If you've been following us for a while, you know we love a good origin story. Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya is women-owned, Hawaii-born, and brand new to the Pacific Northwest - and from the 12-hour broth to a Wasabi Martini that somehow works, there's a lot going on here worth knowing about!

Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya isn't just another noodle spot. It's a full izakaya experience, which is what makes it stand out. We talked to the owner, and it's clear this place is about more than just the food.

The brand has been building a following since 2017, starting in Hawaii before expanding to Atlanta, Chicago, and Houston. Kirkland is their first West Coast location - so if you're in the Seattle area, you're getting in early on a spot that already has a pretty devoted following elsewhere!

The Broth. We Need to Talk About the Broth!

When we asked what makes Tanaka different, the first thing that came up was the tonkotsu broth. It simmers for more than 12 hours. That's just the standard, because that's how long it takes to get it right. This detail that tells you everything you need to know about how a kitchen operates!

If you're not sure where to start, the Tanaka Classic is a good first move. It's pork broth with chashu, kikurage mushrooms, spicy bean sprouts, fried onions, garlic oil, and a seasoned egg over thick noodles - the kind of bowl that makes sense of everything else on the menu once you've had it. Stacey, from the Pao Content team, tried the Volcano Ramen on her visit and loved it - so that's worth adding to the list too!

And if tonkotsu isn't your thing, the menu has you covered. You can build your own bowl from scratch - choose your broth, your noodles, your toppings - so every visit can look a little different depending on what you're feeling. There's a Spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen on the menu too, made with plant-based broth, kale noodles, tofu, spinach, and chili oil. So genuinely, no one gets left out.

The Kirkland-Only Dishes Worth Knowing About

At the Kirkland location, there's one menu item that caught our attention: the Tanaka Kaisen Ramen. It's a seasonal seafood ramen made specifically for the Washington market - you can't get it anywhere else. We love when a restaurant creates something just for the community it's joining!

And while you're there, the Kirkland-only fresh oysters are worth an order too. Small details like that make it clear this isn't just a copy-paste of their other locations.

The Loco Moco Short Rib is another dish worth flagging - slow-cooked short ribs over rice, topped with house gravy and a sunny-side-up egg. It's a nod to their Hawaii roots!

Don't Sleep on the Izakaya Menu

This is where things get really interesting, and honestly it's worth arriving hungry enough to explore it. We're talking pork gyoza, soft shell crab buns, karaage chicken, takoyaki, rock shrimp ebi-mayo - the kind of shareable spread that turns a ramen run into a proper night out. Stacey tried the Soft Shell Crab Bun, Shisito Peppers, Pork Gyoza and Fresh Oysters on her visit and said the small plates were just as much of a highlight as the ramen itself.

The restaurant seats around 100, so it's got that lively, communal energy you'd want for a big group, but it works just as well for a solo bowl on a Tuesday!

now, About The Drinks

This might be the part we weren't expecting to talk about… but here we are! Tanaka has three martinis on the menu and honestly, they're worth coming in for on their own.

The Lychee Martini and Matcha Martini are both really good. But the one that really caught us off guard? The Wasabi Martini. You genuinely don't see this anywhere else, and it works! It's the kind of drink that sounds like a dare and ends up being the one everyone at the table is reaching for. Stacey tried all three on her visit and said the drinks were just as much of a highlight as the food - which, given how good the ramen is, is saying something.

Ask The Founder

We sat down with the Tanaka team to find out how it all started, and learn what's driven the menu from day one!

Where did Tanaka Ramen come from?

"The restaurant was named after a Japanese ramen chef whose dedication to the craft really shaped what we became. We've been building since 2017, with locations across Hawaii, Atlanta, Chicago, and Houston - and Kirkland is our first West Coast location."

How did the menu come together?

"The menu was developed by me and my business partner Henry. From the beginning, our goal was to create ramen that respects traditional Japanese techniques while also being approachable and enjoyable for a wide range of guests. And honestly, the learning never really stopped - in March 2023, I attended ramen school in Kagawa Prefecture in Japan to go deeper on the techniques, the ingredients, the whole philosophy behind it. That experience still influences how we refine the menu today."

What to Expect When You Walk In

Warm, vibrant, and welcoming - that's how the owner described it, and we believe it. The space is designed to feel like a Japanese izakaya: the kind of place where you're not rushing out after one bowl. You're ordering one more small plate, staying for drinks, maybe losing track of time a little.

The owner mentioned that in Hawaii, guests became like family over the years. And they're hoping to build that same thing in Kirkland!

Plan Your Visit

Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya is located at 312 Central Way, Suite 103, Kirkland, WA 98033. They're open Monday through Wednesday 11am–9:30pm, Thursday 10:45am–9:30pm, Friday and Saturday 11am–10pm, and Sunday 11am–9pm.

They also take reservations and offer online ordering for pickup and delivery if you'd rather eat on the couch - no judgment from us!

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Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya: Kirkland's New Ramen Spot With Hawaii Roots