Authentic Japanese Ramen

Staying true to his roots, Chef Ogawa imports fish directly from Tokyo’s famed Tsukiji Market and meticulously crafts each piece of sushi for an unforgettable omakase experience. Bantam King, a distinctive gem in the heart of DC, serves up unforgettable ramen dishes,  including their famous chicken ramen. With a unique combination of thin, springy noodles, flavorful broth, and tender chicken slices, it offers a novel twist on traditional ramen. Add in the lively atmosphere and their delightful sushi selections, and Bantam King truly delivers a culinary journey you don’t want to miss. Whether you’re a ramen enthusiast or spicy ramen washington dc a curious food lover, prepare for a treat.
Umaya brings a much-needed Izakaya presence to the nation’s capital. Izakaya restaurants are similar to tapas restaurants as they propel guests to share and enjoy their time together—always over a few drinks. Umaya will carry a wide array of beer and sake, to complement the peaceful and easy feel of the restaurant. The seasonal menu will change every few months but hold fast to favorite staples. We select the best restaurants based on their menu variety, customer reviews, ambiance, and service quality. Served with California roll, fried shrimp shumai and cold ramen.

‘Umaya’ directly translates to a ‘place that tastes good’ in Japanese. Umaya is not your stuffy upscale sushi restaurant; it is a place where you can go and enjoy yourself after work, on weekend afternoons, or whenever you simply need to unwind. Born in Japan, Marugame Udon holds true to the authentic tradition of noodle making and its origins which started centuries ago in the Kagawa Prefecture in the southern part of Japan. Shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber, yuzu tobiko topped with bourbon honey sauce.
This establishment goes beyond merely serving ramen; it encapsulates the essence of Japanese culinary tradition, from rich broths and perfectly cooked noodles to unique offerings like okonomiyaki and curry rice. The rave reviews for their flavorful ramen, including highly praised cold sesame noodles and a delicious vegan option, highlight their ability to consistently satisfy diverse cravings. 54 Noodles Bar offers amazing pho broth and fantastic bahn mi sandwiches. They serve reasonably priced Vietnamese cuisine with flavorful pho soup broth.

There are elaborate combinations like Tempura vegetable sushi and mock beef with basil, as well as humbler options like the show-stealing hand-made egg rolls. This modern Japanese joint excels with its perfect bowls of shoyu ramen, featuring chewy noodles and a flavorful, clear broth. The restaurant’s fresh sushi and vibrant atmosphere make it a favorite among locals and ramen enthusiasts alike, ensuring a dining experience that is as pleasurable as it is unforgettable. Angel hair noodle stir fry with curry flavored sauce, shiitake mushroom, bean sprout, bok choi, egg and fried tofu.
Apéritifs have a low alcohol content and are meant to whet the appetite before a meal. The food was fantastic, the staff were super kind, and the atmosphere was awesome! To help us find the best table for you, select the preferred party size, date, and time of your reservation. Click the link below for venue information and inquire today.
The restaurants on this list are reliable bets for a  variety of ramen riffs, including varying flavors, broths, and toppings. If you spot a line of bundled-up patrons on a chilly DC evening, they’re likely queuing for steaming bowls of ramen at Absolute Noodle and Sushi Bar. This cozy spot requires some timing savvy—they offer discounted prices from 5 to 7pm, so plan accordingly if you want to snag their high-quality sushi at very affordable rates.

Head to Daikaya in Chinatown when you're craving lighter, more traditional noodles. Hana Market is a beloved Japanese grocery store located on 17th St NW Washington D.C. Store owners Yoshio & Ikyuo Tanabe provide eager shoppers with various Japanese food, snacks, drinks, ingredients, and more!
The sushi stall plans to relocate to fresh digs within the Square soon. Tucked above a CVS in Dupont, Sushi Taro is a pull-out-all-the-stops kind of a restaurant. The omakase counter tasting starts at $275 per person ($350 on Fridays and Saturdays) with regular menu items including A5 wagyu beef and lobster.

Sushi Capitol serves traditional fresh Sashimi and Nigiri Sushi, Maki Sushi (Seaweed on the Outside), and Rolls containing Rice in a small setting. You can also order regular and specialty sushi by the roll, like the Crazy Roll (smoked eel and avocado) or the Spicy Blue Crab Roll. Nobu Yamazaki is a second-generation Japanese-American who relocated to Tokyo to pursue his dream of becoming a master omakase chef.
This serves as the basis for the four other bowls, including the Taipei Curry Chicken and Kimchi ramens. They have the richness that is characteristic of a tonkotsu broth, but with myriad other flavors piled on top. "We don’t go for balance," Bruner-Yang explains energetically, "Toki Underground is a punch to the face. The first 15 bites you take are just straight flavor." For a long time, Ren’s Ramen was the only place to  get a reliably quality bowl of ramen in the DC area. Ren’s served a traditional Sapporo-style ramen, but was too far off the Metro grid to be that accessible for all but the most devout Washingtonians. Then came Erik Bruner-Yang’s Toki Underground in 2011, which lit a match under DC’s love affair with the noodle soup.

The Toki classic with chashu pork and a soft egg is a signature dish, and the broth is slurp-worthy. Its stick-to-your-bones porky intensity is especially memorable. This residential neighborhood gem turned DC destination is all about omakase, and their  dedication to Chef Ogawa’s curated experience clearly shows. Use the many Vegan and Vegetarian options as breaks from the richer dishes.
The environment is very inviting, with friendly service and a clean atmosphere, making it the perfect spot for sushi, drunkin noodle, and teriyaki chicken cravings. The menu includes favorites like jasmine green tea, chicken skewers, and tender Mongolian beef with just the right amount of spice. There is a variety of Asian fusion available, and the food is delicious with great  presentation.