Rice Bar Bibimbap Noodle

Well, move over political drama, because I've found the real highlight in DC - a Korean restaurant that's so good, it's like a bipartisan agreement on flavor! Tucked away in a financial work area, this place is the Capitol Hill of tasty surprises. My coworker spilled the kimchi on this rice bar bibimbap noodle joint during an office site visit, and let me tell you, it's the only Capitol I want to visit again and again.The vegetarian options are like a political coalition of flavors - diverse, harmonious, and ready to win your taste buds' vote. The sauces are so tasty; I wouldn't be surprised if they were running for office. Move aside, Lincoln Memorial - there's a new monument to deliciousness in town. I'm bringing my husband here, and he might just propose to the bulgogi.The flavors were so enticing that I single-handedly declared a feast, and now I'm in a full-blown food coma.

Mmmmm...bap! Delicious bibimbap (rice topped with veggies, protein, and other ingredients) and soupy or dry noodle bowls! Very fair prices! My crew of 7 was headed to a different restaurant but saw this spot as we got out of the car. We couldn't say no. While their menu has standard bowls with set ingredients, custom bowls start at around $6-9, then with certain premium toppings like a fried egg, seaweed salad, edamame, and more, they end up at about $12. With generous amounts protein, they're super filling. In fact, I couldn't finish my bowl and had enough for another meal. Their bulgogi seems to be saltier and cut thicker than usual but it still tastes good. My whole group tried most of their menu and enjoyed every bit. Our hearts go bi-bim-bap! NOTES/TIPS:**Indoor and outdoor seating. Their largest table can seat 4 to 6 adults and can be moved closer to another similar table.**Paper checklists and pencils for noodle bowls and bibimbap which include a list of all their ingredients are by the front door.

This was a good spot for some bibimbap. The rice was a little dry and seemed like it had just been kept warm for a long time, but it was fine. The meat was good and I enjoyed the spices. I also enjoyed how quick the service was and that there were plenty of spaces to sit. The atmosphere was ok, as it's a relatively fast food environment. The prices are reasonable for the amount of food you get. Overall, this was a solid experience.

Wow! Needed some quick food because I could feel myself getting hangry and this place was conveniently located next to the metro stop. The bibimpap bowl with kalbi was delicious! Their gochuchang sauce has some heat to it! I think they overdid it on the gochujang sauce, but otherwise, the vegetables were fresh and yummy. Great lunch spot, place to grab to-go, or for casual dining.

Had a rice bowl today with bulgogi and thought it was fantastic. Amazingly fresh vegetable options. I chose edamame, bean sprouts, cucumber kimchi, and mushrooms. Large bowl with perfectly cooked rice and tasty bulgogi. I only wish I had gotten more bulgogi but probably didn't need it because I couldn't quite finish the bowl. I'll definitely return to try another dish.

Quick service! Have been coming here for years and now that I don't live on the east coast anytime I am in town I come here for lunch- love their black rice bowl and toppings! Recommend the peanut sauce. They don't charge for extra sauces so be sure to ask for a healthy heaping of the sauces.

I have been here three times and surprised this is my first time Yelping about it. Great lunch place right on 19th Street. My coworker and I came here for a quick lunch---and it was quick indeed. No lines right before noon. The key is to get there at least 5 or 10 minutes before noon, and you won't be stuck in a line that stretches to the street.The concept is simple: You grab a meal card and fill it out, hand it to the friendly person behind the counter, and wait as your food is assembled. Vegetarian and vegan friendly!Portion size is more than sufficient for lunch and for $11.Go easy on the gochujang (hot) sauce. It's spy-SEE. Apart from the window bar seats, all the tables are meant for a party of four, so during their busy times you might have to share seats with strangers. Just an observation, not a complaint. We didn't mind.Highly recommended.

My old office was not far from the Rice Bar location near Metro Center, and it was always a decent place for lunch. So when I walked by here while at my new office, I decided to go in. This location is no longer associated with the other Rice Bar locations, as far as I can tell, and seems to have a new name.Maybe it's memory from pre-pandemic being worse, maybe it's having found better bibimbap places nearby (or throughout the city), but it was just okay. The good: the rice is fine, and many of the vegetables are good (the spicy cucumbers and burdock root are tasty). But the meat I've had has been really disappointing. Ground beef is bland, and bulgogi, while not tasting bad, was incredibly hard to eat - it was clumped together into balls that were impossible to separate out and just kind of fell apart in my mouth. The flavoring was good but you couldn't really taste beef. The eggs were also overcooked instead of runny every time I've had one, which was disappointing.Not to say that this is a terrible place by any means, but there are just better places to get a bibimbap both nearby and in the city in general.

The food was very tasty and I love that you can make your own bibimbap combination. Will come back again, perfect for a quick healthy lunch during lunch break.

Went back after so many years - the traditional bibimbap was as good as I remembered. The service is a bit robotic, but I don't mind that for a busy lunch time in business district. It was crowded with people eating in but it wasn't loud.