But popular, brisk places are stress free. The more touristy an Asian place the less likely I will feel bad for dissing some family recipe or get the stink eye for "thinking" I know better. I do not find the prospect of just eating anything because it " looks" good. I need to know what collection of foods I am putting in my mouth. My life is not Man Vs. Food. And here- well they make it to order. They do not give you a hard time, they do not rush you. It is a heavenly union of anonymity and relaxed familiarity. They only want to take down my order, make it get their money and let me eat my noodles in peace. I do not go back to places where they tell me their life story. I am in customer service. That would be like feeding an astronaut only out of plastic bags the rest of her life. It's not relaxing. I do not need someone to entertain me with their life. I just want to be fed exactly what I ordered. I do not spend my spare time having people recommend things to me when I know what I want. Do you like soft noodles, want vegetarian broth? Want that vegetarian broth with chicken in it? With green onions, swirly fish sausage, or tofu? You got it baby. And you know what? You want more noodles too? Can;t get enough of those damn fantastic noodles? Yes, for a reasonable price you got it. But it is busy. So if you want to linger over lunch, please consider a more formal establishment so while I'm waiting I don't have to stand in line burning a hole in your head as my eyes go from your empty bowls to you and back.

    (4)

  • Sabrina M.

    You have to go here! Prices are good and you can get extra noodles if you have left over broth and are still hungry. This is a little hole in the wall ramen shop outside Uwajis so plan accordingly, there may be a wait. You pick your noodles and broth and meat style. I love it here its great prices and yummy

    (5)

  • Joyce J.

    I went for a third time and ordered Samurai's Tonkatsu ramen. I decided that it was decent for the value in provided. The trick is to sprinkle some sesame in (from the little tray above the tables) and it would taste much better.

    (3)

  • Robert F.

    I love the ramen from this place! I have always been looking for an "authentic" japanese ramen shop ever since i left japan, and this place has not disappointed me! the noodles here aren't the previously dried versions that others supply, but rather soft, tender noodles. the soups also rock! i reccomend the shiro tonkotsu, with samurai armor (extra toppings). the only gripe i would have is that sometimes the meat is too dry on the inside.

    (4)

  • Matthew B.

    I've been on a quest for good ramen in Seattle, and I think I've found it at Samurai Noodle! The broth is tasty, and with pork broth they even give you the option to add extra flavor with more fat in the broth. They give you choices on how firm you want your noodles (extra firm of course) and even let you order more noodles if you're still hungry and have broth left. They were pleasant, the atmosphere was cozy (read: not much space) and the food was great. Come here with your friends... just don't have too big of a group or you won't have a place to sit!!!

    (4)

  • Liam M.

    I ordered the "Tonkatsu From Hell". It was quite good and not too Spicy, at least not as spicy as the name would suggest (more like Tonkatsu from Arizona). However, what really soured me on the place was the cook who brought out the order (dark hair, dark glasses, dressed in black, beard, the shorter of the two cooks). When I noticed that the order he brought out didn't look as expected, I politely asked him if it was the Tonkatsu From Hell. He simply said "nope" as he abruptly turned and walked away. Fortunately the nice young woman who took the order noticed and corrected the order. If a guy like this worked for me I'd fire him. What a jerk. There are a lot of other great restaurants in the area with pleasant, polite people, so I'll not bother going back. Also, at lunch it can be very difficult to find a seat. (Try the sizzling stone bowl Bi Bim Bop at the Korean place inside the food court, and get the Beef Radish soup.)

    (2)

  • Jon G.

    Nothing special. Ramen wasn't cooked enough. I like 10 cent ramen better, which I could have bought about 180 packs of instead of going to this place.

    (2)

  • Jose B.

    So, it was one cold evening on Seattle and I met my friend for some dinner at this small but cozy little place around the corner of the Uwajimaya. My friend recommended the pork broth noodles. I ordered extra pork and garlic with it. Did it hit the spot! I imagined being a native of Japan having my Grandmother cook this for me to cure all ailes. The place is small and you can customize your soup quite well. L:ike I said, "excellent" for those cold and rainy nights...

    (4)

  • Kim N.

    I love this place! I'm a fan of tonkotsu ramen but it's really hard to find a good one around Seattle. Most of the time it's too watered down to fit the palate here. But real Japanese ramen should be really rich and bold in flavor. Their tonkotsu soup is very nicely flavored and savory. The pork was juicy and delicious. My husband ordered the garlic broth which was really nicely flavored as well. They have a valpak deal so be sure to bring it!

    (5)

  • Ricky M.

    I usually order the Tonkatsu which is excellent. Nice rich pork broth and thin noodles. This dish contains one piece of pork which flavors your bowl. The only other thing I've tried is the Shoyu Ramen. I though the Shoyu Ramen had a greasy texture which I didn't like as much as the regular Tonkatsu. All in all it's an excellent place for Ramen.

    (4)

  • Some G.

    If you want authentic shoyu, miso, or tonkotsu ramen this is one of the very few places in Washington that does it right. Be prepared to wait out in the cold for up to 30 minutes before getting seated. This joint is also incredibly small. Without any exaggeration you will be rubbing shoulders with the patrons around you. (I hope they expand this business to a bigger building). Despite the wait and the uncomfortably tight seating arrangement they have - I'm giving it 5 stars. Their ramen just tastes that good. (Just stay away from their rice dishes which aren't as great.)

    (5)

  • Jordan C.

    Samurai noodle has gone down hill, a shadow of its former self. When they first opened, it seemed like Seattle had a bonified ramen institution on its hands, the likes of Vancouver's Kintaro (IMO, the gold standard for Ramen on the West Coast). During Samurai's first year or so, the finesse (yes there's such a thing with Ramen), soul and genuine passion was evident. These days, the quality and experience has taken a serious nose dive. Gone are the days of generously sliced Chashu and toppings, broth laboriously made with subtle complexities (Saltiness does not equal complex), enthusiastic staff. . . I hate to say it but I think the quality took a turn when they added what my gut says are Japanophiles to the staff. I know I came in 2 hours before closing and you guys want to start closing early. But c'mon, don't sacrifice your quality because you can't wait to go home to watch the new anime you've been torrenting all day! Might I recommend watching anime about working in a passionate Ramen-ya? I can count on two hands the many times I've tried to order something only to be told they've run out. I fully understand that sometimes you run out of things, but after the umpteenth time you would reckon they would stock up on items that frequently run out. Not only that but when it happens with unacceptable frequency, at the very least would it kill you to offer some concessions? Oh, no more Chashu? How about some egg or extra noodles, bamboo shoot, something, anything to justify paying full price for Ramen that is missing an integral component! And don't get me started on the prices, which seem to be steadily hiking upward with the growing concern that I am getting less and less in return. I notice these things because my hopes of having a Ramen-ya on par with those in Vancouver have been dashed. Currently, Samurai was the front runner -they had so much potential. Is it too late to right the ship? I'm not too confident considering how much water they've taken in already. I can only hope that Samurai's other location in the U-District (when and if it will open) will have and retain the passion and quality it once had. I know this time around I will not get my hopes up, especially with starving college students as their primary clintele. Samurai Noodle is still decent for Seattle. My beef is that the opportunity to put Seattle on the West Coast Ramen stage has been meted with complacency and a slow decline.

    (3)

  • Sam S.

    25 more days until I can place my lips on Samurai's tasty noodle once more. Slurp-a-durp! I can't wait. My Seattle love takes me to this place every time I visit, and I still haven't found a better ramen shop down here in LA. It's wonderful for many reasons. You can basically construct your ramen from scratch, choosing broth and ingredients. And, since the broths and ingredients are all top-notch, you really can't go wrong. (Unless you overkill the garlic. This is a ramen shop, after all, not an italian bistro! For shame!) Also, vegetarian options! The only kink in Samurai's armor is the size of the shop. It is very small, considering how popular it is, and you will often find yourself waiting for a table and service. That said, if you've got the patience, this place is worth its weight in honor.

    (5)

  • Ninja S.

    I need to eat here a bit more, but I suspect what the others say is likely accurate; college slackers don't make the best ramen. However, it's pretty damn tasty. I started with a basic tonkotsu with all the extras. The pork cutlets were thick and tender. The flavored egg was a new one for me, but delicious. I added the roasted seaweed at the end when I got a little bored. I really like how you can customize your order to what exactly you want; the noodles as firm as you want, several varieties of broth, and a variety of extras if you're feeling extra hungry. I'm looking forward to going back to try more varieties, but I'm also going to try Fu Lin up the block to see how they manage ramen.

    (4)

  • sandy y.

    Ok, as can recall we live in SEATTLE and not JAPAN. I'm updating my review for Samurai Noodles and still Samurai is still yummy for my tummy. Despite the fact that it isn't all authenic JAPANESE flavored, it's still damn good in International District for what it is. Maybe when I try a differ ramen place then I will update agains but as for Samurai, prices are a little expensive for it's noodle bowls and the place is pretty much a hole in the wall. Samurai Noodles is still BOMB and still gets me coming for more! ;p

    (4)

  • Yohann S.

    Finally.. after craving this ramen again for a year, I fortunately get a chance to taste this again. Over the last summer, I went to bunch of places over New York and New Jersey in search of a good ramen place. I couldn't find a place that had a taste just like this or even come close to this place. I ordered Shouyu and Tonkotsu ramen. It comes with chicken and pork flavor broth. It was really the bomb! Your noodle can also be cooked according to your likeness. Firm or soft. I like it firm hahah. Service is good. Very small place. But apparently you can reserved your seat though. And the best of all, its cheap! Anyway, I'd bring back to Philly if I can. Looking forward for my next trip back to Seattle and to this small but delicious ramen house.

    (5)

  • Kevin O.

    This place is directly across from my work so I go here quite a bit. I have had a bunch of the different Ramen soups here but the Tonkotsu is by far the best. If you are unfamiliar with Tonkotsu, it is a Ramen soup with skinny noodles in this creamy white broth. They also put a big chunk of roasted pork min there and some other veggies. Definitely spend a little extra and add the samurai armor to any soup. I'll be back!

    (4)

  • DeAnne E.

    I always order the #2 Shoyu with chicken...I don't like pork...and I like they can make substitutions. It's a small atmostphere-probably less than 12 tables. Sometimes you have to share the table with strangers-kind of like the food court in Uwajimaya. Very friendly staff. I come here after 1pm. when it's less of a lunch crowd.

    (4)

  • Jerry F.

    mmmm, I went here twice the last time I visited Seattle. I love ramen, and this place was good enough to go to two days apart. My friends showed it to me one night, after we had eaten a meal at another restaurant. We split a bowl of ramen right before the restaurant closed. They were nice enough to let us stay even though they were about to close. I would definitely visit this place again when I'm up in Seattle!

    (5)

  • Marimo A.

    I went there twice and probably will not go back any more. Their ramen is...unfortunately Japanese supermarket food court level. The soup was lukewarm, noodle was a bit overcooked, and the portion of toppings was tiny (and they charge for almost every one of them). It's not too expensive but still not worth it. They don't have good reputations among many Japanese folks...Aloha Ramen seems to be more popular. There's big Japanese population in Seattle, and our standard should be higher than this. Sure I'll cry with joy eating their ramen if I was in MT, but not here. I know I'm picky coming from one of the ramen cities in Japan but can't lie!

    (2)

  • Peter B.

    Samurai is good times. I have to admit, at first I was skeptical of this place. However, I love ramen. So we decided to go here, try it, and now we love Samurai Noodle. Once you're inside, you'll start to like it too, even if the first impression from the outside is a little odd. Their pork broth is better than their chicken broth, in my opinion. They have one bowl which mixes the two, which is also excellent. I thought the miso ramen was an interesting concept, too. However, the best thing I can suggest is to get the teryaki pork bowl added to your order. It's small, but amazing. Every time I've had it, the ingredients have been like so: 1/3 teriyaki pork (delicious, delicious teriyaki pork) 1/3 green onions 1/3 rice Now if you're me, and you are a fiend for all three of those, this is pretty much the best thing you'll shovel in your face with chopsticks all day. It's pretty much the most perfect proportions, so far as I'm concerned. If you're not a huge fan of those three, I'm sorry. Still, I always have it as a side with my ramen - can't neglect the noodles. There's nothing like hot noodles in tasty broth when the weather is cold or rainy - so, you know, eleven months out of the year here. No wonder I like going so much. It might not look like much from the outside, but they've got it where it counts: delicious ramen, tasty sides.

    (4)

  • Michael J.

    I give it 4 stars because I have little experience with ramen restaurants and don't like giving 5 stars unless I know the competition. But the food was excellent, served quickly and the place (quite small) has a nice vibe. Will head back before I leave town for sure.

    (4)

  • Frankie O.

    Came here for a quick bite for lunch. I got the tonkotsu pork ramen. It was good, but it wasn't GREAT. I have very high standards for ramen (rich broth, perfect noodles, fresh tasting meat, flavorful add-ons), and this was just a-ok for me. For the ramen here, the broth was good, and the house-made noodles were great, but the pork didn't taste like it was incredibly fresh.

    (3)

  • Yee V.

    Tampopo Ramen. ITADAKIMASU.

    (4)

  • Shinya A.

    Sorry, everyone who likes this place, but I won't go back there. Simply because I found the quality of their food well below average. As I have lived in Japan and Southern California for many years in the past, I can at least say that the restaurant won't even last a week over there. The other day I tried a ramen at Tsukushinbo, a few blocks from Samurai, and it was way better than Samurai's. Samurai's soup lacked (tremendously) in depth and umami, and it wasn't even hot (temperature wise) enough. At one occasion it was smelly too. Their second location in U-District was even worse. Poor quality and poor service.

    (1)

  • Eddie C.

    Good ramen; in fact, better than I'd expected. But I am a terrible snob and didn't think there'd be something comparable to good NYC ramen out here in Seattle. I got the Tonkotsu plus the Samurai Armor, which is egg, more scallions, extra pork, seaweed, and some veggies. The noodles were al dente, the broth was fairly tasty although a little too salty, and the pork was less melt-in-your-mouth than I'd like, but overall they still got the"kaidama" from me. The place is small; it can probably only seat about 12-14 at peak.

    (3)

  • Christine Y.

    tonkatsu= fried pork cutlet tonkotsu= broth that has been simmering with pork bones that results in a milky color and texture ok, now that that's out of the way. samurai is "a-ok". not WOW material, but a decent bowl of noodles. i wish the broth came scalding hot, but the last time i requested it HOT, i was told that their broth always comes out hot... sigh. not to this tongue. tonkotsu broth is pretty good. smooth and not too salty. the green onion chilli ramen looks scary spicy but it's not. mentaiko rice bowl is pretty flavorful given it's just mentaiko and seaweed. i visit occasionally when in the area and don't feel like pho.

    (3)

  • Erwin C.

    Wow, this place is so consistent that even coming back to try after several months, it still disappoints in the quantity of the noodles, taste, and service. While no one was in the restaurant, we were rudely denied to be seated in a 4 person table when we only had 2. Where's the politeness?

    (1)

  • Link L.

    I'm very dissapointed at the food. I thought the noodle should be great since the name is Samurai "Noodle", but it's just OK. The ramen came really fast, but that's the only pros of the restaurant. The meat is bland, soup is good, but not very surprising, and the noodle is just acceptable. I live in Kirkland, and I surely won't spend 25 mins driving to Seattle just for the ramen again. PS. The ramen in Momoya near my home is defintely better than the ramen I had today.

    (2)

  • Vanessa A.

    I have heard so many people talk about this place as the best place to get ramen in Seattle. But then again people here think Boom Noodle is good so I guess I should lower my expectations. The place is cute and looks authentic enough but I was really disappointed. I got the tonkotsu, what I used to always order at good old Maru-Ichi in Mountain View, CA (my favourite ramen). Price was okay at $6.75 but it does not include egg or seaweed, just the pork and black mushrooms, which is sort of lame. The pork was too lean and dry and the broth, though it looked really good, truly lacked flavor. I have a hard time believing it was cooked for hours because it was just so bland. Other reviewers mentioned the broth being too heavy and salty so maybe they overcompensated in the other direction and watered it down too much. That's what it seemed like to me. I ordered my noodles medium and they were fine, but what's the point of decent noodles with crappy flavorless broth? If this is the best place around, then I'm sad to say that I'll have to satisfy my ramen cravings on my trips to Vancouver, BC, Bay area or Southern California. Too bad.

    (2)

  • Evan M.

    Damn good ramen. We've been looking for a good ramen place and this one is a solid entry. Very cramped and steamy, but tastiness abounds. I think the broth was almost too rich, if one can imagine such a thing. I tried the extra pork fat one and nearly passed out on the floor. Wifey had normal one and it was still very rich. I'd like to go back and try some more.

    (3)

  • Jenn N.

    LOVE this place. I get the ramen that starts with the "s" lol, I never know how to pronounce it nor do I ever remember what it's called....but it's the only "s" ramen. I get it with the Samurai Armor and it's PERFECT!! It usually ends up to be about $10 a bowl for ramen...which is damn pricey but hey, I can't cook it at home so I gotta pay someone to do it for me! If this place was cheaper, I think I'd want to eat here 5x a week.... Parking is street and you actually order and pay for your entire meal (plus tip) BEFORE you sit down.

    (4)

  • H C.

    Yum! I had the tonkatsu with the samurai armor. We also ended up getting 2 extra noodles, but only really needed one. You don't get many noodles to start with but it's awesome you can choose the firmness of your noodles. I got mine extra firm and they were perfect. Definitely would go back.

    (4)

  • Maple C.

    Everytime friends come to visit Seattle, this is one of the places I take them to. The pork they make is sooooo good! I've tried a variety of ramen from their menu, and I've never been disappointed. My personal favorite is the Samuri Armor Bowl. Even though this is in the International District, parking isn't a problem because they validate tickets if you park in Uwajimaya's lot. The place is pretty small, so expect to have to wait! Also, it can be a bit pricey for ramen, but oh well, it's still good.

    (4)

  • Robert R.

    I'm not a ramen expert, but I throughly enjoy the ramen here, especially the chili-green onion one. Armor that up (extra pork, bamboo, nori, and hardboiled egg), and you've got the recipe for a coma-inducing bowl of ramen. This almost makes it worth the slow, and often rude, service that I've consistently experienced at this location. Sometimes I feel that there are as many people in the kitchen as there are in the dining area. And I STILL have to wait 20+ minutes to get my food. Because I'm waiting so long after ordering anyway, their "order first, sit later" model doesn't make any sense to me. Last time I was there, I had two out-of-town guests with me who had large backpacks, and they wouldn't let us set them down until we ordered, even though nobody was ahead of us to get a table and we were obviously going to order. Bah. Overall, good food. Poor service.

    (3)

  • Theo W.

    I'm no ramen expert, but I have had ramen in quite a few places, SoCal, Vancouver BC, Boston, Hawaii, Taiwan, just never in Japan). So I had my share of good and bad tasting stuffs. Samurai noodle is definitely one of the better ones. The soup is whitish and a bit thick (not thick like chowders), not too salty (my main complain with most restaurants) and quite flavorful. The serving is a bit little, though I've been told I eat too much. All in all it was a pretty pleasant experience, from walking in to walking in hungry to leaving happy.

    (4)

  • Monica D.

    Went here about 5 times so far... Sadly my experiences there are getting worse and worse... I remember when I first went there the white soup ramen was sooo good but my most recent trip, it was so salty and the amount was so little... I'm not going to be going there for awhile... I think you lost a customer... I'm giving 3 stars even though I would rate lower, but it's for those times where the food WAS actually good.. Sigh.. Must find another good noodle place

    (3)

  • Robert L.

    this is why Naruto loves ramen so much! I've never been to a specialty ramen house and i loved it! definitely a giant leap above doctored up top ramen ;) since i've never been here, i didn't know what to order, so like always i ask what the server enjoys the most, and he ordered me the chicken/pork broth ramen, and i decided to kick it up a notch by adding the Samurai Armour to it, which is pretty much just extra toppings. everything was delicious, the noodles were fat and chewy, the pork was to die for, and the broth was tasty and flavorful i'm not sure if you have to request a certain type of noodle, the thick or the thin, somehow i was lucky enough to get the thick while my friends ended up with the thin...possibly because i asked the server to give it to me how he likes it, but if you go, request the thicker noodles, the thinner ones are a soggy mess this place lost a star for a few reasons, for how popular this place is, it's insanely small, if you have 4 or more people, expect a wait. the ramen didn't come out piping hot, it wasn't hot, but it wasn't cold, it was just right for eating right away....i don't really know how to feel about that.....and i felt this place was a little pricey for just a bowl of soup (yea i said it, soup), if i didn't add on the Samurai Armour for more stuff it would definitely not have sufficed....but then again, maybe i'm just being biased because i love pho so much..... Bottom Line: if you want a delicious and savory soup (yea i said it again, soup!) that will blow your mind grapes, come to Samurai Noodle, otherwise if you're just out to get full, stick with pho

    (4)

  • Austin K.

    Samurai Noodle is a really great Ramen Noodle House. They are super focsed on the details. A simple, well thought out experience where they sweat the details and execute well. I had the veggie broth. It comes with perfect tofu, green onions, a big as peice of seeweed ( ate round it ), and some incredible mushrooms. I had the noodles al dente. Yum! Update: I thought I had a veggie broth... They put fish guts in their broth. People, Soylent Green is people!

    (4)

  • Athena B.

    I dont no any other place that has japanese noodles as good as here!the pork they put in it is awesome too, soo tender... i love eating here and i am not a fan of Pho so its great to have an alternative place to eat, especially since i miss ramen from hawaii! its about $6-9 depending on what you order but they are big bowls... the one in chinatown is very small, but the one in U district is bigger

    (5)

  • Sione P.

    I do love ramen, so I do have a place in my heart for places like this... I really like the flavor of the pork broth. Yum-o. It's a hearty thin broth. I also love the meaty soft chunks of pork you can get! The seasoned egg is just freakin' delish! I want to just prepare all of my eggs that way from here on out! I want to get a dozen and look up the boiling techniques to flavor them so. I love my semisoft noodles! The spicy tofu app is pretty tasty, as well. It's true, it's a bit on the pricier end of where it seems to be for what you're getting. It seems like it should be a buck or so cheaper, which would make me frequent it more, but I'll be in there all the same. Def very small inside, if you've got a group!

    (3)

  • Mr. Robot O.

    Good thing I don't care about money, or else I might not eat here. Super-tasty. Doesn't give me the same stomach-filling to dollars-spent ratio as say, Claim Jumpers... but nowhere really does, right? Again, let me point out that I am uber-rich, so if I wanted to, I could buy three or four, or ten dozen bowls of ramen to satisfy my hunger. But I don't come here when I'm hungry - I come here when I want delicious, delicious ramen. And if I spill any on my face, shirt, arms, or crotch, I usually wipe it up with a twenty from my wallet, and then throw it away. Oh, and don't be scared to order spicy... it's not really that spicy.

    (5)

  • Ann M.

    Well it's not like we have much of a choice for good ramen here in Seattle. The shoyu broth is so-so and the tonkotsu is a little too salty and rich for my taste. Noodles are fine. My issues: 1. Japanese ramen joints usually have fried rice and gyoza on the menu for accompaniments...this place does not. 2. Also boiled egg should come with the ramen for free (not as an add-on IMO.) Overall, 2.5 stars and remember SLURP loudly when you're eating ramen :)

    (3)

  • Shirley Y.

    Ramen house, right in Uwajimaya's complex, so its gotta be good, right? So. Wrong. Ramen is like the Japanese version of pho, where broth quality can make or break it. But ramen is more difficult to perfect than pho, because you must also factor in the consistency of chewy noodles and slices of roasted pork. Then comes the "extra mile" condiments, like marinated hard boiled eggs, bamboo shoots, ginger, green onions, etc. Samurai Noodle failed in all categories except for the chewy noodles. The broth was unnecessarily heavy, pork was stiff and flavorless, and they really skimp on condiments. I found myself adding in so much extra ginger and pepper powder just to compensate for the lack of flavor.

    (2)

  • ambika s.

    Fan-freakin tastic Ramen. I go to this place at least once a week. Its good thick ramen broth with yummy noodles. The only reason it doesn't get 5 stars from me is that they make you pay extra for the amazing add-ons - nori, egg, extra pork.. so it gets really expensive for ramen. And yet, I go back all the time so....

    (4)

  • Iki T.

    I tried Samurai Noodle once again after I came back from Japan As a result, I may have to take a star off. Their soup is unnecessary thick and heavy. I felt my ramen in my stomach even 3hours later. Also, the soup was not hot enough. It can be unfair to compare Samurai Noodle to Ramen restaurants in Japan; however, I still think that they can do better than that.

    (2)

  • A S.

    After passing by Samurai Noodle on several occasions on my way to Uwajimaya, I finally decided today to give it a try for lunch. I thought my pork-broth ramen was delicious - rich, very flavorful, and satisfying in a savory soup kind of way. I had my order to go as their restaurant sitting space is VERY small and cramped. Overall I was satisfied with the food but I felt for what I got it was a tad bit overpriced. They offer several different "add ins" for your ramen (such as egg, bean sprouts, garlic, etc.) and each of these extras comes with an additional charge. For the small number of bean sprouts in my ramen, I didn't think it really warranted a charge. I wish for my nearly $8 I would have received at least some more noodles or even a bit more pork meat. If you've never had ramen at Samurai Noodle I would definitely recommend trying it out. Having now tried it here, however, I will probably venture out and try a different ramen restaurant to see how it compares.

    (4)

  • Meri D.

    I love this place! I can see how parking could be an issue, but we always park in the Uwajimaya parking lot and then go buy something there and get our parking validated after we eat. All of the ramens I've tried have been top-notch, and you can get the noodles cooked however you like them. The chili green onion is great, as is the miso ramen. The tonkotsu from hell special was good, but it's a really heavy dish that should be eaten quickly because of the tendency of the pork broth to congeal as it cools. We once tried the pork shumai as an appetizer, and it was fantastic as well. Overall, this place is great and is getting better all the time. Check it out!!

    (4)

  • Amber A.

    Mmmmmm....noodles with flavorful broth!!! The pork was cut thick and tasty - mouth melting. I got the #2 and sampled the #1 (which also happens to be their #1 seller). The pork broth (the #1) was creamy and very hearty with pork flavor. I've just got to work my slurping technique....

    (4)

  • Stacy Y.

    Noodle is my comfort food anytime, Samurai is easily the one restaurant Frank and I usually settled on when we can't figure out want to eat - we always agree on getting noodles here. Samurai Noodle located in Uwajimaya village, parking is convenient (they validate your parking ticket). Our usual is the Tonkatsu Ramen. This is a pretty simple bowl of noodle with green onion, a slice of pork, and some wooden mushroom. The broth is very tasty and with ramen soak in it, it is the best for winter time (for us, any time). We tried other soup base and their chicken rice, they are just ok - I won't recommend ordering it. If you are not full, get extra noodles for 1.50. Just remember to get it on the side, because if you don't your bowl of noodle soup will be...well full of noodles and not enough soup! We learned it the hard way. The place is small and you almost always have to wait if you go there for lunch. The way it works - you order and pay first, then when seats become available, they'll call you and prepare your noodles. Don't expect too much service from the people work there, in fact there isn't but it doesn't bother me much. The one thing I like to see they improve on is the consistency on the saltiness of the broth and the tenderness of the pork slices. Tip: Don't take the noodle to go. For one - noodle is gonna suck up all the wonderful broth before you get to it, second, noodle will be too soft. The place is small so don't go there and expect seating right the way or when you are in a hurry. There is another Samurai in University District (pass by several times when it's still remodeling) but we never been there before.

    (4)

  • Erin B.

    If you are craving ramen outside of what you will find in the aisles of Uwajimaya, this place is is a good choice. Word of caution, it's not pho. But it IS tasty. I like the Tampopo ramen (with extra pork, extra noodles), and usually get it to go so I can eat in privacy... although if you like hole-in-the-wall places like I do, this is definitely one of them. The staff is friendly, and cater to English, Japanese and Chinese-speaking customers. This is also a good stop before going into Waji, since I tend to spend a lot of money there if I buy groceries on an empty stomach...

    (4)

  • Mason T.

    I work across the street from this place, and it's one of my lunchtime favorites. A few friends and I usually either eat in at one of their few tables, or just get take-out and eat in the nearby food court (or outside across the street if the weather's nice). My usual order? Tonkatsu (pork broth) ramen, extra rich, with the Samurai Armor (extra pork slices, a hard boiled egg, green onions, bamboo shoots, and some other extra fixings). Adds up to around $10, which is pricey for sure, but it's a huge meal and coma-inducingly delicious. When my friends asked me why I was excited to go back to Seattle for the summer, I usually told them that, among other things, I wanted my delicious pork broth. Liquid, greasy, salty happiness in a bowl. While they were wondering why pork broth ramen was included in the same list as my girlfriend and job, I only stared off into the distance and dreamed of slurping down a steaming bowl of the Tonkatsu ramen. Life-changing ramen, a bit too pricey, almost non-existent waiter service.

    (5)

  • Alex M.

    Where to start? I knew we were in trouble when the waitstaff looked like unwashed UW students, sullen or overly McDonald's cheerful. That unfortunately was the best part. The Ramen? Could have done better with the refrigerated, add boiling water upscale Ramen's from Uwajimaya. For $8.50!!! there was a rubber disc of pork floating on top. My friend ordered the Beef bowl, it looked like something that comes up from the garbage disposal, I tasted it and it was all onions and soy, the beef was bland and boiled to death. I can't believe this place has so many good reviews. Maybe because I'm from L.A. and we have a real "Little Tokyo." Still, Seattle has had a long proud history of Japanese culture, so why all the praise for this overpriced dump? We left our dishes almost full and when the waitress asked how we liked it my friend said ...it was O,K. I was already outside, bummed with a terrible taste in my mouth. What a waste of time and money!

    (1)

  • Thiri E.

    There is no doubt the ramen is best in town!! I love the pork broth and samuri armour! Hell fire is also good for those cold chilli days. The downside: This location is always busy and has very limited seating. Be prepared to wait! The staff always look grumpy and unhappy to be there. Except for the guy with the scarf wrap around his head. He is actually decent. You mostly have to serve your own water.

    (4)

  • Izzy H.

    I remember walking past this place on my way home from Uwajimaya - and wondering what that curious little store is. Got home, yelped it, and ate there that same night. I love, love, love!!! the inside of this store. Its cute, adorable and wonderfully Japanese. (Or at least I'm guessing - ? ) At any rate, the decor of black stools, and little tiny wooden tables reminds me of restaurants on the streets of Taiwan. The server was nice, and the way the food was served was nice too. (A little tray, with a decent sized bowl and a cute little spoon.) I can't remember the exact name of the ramen I got, but it was a seasonal special and supposed to be spicy. It was spicy, and it was good - but the noodles weren't anything spectacular. If you've ever made homemade noodle soup at home - its pretty much the same thing. The ramen broth was good, but certainly not worth the price tag of 7 bucks. The pork though is actually really good and not dry at all. Its cute, and the service is good too, and the food isn't half bad, but nothing spectacular.

    (3)

  • Ka T.

    My experience with this place have always been positive. For the most part, I know what I want when I come here. Miso Ramen. I adore the flavor and the condiments available for the ramen. You could order a side of garlic chips that go sooo well with the broth; it is simply amazing. I also love the small environment, and the setting itself is very homey. The main thing that keep this place from 5 stars is the long wait and their pork. I agree with most reviews about the wait problem, it is ridiculously long for a bowl of noodles. While their pork is favorable, but huge chunks of cold pork in hot broth = luke warm broth in a few minutes. I don't understand why they don't get a bigger store, at least with a bigger kitchen to work with, so then they can slice their pork a little thinner with better cutlery, and able to have more stove tops for hot water, so they can speed up the noodle cooking. Still, even with all the problems, I come back to this place time after time because their noodles and broth are just darn delicious. I'm a fan.

    (4)

  • Jessica H.

    My first and last time here! The place is super small, and the main guy helping, his name is Will, he is SO rude and unwelcoming. He yelled at my pregnant friend just because she was trying to find us seating. Then he barked at us that we had to order first, then when I went to pay for myself , he had attitude because we were not paying together (it was just 3 of us). A waiter passed by and we asked for some sauce, he went to ask Will about the sauce, we are guessing the kid was new (nice kid) well Will sent him over to tell us that they had to ring up everyone in line (about 7 people) before we could get the sauce. We had already paid and already had our food, never got the sauce. Well, the food is alright, nothing to die over, but who wants to eat somewhere where the server is a complete JERK! and his scruffy beard is just unsanitary to me. Will not be returning, am not impressed and I do not recommend this dark place

    (1)

  • Kirsten M.

    Samurai Noodle is, hands-down, my favorite lunch spot in Seattle. To-die-for, authentic noodle bowls, fun and funny staff, and speedy service, all for under $10. LOVE.

    (5)

  • Daniele F.

    I ordered the Tampopo Ramen.....SOOOO MUCH DELICIOUS!! They gave me 2 superthick naruto, a BIG slab of pork that was juicy and tender, bamboo shoots like crazy (and crazy good), some seaweed and a good portion of noodles, which were also delicious. The broth was awesome too, I usually dont drink it but I couldnt resist this time. The bamboo especially surprised me, as the only bamboo shoots Ive had in soup are rubbery and hard to chew (at boom noodle). You really have to try it!! *forgot to add that I also got a large half of a boiled egg, which picked up the flavor of the broth nicely.

    (5)

  • Jan W.

    I've only been here a few times and to be honest it's alright. My boyfriend always orders the tetsu hell fire and I go for the Tonkosu. They have a variety of different noodles and I've tried the shoyu, it lacked flavor, so I stuck with Tonkotsu. When I first came here their noodles where thin but now they switched to thick noodles. The thick noodles where a bit much and I didn't finish my meal. Not so good about fixing take out orders. It was a busy Saturday afternoon and after taking my order and waiting 15 min in the rain, they forgot to give me the extra noodles I paid for. My boyfriend went back with the reciept to fix it but he ended up paying more money for extra noodles. Very disappointed.

    (2)

  • Frank N.

    I've been here pretty often and always got the Ton-kotsu broth with firm noodles. It's pretty amazing. It's a 1000 calories. Did I mention it was amazing? So this past week I thought I'd try something new and ordered the Miso broth noodles. I picked it because the description says it's a Sapporo-style and lord knows I love my sapporo ichiban! It comes with pork, green onions, corn, and bean sprouts. It also comes with a pat of butter. I swear this soup with the corn and butter tastes like someone dipped a juicy ear of buttered corn on the cob into a bowl of steaming miso soup. It's scrumptulescent! Now I have a problem. Do I get the miso or ton-katsu soup from now on?? It's good to have problems!

    (4)

  • masa s.

    I'm living under the impression that this is the best ramen in Seattle. If that's not the case, please tell me, so I can go there and be in heaven. I haven't had ramen in Portland, but among the major eating cities on the west coast, this place is in my top 6 or 8 ramen shops.. (Hard to be accurate, since places come & go, and quality changes.) But, they do things right here. Very tasty soup - in my penultimate trip here, I got the tsuke men. The sweet broth for the sweet tsuke men was reminiscent of my first visit to Tai Sho Ken in Ikebukuro. That has never been topped, but just to be reminded of that experience puts this place up to 5 stars for me. Note: I'm not sure what it is, but when you get it to go (which I've only done with ramen once), it loses it soul. They give it to you al dente, which I don't particularly like, but it's understandable. But, if you bring it over to the uwajimaya food court, it's quick enough not to get soggy. But, I think that ramen just isn't supposed to be made "to go".

    (4)

  • Sharon K.

    OOOH YUM! I had a craving for something noodle-y and my friend said he wanted to get some ramen and I'm so glad he wanted to come here. Since I didn't know what to get, I ordered the same dish as my friend - tonkatsu ramen with extra garlic. SooOOooOoOo good. The broth and firm noodles were delicious. I added a lot of the chili seasoning to it to match my taste buds. We were lucky that there was seating available when we got there-supposedly there's usually a long line and a 30-minute wait for a seat. The price for the ramen wasn't bad. I was definitely full and satisfied afterwards. The broth was very good-I slurped up a lot of it haha. I'd say it's better than pho broth (imo). Definitely coming back!

    (4)

  • Phillip C.

    Better than most Seattle ramen shops. 4 stars for having Tonkotsumen, which is labor intensive and really hard to get right. Portions are pretty good, order extra noodles (kaedama) before you sit.

    (4)

  • Brett W.

    OK I will throw in my two bits on this joint. The ramon is the real deal and very good. I had the Shou-yu the last time and my buddy and I split a spicy pork and rice bowl ( he had the miso ramon). I left stuffed to the gills. The broth has great flavor and the green onions where very fresh and with a little crunch. I also really liked the flavor of the spicy pork it was just right. The place is very small as has been well stated. Go early or go late if it is lunch time. Get some Samurai YUM!! Oh ya get the MF'in flavored egg...trust me!! :) Soon on the Ave...ya baby...

    (4)

  • Jason C.

    Another restaurant that gets overhyped like crazy. You'd expect this new ramen place right in chinatown to be pretty decent... but then after your meal you feel like you should eat something else. Don't get me wrong though, there are parts of the meal that are good. The ramen is cooked well and they give you lots of little condiments. However, the entire bowl is covered with a layer of pork fat. Normally I'd be inclined to say this is awesome, but it just didn't really work this time. The pork fat covering everything was so much, that it made each consecutive bite, more and more heavy. I didn't feel like I was getting fuller... just, all the fat in my stomache was weighing me down. The pork is nice, but personally I would've preferred some freshly cooked pork, as opposed to some that has been cooked for a while, stuck in a fridge and just reheated in the hot broth. I love good ramen, but I can't quite come to terms with paying so much (all the little extras add up) just for some ramen. If you're looking for a good sized meal like I usually am, you'll end up spending a bit more than you expect to. Overall, I was a little disappointed with this, but I did enjoy parts of the meal. Recommended to try once or twice, but for me it's not worth regular visits.

    (3)

  • Eugene C.

    This is a cool little ramen noodle shop. Good prices. Amazing amount of food for the money. Good broth, good noodles, and nice fatty pork. A perfect dinner on a cold, rainy night in Seattle.

    (4)

  • Linda H.

    Samurai Noodle on University Ave? Could it be true? Yes! Yes! Yes! I drove by and saw a sign posted that my beloved ramen shop is opening up a new location at the U. I called Samurai Noodle and they confirmed that YES! They are working on the final permits and hope to open in late February/ early March 2010. Now I'm just a hop, skip and a jump away from my favorite bowel of ramen! Hopefully the new restaurant will be a bit bigger but regardless, I know it'll be one of my regular haunts. I usually like to order the Tonkatsu, the broth is not as milky and rich as Ippudo NY but decent for Seattle. Last time I went with hubs and we both ordered Chili Green Onion ramen and split a Samurai Armour. Wowza, talk about onion breath! TIP: I highly suggest splitting an armour cause it's too much for one person. If you are hungry, order the Spicy Green Onion Tofu, a nice refreshing appetizer or go for a 2nd helping of noodles.

    (4)

  • Jenny B.

    Tried this resto when I first visited Seattle. It was pretty chilly in the morning and a warm soup definitely a good start in the morning. The place is pretty tiny and hidden if you don't know the area, service is okay and they are not stingy with the meat, which is good :) The broth flavor is pretty tasty and they gave choices as to how hard you want your noodles be. Unfortunately you have to pay before you can eat, which I hate, because to add an extra noodles, you have to get up from your seat and pay first before you can get it. This is why it's 4 stars.... but all in all, for you noodle lovers, $1.50 for extra noodle, heck yeah! :)

    (4)

  • Kevin K.

    Great gyoza. Bad service. I had the teriyaki pork bowl, and I was not impressed. Granted, ramen is their specialty, so I may rereview this place later. My friend who ordered ramen claims he wasn't too impressed, but it seemed authentic.

    (2)

  • Diana L.

    Nobody is watching Patrick G. today. He is sitting at work with absolutely no supervision whatsoever. You can imagine my alarm and the horrible images this conjured in my mind - Bob Fucking Dylan-Throbbing Gristle mash-ups blaring from his place of work, Patrick himself leaping in full grand jettes through a swirling mess of falling *important* documents - in his skivvies, of course. Something had to be done! So I took his crazy ass down to Samurai as I had yet to try and I knew that there would be a good veggie option because the infamous Michael O. condescended to eat here (sorry if you don't know who the fuck Michael O. is, I would link the Michael O. review, but Edgar deleted it - CURSES TO YOU EDGAR!!!). The place is very busy at lunch, there were no tables available as we placed our order at the counter, but one cleared for us the moment we needed it - because we are the charmed ones. RECOGNIZE! Our stealthy server (super speedy crazy man with a dishtowel do-rag thing going on...yay) got us our chilled tofu with spicy miso green onion topping in a blur of excellent service - the tofu was silky and creamy and gone with a the same quickness that it appeared at our table. Patrick got himself some spicy "dipping" ramen where the broth is on the side. Looked fun, but I don't so much see the point in all the excess dishes. I got pork and tofu spicy green onion ramen with garlic chips on the side - super happy - tons of flavor, big chunks of roasted pork and a stupid amount of green onions, which I love. I'm going back for sure - there are a million little things you can have on the side and I love, love, love to customize my bowl of noodles. It may not be authentic Japan food/experience - but THIS IS SEATTLE. SHI-A-TO-RU! And this places rocks like that. p.s. To Edgar: I joke, I kid. I love you man! .....please don't hurt my precious words....

    (5)

  • Emily H.

    Finally got to eat at Samurai Noodle tonight, after hearing about it from just about everyone ever. There was no crowd when we popped in during the middle of the week in the early afternoon. I was surprised by how tiny it is! It probably only seats about 18 people. But I suppose that only lends to a more authentic atmosphere. It's right around the corner from the entrance to Uwaji's, which means there's ample parking in their parking lot. I should have thought to ask if they validate parking. But if they don't, it's easy to spend $7.50 on treats at Uwaji's after your meal for an hour of validated parking. I had the Tonkotsu, he had the Shoyu-Tonkotsu, and we both had sodas for under $20. Of course, the ramen was delicious. The broth was incredibly flavorful and thick, perfect for a cold day in January. My medium cooked noodles were tender but still chewy. And Oh. My. God. the pork was absolutely amazing. Two thick slices of super tender, falling apart pork. I also thought it was great that for $1.50, you can get a second helping of noodles. Although I was full, it's a perfect option for my giant boyfriend.

    (4)

  • Anya W.

    To be honest, I am not a fan of the "restaurants" that are in the food court at Uwajimaya. So when I heard this place was attached to the Asian market, I was turned off at first. But then I was around the corner and ramen sounded good. The place didn't disappoint. Only a few tables so it's better as a take out than a sit down. Prices are good. If you like ramnen, give this place a go. Lots of options on the menu even for extra toppings, though I typically get the basic Tonkatsu (pork broth).

    (3)

  • John S.

    The ramen is tasty - you can tell it isn't uber-processed or made of weird ingredients. I enjoyed the dish and would eat here again happily. The prices were high though, they must have insane margin on this. $6.75 for the small, almost noodle only dish. $8.00 for most dishes. $3.50 for most sides or extras for the ramen, plus drinks. Than Bros pho is a different product, but a much better value of similar quality. The service was just ok. They were busy, and they are brand new, so I want to give them some leeway while they figure things out and get in the groove. The restaurant is clean, and the furnishings are nice. I really like how clean the place is. If it was $1 less on most items, I would be a lot more excited to come here.

    (3)

  • Romeo V.

    So far, this is my favorite noodle restaurant in Seattle. This place isn't for huge groups since seating is very limited. It's not the ideal place for having a "social" meal where you can have long conversations and stay for an hour or longer. It's the type of place where you go, you order, you eat, and you leave. Went here with some friends for lunch and I was very impressed. I ordered the Tonkatsu Ramen, which consists of black mushrooms, green onions, pork broth, pork loin, and noodles. Everything about this meal was perfect. I loved the broth and noodles. The broth was not too salty for me and the noodles were not too soft and not too hard, made to order. The pork loin was cooked very well. I've been to this place twice now and I'm a fan. We need a Samurai Noodle in Issaquah...

    (4)

  • Bryan K.

    Before today, when I thought of Ramen noodles, I thought back to my life when I was 18, going to Safeway and walking out with a case of small chicken flavored packages of dried noodles for only a buck. It was the greatest invention known to man, 2 minutes in the microwave, a tiny flavor packet, and a cup of water and you got dinner. Genius! That is, until you have it every night for dinner for six months straight, then you begin to learn to hate the stuff, with a passion. The mere smell of it makes me gag. Again, that is until today when I visited Samurai Noodle. It changed my mind and my life. Generous proportions of rich flavorful broth mixed with the Ramen noodles never tasted so fresh and so new to my palette. Add in slices of tender pork and freshly chopped green onion and you got the recipe for a newly discovered obsession. I'll admit, I'm obsessed, but at $9 a bowl, my obsession won't come with such a financial lure as it did last time. I can resist and keep it to a once in a while type obsession. Glad we cleared that up.

    (4)

  • Lauren H.

    This place is great. I've never been much of a fan of ramen, but this place has made me one. I'm also a picky eater, so I only eat the tofu ramen and have them leave out the bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and seaweed (dang, for leaving all of that out, I wish they'd give me a small discount on my ramen--all that's left is the tofu and green onion atop my noodles). Then I dump a ton of (complimentary) pickled ginger into the bowl. But I'm telling you, this is the best ramen. Better than Boom Noodle, better than Noodle Ranch. The line may be long and seating a little too close to your neighbor for comfort, but it really hits the spot on a cold winter day.

    (4)

  • Mastiff B.

    3.5 stars Found about this through the rameniac blog so I decided to check it out while I was in Seattle for the weekend. In terms of scores on that blog, it rated higher than many of the places in the Bay Area and was comparable to Daikokuya in LA, so I was pretty excited. I ordered the Tonkotsu ramen (of course!) with the Samurai platter which is a platter of topping including soy sauce egg, chashu, bamboo shoot, and black (pig ear?) mushroom. I also ordered mentaiko as another extra, and they have the red ginger slices you can add as well. So total came out to about 12 dollars after everything. You can also choose the level of "thickness" of Tonkatsu broth, which has three levels, and I ordered 2nd level. And you can choose the firmness of your noodle which is pretty cool. Ok, finally. I would say the broth is definitely nowhere near as good as Daikokuya and the egg doesn't even touch it. I like the soft-boiled where it just ever so slightly running in the inside. The noodle is quite good though, and I really like how you can choose the level of firmness. Another thing is that the pork isn't as good as Daikokuya either, and though some pieces were good (and they give you A LOT), others were tough and dry. Anyway, so it's not the best ramen I've had but I wasn't really expecting it to be either. If I was living in Seattle I'd definitely go back frequently, but probably do less toppings. Portion size was more than adequate and I was stuffed totally at the end. The place is very very small with only around 5-6 tables in the entire place. I don't know if this place gets busy but I went around 7:30 on a Saturday night and didn't have to wait very long at all.

    (3)

  • Elise L.

    Lord knows this place doesn't really need another review. But! In the interest of enlightening others hoping to try the deliciousness of Samurai Noodle, here are a few suggestions: 1. Try odd hours - 2:00 might be a better bet for lunch than 12:00. But no guarantees, especially on the weekends. 2. People do generally eat and move pretty quickly through here - even if all the tables are full, you probably won't have to wait that long and the time could be spent deciding what to try and what add-ons to get. If you do have a table, please don't be the jerk taking up a table for two hours. 3. This isn't the place for a large group - four is pretty much the max you'll be able to comfortably fit and all sit together. 4. The tofu is firm or silken, but unfortunately not dreamy little puffs that soak up the amazing broth. 5. The tonkatsu broth is great, the fishcake is yummy, but they shouldn't be mixed. 6. Seriously, order the tonkatsu.

    (5)

  • Katie D.

    Japanese-style ramen is hard to come by, and I think a lot of people may not understand that there is a difference between instant ramen and the noodles you get in a ramen house. In the Northwest, in my experience, this is probably the best ramen that you can get. the environs are a little bit cramped, but to be honest, it adds to the experience because a ramen house in Japan will more than likely be shoulder-to-shoulder seating. The food looks and tastes like it is supposed to.

    (5)

  • Gnome E.

    I think there must have been some soup improvements within the last couple years or something. I never used to be a fan but I just had their miso ramen and it was delicious. The broth was amazing and the noodles were cooked perfectly. The pork was a bit dry but it still had a good flavor. I also like that they put a few other appetizers on the menu though I wish they had enough space in the kitchen to serve gyoza but, no dice. Their pork shumai was nothing special and I probably wouldn't order it again. The only thing I thought was off putting was this one guy who was working the counter. At first, when I ordered, a very friendly and outgoing Asian lady was working the counter. She was extremely helpful with the menu and eager to help you order. Midway through my meal she must have finished her shift and was replaced by an incredibly pretentious, "I'm too cool for school to smile or act at all friendly or happy to help" guy wearing a blue and white bandanna and thick framed black glasses. If I was the owner and was unfortunate enough to have to watch him run my business I would either send him to the back of the house or fire him. He clearly did not want to work there or treat customers with the slightest bit of courtesy. On the other hand, the guy working the kitchen was really great. He was friendly, cooked the food well and seemed to not be totally miserable working. That guy should have run the place himself because as I see it, blue and white bandanna man was only hurting the place.

    (3)

  • Bradford L.

    The ton-kotsu is so rich and delicious I can never get enough of it. Their seasoned egg is wonderful but not the best. The first time I went here I received big thick cuts of fish cake. Since that day the fish cake has been more normal than anything. And their chashu is one of my favorites.

    (4)

  • J.D. M.

    Friends told me this is the place to go for good Japanese Ramen. Nice hole in the wall restaurant. Other diners were enthusiastic that this was our first time at Samurai Noodle. They approved of our order and suggested that everything on the menu was good. We had the number 1 soup. Pork broth and noodle. You can order the noodles soft medium or firm. We are wildly enthusiastic about Samurai noodle.

    (5)

  • Barrett S.

    I LOVE going here for huge, oily bowls of ramen and the intimate space. It's a hidden gem right next to Uwajimaya's receiving docks and a great place for lunch or dinner if you're alone or want to escape the hectic Uwajimaya food court. Their tonkotsu is fairly good and their vegetarian tounyu (onion-based broth with tofu) is excellent. I recommend getting a hard-boiled egg as an add on and adding lots of ginger and sesame. I take one star off for the staff. If the boss isn't there, they can be flaky and the service can be very slow at times. The first time I went, I didn't understand their policy that you have to order first and then take a seat at a table, and was rudely yelled at by one of the staff. Go for the food, but don't expect stellar service.

    (4)

  • Allie S.

    We used to go here pretty much twice a week when my fiance and I had schedules that didn't conflict so much but I went back the other day for the first time in a couple months -- it was probably just the batch we got but the hellfire was super duper thick and not brothy [however it was also actually *spicy* so it was bearable]. That doesn't change my love for Samurai Noodle, I will chalk that up to someone I didn't recognize being in the kitchen. I order the tonkotsu ramen with an extra egg and the second level of porkfat, and my noodles extra firm. Yummy. The boy gets the aforementioned tetsu hellfire dipping ramen. I steal some of his broth to give my and kick: it is an amazing combo, I highly suggest it. I can never finish my noodles, this is one big and filling bowl, but I pretty much slurp up every little bit of porky deliciousness no matter how full I am -- something that tasty does not deserve to be wasted. When their U. District shop *finally* opens I'm sure I'll return to being a twice-a-week diner. Mmm, fat.

    (4)

  • Jeremy M.

    Tucked in the corner of Chinatown this place sure stays busy, but that's probably due to the their level of capacity which I would say is no more than 20 people. For the price you're paying, you're getting what it's worth which ranges from 6 to 10 bucks for a bowl of ramen. And they sell extra ramen if you have broth leftover. For a quick bite this place would be ideal also they validate parking for people parked over in the Uwajimaya lot. HUGE PLUS!!!

    (3)

  • Joseph S.

    I always get the chicken/pork broth noodles. That's my favorite because it brings together the saltiness of the chicken broth, and the richness of the pork broth. Best of both worlds. Also, I get the thin noodles instead of the bigger noodles just because it's way easier to slurp up. If you're hungry, get the Samurai Armour where you'll get a marinated egg and more pork along with a lot of other tasty stuff. But if you don't want to pay the extra $3+, just get extra noodles. Save the broth, and the extra noodles is definitely worth it. I love this place, and I try my best to go here as much as I can. Since you can validate your parking with Uwajimaya, you can bypass the horrible parking in Chinatown. Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Lisa K.

    Lots of hype, but it definitely lived up. We came around 1pm for lunch on weekday and though it was busy, we were able to grab a table right away. I got the Shouyu (chicken broth) and my fiance got the infamous Tonkotsu (pork broth). Both came with a hefty slice of pork that was meltingly tender. The chicken broth was lighter than the pork but still had lots of flavor. The pork broth, which I had read about multiple places and was very curious to try, was as advertised -- rich and intensely flavorful. Both were improved by a sprinkling of red pepper flakes for an added kick. I like salty food, but be warned if you don't: I could taste the salt on my tongue all afternoon. The signs advertise getting extra noodles for $1.50, but I had more than I could finish as it was. This is not a delicate soup -- it's the middle linebacker of soups. I will be going back, particularly on one of those blustery mid-winter days when all I want is a hot bowl of broth and noodles. Mmmm....

    (4)

  • Naomi H.

    My first Ramen experience in Seattle. I had Shoyu - Tonkotsu and disappointed. First of all, soup was sweet, luke warm and dull. I know Tonkotsu broth can be sweet but it suppose to be harmonized with saltiness of shoyu (soy sauce ) and other ingredients to make the soup mild and deep flavor . Unfortunately this one was just sweet .. may be using too much onion to make a broth? garnished roast pork was thin pieces. I expected more meaty portion paying over $7. I was exited about home made egg noodle which not many ramen shop do, but it had no distinctive ramen noodle flavor which was another disappointment. the noodle was cooked as I liked but it didn't matter anymore since I was turned off by other things in my food bowl. I can't find a positive feedback about the food and can't give it more than two stars. Sorry Samurai fans ! but I was born and raised in Japan and believe that I know a lot of good ramen shops (Inside/Outside of USA) . I don't think quality of Samurai ramen is no more than an average ramen restaurant in USA. This experience made me want to explore more ramen shops in Seattle to see what is popular here. anyway, I don't recommend Samurai for real ramen Lovers.

    (2)

  • Tanya H.

    Heaven in a bowl I tell you! Heaven in a bowl! I forgot the name of the one thing I always order (I know.. sad!) but it's the pork slices in pork and chicken broth ramen. There's nothing like it that I have ever tasted in Seattle, maybe I have not ventured out much into the world of Seattle Ramen but nothing compares to this place. It always makes me feel like I'm in a little hole in the wall Japan. Yes it's a tiny place but I think it's what adds to the quirkiness and authenticity of it. This is a good chat-with-your-girlfriend date place since you get to talk talk talk over some good bowl of comfort food ramen.

    (5)

  • Aaron L.

    I'm visiting from Portland and was reading a lot of reviews first on Yelp for the best ramen in Seattle. We almost tried Boom Noodle which we are so glad we didn't - knowing they have 3 locations and serve pad thai. Anyways good to go to a place where ramen is the only thing they specialize in. I can only attest to what I ordered but personally I tend to get Shoyu (Japanese for soy sauce) ramen with fatty pork. It's the only way to go... Miso based ramen is cloudy - feels like your eating noodles and milk. No way I would gamble with onion soup or spicy chicken? You want fatty pools of pork oil on clear soup like at Samurai. Firm noodles was great. Why even offer medium or soft noodles?! Does anyone in the world want mushy noodles?Hello noodles remain cooking anyways while you eat. Slight chewy al dente... The smell of the place is wonderful. Pork melted in my mouth. Broth was hot and hearty. Yes, you will wait in line. The place feels like a broom closet. I would only order "armour" style to get the egg and yummy toppings. Slurp slurp!

    (5)

  • Thai D.

    The ramen here is very very good. But the price is a bit on the high side for ramen. Still, it is very good. Good broth, good ingredients, and I do like that you choose how soft or firm you want your noodles. It's like ordering steak!

    (4)

  • Andie C.

    A week before we were going to try Samurai Noodle I tried to call to make a reservation but was told that they don't take reservations at the ID restaurant. Imagine my surprise when we walk in and the only available table has a "reserved" sign on it. We place our order and I ask about the reserved table. A girl from the back shouts out "we only take reservations for parties of 3 or more!" So I say that we were a party of three but you never asked how many were in our party. We step aside so that others can place their orders. One of the guys from the behind the counter brushes past us carrying two large bowls of soup and tells us we need to step aside so we're not in the way. This place isn't that big for us to be out of the way! Then the counter guy comes over and tells the two guys that were a couple orders behind us that they can sit at the reserved table. I am flabbergasted. I go up to the counter and tell them that since they are giving away the four top to two people, we will take the other half of the table. He tells me "Your food is already packaged to go." So I tell him he can repackage it for here. Then Wil Long steps up and says "do you really even want to stay here to eat?" There's nothing as incredulous as to be virtually driven from the restaurant buy a punk with a bad attitude behind the counter. I said, to be honest, no, but it should have been offered to us first because we arrived before they did. Shaking my head in disgust, I said just give us the food to go. I specifically asked if there was silverware in the bag. We go to leave and I am shocked to the point of hysterical laughter when I see the name and a picture of Wil Long mounted by the door as "Employee of the Month" for July 2012. Oh my gosh! If this is the best they've got, they should all be fired! We go next door to the food court and wouldn't you know that this crackerjack team of customer service geniuses provided us with one napkin, one fork, one spoon and one set of chopsticks for two people and two bowls of soup. Amazing. Needless to say I will never go back. I would hope that the service is better at the other locations, but I was treated so poorly that there is no way I would ever give them a chance. It's a real shame because I had heard lots of good things about the food but no one should ever have to put up with that kind of "customer service" and I sure wouldn't try it twice.

    (1)

  • Dianne C.

    3 times I went in with a craving.. and 3 times I came out satisfied. I've had the Chili Green Onion ramen, the Tetsu Hell Fire, and the Shouyu ramen.. and I was willing to pay the $6.95 to $8.00 for each... especially as they already fill me to bursting. (Let's not ever talk about me getting the Samurai Armour option). What was a little crazier was the $1 to add an egg.. and about $1.50 for soda. (I'm tempted to bring my own hard boiled egg next time... and canned soda.) I've loved all of the ramen that I have tried (even the super-onion laden Chili Green Onion), and I'm willing to go back for more someday. The pork was also Really Tender and added to my Happiness... though I always find it interesting that it's usually pork in chicken broth. Detail to note: Like, everyone has said.. the place is small and seating is limited (especially at High Noon.. 11am is a saner time). If you do happen to go in sometime and notice a free table, don't just go and seat yourselves down to save it for your friends. That's not how they play. You have to buy your food first, compadre. The servers designate the table for you - this is usually signified by their laying out cups of water for you. The place could also use a more... customer-friendly... BGM. Having ramen while listening to The Offspring is one thing (and I actually liked).. but Eurobeat? Game music? Really?

    (4)

  • Karen R.

    I never knew where Samurai Noodle was even though a few people had told me to go try. It was the day I had to park on the street right bu it that I realized where it's located. ...so it's in the uwajimaya building but not INSIDE... if you're walk out of the food court area (the burger exit) turn left and walk along the perimeter of the same building, you'd find Samurai. I should preface by saying that I'm not a big fan of tonkotsu ramen - if you are, I think this is THE place for you. However, I was disappointed that there was not miso ramen on the menu... and honestly, I don't know what got into me to order what I did... the green onion chilli ramen in chicken stock. Should have ordered the shoyu ramen... my ramen was tasty but it tasted like what I whip up at home for a quick meal... nothing I expect at a ramen place... so I wasn't wow'd by it at all. I will certainly return to try their shoyu ramen but chances are, if I'm in the mood for ramen, I'll go to Fu Lin - at least they have gyoza... and their miso ramen is yummy :) So what if they're not Japanese but Taiwanese - if you want, they can break into nihongo too if you like...

    (3)

  • Vangie G.

    Had my first try at Samurai Noodle a few days ago. I had the Tonkatsu Ramen which was pretty good. I had hoped for a little tastier broth but the pork made up for that. The pork was delicious and ordered the Armour to get the extra slices of meat - I just couldn't finish it. I did order extra noodles but I was too full to eat it all. I like the suggestion from above to order it on the side or wait until you finish your first order to see if you have enough broth. I didn't think too much of the service because you pretty much know what you're going to get when you walk in. It's small and you order at the counter before you sit down. Don't expect head-to-toe treatment.

    (3)

  • Brenda L.

    No Reservations = Yummy, but you gotta wait for a tiny place which I love--has that personal homecooked feeling (kinda like when regular customers would walk into my dad's restaurant & the rest of the family worked w/dad) Noodles - they make it perfect Al Dente everytime! Seasoning - perfect Side Dishes - Tofu Spicy; Spicy Roe Rice Dish (fab) Fresh Ingredients a Must! This place does it right :) Service is wonderful, esp. after waiting for an hour for friends, & the waitress asked me twice if I was okay-paying attn to this girl who got a seat, while many came and went. O, and the place allowed for my friend's friend to bring in her baby's stroller - though the sign in the restaurant did not allow it --she made an exception! Thank you SN for an impressive first experience!!

    (5)

  • Amy C.

    Fantastic ramen noodles! I loved how you start with a base noodle and could personalize your noodles by adding additional stuff. They ask how you like your noodles done (soft, medium, or firm), where this is the first time I've ever had that question for asian noodles. They even let you purchase extra ramen noodles after you're done if you want for $1.50...very flexible restaurant. The tonkotsu soup broth was a bit heavy for me, but the chicken broth was amazing! Light, sweet, and delicious.

    (4)

  • CK Dexter H.

    It should be called Rashomon Noodle. (No, not because the prices rape your wallet, that's sick and you should be ashamed for thinking that) (Because it leaves a knife like feeling in your gut?) (Again, no!) (!!!!) Because, and this may sound strange, but every review of this place is correct. A zen koan to inconsistency this marvel of time and space may stand certain laws of physics on their head or heads or head of a pin. I am chewing through the wormhole. I've eaten here a lot. I often work in the area. Among the constants are the blasting metal music, which I happen to enjoy, (not in my everyday life but as a part of the Samurai part of the experience) and the high prices, which I don't enjoy. (especially difficult to take as the Bush Crime Family has ruined the economy of planet earth) Oh, and the salt. Expected life expectancy of Samurai Noodle if opened in Tokyo: about an hour Ranking of Samurai Noodle in hierarchy of Seattle noodle joints: Top 5

    (2)

  • Adrian R.

    I wish I liked this place more. The simple truth is that its ramen lacked both complexity and creativity. While I didn't hate my food, its poor service and dull ramen mean I'll be avoiding it in the future.

    (2)

  • M C.

    Not many ramen house here in Seattle. A few restaurants does sell ramen but not like this! Service = really small and tight Ambiance = clean, high ceiling helps, but 8 tables not matter what makes you feel like a sardine. Food = good enough! especially if you crave salt like i do Price = $ Crowd = Lunch business/ shoppers Dinner, all ranges Favorite = Miso Ramen, extra noodle please! Worst = Always a line, make me feel like i have no patients Meal for two = 25 Final Say = Be strategic with timing in Chinatown as it's not the same as elsewhere. Good timing is everything!

    (4)

  • Ms. T.

    So, this was indeed some tasty soup. On a rainy day, it hit the spot perfectly. The biggest problem was the price. The simple ramen, with no add ons, was about $7. That's not too bad for a lunch, but I wish for that price it would come with maybe some bamboo shoots, egg, or more than one slice of pork. I left with some extremely tasty lunch, but felt like I was still overcharged. Still, I find myself conflicted... I will certainly go back, but won't be happy about paying for it.

    (4)

  • Yoeun P.

    I've never been to Japan, but I think this is about as close as we're gonna get in Seattle. Their ramens are delicious, filling and cheap! The broth is rich and hearty. You can have the noodles as soft or firm as you like. You can order extra noodles if you find you have a lot of broth left over. Unfortunatey, due to its popularity, there is quite a queue to get in and get service.

    (4)

  • Anna F.

    Noodle soup is one of the most comforting, and in my opinion, best meals EVER! This place has it all when it comes to good ramen, flavorful broth, great noodles, and amazing meat! The tonkatsu with the samurai armor is my mainstay, although the chili green onion is also very good. If you like spice you definitely won't find it here...that just means a crap ton of chili flakes in your soup!! I had to take one star off because, quite frankly, the service is crap. Don't get me wrong, overall there are some pretty nice people that work there, but they tend to be too frazzled and short to interact. That's alright...I'm just here for the soup!

    (4)

  • Zach C.

    Compared to some of the ramen places in the Bay Area, this is mediocre at best. A large crowd of us visited (filling nearly half the restaurant) and ordered the Tonkotsu, Shouyu, and the Tonkotsu-Shouyu bowls. The Tonkotsu and the Tonkotsu-Shouyu had a different type of noodle than the plain Shouyu; the noodles in the Shouyu were much better - a little thicker and sturdier. Many of the noodles in various bowls were still stuck together in large wads, as if they had been dumped into the pot and not stirred. (I watched one of the cooks open a large flat full of separate noodle compartments, apparently purchased wholesale, and drop them into the broth.) I got the Samurai Armor in mine, which was one of the upsides to the experience. It was a separate plate with extra pork, egg, and all the rest to add or omit at your preference. The broth, which should be the best part to a bowl of ramen, was bland and overly salty in the case of the Shouyu and just rather uninspired in the case of the Tonkotsu. If I were to visit again (which I'm not eager to do), I would order the Tonkotsu-Shouyu broth with the thicker noodles. Not being a fan of the kikurage (mushrooms), I was less than enthused about this addition, typically not present in Bay Area Ramen. I forgot to mention, one person got the Tampopo ramen, since it sounded good and the place made such a big deal of the movie (even advertising that they sell copies of the dvd!). I can't remember specifics, but the person who had the Tampopo didn't much care for it, and it was a person who typically enjoys good ramen.

    (2)

  • Chika A.

    I gave them 4 stars because I think their Ramen is the closest to the "real" Japanese Ramen in Seattle area. It is always hard or almost impossible to get true/authetic food when you live in a foreign county. Yeah it is not exactly the same or as good as compare to the Ramen you can get in Japan. Well yeah, we aren't in Japan. The broth has good flavor. The noodle is not soft and mushy. Some people say that the quality is not that wonderful and it is possible to make really good Ramen at home by purchasing frozen Ramen from Uwajimaya. Yeah, it is sort of true, but that is soooo not time and cost effective to me. I don't have time, patience or skill to make good Cha-Shu or Nitamago. - 1 star because there is one thing that bugged me about their food. When I get my hot bowl of Ramen, I want my food to stay hot. Those toppings such as Kikurage Mushroom and stuff weren't warmed up so the broth was cooled off pretty quickly. Cold toppings made my Ramen lukewarm ... I don't know if they usually do or not but I wish they warm the toppings before they pile up on the noodle. Be warned that this place doesn't have many seats and tends to be really crazy busy specially during the lunch/dinner time. If f you don't like waiting, always have a back up plan.

    (4)

  • May N.

    I LOVE this place! Their ramen is the best in town. I really like the fact that they ask you how you'd like your noodles (soft, medium or firm) so they can cook them to the desired texture. Their tonkotsu broth is so rich and delicious, I cannot help but finish everything in my bowl. If you like something on the spicy side, give Chili Green Onion or Tetsu Max a try. The former just has a spicy chicken broth while the latter is a dipping-style ramen. The only thing I don't like about the place is how small it is. If you get there around lunch time, it would take a while before you can get seated. I usually try to get there before noon or wait until after 1PM to avoid the crowd.

    (5)

Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.

Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.

Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :10:00 am - 8:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : No
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Samurai Noodle

Share with your social network

WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES

Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online

Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.

© 2024 Restaurant Listings. All rights reserved.