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Fu Lin
Categories: Restaurants Chinese Restaurants Japanese Chinese, Japanese [Edit]
512 S King St(between S 5th Ave & S 6th Ave)
Seattle, WA 98104
Neighbourhood: International District
(206) 749-0678
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
Henry prepares classics from his homeland of Taiwan, but brings his love of ingredients and techniques from aroud the world. Enjoy familiar favorities,… read more »
137 reviews for Fu Lin
Review Highlights
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"This is one my musts if you are a ramen lover." In 113 reviews -
"The lightly-charred gyoza was also fantastic." In 37 reviews -
"OK, I got my sho-ron-po fixed." In 2 reviews
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137 reviews in English
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Review from Aubrey P.
Seattle, WA
3/8/2012
This place is, tasty, cheap and clean. The service is a bit inexperienced/young, but very earnest. We had a fine dinner, and will be back.
Wait! I didn't know we were supposed to get the ramen. Now I KNOW we'll be back! -
Review from Pipi L.
Seattle, WA
3/24/2012
Has my taste for noodle soup been swayed by the beloved and more than delicious pho? Maybe, but this place was not what I expected, except they do indeed have extremely sticky floors, even in the bathroom. Gross. Clean hot water will take care of it. I promise.
My newly formed dinner club (I don't like clubs, anything organized or tribal) went to Fu LIn for the first time a few weeks ago. We had decided on Fu Lin because my wife had read a review in the Times where a number of local chefs had said it was where they go for ramen. I've really only eaten ramen in a package while backpacking, and it always tastes AWESOME! but everything tastes awesome after hiking 10 miles carrying a 40 pound pack.
Maybe it wasn't as good because the famous chefs know how to season and spice up their ramen. I really don't know, but it was a dud for our first dinner club outing. Luckily, we're all good friends so we are just happy to hang out together. Note: their onion pancakes don't hold a candle to Szechuan Noodle Bowl where I have seen Tom Douglas patron. (I kind of love him, but that's a really really long story)
And lastly, when I call inquiring about vegetarian ramen options and told no problem then show up to be told "not possible", I get a little annoyed. -
Review from Maria N.
1/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
3.5 stars--really, but I decided to round up. Not my favorite place for ramen (I prefer Aloha and Samurai), but their tonkotsu definitely hits the spot on a cold winter night. Their ramen is interesting because it does have hints of Chinese flavors in it (the majority of their menu is Chinese cuisine after all).
As typical with most hole-in-the-wall places, Fu Lin is a little dingy (I get easily eeked out by sticky floors and avoid the bathroom if you can!), but the ramen is tasty and our waitress was super friendly and sweet. -
Review from Kristen S.
Seattle, WA
5/16/2012
This is an excellent place to go for lunch. It's very inexpensive yet filling! I highly recommend one of the many lunch deals - the beef with pineapple is particularly tasty. The hot and sour soup is not to be missed - one of my friends from work is from China, and she raves that this soup is amongst the best she's had. While it lacks in atmosphere, it's cheap, fast and satisfying. What more could you ask for at lunchtime?
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Review from Vivian H.
I was very doubtful about a Chinese restaurant serving Japanese ramen and never gave it a second glance until today, because it frequently comes up as one of the top results when searching for ramen in Seattle.
I decided to order the tonkotsu ramen with chashu with the extra order of gyoza on the side. Ramen + gyoza was only $10. BF had the same thing and we shared an order of fried chicken wings.
The broth's flavor had a distinct pork flavor, but overall the flavor was very light. It did not have the richness that a tonkotsu broth usually has and I didn't have the desire to drink it. It was also thick, almost like gravy but not as extreme. The meat was thin and tasted like Chinese pork. Not Japanese at all. The noodles were very good though - perfect texture.
The gyoza were very good! Hot, flavorful, and crispy! The chicken was OK -- too breaded and it didn't have the airy crispiness that I like about Chinese chicken wings.
The waiter asked us what we thought about the soup; apparently they had just changed the recipe. We told him it was too thick, so hopefully they'll do something about it. -
Review from Jennifer O.
Auburn, WA
Went today and ordered the Miso Charsiu Ramen and a side of Gyoza.
I am giving 3 stars because the Gyoza where tasty and crispy. The Ramen on the other hand was not so tasty, the broth was bland, noodles where a little Soft and the Charsiu pieces where small, thin and not very flavorful. The Ramen and Gyoza together where 11.00 so a little on the pricier side for lunch.
The Mongolian Beef Bento that my friend was eating looked good and she seemed to like it. It was a nice clean establishment and they had a nice selection of condiments. -
Review from Eugene C.
3/4/2012
This place has a lot of promise. The menu is extensive and includes noodle soups, stir fry dishes, and as it's namesake says, dumplings. On my first visit I had the seafood noodle soup and the juicy pork dumplings. Somehow I heard that Fu-Lin had the elusive xiao-long bao. I am happy to report that that rumor is true and they are pretty good. Plenty of juicy goodness inside. Could have used a little more salt, but otherwise on par with Din Tai Fung's xiao long bao. The seafood noodle soup was a little watery, but the noodles had a good firmness and was generously portioned. As I said, the menu is pretty extensive, and I plan on returning to try their other items. But overall a good first visit.
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Review from Hannah Y.
9/6/2011
Unlike the dirty outside surroundings of the ID, the restaurant is remarkably clean and well kept. You wouldn't notice that from just walking by or looking in from the outside.
Food - We ordered the Mongolian Beef, Spicy & Sour Chicken, Won Ton Soup, and pot stickers - all for about $23 w/out tip. The Mongolian Beef tasted like Beef Stew and nothing like the Mongolian Beef I am used to having in SF or NY. Not bad, but I wished that it didn't taste like beef stew. The Chicken was better but I wished it had a bit more kick to it as far as spiciness and tanginess goes but the dish was pretty good otherwise. These two "bento" Chinese boxes for lunch came w/ salad, two curry wontons and a scoop of white rice. Overall, a good value for the price. I did not care for the Won Ton Soup. Tasted like the broth was just made w/ lots of soy sauce for flavoring and I couldn't taste anything else.
Service was excellent. The staff here speak both Chinese and Japanese. -
Review from Jermey E.
Kirkland, WA
9/12/2011
Did I mention hole in the walls have some of the best food ever? Fu Lin is one of these great places. Unfortunately I have not experienced anything else but the ramen and gyoza, but dammit they do those both right!
Fu Lin is a hole in the wall place near Wajis in Seattle. This place has a large menu of food primarily Chinese, but since I found this place with a friend of mine all I have ordered is the ramen. They do ramen right here. It has amazing broth with all the pieces. The staff is always friendly and attentive. If you are in the international district and you'd like a light lunch I recommend Fu Lin for sure! -
Review from Shari d.
Updated - 10/14/2011
Came back to try the ramen...afterall these cold Seattle days pretty much beckon you to get a hot bowl of noddles. I ordered the Tonkotsu Chasu Ramen with a side of gyoza.
The soup was good but not as rich as its competition down the street. The pork was sliced thin but had an off taste...they must have marinated it in some seasoning that made it taste a little sour to me. The bamboo shoots were also odd tasting...the right texture but the wrong taste.
The gyoza were good as usual and would come back here in a second for more.
I think next on the list is to try a lunch special here to see if that offsets the inconsistency in their food, for me at least.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/25/2011
Heard about Fu Lin because of a search for Japanese Ramen but ended up coming here to try the… Read more »
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Review from Justin H.
12/19/2011
Great place for ramen and gyoza! Each time I come here I have been really happy with the food. The ramen is large sized and really filling and the gyoza is some of the best around. Can't go wrong with this place, just don't let the outside persuade you from not going in, its a little run down, but the inside is clean and nice. Service is friendly and attentive and the pricing is nice too. All around good place to eat!
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Review from Burt S.
Seattle, WA
3/5/2011
I've been looking for a good ramen place ever since I tried good ramen for the first time in L.A. a year ago. This is the first place that comes anywhere near comparison. The Tonkotsu Charsiu is my poison. If you're a pho eater and you want something different, try this place! You will not be disappointed. You can also add potstickers or fried rice for $3. Go with the fried rice if you're hungry. :) At the end of meal, add some rice to ramen soup. And then WIN.
You can thank me later.
Oh yeah, no msg in ramen either, to the health freaks and women who wear yoga pants. -
Review from kletia g.
Seattle, WA
6/27/2011
There's no foolin when i say FU LIN is AWESOME !
Ya... that's right... This place is a fantastic chinese joint in the international district. We've tried a number of other chinese places in town, but we keep coming back to Fu Lin. They also have great (and cheap!) "bento box" lunch specials and tasty ramen noodles.
I want to take a moment to specifically talk about the General Tso's. It's AMAZING!!!! The sauce is unlike any other i've eaten... it's is so much more complex, delicious and packed with flavor. You may say, oh, it can't be that different from your run of the mill General Tso's... but it IS! Large chunks of dark meat chicken with the perfect lightly breaded coating and perfectly steamed broccoli.
The curry wontons, egg rolls, cream cheese wontons and pot stickers are tasty too! They also have deep fried noodles (AWESOME)! I highly recommend the House Special with vegetables over deep fried noodles!
Good sized portions and pocketbook friendly prices!
The only thing i ate here and did not like were the sauteed green beans. There was way too much fish sauce or something... it was a bit unpleasant. Other than that, i've enjoyed everything else i've gotten! -
Review from Matthew G.
Seattle, WA
6/1/2011
I am no authority on authentic ramen, but I do know what tastes good -- and Fu Lin's Tonkatsu Charsiu ramen tastes soooo good.
A generous portion of not-too-hard, not-too-soft ramen noodles with an equally generous portion of savory sliced pork in a delicious broth definitely warms me up on a rainy Seattle day.
I've had their beef noodle soup, too, and it is quite flavorful, but the Tonkatsu Charsiu is my regular order.
The young wait staff really shines here - always delivering my noodle-fix with a smile.
Ding one star because the interior could use a remodel. -
Review from Johnny W.
6/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Despite working so close, I actually avoided this place for a long time, probably due to a large handful of unfavorable Yelp reviews. But having run into a bout of craving ramen, I finally decided to give them a try several months back.
Their ramen is decent, the price is right, and you get a decent serving size (just more than enough to fill you up). The chashu is nice and tender, the noodles are of good consistency (I like them more springy than al dente), and the overall flavor was good. But, without knowing how to explain it, and as several others have mentioned, there is a slightly unusual lingering aftertaste to their broth, and the flavor tastes more Chinese than Japanese. Not terribly surprising given that Fu Lin is a Cantonese-run restaurant, but it's something to keep in mind. -
Review from David G.
1/4/2011
Poor Seattle. You will never know what good ramen tastes like. If there's one thing that makes me home sick, it's not having access to a grand bowl of ramen when I'm up here for work.
The ramen at Fu Lin is more hawaiian-style saimin than a traditional bowl. The noodles are lacking in the al dente department and slurpability. The broth is not as hearty and succulent as I find in ramen joints in LA and OC. And all the fixings that go inside a good bowl of ramen are practically non-existant at Fu Lin's. Don't see the usual spice rack and hot oil condiments that come with it as well.
The gyoza, on the other hand, are pretty darn good here. I can't put my finger on the exact reason why, but they are good. -
Review from I-Wei F.
1/7/2011
No foolin', Fu Lin has great Japanese ramen! Har har, I made a pun!
After looking at Yelp reviews and feeling a bit skeptical about a Chinese place that serves Japanese ramen, what really got me were the pictures of pot stickers.
It's hard not to compare Fu Lin to other ramen places, but I think hands down Fu Lin has the most laid back atmosphere and best service compared to Samurai Noodle in ID and Boom Noodles in Capitol Hill.
They have a few types of tonkotsu ramen (pork broth with stewed sliced pork):
$6.50 tonkotsu (1 slice pork, with bamboo shoots, sprouts, seaweed, and stewed egg, 1 piece fish cake)
$7 tonkotsu charsiu (multiple slices of pork, bamboo shoots, sprouts, seaweed)
tonkotsu seafood
tonkotsu with corn and seaweed
I got the $6.50 tonkotsu, it has less toppings than the Tokyo Ramen at Boom but about same size, and larger quantity than Samurai but same toppings. The broth was really good, good pull in the noodles, the pork was very tender, but the bamboo shoots really shine in this. It's not like any bamboo shoot I've eaten , I suspect Fu Lin pickles their own for natural flavor. The tonkotsu broth is a little lighter than Samurai, but it doesn't detract from the overall awesomeness.
The pot stickers ARE worth writing home about. For $3 more, you get a set of pot stickers. They come with this lacy crunchy stuff, the wrap is thin and tender, the filling is very moist and flavorful.
Because of the service alone, that's enough reason for me to choose Fu Lin over other near by ramen places if I want bring a group or even eat alone. -
Review from Jon L.
Fu Lin is a Chinese restaurant which offers a nice selection of Japanese ramen. I typically go to Samurai Noodle for my fix, but I decided to give this place a shot. The space is comfy, divided into two dining areas. The decor is Japan-esey, but not in a stodgy way. KISS-FM music was playing which seems to indicate that this place draws a mostly younger clientele.
The front menu includes their ramen selections, while the rest of the items consists of Chinese options. I decided to get the tonkotsu chasiu ramen ($7) and a side order of pot stickers ($3).
After a short wait, my order was ready. The ramen consists of seaweed, bean sprouts and chasiu. The thing that draws you in is that the broth is incredibly creamy and rich. This is on par with the one down the street at Samurai. The ramen itself was okay, it would have been better if it was firmer.
The pairing of the ramen with pot stickers is great. Just like places in Hawaii do it. The pot stickers here came out hot and were a perfect accompaniment. If there was something Samurai could add, it would be pot stickers aka gyoza. Fu Lin has them beat in this regard.
Comparing Samurai and Fu Lin by their ramen, I think they are about even. Though if you are deciding between the two. Consider these things. On the plus side for Samurai, they have numerous noodle choices and the massive Samurai Armour Bowl combo. With Fu Lin, there is a larger menu selection to choose from including Chinese dishes and I reiterate again, pot stickers.
It depends what extras you prefer. Though Fu Lin has the edge in regards to ambiance. It just feels like a more comfortable place to dine. -
Review from H C.
Seattle, WA
1/2/2012
I was considering giving this place a 5 because I was so jazzed to find it, but because it doesn't have a nice ambiance and is kind of a hole in the wall I didn't. Anyway, this place has great taken. It's so yummy and the noodles are perfect. The staff is friendly and very efficient. We got the dumplings ($3) and the fried rice ($3) to go along with our ramen. There is no description of what each ramen has in each bowl so I took a shot in the dark and so did my husband. Both were delicious. The bill only came to $21 for two bowls and two sides. I was stuffed to the brim after dining here. It's probably the best soup I have had since moving to Seattle, and soup is my favorite food. It's a yummy deal.
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Review from Ninette C.
Seattle, WA
6/9/2011
My boss and I came here for lunch today. I was in the mood for soup noodles and had heard good things about this place.
I had the soy sauce with seaweed and corn ramen. My boss had the miso seafood ramen. I liked this place more than Aloha, but not as much as Samurai. The broth wasn't as overpowering, but it didn't have the fattiness of the Samurai broth. It also came with an egg which was cool. I didn't have to pay extra and it was way cheaper than Aloha and Samurai. (My bowl was $6!).
I would come back here again for lunch! -
Review from Josh I.
Seattle, WA
10/16/2010 5 Check-ins Here
Here's the deal people. I'm japanese, born and raised in Hawaii and practically living off of what you may call "Ramen" but we call "Saimin". I probably eat between 50-100 bowls a year. Needless to say I know good Ramen. (I own Tampopo, and don't even think of yourself as a Ramen aficionado if you haven't watched this movie 900 times and you probably need to own it, frankly you can't be a foodie without it).
I am disappointed with some of the reviews that people have given this place, especially those that speak so highly of Samurai or Boom Noodle. But that is for another place and time.
First off this place is reminiscent of the train station ramen stands in rural Japan in terms of Ramen style. It's not a place filled with nice wooden stools and booth, glass and metal displays and more waiters than customers. Ramen is traditional soul food from Japan, it's meant to sooth, fill, and comfort both your soul and your belly.
All things that Fu Lin provides.
A great bowl of Tonkotsu Char Siu Ramen for $7, seriously? You can add 6 gyoza for $3 more.
Yes the Char Siu (japanese roast pork) is sliced and placed in the Ramen bowl cold as is traditional in Japan. The broth is served steaming hot for a reason, you take the charsiu slices (stacked neatly in a line) and you dip them into the broth to heat them up, that's why they slice them so thin!
Ramen noodles are supposed to be chewy people, ordering soft noodles is akin to going to a fine steak house and asking for your aged beef to be cooked well done. You should've just stayed home and eaten a shoe.
All that aside, the shumai are delicious, but the real show stealer is the Pepper Salt deep fried chicken wings. They come as the standard double bone wingette (but minus one of the bones!). They are crispy fried and tossed in a very delicious red onion, green onion, garlic, and chili pepper mixture that is heavenly.
Needless to say, I recommend it for a variety of reasons. -
Review from Won M.
WA
1/5/2011
This is THE find of 2010 for me. AND, it was just under my nose, in my culinary stomping ground, International District.
Personally, I prefer Fu Lin over Sumurai. Noodles are good at Sumurai but their broth is a bit weak (watery and salty). Fu Lin's got a solid broth with original ramen noodle texture. Personally, Sumurai noodles are a bit too delicate for a Ramen.
Not only that they have very friendly and speedy servers. Also, this is a Chinese joint so if you are not cool with the ramen you have a choice of ordering other Chinese dishes. Another plus is that you can order a side of their delicious Gyoza for very cheap.
One my joys of eating is to find places like this, unknown, a hole in the wall that serves delicious food. This is one my musts if you are a ramen lover. -
Review from edgar o.
Seattle, WA
3/27/2011
I am sick. I stayed in bed all day yesterday. And today I want to eat, something good, hot, brothy, and preferably with ramen. I have been meaning to check out Fu Lin, and figured why not.
A good choice. I got both the Tonkotsu Charsiu ramen (highly recommmend) and the egg & tomato flower sup. Now I don't know if I am the best person to give out ramen recommendation, this would be my first time eating authentic ramen. But this stuff was a great pair of tits.
Filling, cheap, and the ramen was top notch, not saggy or or to hard...wait what am I talking about. Good. Really good. But I think what was more impressionable was the service. Two kids running around but all i ever heard was thank you, please, pardon, excuse me. Freakishly polite and prompt.
Now all that being said, can't say I was a huge fan of the egg and tomato. scrambled eggs in a broth just is not my preference. -
Review from Nina H.
Updated - 11/18/2010 1 photo
You know what, I'm just going to go ahead and say that this is probably one of the top three best ramen joints in Seattle. And crazy enough, it's a Chinese restaurant. I'll be darned.
I ordered the tonkotsu ramen and it was just delicious. I love the texture of the ramen noodles and the soup was flavorful. The fried rice is pretty much amazing as well and so were the gyozas.
They were so nice to even let us try their new dessert which basically tasted like a pumpkin pie in a soup. Nice!
Parking's always a little troublesome in the ID but once you're inside Fu Lin, you know the ramen will be good.Listed in: Noodles, All Day Everyday, Top Restaurants, Best Eats in Chinatown/ID, Seattle Cravings, YUMMY TAIWANESE EATS
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/1/2010
Mmmmm I'm still craving ramen. It's not that the ramen at Fu Lin wasn't good, it was that it was TOO… Read more »
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Review from Jess k.
Redondo Beach, CA
4/19/2011 1 photo
Went for a quick lunch with the family, we all got the tenkatsu noodles and fried rice. The broth was great for the cold weather and the noodles are not fried so it was very soft. One of us got the beef noodles that were SUPER GOOD! Its definitely a little dive place in chinatown that i'd go in my sweats for some hot noodles. Nothing special.
Food - * * * *
Price - * * * *
Ambiance - * *
Service - * * -
Review from Manuel W.
Seattle, WA
1/16/2011
Good homemade potstickers. I think I read a tip here -- mix 5 parts of the vinegar on the table to 1 part soy sauce for the best potsticker dipping sauce.
Good, hearty ramen. Noodles were a bit overcooked and mushy, but the flavors are always tasty and the char siu is good too. Fast service. -
Review from Paul I.
Seattle, WA
4/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have a few friends who love the ramen here. I'm personally not a huge ramen fan, so I usually order something else off the menu. That other part of the menu is what I'm here to write about.
What I enjoy about their menu is the Chinese part. They have a lot of good down-to-earth hole-in-the-wall Chinese dishes. Dishes like tomatoes+beef+rice. It's a great way to get my fix for authentic cheap-ass Chinese food. The cheapo Chinese menu is also a whole lot more filling than the ramen. When I have the ramen here I'm usually still hungry afterwards. It's the opposite with the other dishes on the menu. The portions (especially the noodles) are HUGE. -
Review from Kim C.
2/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love ramen (top or not) and Fu Lin is THE place to go to for ramen. I have never had anything else there because good ramen is just too rare to miss. I don't know what to tell you about the greatness of their ramen; you have got to try it for yourself. It's not crappy like some of the other places I have tried. This is the real stuff. To support my thesis, the family that runs this restaurant used to run a ramen restaurant in Japan. Case in point.
Another great deal about their ramen is that during lunch time you could add a side/ plate of fried rice for a few bucks more. Very good for those who need extra large portions and also good for making 2 meals out of one visit. Personally I don't care for fried rice because I have to pick through the green onions, but that's just me.
Warning: They are NOT open on Tuesdays. There was a while when I kept craving ramen on Tuesdays and only to realize they're not open after going from downtown to international district. So keep your cravings to other days in the week. -
Review from Chris B.
Seattle, WA
2/17/2012
Best Gyoza (pot stickers) in town.... Also fabulous orange beef with just the right amount of spice and crispiness. I sometimes get their ramen but I like the fried food here better.
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Review from Eric V.
Austin, TX
2/20/2011
"Some say Japan was made by a sword. They say the old gods dipped a coral blade into the ocean, and when they pulled it out four perfect drops fell back into the sea, and those drops became the islands of Japan. I say, Japan was made by a handful of brave men. Warriors, willing to give their lives for what seems to have become a forgotten word: honor." That's cheesy, I know but I was feeling nostalgic and had just watched The Last Samurai.
When in Seattle and searching for ramen, skip Samurai Noodle down the street and come to Fu Lin instead! They take great honor in the Japanese ramen they make here. ;-)
I had the good fortune to live in Tokyo for one year during 2007. I fell in love with Japan; the culture, the people, the FOOD! Today at lunch, I was surrounded by Japanese people. Loud yells of "irasshaimase" were coming from the restaurant workers whenever a new patron entered. "Hai dozo" was being said when shown to your seat. "Domo arigato gozaimasu" was being shouted as patrons left. I miss you, Japan.
Nothing can beat true ramen in Japan, BUT... this place is as close as I have come to true Japanese ramen since I have left the shores of those beautiful islands we call Japan. I was in as much of a ramen heaven as one can expect outside of Japan.
Sure, the shop isn't anything too special to look at but neither were the ramen shops in Japan. This place is about 4 times the size of Samurai Noodle which is a big plus. Samurai Noodle had all of the ramen one would come to expect from a ramen shop (tonkotsu, miso, shoyu, etc...) but it was rather dull and bland compared to Fu Lin's offering. The broths here are rich and wonderful, not watery and drab like down the street. The slices of pork on the tonkotsu ramen were big, thin, and falling apart tender just as they should be. The menma (fermented bamboo shoots) were the fresh kind that are found across the street at Uwajimaya Market and not the canned, non-fermented, bright yellow, "La Choy" type found at Samurai Noodle. I think Fu Lin has a larger variety of ramen than Samurai Noodle as well. Good stuff.
The one thing I did miss were the usual spices and chili oil found on the table in Japan. They do have a crushed chili flake oil on the table that will work but it's more Chinese or Vietnamese chili oil.
Fu Lin serves Chinese food too, and a lot of it. That makes sense because ramen is of Chinese origin. This particular ramen is similar to the Yokohama style in Japan. I did not try any of the Chinese food, just ramen for me please. Go here. Order the Tonkotsu Charsiu ramen with the side of hand made gyoza, and enjoy! -
Review from Jessica R.
Los Gatos, CA
3/20/2011
Went for lunch yesterday with the husband and kids, food was decent enough, service was slow and lacking.
We had to ask for our soup that came with the meals, it arrived after the entrees. The pork buns arrived after the entrees too - too bad the kids didn't like them. Egg rolls were very very greasy. Rest of the food tasted fine, just wasn't amazing. -
Review from Bunneh L.
Seattle, WA
2/13/2008
I had the miso ramen here and it was pretty good, though I could detect little to no miso flavor. It came with seaweed, a hard boiled egg, sliced pork, and bean sprouts. I liked it. The broth and noodles aren't as perfect as Samurai Noodle, but it'll do in a pinch or if you have a large-ish group. The homemade potstickers were delicious too! You can also get extra noodles for $2.00.
It's good to have another ramen option besides Samurai!Listed in: Chinese Food
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Review from Jean Y.
8/31/2010 1 Check-in Here
Fu Lin serves a menu of mostly Chinese dishes, but their most popular items may come from the selection of Japanese ramen. The menu is written in Chinese, Japanese, and English. The lunch bentos include items that look and taste like mini-samosas. The first time I ate here, I was amused and confused.
All the dishes here are reliable although not amazing. The ramen broth is not extremely flavorful, but the noodles are good and there is sufficient quantity and selection in the toppings. Gyoza are really crispy. The half a dozen gyoza actually come out connected by a layer of thin fried skin. The dipping sauces at the table are yummy.
The beef noodles are adequate, although Seattle is sadly lacking in good beef noodles! The scallion pancakes are fine.
Food is generally served pretty quickly. When the restaurant is crowded, you may have to share a large round table with strangers. -
Review from Nhu-An N.
Long review short, this place is great. I was a bit doubtful at first since it's a chinese restaurant but apparently the chef went to Japan to learn the art of making awesome ramen. The noodles are chewy and the broth is not as fatty as Samurai Noodle down the street. On top of this, the potstickers (gyoza) are delicious. I'm guessing the reason why a lot of people don't seem to like it as much is because the wrapper is very thin (wonton wrappers) and not anything like the frozen Ling Lings you get at Costco. Sorry guys, these babies are FRESH.
I tried the ramen with charsieu (which is NOT the chinese reddish colored bbq pork...these are slightly fatty, thinly sliced pork) and the Szechuan spicy noodle (similar to the chinese dan dan mein but with less meat). Both dishes were satisfying.
Two things I don't like about this place:
1. The location. It's located close to a bar and a shelter. The place can be a bit sketchy after 8pm
2. The ladies bathroom is disgusting. The floor was groddy and there was enough urine on the toilet seat to take 5 pregnancy tests simultaneously.
Price: $6/bowl of ramen + $3 for gyoza -
Review from Karen R.
Seattle, WA
5/25/2008
It's run by a Chinese family who used to live in Japan. Ramen - la mien - derived from China anyway :D What isn't LOL! joke! joke!
But this is a good place to come for ramen - miso, tonkotsu, you name it! I can't say i've had ramen better anywhere else outside Japan. My foodie Japanese friend took me here, so if I don't know my ramen after a gazillion trips there eating my late night ramen half (or fully) intoxicated, at least she should! :)
I like the gyoza here too! You can't just come and eat one bowl of noodle soup and go, can you?!?! I sure can't!!
Coming here just makes me feel like I'm back in Tokyo except I'm eating this during lunch time in a crowded restaurant packed with giggling Chinese teenagers or folks working in the area and no one's smoking or drinking beer and shouting out orders :)
Think i'm due for another visit soon... I wished they were opened for late night dining... -
Review from Patrick L.
Renton, WA
11/28/2010
Japanese ramen in a Chinese restaurant? Sounds weird yet, as I found out recently, somehow it works! I had no idea they had it, until my friend took me here.
The broth was rich and tasty, although it needs to come out hotter. Since soups cool down so quickly, it really needs to come out scalding hot so that it's not lukewarm before you're halfway through. I went with my usual tonkatsu, and found that the meat they use here differs from the pork in any other ramen I've had. I'm used to seeing a darker more brown colored pork with a texture that is vaguely reminiscent of brisket. The pork they use is a more pinkish color, thinner slices, and a hint of chasiu texture/flavor. There's also some fishcake, seaweed, beansprouts, and half an egg in there.
Also ordered a side of the chili wontons which were quite good. Their prices are a bit cheaper than other ramen shops, so it's really a great value. I know I'll be back sooner than later. -
Review from Mairead R.
Seattle, WA
6/28/2007
After three weeks in Japan, I got home with a deep hankering for gooooood ramen. Fu Lin satiated me with rich broth, slurpable noodles, and fresh toppings. Bring on the Miso Ramen! One star above the Soy Sauce Ramen broth ('lil watery) and the Tonkatsu Ramen broth. And the food was out lickety split.
Gyoza were good too -- lightly charred gyoza wrapper and juicy filling, lined up like dominos. The juicy pork buns were neither buns nor very porky, resemblign won-tons only filled up with scalding liquid. Beware fellow yelpers!
Although Fu Lin is known for the Ramen, the Beef Broccoli entree was fairly good, mainly because the crisp broccoli tasted freshly picked.
Fun tidbit: They have Asian magazines stacked up by the door, which were neat to flip through.
Next up: Samurai Ramen. Oh it is on. -
Review from Ian S.
6/23/2008 1 photo
A highly decent ramen effort lurks within. Other Chinese stuff is on the menu, but I didn't care. I wanted ramen.
Their miso is great, their tonkatsu almost too rich, noodles meats and extras tender and as they should be generally. Anal retentive noodle al dente options are not available here as they are at Samurai Noodle, but this has other appeals.
Their gyoza are not that great, but are an inexpensive and generous (like or 6 of them) addition when purchased in combonation with a ramen.
Staff is friendly and attentive.
A nice bakery is located right next door if, like me, you have women with you and they desperately say "that was nice. WHERE IS DESSERT?"
It is unwise to provoke the fairer gender when they have cake on their mind. Best to settle it as soon as possible instead. -
Review from katya l.
4/8/2010 1 Check-in Here
I've been here once before but I wanted to hold off on writing a review until I went back, because the first time I came here I was so hungover and starving that I just hoovered my ramen and anything would've tasted good to me then. But I just went back (just as hungover but determined to maintain a more discerning palate) and I have to admit, it wasn't just the hangover that made the ramen so good. It is legitimately good on its own.
I had the tonkotsu ramen the first time and the tonkotsu charsiu ramen the second time. Delicious! The noodles are cooked to perfection, the pork is tender and plentiful and the broth is hearty and flavorful. And it's cheap, cheap, cheap. I'm definitely a fan, and will be back many more times, as this is the best ramen I've found yet. (Boom Noodle's kimchi ramen notwithstanding.) -
Review from heather j.
Seattle, WA
2/16/2011
OOOOOOH the gyoza! I dream about these gyoza, seriously.
The BF and I were in the ID for Chinese New Year and stopped in to Fu Lin. As you can imagine, it was pretty packed, but we were seated quickly and received excellent service despite it.
I ordered the tonkatsu ramen with the gyoza, and he ordered a tofu dish he saw someone else eating--not sure what it was called, which is a shame, because it was delicious and he was very, very happy with it. We both agreed that the gyoza were to die for, and that my ramen was pretty okay. I thought the broth was a little meh, but the BF thinks it was because of the seaweed, and that we should try the charsiu ramen next, which doesn't have seaweed in it. The noodles were the perfect consistency, however. Will definitely be back!
