Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Umami Ballard

    4.0 (25 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:30 pm

    Order Umami Ballard Takeout or Delivery

    Umami Ballard Photos

    Business Info

    UMAMI BALLARD ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?

    You might also consider

    More like Umami Ballard

    Recommended Reviews - Umami Ballard

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Sushi burrito
    Diana C.

    We got takeout and it was all excellent! The packaging was very good, though one of the boba cups did break once we had it out of the bags and all (not at all their fault - more of a freak accident I think). The food was excellent though. I also loved the option to do combos and that the vegetarian combos were clearly labeled online. We would definitely order again and then come back.

    Build your own Poke Bowl
    Ana K S.

    There has got to be something in the Umami water because their stuff is truly addicting! The shrimp tempura on the poke bowls is perfectly crunchy (even after walking 15min to get back home) and it's also slightly sweet and all around delicious. The tuna is also amazing and I love that the bowls are hefty even if you only get a couple of free toppings. The taro boba tea was so good too! I got it with half sugar and I think that or 1/4 is the way to go if you're not wanting something super super sweet. The ramen is also incredible, though I think the poke bowl is for sure my go to now. I also appreciated the custom take out bag that came with my order, it came in clutch immediately by helping keep my food dry from the rain.

    Gagan G.

    Tasted pretty good! I ordered the passion fruit tea with boba. Could use more boba. No one else was there.

    Poke Bowl
    Patty L.

    Umami is a great place for some takeout in you're craving poke or ramen. My husband opted to build his own poke bowl, which allows for one protein selection and three sides. He had the salmon with tamago, seaweed salad, and corn on top of the brown rice. The fish tasted pretty fresh and the tamago was sweet and delightful. I do wish you could add more toppings though. I ordered the traditional tonkotsu ramen with bok choy, sliced wood ear mushroom, and green onions. The broth itself is not like a traditional japanese tonkotsu broth - it actually tastes more similar to a chinese pork bone broth since there was also an herbal taste to it. I still enjoyed it regardless however. The veggies I ordered were fresh and the noodles were nice and chewy. I give it a 4/5 since the ramen wasn't what I expected from a tonkotsu ramen though.

    Mango Bubble Tea Traditional Tonkotsu Ramen
    Camile F.

    The food was outstanding! The ramen had a delicious flavor. The pork was cooked nice and crispy, and I loved the shrimp tempura. The noodles were good, but I did prefer to have a little bit more. The mango bubble tea seemed to be made with a different type of mango base than what I am used to, and I actually liked it more than most boba places!

    gyoza

    See all

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Gothree T.

    Gothree T.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of August W.
    422
    58
    30

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Gothree T.

    Gothree T.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sung S.
    67
    211
    72

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Gothree T.

    Gothree T.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    2 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Yummy chicken and boba tea! So glad I don't have to go to my favorite place in China town that makes similar chicken

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Gothree T.

    Gothree T.

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Delicious food and bubble tea. The quality is also great, but for the amount you get the price is pretty steep. Otherwise, excellent.

    Business owner information

    Photo of Gothree T.

    Gothree T.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of LE M.
    1
    73
    0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Gothree T.

    Gothree T.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Love this place! Great service, food (you can customize your ramen and poke bowl) and amazing selection of teas! Great addition to Ballard !

    Business owner information

    Photo of Gothree T.

    Gothree T.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Gothree T.

    Gothree T.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - Umami Ballard

    You might also consider

    Ramen Danbo

    Ramen Danbo

    4.3
    (2.5k reviews)
    5.0 mi
    $$

    Best ramen I've had, to date. I honestly thought ramen wasn't for me before this but was convinced…read moreto give this spot a try. However, we arrived just before 10p on a Monday night and the line was down the street. We waited an hour and ended up not getting in due to seating ending at 10:45p. The hostess would check in periodically, and up to the last 15 mins said we had a 50/50 shot of getting seated. The alternative was to get take-out. There were a couple other groups also in the same boat. Overall, the wait time after submitting our take-out order was around 15 mins for 2 ramen. We ordered the classic ramen, extra spicy, and I added an egg to mine. On the card you use to select your order, you can choose the type of noodle, richness of broth, spice level, add-ins, and beverages. There is a separate vegan menu with lots of options to choose from. The ramen was delicious. The broth was rich and full of flavor and the noodles were cooked just right. The meat was tender and egg was perfectly jammy. I get the hype, but I wouldn't go after 9p again for my own sanity and time.

    Ramen Danbo in Capitol Hill has a simple but focused setup that puts most of the attention on the…read moreramen itself. We walked into a casual, compact space with a mix of counter and table seating that fits the quick ramen shop style. The interior is efficient and well organized, though it can get extremely busy, and the wait times are often one of the biggest parts of the experience, especially during peak hours. Once seated, the space feels functional and comfortable, designed around getting a bowl of ramen in front of you without unnecessary distractions. The ramen is built around rich tonkotsu broth with a lot of customization options. We appreciated the ability to adjust things like noodle firmness, richness, and spice level, which made each bowl feel more personalized. The regular tonkotsu ramen stood out for its deep umami flavor without feeling overly heavy, and the noodles had a great texture that held up well against the broth. The vegan options also stand out, including miso-based bowls with flavorful broths that give non-pork options more depth than many ramen shops offer. The toppings are generous, and the soft-boiled egg was cooked to that perfect jammy consistency. Beyond ramen, the menu has a few sides that complement the meal well, including gyoza that came out crisp and well filled. We also grabbed mochi ice cream for something sweet afterward, a light finish after the rich broth. The seasonal ramen options are worth checking out since they add variety beyond the standard bowls, giving regular visitors a reason to come back and try something new. Service is generally quick and friendly, especially considering how busy the restaurant gets. The ordering system is straightforward, and the staff handles the constant flow of customers efficiently. The team kept the pace moving without making the experience feel rushed, and they were attentive to refilling water and checking in on the table. The biggest downside is the popularity, since the lines can sometimes feel long for a relatively quick meal, but the wait tends to move faster than expected given the efficient turnover. Ramen Danbo is a reliable spot for a satisfying bowl of ramen in Seattle. The customizable bowls, strong broth, and consistent noodle quality make it a place worth visiting, although planning around busy hours can make the experience much better. The balance of customization and quality means you can dial in your bowl exactly how you like it, and the focused approach to the menu keeps the attention where it belongs.

    Photos
    Inside the restaurant at 7PM
    Inside the restaurant at 7PM
    Pork Gyoza Platter
    Pork Gyoza Platter
    Classic Ramen

    See all

    Classic Ramen
    Midnite Ramen

    Midnite Ramen

    4.4
    (140 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    Such a fun and unexpected gem! This ramen spot tucked inside a brewery is super cute and has such a…read morewelcoming vibe. The ramen was incredibly flavorful--rich, comforting, and exactly what you want. Everything tasted fresh and well thought out. I also ordered a draft root beer which was honestly so good and a fun change from the usual. We came with kids and they made the experience extra special. The kids got to pick out a Pokémon card at the bar (huge win), and our waitress went above and beyond--she was so warm and attentive. She even brought the kids Pocky for dessert, which was such a sweet touch. We also ordered the fried chicken--$8 for a huge portion, which is an amazing deal. The dipping sauce was delicious. Personally, I'd prefer the pieces to be a bit smaller, but that's just a minor preference, As well as a real utensils would be nice over plastic. Overall, such a great experience with amazing food, kind service, and thoughtful details. We will definitely be back!

    This is a great place to get your ramen fix. Its legit. You…read morecan tell they really put alot into their ramen; the broth was great, the noodle is good and the portion was perfect. You order via kiosk; and wait your order to be called when its ready. They got condiments of fresh garlic and chili oil as well. What we got: Kyoto charsu ramen (4/5) Great broth and very flavorfull. Portion was perfect. Miso Bold (4.5/5) Very very rich broth and the black garlic was great. Portion was oerfect for how rich it was. I add the spicy paste and it was great. Overall This is a great spot. I highly recomend it to anyone in the area.

    Photos
    Ramen pickup counter
    Ramen pickup counter
    50's Classic Shoyu Ramen with chicken. Fried gyoza shared with friends
    50's Classic Shoyu Ramen with chicken. Fried gyoza shared with friends
    Tan-tan-men with tofu, at the bar

    See all

    Tan-tan-men with tofu, at the bar
    Kajiken

    Kajiken

    4.5
    (225 reviews)
    4.9 mi
    $$

    My boyfriend and I were craving ramen, but the day was too hot to want to sip on broth, so we…read moredecided to try Kajiken, which is known for its "dry ramen" concept. Upon entering the restaurant, all the tables were occupied, and we were told to wait a few minutes before being seated. We only ended up waiting about 5 minutes. The menu was very informative and provided a definition of what aburasoba is. There were also directions at the bottom of the menu explaining how to eat your ramen. Since it was our first time here, we started off with a peach lemonade soda. My boyfriend chose the No. 1, Homura, and I chose the No. 2, Pot Roast. We both ordered a raw egg on top and a side of chashu pork. We wanted to order the onigiri, but unfortunately, they were all out. After about 5 minutes, our food arrived! The presentation was lovely. We took our chopsticks and mixed everything together, just as instructed, then took our first bites, and our minds were blown. The texture was creamy, and the flavors were packed with richness. The portions were perfect, especially for the price. I absolutely loved the experience here and would totally come back to try their other aburasobas. It was so good that I wouldn't even mind sitting through traffic during a World Cup game just to get it again. Until next time!

    I've eaten here once (last Sunday - 7/5/2026). The food was…read moregood, although a few things to note. The waiter might not understand English which is fine (he was also not Japanese or Korean so I couldn't use those as a fallback languages). As when we ordered the Yuzu Karaage, the Kinoko Aburasoba, Homura Aburasoba and the Peach Lemonade. He acknowledged the Homura Aburasoba order as he vocally said "okay" after each item; including the lemonade, was ordered. But apparently never actually put it on the PDA. It wasn't until waiting around for about 15 minutes *after* all of the other food had been delivered, that I could finally flag down a different waiter as the one who had taken my order was taking an interesting path that would never cross ours -- we were seated next to the front desk -- and ask when my Homura Aburasoba was coming in, mentioned it was never ordered, the second waiter who placed the late order was prompt and I see hear him mention that the Homura Aburasoba needed to be made, as it was an order that was missing from my table. When it did come, it was delicious. The Yuzu karaage was delicious, however the taste of yuzu was absent. It was just daikon and green onion and lemon (I did not squeeze the lemon in so I could experience the yuzu -- which was missing). I just mixed it directly into my Homura Aburasoba instead and coated it with the tantan. I think the place might need to work on communication/consistency, with how they are delivering/relaying orders. Don't get me wrong, the food was still delicious, but inconsistent with the service and delivery. It was also not busy at all, as we were seated immediately, so the staff was not overworked, and it was not during a lunch/dinner rush. Service, mistakes, and inconsistency of delivery of the full items rounded it down to a 3-star. tl;dr delicious food, service and delivery need improvement.

    Photos
    Kajiken
    Pan Fried Gyoza
    Pan Fried Gyoza
    Edamame

    See all

    Edamame

    Umami Ballard - poke - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...