A soulful bowl of soup awaits you at Bantam King. (Photo by Travis Mitchell)
Dish of the week: Chicken ramen
Where to find it: Bantam King
The ramen revolution continues in D.C. this week with the opening of Bantam King (501 G Street NW). From salty to curry- or soy-based, ramen comes in many forms. We’ve all learned by now that it’s undoubtedly more diverse than the dried noodle and seasoning packets favored by college students and the budget-conscious. Schooled by Toki Underground, Daikaya and Yona we know that ramen isn’t just another bowl of soup.
The brainchild of the Daikaya team, Bantam King specializes in chicken ramen—with a side of Southern fried chicken (more on that later). Served with a choice of clear chintan broth or a “milkier” paitan broth, it’s essentially the Japanese version of chicken soup, a soulful dish that will cure whatever ails you ($11.75 and up). Each broth can also be flavored with shio (salt), shoyu (soy), and miso. The menu includes a vegan version, while optional toppings include egg, corn, butter, extra chicken, seaweed, and bamboo shoots.
If you’re on the hunt for soul food instead of something soulful, then ditch the soup for a large shareable fried chicken dinner ($18), served up with fixings like mac and cheese and mashed potatoes. Plenty of Japanese beer, sake, and sochu is available to drink, but a pour of rice sochu over ice is a stiff and refreshing drink that pairs particularly well with the humid D.C. weather.
Bantam King is dinner-only to begin, but plans to roll out lunch service in a few weeks.
Small bites:
Double-duty Dessert for Ramadan and Gay Pride
As an expression, “toli moli” is an Anglo-Indian phrase meaning “a little of this and a little of that.” As a proper noun, Toli Moli is a D.C. company specializing in falooda, a dessert drink popular in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Falooda is a street treat that Toli Moli has converted into a more wholesome snack containing homemade gelatin with natural flavors and colors, rice noodle pudding, nuts, and ice cream or a non-dairy alternative. Staying true to its name, Toli Moli is celebrating both Ramadan and Pride weekend today, June 10th. Guests visiting the Toli Moli pop-up at Union Market (1309 Fifth St NE) can order a regular falooda in classic, coffee, cherry blossom, or vegan mango flavors. Bonus treats include a one-day-only rainbow falooda and two extra hours to mark the evening post-fast Ramadan meal. The pop-up is open until 10 p.m. today only. Regular hours are Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through at least mid-July.—Andrea Adleman
District Doughnut Opens Georgetown Pop-up
There’s a new place for breakfast and coffee in Georgetown—District Doughnut’s signature teal signage and circles of joy have found a second home at 3327 Cady’s Alley, where modern doughnuts and local Compass Coffee are served in the company’s summer pop-up. Have sweet breakfast by the scenic canal, but don’t dawdle. Hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until sellout, which does happen.—Andrea Adleman
(Beach) Party like it’s 1999
The Royal (501 Florida Ave, NW) is celebrating the summer weather with a special late-night party on Monday, June 13. The inspiration is a combination of 90s nostalgia and the good vibes of a weekend at the shore. Drinks will be inspired from beach favorites like orange crushes, Long Island iced teas, frozen rum punches, and jello shots, all priced at $8 each. There will also be bites from the kitchen, helmed by guest chef Matt Baker of the soon-to-open Gravitas. Be ready to nosh on snacks like BBQ oysters and crispy coconut soft-shell crabs. Festivities run from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.—Travis Mitchell
It’s time to Dine and Dash
Wednesday, June 15 marks the 4th annual D.C. Dine-N-Dash, hosted by Chef José Andrés and the World Central Kitchen. The all-you-can-eat (and drink) event runs from 6 to 10 p.m., featuring bites and cocktails from approximately 30 restaurants and food trucks in Penn Quarter and 14th St. Each participating restaurant will offer up to eight tapas and multiple cocktails, so some strategic planning will help. Tickets are $125, with proceeds benefiting charity; VIP tickets are $300 and include access to four exclusive restaurants and an after-party with Chef Andrés and Chef Eric Ripert, among others.—Travis Mitchell
Not just for political history nerds — Party like it’s 1899
With the Presidential primaries over, and the party conventions set for July, what’s a political junkie to do? You can still get your fix on June 18 at the Smithsonian Museum’s National Museum of American History’s WE THE PARTY PEOPLE—a night at the museum without tourists. Explore all the floors, have access to special exhibitions, and check out TED-style lightning talks. There’ll also be plenty of cocktails for purchase, including whiskey from Pittsburgh’s Wigle Whiskey, and food vendors will include Mason Dixie Biscuit Co., Red Apron, and Maketto. Tickets start at $20, snag them here.—Johanna Mendelson Forman
