Sonya Hu
Latest Reviews
Jang Won Restaurant
Delightful casual, no-frills eatery serving phenomenal Korean / Chinese fusion. I came to Jang Won for a late Saturday lunch, so the place was almost completely packed and bustling with everyone from families to high school friend groups. After being warmly welcomed by several Korean aunties, we were ushered to the last available table.
Their menu is quite expansive, with six pages filled with everything from noodles to rice to giant platters of meat and veggies. It felt nearly impossible to choose from the giant list of drool-worthy dishes, but we eventually settled on the classic jjamppong and the tofu dolsat bibimbap. The jjamppong was phenomenal -- it was incredibly flavorful and rich and packed chock-full of various seafood, including mussels, oysters, shrimp, and squid. This classic noodle soup was absolutely deserving of its place as one of Jang Won's specialty dishes. The tofu bibimbap was equally outstanding; I love anything that comes in a dolsat (the hot stone bowls that keeps the food warm and sizzling), and Jang Won did a phenomenal job with theirs. The stone bowl gave the rice at the bottom a great crispy texture, which, alongside the crispy, perfectly fried tofu, contrasted wonderfully with the soft rice and warm soup. I loved the variety of veggies -- including carrots, zucchini, spinach, and gosari namul -- and the combination of the soup and gochujang-based sauce helped to tie the whole dish together. I did think that there was a smidge too much rice compared to other fillings, but it was absolutely delicious.
Their menu is quite expansive, with six pages filled with everything from noodles to rice to giant platters of meat and veggies. It felt nearly impossible to choose from the giant list of drool-worthy dishes, but we eventually settled on the classic jjamppong and the tofu dolsat bibimbap. The jjamppong was phenomenal -- it was incredibly flavorful and rich and packed chock-full of various seafood, including mussels, oysters, shrimp, and squid. This classic noodle soup was absolutely deserving of its place as one of Jang Won's specialty dishes. The tofu bibimbap was equally outstanding; I love anything that comes in a dolsat (the hot stone bowls that keeps the food warm and sizzling), and Jang Won did a phenomenal job with theirs. The stone bowl gave the rice at the bottom a great crispy texture, which, alongside the crispy, perfectly fried tofu, contrasted wonderfully with the soft rice and warm soup. I loved the variety of veggies -- including carrots, zucchini, spinach, and gosari namul -- and the combination of the soup and gochujang-based sauce helped to tie the whole dish together. I did think that there was a smidge too much rice compared to other fillings, but it was absolutely delicious.
Sweet Leaf Cafe
With its wide selection of fresh ingredients for salads, grain bowls, and sandwiches, Sweet Leaf is the perfect spot for a healthy and convenient weekday lunch. Similar to other fast-casual salad places like Sweetgreen or Chopt, you can either choose from their chef-curated selections or build your own. A few favorites from their curated menu are the Tofu Tango (basically a vegetarian take on a harvest bowl with roasted tofu, sweet potatoes, quinoa, romaine, kale, apples, goat cheese, and a balsamic vinaigrette) and the Salmon + Wild Farro Bowl (replacing the farro with quinoa if you're gluten-free).
They have a decent selection of vegetarian mains, including their roasted tofu and baked falafel. Their falafel is by no means traditional, as it has a much softer outer shell, but it's a tasty plant-based addition to your bowl. I also love adding their roasted vegetables (zucchini, yellow squash, red peppers) and, if available, roasted brussel sprouts with pear.
If you're looking for a side to pair with your new salad or grain bowl or sandwich, Sweet Leaf has a decent selection of chips and baked goodies (mostly different variations of brownies and cookies), as well as warm soups and fresh smoothies. Just like the rest of their menu, you can either choose from a curated selection of smoothies or make your own concoction. I'm a big fan of their Berry Blanco (blueberries, coconut, granola) and Green Cure (strawberry, avocado, kale). Their smoothies are on the sweeter end, which I didn't love, but they're still delicious and a great mid-day pick-me-up!
With its wide selection of bowls, sandwiches, and snacks, as well as its downtown DC location, Sweet Leaf is a convenient spot to drop by and pick up lunch in the middle of the workday. The service is friendly and efficient, and you can also order online to make your pick-up process a bit quicker (and, if you're anything like me, so you don't have to feel bad about being indecisive). They do have a couple of tables inside, as well as one or two outside, but it's generally pretty crowded and loud.
They have a decent selection of vegetarian mains, including their roasted tofu and baked falafel. Their falafel is by no means traditional, as it has a much softer outer shell, but it's a tasty plant-based addition to your bowl. I also love adding their roasted vegetables (zucchini, yellow squash, red peppers) and, if available, roasted brussel sprouts with pear.
If you're looking for a side to pair with your new salad or grain bowl or sandwich, Sweet Leaf has a decent selection of chips and baked goodies (mostly different variations of brownies and cookies), as well as warm soups and fresh smoothies. Just like the rest of their menu, you can either choose from a curated selection of smoothies or make your own concoction. I'm a big fan of their Berry Blanco (blueberries, coconut, granola) and Green Cure (strawberry, avocado, kale). Their smoothies are on the sweeter end, which I didn't love, but they're still delicious and a great mid-day pick-me-up!
With its wide selection of bowls, sandwiches, and snacks, as well as its downtown DC location, Sweet Leaf is a convenient spot to drop by and pick up lunch in the middle of the workday. The service is friendly and efficient, and you can also order online to make your pick-up process a bit quicker (and, if you're anything like me, so you don't have to feel bad about being indecisive). They do have a couple of tables inside, as well as one or two outside, but it's generally pretty crowded and loud.
Shouk
Having provided many delicious, super satisfying lunches and dinners, Shouk has absolutely earned its spot as one of my favorite and most-frequented restaurants in the DMV. After all, with its super flavorful and delicious menu, affordable price point, and fantastic service, it's hard NOT to love this spot. Shouk is a fully plant-based restaurant, but I've taken many of my meat-eating friends to test it out and the resounding response has been that Shouk's mastery of spices and achieving the golden balance of flavors, textures, and temperatures means that you won't miss the meat at all.
As far as which item on their relatively limited, but still phenomenal menu you should pick...it's honestly so hard to make a recommendation because everything is just so darn amazing! Their TV-famous burger is famous for a reason -- it may not really taste like cow or lamb, but it's packed with an insane amount of flavor. Veggie burgers have a tendency to be super mushy, and while Shouk's is mushy compared to real meat, it honestly held up super well. They also char the outside of the burger, giving it some extra structural integrity, crunch, and flavor. It was, admittedly, a little bit too salty, but it provides a good balance against the rest of the ingredients in the bowl or pita. I opted to get the burger in a bowl with a mix of greens and grains (which was just white rice and lentils), and it came topped with a super refreshing pickled turnip, a small dollop of tomato jam that, despite not looking like much, absolutely packed a flavor punch, and beautifully charred onion. There was also a bit of extra arugula, which helped to add a little bite to balance out the rich burger and super creamy tahini sauce.
If you're looking for another pseudo-meat option but the Shouk burger didn't catch your fancy, they also have a spicy veggie sausage option. I wasn't able to try it because it isn't gluten-free, but the friends who gave it a shot were super impressed; they mentioned it was also on the saltier side, but had a great balance of spices and was super satisfying.
Their oyster mushroom shawarma is also insanely delicious; the natural umami of the mushrooms is complemented beautifully by the charred outer coating from their super-hot grill and the rich, creamy tahini. The flavor-packed entree is lightened up with a bunch of fresh toppings, including cabbage, cucumber, onion, and arugula; honestly, a touch of lemon juice would probably do wonders to this dish, but it's already near-perfect the way it is. If you want some mushroom shawarma but also want to try out one of their other entrees, you can always get it as an extra topping for one of their bowls, which is what I usually do with their za'atar cauliflower. The roasted cauliflower is packed with all of the amazing aromas of Shouk's za'atar blend, and is paired with the most wonderful roasted red bell peppers, hummus, and crispy chickpeas. It's topped with, you guessed it, some of their rich, creamy, decadent tahini, as well as a bit of lemony schug to brighten up the bowl. And if there isn't enough hummus in the cauliflower bowl, you can always add more, or, if you're a hummus fiend like me, go ahead and order a side of hummus. You can get it plain or topped with a green, lightly spicy sauce or tomato jam; it comes with a side of pita chips or warm, fresh pita, but you can also get fresh cucumber slices for a 50-cent surcharge if you're looking for a gluten-free option!
All in all, Shouk is...honestly as close to perfection as I think we'll get to on Earth.
As far as which item on their relatively limited, but still phenomenal menu you should pick...it's honestly so hard to make a recommendation because everything is just so darn amazing! Their TV-famous burger is famous for a reason -- it may not really taste like cow or lamb, but it's packed with an insane amount of flavor. Veggie burgers have a tendency to be super mushy, and while Shouk's is mushy compared to real meat, it honestly held up super well. They also char the outside of the burger, giving it some extra structural integrity, crunch, and flavor. It was, admittedly, a little bit too salty, but it provides a good balance against the rest of the ingredients in the bowl or pita. I opted to get the burger in a bowl with a mix of greens and grains (which was just white rice and lentils), and it came topped with a super refreshing pickled turnip, a small dollop of tomato jam that, despite not looking like much, absolutely packed a flavor punch, and beautifully charred onion. There was also a bit of extra arugula, which helped to add a little bite to balance out the rich burger and super creamy tahini sauce.
If you're looking for another pseudo-meat option but the Shouk burger didn't catch your fancy, they also have a spicy veggie sausage option. I wasn't able to try it because it isn't gluten-free, but the friends who gave it a shot were super impressed; they mentioned it was also on the saltier side, but had a great balance of spices and was super satisfying.
Their oyster mushroom shawarma is also insanely delicious; the natural umami of the mushrooms is complemented beautifully by the charred outer coating from their super-hot grill and the rich, creamy tahini. The flavor-packed entree is lightened up with a bunch of fresh toppings, including cabbage, cucumber, onion, and arugula; honestly, a touch of lemon juice would probably do wonders to this dish, but it's already near-perfect the way it is. If you want some mushroom shawarma but also want to try out one of their other entrees, you can always get it as an extra topping for one of their bowls, which is what I usually do with their za'atar cauliflower. The roasted cauliflower is packed with all of the amazing aromas of Shouk's za'atar blend, and is paired with the most wonderful roasted red bell peppers, hummus, and crispy chickpeas. It's topped with, you guessed it, some of their rich, creamy, decadent tahini, as well as a bit of lemony schug to brighten up the bowl. And if there isn't enough hummus in the cauliflower bowl, you can always add more, or, if you're a hummus fiend like me, go ahead and order a side of hummus. You can get it plain or topped with a green, lightly spicy sauce or tomato jam; it comes with a side of pita chips or warm, fresh pita, but you can also get fresh cucumber slices for a 50-cent surcharge if you're looking for a gluten-free option!
All in all, Shouk is...honestly as close to perfection as I think we'll get to on Earth.
Beau Thai
Absolutely delightful! Beau Thai is definitely worthy of its reputation for having the best Thai food in DC -- I've been here a couple of times in the last year, and I've been thoroughly impressed by every dish that I've gotten, as well as by their consistency and quality. I'm absolutely in LOVE with their red curry, including their fall seasonal pumpkin red curry! It definitely packs a bit of a punch, but the spice is exactly what I need to warm my soul as the weather starts cooling down. It's flavorful, rich, and all-around the perfect remedy for any sickness or a tough day. I know this is a bit of a random thing to love, but I'm super happy with their brown rice -- it's perfectly cooked, with just the right level of moisture to be soft, but not mushy and dry, but not grainy. It tastes a bit earthy, likely because of the black rice / rice berry mixed in, and it fits perfectly with a curry or one of the saucier stir-fries.
Each of their stir fries are also deliciously flavorful. I've had all of them except for the chicken cashew and Scott's Favorite, and they're all amazing -- the pad pik king has an amazing chili sauce that is packed with umami and a light hint of spice. If you want a bit more heat, I would definitely go for the ka pao, which is packed with chilis, as well as super aromatic Thai basil and garlic. If you want something a bit lighter, the pad king is fantastic and filled with flavor from the ginger, mushrooms, and onions (such a power trio), or you can go with the sauteed vegetables with tofu and garlic. You can pick your protein for each of the stir fries (aside from the chicken cashew and Scott's favorite). I usually opt for adding tofu and then get a side of steamed veggies if I want to up my vegetable intake.
All in all, you really can't go wrong with a single item here! Every dish is delicious, and the service is friendly and quick. If you're looking for an amazing, authentic, and no-frills Thai restaurant in DC, definitely head over to Beau Thai!
Each of their stir fries are also deliciously flavorful. I've had all of them except for the chicken cashew and Scott's Favorite, and they're all amazing -- the pad pik king has an amazing chili sauce that is packed with umami and a light hint of spice. If you want a bit more heat, I would definitely go for the ka pao, which is packed with chilis, as well as super aromatic Thai basil and garlic. If you want something a bit lighter, the pad king is fantastic and filled with flavor from the ginger, mushrooms, and onions (such a power trio), or you can go with the sauteed vegetables with tofu and garlic. You can pick your protein for each of the stir fries (aside from the chicken cashew and Scott's favorite). I usually opt for adding tofu and then get a side of steamed veggies if I want to up my vegetable intake.
All in all, you really can't go wrong with a single item here! Every dish is delicious, and the service is friendly and quick. If you're looking for an amazing, authentic, and no-frills Thai restaurant in DC, definitely head over to Beau Thai!
BiBiMix
UPDATE:
I finally had the opportunity to visit this place in person this January and wow...it truly lived up to all of the expectations I had built up after ordering their takeout / delivery a few times more than what was probably financially healthy. Their kimchi jjigae is somehow even better when served piping hot and fresh in the restaurant, and their side dishes are delicious. I came here for my first meal back in D.C. after winter break, and digging into their incredible kimchi and tofu stew after bracing the cold to walk here from Georgetown felt like a warm and delicious hug. Sure, is $16 a little expensive for soondubu jjigae? Yes. But is it absolutely worth every cent, especially if you aren't able to trek all the way to Annandale to access the rest of this area's authentic Korean food? Also yes.
--
This place is absolutely incredible! I was really craving some Korean food but didn't have time to metro all the way down to Annandale, so I decided to give this place a shot. It absolutely did not disappoint; all of the food was delicious, plentiful, and affordably priced. I placed my order on UberEats and, when it arrived at my doorstep a mere 20 minutes later, everything was still hot and remarkably well packaged. I'm often worried about ordering soups on UberEats, but BibiMix puts their soup containers into tiny plastic bags to ensure they avoid any spillage (a very small detail, but still one that shows how conscious of customer needs their staff is). I ordered soondubu kimchi jjigae and a roll of avocado kimbap. The soondubu came with white rice, as well as sides of pickled white onions, avocado, and cucumber kimchi, which were the perfect balance against the stew's heaviness and rich flavor. The portions are also fantastic -- I personally split the soondubu across two separate meals, and ate the avocado kimbap for a light lunch a couple of days later.
All around, I can't recommend this place enough. I can't wait to revisit this spot in person once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted!
I finally had the opportunity to visit this place in person this January and wow...it truly lived up to all of the expectations I had built up after ordering their takeout / delivery a few times more than what was probably financially healthy. Their kimchi jjigae is somehow even better when served piping hot and fresh in the restaurant, and their side dishes are delicious. I came here for my first meal back in D.C. after winter break, and digging into their incredible kimchi and tofu stew after bracing the cold to walk here from Georgetown felt like a warm and delicious hug. Sure, is $16 a little expensive for soondubu jjigae? Yes. But is it absolutely worth every cent, especially if you aren't able to trek all the way to Annandale to access the rest of this area's authentic Korean food? Also yes.
--
This place is absolutely incredible! I was really craving some Korean food but didn't have time to metro all the way down to Annandale, so I decided to give this place a shot. It absolutely did not disappoint; all of the food was delicious, plentiful, and affordably priced. I placed my order on UberEats and, when it arrived at my doorstep a mere 20 minutes later, everything was still hot and remarkably well packaged. I'm often worried about ordering soups on UberEats, but BibiMix puts their soup containers into tiny plastic bags to ensure they avoid any spillage (a very small detail, but still one that shows how conscious of customer needs their staff is). I ordered soondubu kimchi jjigae and a roll of avocado kimbap. The soondubu came with white rice, as well as sides of pickled white onions, avocado, and cucumber kimchi, which were the perfect balance against the stew's heaviness and rich flavor. The portions are also fantastic -- I personally split the soondubu across two separate meals, and ate the avocado kimbap for a light lunch a couple of days later.
All around, I can't recommend this place enough. I can't wait to revisit this spot in person once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted!