Happy Hour | Boom Noodle's hearty ramen hits the spot

It's a cold and wet fall Seattle evening. You know what sounds good about now? A hearty bowl of ramen noodles.

I know, not exactly a traditional happy hour. But happy hour isn't what it used to be. It has evolved. It's now also discounted dinner at many restaurants.

Look at Boom Noodle, with locations in Bellevue and Seattle, serving happy-hour ramen bowls that are much larger than what other noodle houses serve. They're a meal.

There's been much debate about whether Boom Noodle's ramens are overpriced, at $10 and up. But you can eat in peace during happy hour. The Tokyo Ramen bowl goes for $6.95 then, with braised pork, soft-boiled egg, tamago (a type of Japanese omelet) and bamboo shoots served with a new noodle that Boom just switch to — one with more bite.

That chicken-pork broth? Rich and porky delicious on two visits. Salty and bland on another visit. But I can live with the inconsistencies at happy-hour prices.

Those who can't would be content with the underrated bar food here: Smoky, flash-seared salmon slices with ponzu and Japanese sea salt (best bar-food item), a creamy edamame purée served with sweet-potato chips and some crunchy, sesame-crusted prawns should satisfy the different palates in your party.

The cocktail menu, though, remains out of season. At its Capitol Hill location, the drinks swung wildly from too watery to too sweet at the hands of different bartenders on different nights. You don't want to mess up cocktails, when across the street sit two of the area's best cocktail bars, Barrio and Tavern Law.

Boom Noodle has locations in Seattle, 1121 E. Pike St. on Capitol Hill (206-701-9130) and Bellevue at 504 Bellevue Square (425-453-6094). Happy hour is offered daily at both locations. On Thursdays, happy hour runs from 3-10 p.m. On other days, it's from 3-7 p.m. in Seattle and 3-6 p.m. in Bellevue. Happy hour again from 10-11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays at both locations. Bar food and large bowls of noodles from $3.75-$6.95; $5.95 specialty cocktails, $3.50 for Sapporo sake bombs and well drinks and $1 off for beer; www.boomnoodle.com.

Tan Vinh: 206-515-5656 or tvinh@seattletimes.com