The Best Ramen in Washington D.C.

The nation's capital has long been known as one of the best places in America to get a wide variety of great cuisines. The best ramen in D.C. is a standout in the restaurant scene, taking full advantage of the diverse range of flavors and influences that make up the city to create a delicious style all its own. But where are the smartest, savviest diners in D.C. heading out to when they have a craving for delicious ramen? Welcome to the Tastemaker Lists. We've researched and collected data from thousands of restaurants to find the best ramen in D.C., selected by OpenTable's most expert and seasoned diners. With a multitude of ramen restaurants set up to feed the hungry power-brokers, professionals, diplomats, and locals that make up the D.C. dining scene, there is a style for everyone to be found within the capital city. Choose one of these spots and enjoy a great ramen dinner in D.C. tonight!

The OpenTable Team

10 Restaurants

Updated February 26, 2020

Restaurants:	DAIKAYA 2F THE IZAKAYA, True Food Kitchen - Bethesda, Umaya…
Price Range:	$$ - $$$
Cuisines:	Japanese, American…
Neighborhoods:	Penn Quarter, Bethesda / Chevy Chase…

DAIKAYA 2F THE IZAKAYA

$$$$

Japanese

Penn Quarter

4.2

1949 reviews

This location is actually two restaurants - Izakaya and Daikaya ramen. Diners can guess which spot has the ramen dishes. Daikaya features some of the best ramen in D.C. All Daikaya's ramens feature roast pork, chasu, bean sprouts, onions, garlic, ground pork, nori, and scallions. Select from the many different broths, which include light barley Mugi-Miso ramen, spicy Miso ramen, and 100% vegan ramen. It's an excellent option for dinner in the Mount Vernon triangle. Important note - make reservations for the Izakaya restaurant on the second floor, but get the ramen at the walk-in Daikaya restaurant on the first.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

True Food Kitchen - Bethesda

$$$$

American

Bethesda / Chevy Chase

4.6

2091 reviews

The Bethesda outpost of this healthy-eating favorite boasts one of the best ramen dishes in D.C. The Dashi ramen bowl has gluten-free sweet potato glass noodles, grilled portobello mushrooms, and charred onions. Dried daikon, watermelon radish, dried corn, and Asian herbs top off this acclaimed dish. It's one of the highlights on the health-forward True Food Kitchen menu. Diners should also try the charred cauliflower and kale guacamole dishes for appetizers. They should also go for the ancient grains bowl with sweet potato and avocado for a main dish.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Umaya

$$$$

Japanese

Penn Quarter

4.2

610 reviews

This lively downtown Japanese pub is a short walk away from Capitol One Arena and several of Washington's best museums. Visitors to Umaya will find some of the best ramen in D.C. at this hopping, comfortable location with one of the capitol's best beer gardens. Grab a few refreshing Japanese lagers in the garden and then sit down for some of Umaya's famous ramen. Try the curry-infused pork broth ramen with Japanese fried chicken, or the spicy grilled chicken thigh ramen. This is the place to go if desiring a little kick to the ramen. Every ramen style can go spicy for a dollar with the restaurant's signature spicy sauce.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Toryumon Japanese House

$$$$

Japanese

Downtown

4.5

120 reviews

This is the perfect spot for a ramen meal after visiting the grounds of the White House. The headquarters of the government is only a few blocks away from this Japanese favorite. The customizable ramen menu allows visitors to choose the amount of pork fatback and noodle type. It also has a full menu of ramen toppings to go on top of their classic dishes. Try the Negi ramen, with scallions, egg, and fish powder, or the winter chicken ramen with fried chicken, scallions, egg, and corn.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Sushi Rock

$$$$

Asian

Arlington

4.4

811 reviews

For visitors heading up to Arlington to visit the Cemetery or one of this suburb's other attractions, Sushi Rock is an excellent option for some top ramen. Sushi Rock is a combination performance venue and bar, with an exciting vibe and great live music in the restaurant's basement. Stop in for sake or a Japanese lager at the bar and grab the restaurant's classic ramen noodle. This dish features sliced pork, fish cake, menma, scallion, and poached egg in a Tonkostu broth. Stop in during Sushi Rock's excellent happy hour to grab $5 sushi rolls, $6 bar bites, $3 edamame, and other drink specials. It's an excellent spot for a great time in the D.C. suburbs.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

True Food Kitchen - Fairfax

$$$$

American

Fairfax

4.6

2756 reviews

Visitors to the D.C. suburbs that are looking for a healthy meal to balance out a trip full of heavy eating should stop into this health-forward restaurant. True Food has a focus on healthy, seasonal fare. Start off with their green asparagus and lemon almond ricotta or kale guacamole appetizers. The True Food Dashi ramen bowl is one of the District's treats. This exquisitely-crafted dish features gluten-free potato glass noodles, grilled portobello mushrooms, charred onions, and dried daikon. Pair a meal with one of the True Food kitchen's rotating local seasonal or IPA-style beers.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Haikan

$$$$

Ramen

Shaw

4.8

567 reviews

Haikan - which translates to "pipe works" in Japanese and takes its name from the building it resides in - is the sister restaurant of D.C. favorite Daikaya. Both deliver some of the best ramen in D.C. Haikan focuses on ramen from the golden "showa" period in Japanese, bringing Sapporo-style ramen to the D.C. scene. It's a fantastic option for a casual, laid-back ramen dinner. Go for the spicy shoyu, miso, or vegetable ramen, featuring custom-made Sapporo noodles and an array of toppings.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Bar Pilar

$$$$

Contemporary American

Logan Circle

4.4

437 reviews

The contemporary American restaurant in Logan Circle offers up one of the coolest ramen dishes in D.C. Stop by to get their mussels ramen, a unique American twist on the classic Japanese cuisine. Named after the legendary Ernest Hemingway's book, Pilar also offers up a lush interior and exciting bar scene. The happy hour menu is also one of the District's best. Stop in for creative small plates alongside cocktail and beer specials.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Gerrard Street Kitchen

$$$$

Global, International

Dupont Circle

4.6

143 reviews

The upscale Darcy restaurant at the Darcy hotel is a fabulous spot for people watching in the heart of D.C. The global cuisine includes traditional American favorites like a crab cake sandwich, cheeseburgers, and fish and chips. The chicken ramen is also a highlight. This dish features yellow pea tendril, roasted onion, radish, pickled red onion, and other savory ingredients. Combine the ramen with a local DC Brau IPA for a full meal.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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Chaplin

$$$$

Japanese

Shaw

4.7

1325 reviews

Chaplin, in the Shaw neighborhood, is a trip of a restaurant. This hotspot focuses in 1920s-era Japanese and Shanghai dishes, creating a menu of traditional hits for excited groups of diners. Cocktails are a highlight. Try the By the Sea with scotch, lemon, and apricot liqueur, or the City Lights with bourbon and orange curacao. The ramen menu is extensive. Try the restaurant's signature Chaplin ramen, with pork belly, egg, scallions, bean sprouts, and black sesame paste.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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