KIRKLAND, WA — A new ramen shop with island roots has quietly landed in downtown Kirkland. Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya has soft-opened its first Washington location at 312 Central Way, bringing its rich broths, rice bowls, and izakaya-style plates — along with a bit of its Hawaii-born heritage — to the Eastside.
The restaurant, located in the Parque Kirkland building, seats roughly 100 diners and marks the brand’s Pacific Northwest debut. While new to Washington, Tanaka has already built a following elsewhere, particularly in Hawaii, where several of its locations helped shape the brand’s reputation for approachable ramen and comfort-forward Japanese dishes.
That island influence shows up in subtle ways on the menu. One standout is Tanaka’s Signature Short Rib Loco Moco, a nod to the classic Hawaiian comfort dish: tender slow-cooked short ribs served over rice, topped with house gravy and a sunny-side-up egg. It’s the kind of hearty, cross-cultural plate that reflects Hawaii’s blend of Japanese and local flavors…