The Most Delicious Ramen Spots in Washington, D C.
Absolute Noodle and Sushi Bar is a small, cozy spot that serves tasty food. The menu features a variety of options, including sushi rolls, fried rice, and noodle dishes like ramen. ramen Popular choices include the Poke Nacho and ramen bowls such as tonkatsu ramen.
A mix of hip-hop from the last 20 years plays at the perfect volume so you can sing along to your favorites without disturbing other diners. The crunchy general tso’s shrimp with a sweet sticky rice is a must order, as are any spiked boba like the creamy thai iced tea (you can also order nonalcoholic boba drinks). With small plates so good, you could fill up on those and never even get to a bowl of the spicy beef ramen—but that would be a mistake. Bar Japonais is a brand new addition to D.C.’s food scene, bringing innovative Japanese dishes to D.C. The unique fusion of cultures emulates that of its popular sister restaurant, Bar Chinois. At Bar Japonais, guests can sample small plates such as shishito peppers and tuna tartare, and entrees including crispy pork belly and panko-crusted chicken with curry.
Roasted pork, beansprout, bamboo shoot, scallion, seaweed and hot sesame oil. Sliced marinated rib-eye steak in soy broth with baby spinach, scallions and fresh ginger strings. Thai basil, red bell pepper, cherry tomato, onion, and bird eye chili. Stir fry with bird eye chili-garlic-basil sauce, cherry tomatoes, onion with your choice of protein. Lightly battered fried with tempura tsuyu grated ginger, and daikon radish.
Shiitake mushroom, onion, carrot, baby bok choi and a touch of sesame oil. Romaine hearts, roasted bell pepper, baby spinach, crispy ramen, and wasabi ranch dressing. While the assorted combinations are probably the best bang for your buck, Rakuya also offers sushi a la carte. Zeppelin Restaurant & Bar, which opened in 2019, serves sushi and Japanese charcoal-grilled yakitori. Sushi Keiko offers Hoso-Maki (sushi with seaweed on the outside) such as Eel and Avocado, Yellowtail and Scallion, and their Asparagus Carrot Roll.
It is a perfect spot to try during the winter season, and cocktails like Tokyo Drift are enjoyed. The Drunken Udon Noodles and Pad Thai are highly recommended, making this a truly enjoyable dining experience. Daikaya offers a lively and welcoming atmosphere, with great food and a dope music selection, including live music (DJ) on Friday & Saturday Nights. The menu features a variety of options, including spicy miso ramen, fried chicken wings, shiitake mushroom skewers, grilled avocados, and the popular Spicy Miso Pork Ramen. The broth is rich and flavorful, and the chasu melts in the mouth, making the ramen a standout dish.
It shares DNA with Daikaya and Bantam King, both among the top ramen spots in the city. Noodles are specially made in Japan and married in-house with the delicate Chintan stock. Grab a table in the narrow dining room, along the high-energy kitchen bar, or at a communal patio table and get slurping. Bowls of shio, shoyu, miso, or spicy shoyu soup can be customized with a whole range of additional toppings from butter to bamboo to a seasoned “nitamago” egg. As an added bonus, most of the ramen varieties are available in both large and small portion sizes, leaving flexibility to stop in for a snack or pair a bowl with another appetizer, like crab rangoon or smashed cucumbers. For those authentic flavors from Japan, head to Izakaya Seki.
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.
Darren Norris offers several specialties at Shibuya Eatery. Fresh sushi, ramen, kushiyaki (grilled over 975-degree binchotan charcoal), and small meals such as Japanese potato salad are all on the menu at Shibuya Eatery. The restaurant offers two different options for dine-in- Chef’s Selection or their Premium Selection. Both choices include an appetizer, sashimi, sushi, soup, and dessert. Sushi Ogawa is most definitely one of the best sushi places in Washington DC.
Kamameshi is meat (or vegetables) cooked in a traditional iron kettle. While the menu isn’t extensive, it offers just the right amount of sushi items. Sticky Rice has a gong that rings with every order of a sake bomb. But most notably, they have inventive sushi rolls with ingredients like fried sweet potato.
Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours, to ensure the best experience at this culinary gem. From the moment you enter Oki Bowl, it’s clear that this restaurant is a little different from the typical ramen joint. The dining room is softly lit and decked out with all kinds of decor, from flowers to old lamps. The menu breaks from the standard mold a bit as well—alongside miso and kimchi ramen bowls, there’s also a spicy Tom Yum option with fried shrimp, mushrooms, and bean sprouts. Pork belly, fried chicken, eggs, and vegetables are all available as add-ons (and when there is an option to add pork belly to anything, you should probably take it). If you’re a ramen-lover, then you’ve got to check out the bold and the brothy, Toryumon Japanese House.
Umaya brings together Eastern and Western concepts — providing the serenity and simplicity of a Western-style beer garden melded with traditional Asian plates and dining experience. Umaya DC specializes in the ever-popular Japanese ‘street food’; with seasoned chefs putting their own twists on time-honored dishes. Classic dishes such as sushi and ramen grace the menu, along with authentic Izakaya masterpieces. From the refreshing décor to the Asian comfort food and scent of the Izakaya grill, Umaya will delight your senses.
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.
Either way, you’re bound to have a great time and dine like a rock star while you’re here. Their meticulous chefs expertly prepare every dish to the highest standards of quality. Enjoy nigiri sushi, a bowl of soup, or a dinner box assortment. The Michelin-rated NYC import offers a 20-course nigiri-sushi omakase lineup for $160, with no a la carte option.