Today we walked to “New Bethesda” in search of bread and some lunch. We planned on getting a freshly baked loaf of bread from Spring Hill Bread Company but found out when we got there that they are closed on Sundays. Because really, who wants fresh bread on Sundays?
We planned on going to Green Papaya, a Vietnamese restaurant, but of course, they are closed for lunch on Sundays. 0 for 2. So we walked around the corner to Raku on Woodmont Avenue, an Asian restaurant I’ve been dying to try since we moved to Bethesda three and a half years ago.
We sat at the bar, facing a messy back counter with Starbucks cups and boxes of straws. Not the best seat in the house, but it was either that or practically at the same table as another couple eating lunch—this place is pretty small. I ordered a Coconut Red Curry Soup with Buckwheat Noodles and Chicken, and Larry had the Tokyo Noodle Soup with Shrimp Tempura. We also got a Wasabi Sushi Roll with salmon, tuna, wasabi-infused topiko and some other fish. (I forget, sorry.) Everything was really delicious. (Although it was very messy—does anyone have any suggestions on how to eat noodle soup without splattering, slurping and sucking? My shirt got hit with about seven red curry splashes.)
I can’t believe we’ve never eaten here before—we’ll definitely be back. I don’t know if I’d consider it one of the Top 100 Restaurants in DC, although the Washingtonian included it on their exclusive list earlier this year. But it was inexpensive and tasty. That’s good enough for me.
Comments 4
I can’t believe you’ve never eaten there either! Raku Bethesda - for about 5 years (since 1998) was my *favorite* Asian fusion place in Washington, D.C. I adore their noodle soup - I used to get one that has shrimp and veggie tempura in it - and their sushi is definitely tasty. When my parents were footing the dinner bill I’d opt for their Chilean Sea Bass (before it was going extinct) and they used to have some very excellent peach tea with real peach pieces in the pot. I’ve always been disappointed that Raku Dupont is totally different and I haven’t made it up to Bethesda since I moved back to Washington. I think I’m long overdue for some soup and I’m glad to hear that it still sounds like it’s a great meal. In other soup news, you and Larry need to come out to Falls Church and have some real Vietnamese with me sometime :o).
Hello from Austin, Texas!
Posted 12 Mar 2007 at 10:00 am ¶Michaela–we would love to join you in Falls Church for some authentic Vietnamese food! Name the day and we will be there!
Posted 15 Mar 2007 at 8:07 am ¶Awesome! Wonder if Sunday night might work? If not, maybe we could do it on a weeknight? Is that too inconvenient? :o)
Posted 15 Mar 2007 at 9:29 pm ¶Now I’m really hungry…
(And if you’re going for Vietnamese in Falls Church, eat an extra banh mi for me! YUM!)
Posted 15 Mar 2007 at 11:31 pm ¶