This noodle house is one of the few in the area serving true ramen—which is nothing like the stuff in microwavable Styrofoam cups. Sapporo-style miso ramen ($10) is an intense broth filled with kinked noodles from Japan. The broth of ton shio ramen ($10) is lighter in color and flavor, and both soups include sprouts, bamboo shoots, scallions, dried seaweed, and a slice of pork, which tends to be dry.
To offset the disappointing roast pork, order the stewed fatty pork ($3.50), a luscious piece of belly meat. Extras such as corn (75 cents) or boiled egg ($2) can jack up the soup’s price, but a lunchtime special helps: For $13.95 (the $15 special with a salad isn’t worth the extra buck), you choose one of three soups served with sides of marinated seaweed, rice, and that lovely fatty pork.
Open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner; closes at 7.
>> See all Dirt Cheap Eats Restaurants
Ann Limpert joined Washingtonian in late 2003. She was previously an editorial assistant at Entertainment Weekly and a cook in New York restaurant kitchens, and she is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives in Petworth.
