Sometimes it is very easy to get wrapped up in your own neighborhood and fall back on your solid staple food options instead of venturing out to try new things. I’ll admit that living in Logan Circle has me spolied– we have amazing food options of all different ethnicities and the quality is excellent. However, D.C. is an expanding city with interesting areas such as H Street NE that are continuing to put their culinary footprint on the map. So after hearing dreamy mentions of the ramen and dumplings at Toki Underground I FINALLY made my way over last night to warm up on a cold night. My friend Meg and I walked by the restaurant three times because it does not have a sign and is only a doorway with a small symbol on the glass next to The Pug. Upon entry I was surprised that Toki “Underground” was actually up a flight of stairs. The space is tiny but incredibly warm and smells of Taiwanese soups and fried chicken. Counter space makes up the seating options and the staff is friendly and appears to be comfortable and family-esque rather than unhappy from slaving away in a hot and demanding kitchen. The whole vibe is fun, loud music is blaring, and everyone just wants to get down with some ramen.
We went a little overboard with the ordering but it was our first time so we really wanted to be sure we got a fair taste of what they have to offer. We started with steamed chicken dumplings, cold tofu, and one of last night’s specials which was chinese yams in a butter sauce. We made great choices all around- dumplings were tasty and flavorful, tofu was in a great sauce with delicious garnishes, and the yams were warm, sweet, and seasonal. However, we were both realizing that ordering the Toki Hakata Classic ramen with extra egg and extra noodles probably wasn’t necessary. Oh well, you only live once, right? The piping hot bowl of ramen arrived with pork loin chashu, seasonal vegetables, boiled egg, red pickled ginger, sesame, scallions, nori, and plenty of noodles. I’ll preface by saying I am not normally one to order pork but boy was this a treat. The meat was tender and so moist in the soup I could not get enough. In fact, I essentially ate the entire bowl making it very difficult to breathe at the end of the meal– but oh so worth it.
Toki Hakata Classic Ramen at Toki Underground
As if we hadn’t eaten enough my friend Meg convinced me that we should order the dessert bento box which was homemade girl scout cookies. It was presented in an adorable little piggy bento box and filled with the chef’s version of a samoa, tagalong, thin mint, and a lemon cookie. The samoa was fabulous… the rest were okay. Nothing to write home about but I was honestly so full it was better that way.
Dessert Bento Box at Toki Underground
The space at Toki Underground is limited and it is definitely a favorite neighborhood spot filled with regulars so waits should be expected. However, with so many great bars on the same strip it makes it easy to occupy yourself while waiting on some ramen. I loved my experience and look forward to going back many times this winter to warm up on cold nights.
Toki Underground
1234 H Street NE
Washington, DC 20002
www.tokiunderground.com
I’ve been wanting to try Toki Underground for a while and this just makes me want to go even more. Sounds like great cold weather food, too.
It is! It’s the perfect time to head over there now that the weather has turned. Enjoy.