Refining ramen on Capitol Hill: A decade of noodles, craft, and devotion at Ooink

(Image: Ooink)

Ten years after launching their cozy Capitol Hill ramen spot above the Broadway and Pike QFC, Ooink founders Chong Boon Ooi and Jiaxin Wang are marking a decade in business.

Before establishing the shop, Malaysian-born chef Chong logged 15 years in kitchens across Los Angeles, Paris, Las Vegas, New York City, and Hawaii before choosing Seattle as the permanent home to build his craft and raise a family.

Rather than overhauling the menu to chase trends, Chong’s foundation has been meticulous refinement. As he told CHS about his culinary approach, “We still try to refine what we do and achieve better. I don’t like to create new dishes, I like to do what I do and make it better.”

The result is a noodle shop for noodle lovers. While people sometimes line up around the block for social media-driven ramen hype in the neighborhood, Ooink’s success is about devotion and longevity.

The focus has included small innovations over the years, from mala-spiced bowls to rich broths, shallot-and-goose-fat Shanghai Style Shoyu, and sourcing soft, alkaline natural spring water from a tap in Lynnwood to make his house noodles noticeably lighter and fluffier.

Ooink navigated the pandemic and industry shifts with to-go ramen kits and a hearty fried chicken sandwich, supported throughout by a devoted following. That sustained enthusiasm fueled an expansion across town, leading the team to open a second Ooink outpost at 3630 Stone Way N in Fremont.

CHS reported here on the 2016 debut of Ooink as the first-time restaurant owners were happy to take over a fully built-out space where another food and drink venture had just gone kaput. Ooink has endured, even outlasting Harvard Market ownership. Early this year, the shopping center was acquired by San Diego-based developer Tourmaline Capital for $14.2 million. Increased maintenance and more spending on security has followed and helped address some of the public safety issues on the block.

Reflecting on the decade, Ooi and Wang, have a message for Capitol HIll:

Ten years ago, we opened a tiny ramen shop above the QFC on Capitol Hill with a small menu, big dreams, and probably not enough sleep. We didn’t know how many bowls we’d serve, how many friends we’d make, or how much Seattle would become home. Ten years later, we’re still here, making noodles fresh, refining our broth, serving the ramen we believe in, and feeling incredibly grateful for every person who has slurped, sweated, waited, supported, and come back for another bowl. From our first little shop to the Ooink family today: thank you for 10 years of ramen, community, and memories.

Signed, “Love, Chong & Jiaxin.”

Ooink is located at 1416 Harvard Ave. You can learn more at ooinkramen.com.

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