Best Japanese Food in Washington, DC Guide

For those looking to save, it's always advisable to check the major third-party delivery services that RAMEN BY UZU partners with, such as DoorDash, Seamless, Grubhub, and Postmates. These platforms frequently offer promotions like discounts for first-time users, free delivery on orders above a certain spicy ramen washington dc amount, or seasonal deals that could apply to RAMEN BY UZU’s menu. Residents should enable notifications from these apps or regularly browse their "deals" sections. This newish-to-the-scene food hall boasts classic renditions of shio and miso ramen (plus a vegetarian riff) as well as one of the harder-to-find ramens in the D.C. Join us for Tanoshi Hours to experience Nobu signature cocktails with curated bar bites.
It’s far from stuffy, but enjoying some of the city’s freshest sushi on a weeknight suddenly feels more accessible, without having to plan for a formal omakase experience. Shrimp tempura, spicy mayonnaise, avocado topped with cayenne pepper hot sauce and eel sauce. Salmon, yellowtail tempura topped with spicy mayonnaise, red tobiko and cilantro.

This blend of culinary excellence, customer-centric service, and urban convenience firmly establishes RAMEN BY UZU as a cherished local spot for any D.C. Resident seeking a satisfying and authentic Japanese meal. In conclusion, DC is a haven for ramen lovers with a myriad of restaurants offering their unique takes on this beloved Japanese dish.
Apart from their classic ramens and dumplings, it’s specials like the mole ramen—mole broth served with grilled pineapple, chicken, corn, lime, and cilantro—that keeps us coming back. You’ll feel right at home at this Dupon den, where the omakase experience is the wisest choice. Grab one of seven seats at chef Minoru Ogawa’s counter and allow him to wow you with the freshest cuts of the day, often flown in from Japan. Owned by the same all-star team as Sushi Capitol, Sushi Ogawa offers a more elevated, gourmet experience. If chef’s dishes don’t transport you, the interior certainly will.

Rather than adhering to any sort preconceived notions, the owners mix and match ingredients and flavors they find interesting and are constantly experimenting, and encourage their customers to do the same with their bowls. Chaplin has been open for holiday service, guests report Christmas Eve and holiday dinners there, but holiday hours can vary. Because hours and staffing may change for special dates, call the restaurant ahead of time to confirm service on a particular public holiday. Takumi draws raves from the suburban set for dishes like seared scallop with yuzu salt and a delicate chirashi bowl. Don’t be turned off by the unassuming strip mall location and neon signage; the restaurant is frequently bustling, and the chalkboard specials on the menu outside are worth trying.
The sushi and rolls at Nama are good, but the best reasons to visit this opulent hideaway are the shrimp tempura with a chile-yuzu sauce and pig gyoza in a truffle-soy sauce. In addition, vegetarians can savor nigiri with spicy beet tartare and crisp quinoa. Offers a combination of love, passion, and perspective to the Arlington community. We share our love for enjoying great food alongside great people with everyone who visits our place. Stop in for a sashimi bento box for lunch or kick back with our special Ziggy Stardust maki roll for dinner.
As the fascination with ramen continues unabated, more talented chefs are entering the market. Chef Jonah Kim, formerly of Michael Mina’s Pabu in Baltimore, has recently announced that he’ll be opening Yona, a ramen shop in Arlington in partnership with Mike Isabella in early 2015. I had the opportunity to take over the kitchen at Isabella’s G as Kim demoed a concept vegetable broth ramen. Located in a former Burger King location, this ramen joint from the Daikaya team is explicitly focused on chicken ramen (not to mention Japanese fried chicken). Don’t miss out on the (vegetarian) tantanmen, which packs an appealing heat.

While Bruner-Yang has tinkered with the tonkotsu recipe to make it uniquely his, Sushi Taro serves an unadulterated and authentic expression of the Hakata-style ramen. Something of a unicorn in the world of DC ramen (as it’s only served for lunch once a month), Sushi Taro’s tonkotsu is about as authentic as it comes, albeit difficult to actually obtain. This Petworth star pays careful  attention to the details when it comes to ramen.
In and among the range of Asian-inspired noodle dishes at DC Noodles is the Sosu Yakisoba — buckwheat soba noodles with grilled salmon, a mix of veggies and some toasted nori. Toki Underground bills itself as D.C.’s original ramen house. It serves one of the most famous bowls of ramens in town, a Taipei curry bowl with fried chicken, among more classic dishes. This basement restaurant in Adams Morgan has become a staple known for melding different styles of ramen. Sakuramen has a whopping 12 ramen bowl options, including a vegetable-broth variety, a Korean bowl with bulgogi, and a spicy red tonkotsu — and optional toppings like bacon, kimchi, and cheese. With long-running noodle bars, newcomers making a name for themselves, and global chains touching down, the area has a bit of everything.

Information about formal accessible seating or specific ADA accommodations isn’t provided; if accessibility needs are important, call ahead so the team can confirm suitable seating and any assistance. This map runs the gamut from classic spots like decades-old Kaz Sushi Bistro (finish with green tea tiramisu) to Row, which just earned a Michelin star during its first year of service. One brand new option to watch is AYCE sushi spot Sushi Sato on H Street. There are plenty of places to get ramen in DC, but Haikan is doing it a bit differently. Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).
Executive Chef Masaya Kitayama’s tonkotsu is a pure tonkotsu broth with a custom thin straight noodle from Sun Noodles, topped with the orthodox chasu, ni tamago, and mayu (chili garlic oil). The pork broth is light, creamy, and cleaner than you’d ever expect a soup made from boiled pork bones and fat to be. "For the Japanese, toppings are a secondary thing," Yamazaki says while explaining the minimalist nature of the bowl, "ramen is all about soup and noodle -- everything else is just to be fun." Funny enough, Bruner-Yang doesn’t even classify his shop as an actual ramen-ya. I love the menu at this place and can't wait to go back to try more dishes. I ordered the Dumpling Curry, Tofu Tempura, and Taro Milk Boba Tea.

Friends share complimentary add-ons like miso soup and seared salmon while savoring expertly crafted dishes like the Alligator Roll and Hamachi Kama. You can plan ahead for Umai Nori, but spontaneous visits work beautifully, too. If there’s a Japanese dining situation this versatile restaurant doesn’t handle with grace, we certainly haven’t encountered it. Start with a nutty, buttery peanut butter coffee and the mita club while watching friendly regulars at the counter, then add the delicate, made-to-order sushi or the savory, gluten-free injera with ful. Expect a few cafe touches—a communal work table with outlets, a chalkboard menu, and the option to add miso soup to any meal—but Mita is a restaurant first.
He has since gone on to be named the DMV’s  best cheap Japanese restaurant by Washingtonian Magazine. Daikaya Ramen offers Sapporo-style ramen, which is widely considered one of Japan’s most prominent and influential ramen styles. There’s no formal waiting-list policy listed, but Chaplin gets busy, especially weekend brunch and weekend nights, and guests report lines and crowded seating. Reservations are recommended; walk-ins may face waits or be asked to limit table time. Call ahead if you’re concerned about availability or need special timing.