WASAI & Gong cha — Restaurant in Washington

I had honestly almost entirely lost hope in finding good, authentic, and affordable Asian food in Chinatown until I randomly stumbled upon Wasai. It, admittedly, doesn’t look like much at first glance — the decor is pretty utilitarian, the menu is pretty simple, and they share their space with a Gong Cha. However, the simplicity of their menu and decor is what makes Wasai shine — they do one thing (okay maybe two things), and they do those things incredibly well.

My friend and I dropped by Wasai after wandering around the National Mall until the mid / late afternoon on Saturday. We, of course, did not plan ahead and were absolutely starving by the time we made it to Chinatown. We had only moderate expectations for Wasai (for all the reasons above), but they absolutely blew us out of the water. We each got one of their noodle soups — my friend got their beef, and I opted for their seafood. The noodles were absolutely perfect; they were springy, but not too springy…chewy, yet not too chewy…and doughy while not being too doughy. The texture was absolutely spot on, and these delightful hand-pulled noodles were the perfect vessel for the rich beef / seafood broth. My friend’s soup came with a generous helping of beef, and mine had a great bit of mixed seafood. I did think the veggies were a bit lacking, as one sprig of bok choy and two slices of radish aren’t quite enough vitamins to keep my doctor happy, but the bowls were otherwise phenomenal.

And, lest you think that it was just our post-walk hunger that made us fall in love with Wasai, we’ve both separately been back there multiple times and have continued to feel the same way each time. I’ve even ordered it for delivery a few times and it’s still fantastic, although I will say that you do lose a bit of the noodle’s springy goodness in the...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Wasai and I must say, it was an absolutely delightful experience! This hidden gem offers a mouthwatering menu, and their Beef Pull Noodle Soup and Chicken Fried Rice were the highlights of my visit.

The Beef Pull Noodle Soup, priced at $18.05, was a true culinary masterpiece. The tender beef, slow-cooked to perfection, melted in my mouth with each bite. The rich and flavorful broth had just the right balance of spices and herbs, enhancing the overall taste. The noodles were cooked al dente, providing a satisfying texture that complemented the dish wonderfully. It was a generous portion, leaving me completely satisfied.

Another dish worth mentioning is the Chicken Fried Rice, priced at $14.75. The rice was beautifully stir-fried with succulent pieces of chicken, vegetables, and a medley of aromatic seasonings. Every mouthful was bursting with flavors, and the portion size was more than generous. It made for a hearty and satisfying meal that left me wanting more.

The atmosphere at Wasai was warm and inviting, with attentive and friendly staff members who ensured a pleasant dining experience. The prices were reasonable considering the quality and portion sizes of the dishes served.

If you're a fan of delicious Asian cuisine, Wasai is a must-visit. Their Beef Pull Noodle Soup and Chicken Fried Rice are undoubtedly some of the best I've had. Whether you're looking for a quick lunch or a cozy dinner, Wasai will not disappoint. I highly recommend giving this...

Update July 2024: I came back because I wasn’t sure what I wanted for dinner and remembered having a great meal at a good price. Today was a three star meal at a four star priced restaurant.

The dumplings were not spicy or saucy and although the texture of the noodles was perfect and smell was incredible, the flavor was lackluster. This is what I expect for $15, not $30. The first time was five stars, this time was three stars, so I change to four from five.

Original review: I’ve seen wasai a million times on the delivery apps but never trusted it. I was hungry before going to capital one arena and decided to go in. So happy I did!!!

Watching the person make the noodles by hand is too cool. The spicy wontons are delicious and the noodles are very fresh. The texture was perfectly on, but the sauce on the chicken noodles wasn’t memorable compared to the rest. It was delicious and cooked perfect. But there wasn’t anything unique. I’d definitely order again and...