While DC’s East End can still feel a little soulless, Hiya Izakaya in the sprawling Japanese food hall Love, Makoto is worth going out of your way for. Head to the back of the hall to find Hiya Izakaya in a cozy nook, where you can sip Japanese whisky and eat robata grilled skewers and ramen. You can’t go wrong with any of the three bowls on the menu, but it’s the tantanmen ramen with ground beef in a pork and chicken broth that we wake up longing for on cold, lonely nights. The ramen is enough on authentic ramen washington dc its own, but a chicken thigh skewer or a dragon roll never hurt anybody.
We use some organic fresh vegetables, and with healthy cooking style to serve you delicious, healthy and tasteful meal. Fresh and delicious is our commitment and your satisfaction is our priority. Tucked inside downtown’s Square food hall, master sushi chef Masaaki “Uchi” Uchino works behind a small counter to send out 15-course omakase menus.
Fresh salmon, spicy crunchy salmon, topped with corn salsa and eel sauce. Jumbo lump crab, shrimp, avocado, roasted bell pepper, Old Bay and spicy mayonnaise. Tuna, salmon, avocado, eel, masago topped with cayenne pepper hot sauce and eel sauce.
Portions are generous and well-suited for sharing small plates or enjoying a full bowl of ramen. Guests frequently mention hearty, satisfying ramen bowls and shareable appetizers (bao, gyoza, wings) that make for a good starter-to-entree flow. If visiting with a group, order a few apps to share and then individual ramen, that’s a common approach guests enjoy here. There are plenty of ramen options in the District nowadays.
You don’t have to be a political underdog to know where to find the best hot dog in Washington, DC. It turns out that the nation’s capital is also a hot dog capital. Summertime just screams hot dogs and we’re here to gelp you find the best. Get ready to cast for your vote for chili, relish, mustard, and other fixings. Here’s your look at the eight best hot dog spots in Washington, DC.
"I call them the pioneer," says Sushi Taro owner Jin Yamazaki, "even though technically, Toki isn’t the first ramen shop." Taking its own approach, Sakuramen is focused on a variety of flavors and making the best ramen on the planet from fresh, pure ingredients. Its worldly influence is noted in the menu, featuring flavors from Korea, Japan, Washington, D.C. Since opening its doors in 2011, Toki Underground has gained the adoration of D.C. Locals and tourists alike, as well as the recognition of its industry colleagues.
Since 1996, Bluefin Sushi has happily provided high-quality Japanese cuisine to D.C. Chef John has extensive expertise in various Japanese restaurants and takes great pride in his food’s freshness and high-quality ingredients. With trendy gold-toned walls, Nooshi is a total overhaul of their downtown restaurant, Oodles Noodles.
A cornerstone in the Washington community, recognized for its outstanding Sushi cuisine, excellent service and friendly staff. Modern interpretation of classic dishes only made with high quality, fresh ingredients. This Adams Morgan stalwart for reliable raw fish got a big boost with James Beard Award-winning Japanese chef Masako Morishita at the helm. Choose from a long a la carte lineup of two-piece nigiri or sashimi and six-piece maki rolls; the morikomo platters are a good way to sample a variety. Morishita has fleshed out the menu with other creative items (and her Japanese breakfast sells out almost instantly), but sushi is still a major draw here. All of Bantam King’s ramens are spritzed with a wine spray, giving them a rich flavor you aren’t going to find elsewhere.
The extensive list of specials each day is worth sampling for the freshest options; omakase runs an affordable-for-D.C. The Izakaya (2F) is a casual restaurant that serves Japanese comfort food to accompany a diverse selection of bar offerings. The izakaya experience is perfect for after work, before a big night out, as a full supper, or for late-night bites with friends.
For now, the standard all-you-can-eat runs a reasonable $35 per person, with even heartier $45 and $55 options available. DC has its share of polished sushi counters, but Chaplin’s, a rustic Japanese spot that’s been a neighborhood favorite for over ten years, stands out for its laid-back charm. Even if you’re not planning a late dinner, this place is worth visiting just for the vibe. Like the best local haunts, Chaplin’s is heavy on atmosphere and light on pretense. Start by sharing a few of their tasty, well-sized small plates—maybe the crispy vegetable tempura, some savory gyoza, and a plate of tender yakitori.
Customers highly recommend the crispy bread and top-notch meat. The restaurant provides quick, casual lunches with a wide array of delicious options like pho beef combo and vermicelli bowl. The food is consistently praised for being quick and amazing, with friendly staff and a good atmosphere. It is one of the top pho spots in D.C., often packed around lunch but still offering several tables and counter spots for dine-in. Many guests have enjoyed dining in and taking food to go, appreciating the large, well-priced servings.
The Udon Carbonara is ideal for twirling and savoring with its creamy sauce, and the Dashi Fried Rice gets a savory depth from umami-rich broth. Don’t skip the Sushi combo for Two, so fresh the fish practically melts off the rice. Hearty dishes like the moist chicken-topped donburi or the well-seasoned salmon and eel bowl are straightforward and delicious, and the consistently fresh ingredients warrant a return visit. Tempura, mesclun salad, vegan stir fry, spring roll and sushi.
Momiji may not be the fanciest Sushi restaurant in D.C., but it’s still one of the best in the city. They offer sushi bar appetizers such as Tuna Tataki and Pepper White Tuna and sushi bar entrees like a Nigiri and Sashimi combo and a Chirashi Dinner. Ogawa serves edomae (Edo-style) sushi, made with fish imported from Tsukiji Market in Tokyo, Japan, as per family custom. For a spectacular omakase experience, the Chef at Sushi Ogawa meticulously crafts each piece of sushi.