Best Ramen in Washington DC

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 japanese food its own, but a chicken thigh skewer or a dragon roll never hurt anybody.
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.

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.
Reren’s makes its Lamen daily in house with high-gluten, whole wheat flour to offer the perfect chewy, flavor soaking noodle. Uzu’s ramen stand in Union Market delivers an authentically flavorful ramen experience on-the-go. Set up as a take-out only shop, Uzu provides everything from steaming hot, ready-to-eat bowls of ramen to uncooked ramen kits that allow you to dabble in your own noodle making magic from the comfort of home. Aside from the paired down menu, an heir of exclusivity exists with limited hours of operation. Tuesdays, for instance, are only for lunch and feature one menu option—Tsukemen of the Day. So, if you want to experience Menya Hosaki, sign up for the waitlist via the website, and get in virtual queue next time you’re in the DMV area.

There’s even an incredible selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes so no-one gets left out. We recommend ordering one of their ramen  bowls, or check out their happy hour for those delicious delicacies at a discounted price. Location on M Street, Nobu is the perfect splurge-worthy destination for a date night or celebratory dinner. And want to try the precursor to one of your fave Japanese dishes, make a pit stop at Reren. This Chinese brick-and-mortar has a full menu of traditional appetizers, entrees and dumplings, but boasts its homemade Lamen Noodles as a must-taste. Served in China for more than 4,000 years, Lamen Noodle Soup is kind of like Ramen’s Uncle.
The chef's careful preparation and the friendly service make it a favorite for regular visits, especially for those seeking authentic Vietnamese dishes like rice platters, vermicelli, and the combination Banh Mi. Overall, 54 Noodles Bar is highly recommended for those wanting flavorful, affordable Vietnamese cuisine in a welcoming setting. The District’s introduction to proper ramen (not the cheap, boil-at-home packets) started about a decade ago, when Toki Underground began offering Taiwanese-style ramen and drawing hour-long lines to its small H St. NE loft. The years that followed have seen a surge in like-minded restaurants offering savory, steaming bowls of ramen topped with pork, vegetables, and even fried chicken. Many restaurants make noodles in-house and simmer the broths for hours, coaxing out complex and nuanced flavors. Whether the forecast calls for dark and cold or patio-perfect temperatures, a bowl of ramen is the complete package for a quick and satisfying meal.
From the late 1950s to 1970s, the time ramen first exploded in popularity and the Sapporo style of ramen was developed. Today the heritage of Metabolism and Brutalism is disappearing, and Haikan claims the corner of the muscular Atlantic Plumbing building paying homage to both. Yes, the outdoor patio is dog-friendly and several guests have enjoyed dining with dogs outdoors. If you plan to bring a pet, call ahead to confirm patio availability and any seasonal restrictions. Family-friendly seating  is available, many guests bring kids and toddlers, celebrate birthdays, and enjoy brunch with family. Staff have handled multi-generational groups and accommodated energetic children.

Priced at $145 per guest, this thoughtfully composed experience is perfect for both first-time and returning guests. Carefully composed bowls feature thin, chewy, house-made noodles accompanied by delicate broths with nuance and depth. The signature bowl is a smoky, triple-threat combination of tonkotsu, chicken chintan and dashi. The soy-sauce-based truffle shoyu, which also features meaty cuts of pork belly, spinach and bamboo shoots, warrants slurping. Hand-rolled sushi burritos are assembled with precision and layered with fresh fish, seasoned rice, crisp vegetables, and creamy sauces that blend like a dream. One sushi burrito plus a couple of $7 rolls (we love the spicy tuna) costs about $20 and can satisfy one—or leave you with a happy takeout container.
Sushi Gakyu is one of the few (If not only) sushi restaurants in D.C. However, they are known for their Omakase sushi course, which includes four appetizers and twelve premium Nigiri sushi and dessert pieces. Sushi, Sashimi, and Kamameshi are Kotobuki’s specialties.

Roasted chicken breast, rice noodle, peanut, bean sprout, carrot, cabbage, cilantro in tom-kha style coconut soup. Thinly-sliced beef, bean sprouts, onion, Thai basil, fresh jalapeno peppers, scallion and cilantro. Choice of protein with baby spinach, bean sprout, broccoli, carrot, red onion, scallion, cilantro, and crispy ramen. Shrimp, flounder and fish balls in veggie broth with scallion, cilantro, young celery, bean sprouts and roasted garlic.
Bluefin, for example, arrives with a touch of soy and wasabi in the more traditional version, and “burnt” miso and foie gras in a modern interpretation. Diners can order optional upgrades like prized cuts of tuna, caviar, and wagyu. The restaurant recently introduced a generously portioned lunch omakase express option for $42.

This food doesn’t overwhelm you as much as it steadily satisfies from the first bite, producing a comforting fullness that’ll leave you content. Luckily, and not coincidentally, they also offer super sweet service. Egg, bok choi, bean sprout, broccoli, carrot, cilantro, onion, red bell pepepr and scallion. Ramen noodle, carrot, cabbage, cilantro battered fried chicken and tossed with sweet teriyaki sauce. Thinly sliced beef with bean sprout, onion, Thai basil, fresh jalapeno peppers, scallion and cilantro. Buckwheat noodle in soy broth, shrimp and vegetable tempura, baby bok choi, and scallion.
It’s a bit of strategy for a weeknight meal, but completely worthwhile once you taste the perfectly presented sushi or hear the satisfying slurp of  their tonkatsu ramen. The spicy salmon roll is crafted with precision until it’s a perfect balance of heat and sweetness, and the Superman roll is layered with vibrant ingredients and sliced with care—order both. If it weren’t for the DC crowd of quick lunch breaks and casual date nights, you’d think you checked into a cozy Tokyo neighborhood joint. Try it customized with extra salmon, served on a traditional wooden platter. The Japanese cuisine here isn’t revolutionary, but focusing on udon and dashi-driven dishes makes for a fantastic meal.