Seattle’s ramen scene is about to get even richer. Kayava, the artisan ramen shop that made its Seattle debut in Fremont last fall, will open their doors to their latest outpost in Belltown (2226 First Ave) with a soft opening on Friday, July 18 at 5 p.m.

Kayava’s original Seattle location in Fremont quickly became the place to go for its signature bowl of rich, creamy chicken paitan ramen. The noodles are all made in-house, the broths are simmered daily, and it’s all served up in sleek Arita-ware bowls. The shop also serves variations like pork shoyu ramen and a decadent truffle shantan ramen. 

I was at the media preview for the Fremont opening last October and can say firsthand: the noodles had the perfect chew, and that creamy paitan broth had everyone totally hooked.

For the Belltown soft opening, Kayava will keep things streamlined with a rotating menu. Diners can expect two ramen options each week, starting with Chicken Paitan + Pork Shoyu and Chicken Paitan + Truffle Shantan. 

Kayava uses recipes crafted by Masuo Onishi, the chef behind Boston’s Tsurumen and two ramen shops in Japan.  Known for its deeply layered, velvety texture, his paitan broth is the type of ramen that stays with you well beyond the final bite.

While Fremont became the brand’s Seattle birthplace, the Belltown location is part of Kayava’s plan to expand its “artisan ramen” concept across the U.S. Like the original, the new shop is expected to feature a clean, modern interior accented with subtle Japanese design elements, creating an intimate yet casual ramen bar vibe.

Kayava Belltown’s soft opening kicks off at 5 p.m. on July 18. Service will continue throughout the week from 5 – 9 p.m. (last order at 8:30 p.m.). The shop is closed Monday/Tuesday. If you’re looking to try their addictively rich paitan or the aromatic truffle shantan ramen before crowds catch on, it’s worth stopping by early.