Bantam King
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I always make a point to stop here when I come into DC from Annapolis. I love everything about it 1) Location...on a corner across from the National Building Museum in Chinatown 2) The food - some of the best ramen (spicy miso is my #1) and chicken (Snow curry- my fave) dishes I've ever tasted 3) The service - solid and efficient ( no nonsense) and 4) The milieu - cool/casual. Love love love the King of Bantams..all hail "The Bantam King!" My "go to spot" in DC...see ya next time BK!
3.5 stars Small ramen shop with chicken based broth. The seating is communal style. The ramen is also halal if you ask to omit the alcohol spray. I had the shio ramen which was average. It was light. Get the miso ramen if you want a richer, thicker ramen base. I asked for a boiled egg but was given a poached egg. They also have fried chicken, which I didn't try (also halal).
I've been working in DC for the past 10 years and I've never heard of this place. After a night at the museum at the National Art Gallery a friend and I came here for dinner. He was really in the mood for ramen because it was so cold! I'm writing this review because this is some of the best ramen I've ever had and I've had a lot of ramen. The broth is rich and flavorful. The ingredients are fresh and the food came out hot and fast. I'll definitely be back soon!
Bantam King is that perfect pre- or post-event spot, sitting literally steps from Capital One Arena; you can't beat the convenience. My friend and I stopped in before a show and we were immediately met with fast, friendly service that kept the whole experience smooth, even with the crowd rolling in. I ordered the Nashville Hot Chicken plate and babyyyy... that thing was crispy, juicy, and seasoned to perfection without being too greasy. The heat had flavor and the breading stayed crunchy all the way through. It went perfectly with the buttered rice and dinner roll. The food came out quick, fresh, and was exactly what I needed before heading to my event at Capital One. If you're in the area for a game or concert, Bantam King is absolutely worth the stop. Great food, great people, and unbeatable location. 5 stars, no hesitation.
I ordered the Shoyu Paitan ramen, which was rich, creamy, and flavorful. We also shared the gyoza, which came in a flavorful broth. Honestly, the broth was so good that I wished there was a ramen option with this broth. Overall, it was a solid experience.
I like the ramen here. It's brothy, but not too much. I never had Bantam King before, so when the sister took us we were surprised. I really really wanted to get the fried chicken, but opted to go and get a nice ramen considering how cold it was outside. In addition, we go tthe gyoza as an appetizer. The dumplings were great, but I think the broth/sauce that it was served in was awesome. The broth was thick, but very flavorful. I think the next time I come I'll try out a different broth. If they had the sauce from the gyoza as a broth/ramen I would totally get that. I think that's my search the next time around. Would definitely recommend, it's limited seating so I would say to get there early, but if you have a small party you won't have any issues.
To start, I am obsessed with this place. Ive had this place probably over a dozen times and it still reigns as the greatest ramen I've ever had. The Spicy Miso is just the perfect blend of flavors and ingredients. This is one of my top 3 favorite places in DC to eat at. The setting of the restaurant reminds me of a school cafeteria which is fun and playful!
Suuuuuper cute interior and a great food option close to Capital One Arena. I got the Nashville fried chicken, which definitely wasn't traditional Nashville hot chicken (not super spicy and not tenders,) but was very good nonetheless. Comes with rice with butter, a roll, and pickles. Great service. Wish the portion was bigger / more filling! Definitely want to come back and try more.
As a pescatarian I was hesitant to try Bantam King. However, I saw several yelpers talk about how good it was, so I gave it a try. My waitress was attentive, but my ramen came out way later than my friend's meal. However, the taste made up for the delay. The veggie tantanmen was very flavorful! I often find that vegetarian ramen has a basic flavor profile, but this certainly did not. It also felt hearty, which I enjoyed. My only other complaint is that this is the only real option for vegetarians. I would have appreciated at least one appetizer option.
Amazing chicken ramen place that is one of my absolute faves in DC (and truly one-of-a-kind in that you really can't find any other ramen place quite like it anywhere else in the country) and a go-to when I lived in the area five-six years ago. All their ramens have chicken flavor (and can be made halal) - however their standout dishes for me are the very simple rice with onsen egg and rice with chicken drizzling plus butter. Straightforward but delicious and very unique, and no other restaurant serves this. The giant cookie dessert is also a highlight because it is made with chicken fat. Exceptional service from Kos and very stylish interior decor with funny manga on the wall, Japanese decorations, a drink cooler and margarita machines. Highly recommended if you are in DC (and @ the edge of Chinatown)!
I have seen lots of people talk about some ramen shop in DC that supposedly had some of the best fried chicken. My friend and I came for lunch and were pleasantly surprised by it. The chicken had a distinct crunch to the skin while the meat was still moist and tender - even for a breast piece. They serve it with a roll and some rice that is topped with chicken dripping and a little bit of butter. I see why people like the fried chicken here and would love to comeback to try their ramen!
Always try to visit Bantam King when I'm in DC! My favorite is the Spicy Miso Ramen with a side of spice chili bombs. Yum! The rame broth is so rich and delicious! Plus it's Halal It's quick and the employees are so nice and friendly! The vibe is like a casual ramen joint with unique decor. Love the ambiance! I also ordered the Curry snow fried chicken but this time without the curry snow super yum! I'll give this spot 100000000/10!
It was easy to get a seat on a Saturday night around 4:45pm. Me and my boyfriend ordered the shio ramen, Nashville hot chicken with dark meat, and gyoza. We liked the ramen and the flavor of the broth. It was different from the pork based ramens I have had in the DMV area. It was also comforting on a chilly night. The Nashville hot chicken is flavorful and crispy. I did not really like the rice as it was too rich and buttery. The pickles were a great addition. Coming from the Rockville area, which has a lot of great Chinese food, the gyoza was nothing special. I've had better gyoza and wontons with spicy chili oil. Overall, we enjoyed our meal and would come back from the chicken and ramen. I would skip the gyoza.
3 months ago
This colorful restaurant is located near the National Building museum and it was the perfect choice for lunch. I had the spicy miso ramen which was so good that we came back the next day to have more lol they also have a kids ramen which is perfect for the junior diners with you. Another favorite on our table was the curry snow chicken which got rave reviews ! We ordered extra of the rice with chicken drippings. Please note you can ask to make your food halal. Don't miss dining Here ! read more
6 months ago
The ambiance is more suited to fast casual-dining. The menu items were very interesting and the service was very kind. Personally not to my taste. I found the food to be a little bland overall and the rice and chicken to both be dry. However people really hype it up, so who am I to say read more
13 days ago
I always make a point to stop here when I come into DC from Annapolis. I love everything about it 1) Location...on a corner across from the National Building Museum in Chinatown 2) The food - some of the best ramen (spicy miso is my #1) and chicken (Snow curry- my fave) dishes I've ever tasted 3) The service - solid and efficient ( no nonsense) and 4) The milieu - cool/casual. Love love love the King of Bantams..all hail "The Bantam King!" My "go to spot" in DC...see ya next time BK! read more
3.5 stars Small ramen shop with chicken based broth. The seating is communal style. The ramen is also halal if you ask to omit the alcohol spray. I had the shio ramen which was average. It was light. Get the miso ramen if you want a richer, thicker ramen base. I asked for a boiled egg but was given a poached egg. They also have fried chicken, which I didn't try (also halal). read more
I've been working in DC for the past 10 years and I've never heard of this place. After a night at the museum at the National Art Gallery a friend and I came here for dinner. He was really in the mood for ramen because it was so cold! I'm writing this review because this is some of the best ramen I've ever had and I've had a lot of ramen. The broth is rich and flavorful. The ingredients are fresh and the food came out hot and fast. I'll definitely be back soon! read more
Bantam King is that perfect pre- or post-event spot, sitting literally steps from Capital One Arena; you can't beat the convenience. My friend and I stopped in before a show and we were immediately met with fast, friendly service that kept the whole experience smooth, even with the crowd rolling in. I ordered the Nashville Hot Chicken plate and babyyyy... that thing was crispy, juicy, and seasoned to perfection without being too greasy. The heat had flavor and the breading stayed crunchy all the way through. It went perfectly with the buttered rice and dinner roll. The food came out quick, fresh, and was exactly what I needed before heading to my event at Capital One. If you're in the area for a game or concert, Bantam King is absolutely worth the stop. Great food, great people, and unbeatable location. 5 stars, no hesitation. read more
8 months ago
I ordered the Shoyu Paitan ramen, which was rich, creamy, and flavorful. We also shared the gyoza, which came in a flavorful broth. Honestly, the broth was so good that I wished there was a ramen option with this broth. Overall, it was a solid experience. read more
I like the ramen here. It's brothy, but not too much. I never had Bantam King before, so when the sister took us we were surprised. I really really wanted to get the fried chicken, but opted to go and get a nice ramen considering how cold it was outside. In addition, we go tthe gyoza as an appetizer. The dumplings were great, but I think the broth/sauce that it was served in was awesome. The broth was thick, but very flavorful. I think the next time I come I'll try out a different broth. If they had the sauce from the gyoza as a broth/ramen I would totally get that. I think that's my search the next time around. Would definitely recommend, it's limited seating so I would say to get there early, but if you have a small party you won't have any issues. read more
To start, I am obsessed with this place. Ive had this place probably over a dozen times and it still reigns as the greatest ramen I've ever had. The Spicy Miso is just the perfect blend of flavors and ingredients. This is one of my top 3 favorite places in DC to eat at. The setting of the restaurant reminds me of a school cafeteria which is fun and playful! read more
4 months ago
Suuuuuper cute interior and a great food option close to Capital One Arena. I got the Nashville fried chicken, which definitely wasn't traditional Nashville hot chicken (not super spicy and not tenders,) but was very good nonetheless. Comes with rice with butter, a roll, and pickles. Great service. Wish the portion was bigger / more filling! Definitely want to come back and try more. read more
8 months ago
As a pescatarian I was hesitant to try Bantam King. However, I saw several yelpers talk about how good it was, so I gave it a try. My waitress was attentive, but my ramen came out way later than my friend's meal. However, the taste made up for the delay. The veggie tantanmen was very flavorful! I often find that vegetarian ramen has a basic flavor profile, but this certainly did not. It also felt hearty, which I enjoyed. My only other complaint is that this is the only real option for vegetarians. I would have appreciated at least one appetizer option. read more
Amazing chicken ramen place that is one of my absolute faves in DC (and truly one-of-a-kind in that you really can't find any other ramen place quite like it anywhere else in the country) and a go-to when I lived in the area five-six years ago. All their ramens have chicken flavor (and can be made halal) - however their standout dishes for me are the very simple rice with onsen egg and rice with chicken drizzling plus butter. Straightforward but delicious and very unique, and no other restaurant serves this. The giant cookie dessert is also a highlight because it is made with chicken fat. Exceptional service from Kos and very stylish interior decor with funny manga on the wall, Japanese decorations, a drink cooler and margarita machines. Highly recommended if you are in DC (and @ the edge of Chinatown)! read more
I have seen lots of people talk about some ramen shop in DC that supposedly had some of the best fried chicken. My friend and I came for lunch and were pleasantly surprised by it. The chicken had a distinct crunch to the skin while the meat was still moist and tender - even for a breast piece. They serve it with a roll and some rice that is topped with chicken dripping and a little bit of butter. I see why people like the fried chicken here and would love to comeback to try their ramen! read more
Always try to visit Bantam King when I'm in DC! My favorite is the Spicy Miso Ramen with a side of spice chili bombs. Yum! The rame broth is so rich and delicious! Plus it's Halal It's quick and the employees are so nice and friendly! The vibe is like a casual ramen joint with unique decor. Love the ambiance! I also ordered the Curry snow fried chicken but this time without the curry snow super yum! I'll give this spot 100000000/10! read more
It was easy to get a seat on a Saturday night around 4:45pm. Me and my boyfriend ordered the shio ramen, Nashville hot chicken with dark meat, and gyoza. We liked the ramen and the flavor of the broth. It was different from the pork based ramens I have had in the DMV area. It was also comforting on a chilly night. The Nashville hot chicken is flavorful and crispy. I did not really like the rice as it was too rich and buttery. The pickles were a great addition. Coming from the Rockville area, which has a lot of great Chinese food, the gyoza was nothing special. I've had better gyoza and wontons with spicy chili oil. Overall, we enjoyed our meal and would come back from the chicken and ramen. I would skip the gyoza. read more
2 months ago
After a long day of travel from the West Coast, we were craving comfort food for our anniversary dinner. Bantam King fit the bill! The Shoyu Ramen and Curry Snow Chicken were delicious. Our server, Belinda, was so thoughtful and made our comfort dinner extra special. The theme reminded us of our chicken rearing chapter of our marriage. read more
Love me some Bantam King! I think the key is to come for dinner bc it seems less crowded than at lunch. My friend and I split the curry snow chicken (white meat) and it's definitely a must get. The sauce is so good and the chicken is fried to perfect. I personally really enjoyed the Shio chicken ramen which tasted like the best kind of chicken soup. The shoyu is more of a traditional ramen flavor but they were both delicious! read more
This was a quick stop this time. I tried their chocolate chip cookie. It's made with good quality Valrhona chocolate and chicken fat, which made for an unique, decadent cookie. The chicken fat added richness and a savory taste and the Valrhona chocolate added depth and more richness to the cookie. I'll definitely have to come back and try more of their food items and give a more thorough review later. read more
1 year ago
This was my first time having chicken based ramen and it did not disappoint. The ramen was packed with flavor, the chicken was tender and the noodles were perfect. The restaurant was busy but service was great. It's such a colorful environment and they played really good music. Perfect for lunch if you're in the judiciary square area for lunch. read more
I never had chicken broth ramen before and it was pretty good. The noodle quality was delicious. We came on a convention day which advertised Bantam king, so it took quite a bit to get the food out, but the server was very nice and attentive. My friend got the Nashville chicken and it was fried really well, the Nashville was a generous dusting of seasonings. It was pretty good. We also tried the chicken tallow cookie and it was very good hot. When it got cold it got hard, so probably don't take it to go. read more
9 months ago
Not so good experience of the store, how can you serve food in chipped ware?? Ordered the onsen eggs for my child, what happens if she accidentally hurt her mouth or tongue?! Not understandable! I ordered the shoyu ramen, large amount of ramen but they taste/texture like the egg noodles, the broth is in a a little bit bitter side, not recommended to anyone. Will not return. read more
Batnam King is one of my go-to casual ramen spots in a lively pop-art environment in what used to be a Burger King. Close to Capital One Arena, its a great spot to stop by before a game or concert. Some of my favorite dishes are the Spicy Miso Ramen and the Rice with Chicken Drippings. The noodle quality is one of the best in the city, and they have a good range of mild to spicy options (you can even add a spice bomb for those looking for a bit more kick). They also have fried Chicken, for those wanting something different. I always find the staff to be efficient, and kind! read more
This was my first time at a Ramen restaurant. My friend took me here while I was visiting her since she knows I like Pho and figured this would be a good place to try since it is somewhat similar. The space is very cute, the music was fun we went later in the evening maybe 45 minutes before they closed. Being from WI I had to order the deviled eggs which were on the special menu and then we also tried the Gyoza and I got the Miso and she ordered the Spicy Miso. It was very good! I couldn't try the fish cake I gave that to her along with the seaweed but everything else was perfect. Took a little less than half home. The cookie was big perfect to share. read more
8 months ago
The ramen shop was busy and seemed popular! The ramen was okay but the presentation and service was great! I enjoyed the Nashville fried chicken and butter rice with chicken drippings. The onsen rice was not my favorite but I had a great experience. read more
1 year ago
This review is long overdue. I moved to the area about seven years ago and came here for a first date--not knowing it would become one of my favorite spots and the start of something special. That first date eventually led to marriage, and we came back here to celebrate. The staff made us feel so special, and I'll always be grateful for that. I only ever get the vegetarian ramen because it's hands-down the best I've had anywhere. They're also halal, which we really appreciate. With so many trendy DC spots nearby, I truly hope this place stays strong. read more
5 months ago
TikTok said best in town and this was far from it. The ramen food came out fast but fast doesn't mean good. This is very far from traditional and the ramen was not very visually appealing. The gyoza which should be steamed was served in a stew and a mess of toppings. For the ramen the base was decent but the topping left something to be desired. The broth tasted like watered down top ramen. Who am I kidding top ramen would be better than this. Do not come here if you been to Japan because it is not comparable. Who am I kidding don't come here if you've ever had a 35¢ bag of top ramen. This is a fusion restaurant that had a Japanese candy one time 10 years ago. The ramen or what I could stand to eat was under flavored and over cooked. On a positive note the staff was polite. In closing I guess come here for chicken but don't expect authentic ramen or ramen that is flavorful and Japanese. read more
I've always wanted to try this place for a long time and it did not disappoint! The service was quick and great! We got the shio ramen which was homey and comforting. Very delicious! It was a good portion of noodles to chicken to other toppings. The Japanese curry fried chicken was really good! read more
Quick and casual japanese fusion spot in chinatown! My brother comes here and wanted to have me give it a try!! Pretty yummy and shoutout to whoever was on aux! Super cute vibe and had me reminiscent of Japan with the hiragana signs read more
2 years ago
Hip little noodle shop on the corner of Chinatown and judiciary square. We came in as a party of 2 on a Thursday night after deciding not to wait for a spot at daikaya. It was still crowded but only had to wait for 10 mins. We just needed a quick ramen bite and it was pretty cold for a December day so we both got a spicy miso ramen. Everything was on point but nothing was mind blowing. Prices are fair. Broth was a little diluted but noodles were on par. I recommend but there are better options. TLDR; slightly above average ramen shop read more
7 months ago
Classic spot but goody. It's no frills but you'll always leave with a good meal. Came with a friend she ordered the Nashville hot chicken and enjoyed her meal, I did the spicy miso ramen. Our server was pleasant and the food came out really fast. They do only offer a short drink menu, but you don't really come here for that, the food was solid as always. read more
7 months ago
Me and my friend went spontaneously and the ramen was amazing! The customer service was top tier as well and the building is very aesthetically pleasing! The food came out fast even when it was crowded as well! My only complain will be the extra chicken wasn't good at all i mean eeeeyuuuckkkkk but other then that food was great! read more
1 year ago
This is a different take on ramen, with the broth made from chicken instead of your typical pork. The noodles are chewy and flavorful and you can customize your selection through a variety of add ons. The Nashville chicken with rice was absolute fire and crispy and fantastic! Service was quick and although the place is small, we doing the decor cute and inviting. read more
1 year ago
I stopped by Bantam King to try some fried chicken, but i'll admit - I might've spoiled myself earlier in the day with a visit to Doro Doro. I ordered the Nashville fried chicken, and while the crisp was alright, the chicken itself was a bit on the dry side. The pickles were sweet (which was a nice contrast), and it came with a cilantro sauce that was pretty tasty. I also tried their tea. It had a unique flavor but was a bit too sweet for my taste. The gyoza was just okay, and the busicut didnt leave much of an impression either. From what I could tell, most people come here for the ramen. I'll probably give it another shot and come back to try that instead. Seems like its what they do best read more
bantam king holds steady as the 2nd best ramen spot in the city (the number one is daikaya, owned by the same group so I can say that). Stopped in with a friend and bantam king is still CONSISTENTLY great after all of these years. Things I enjoyed: - Spicy Miso ramen with an extra spice bomb and a nitamago egg.,,there's no other way to go. Broth, noodles, flavor...you can't go wrong. - the Gyoza...SO GOOD! 4 small pieces that were a delicious appetizer! - the fried chicken plate was pretty good as well with a ton of flavor. Split the plate with my friend, which is more food than we needed; but it was worth it) - rarely a wait, even on a Friday evening - food comes out pretty quickly - service is always great! It's been a few years since I'd been back to bantam king but when my friend suggested...I JUMPED at the chance. Still good food, still good price point, still one of the best ramen spots in the city (don't debate me...I've tried them all) read more
Food was delicious, with generous portions, great flavors, and excellent service. The dining space isn't too large, so I imagine it can get busy. Most of the menu outside of the gyoza is halal or can be prepared halal (removing the wine spray for the ramen). The dark meat fried chicken plate in particular was excellent! The rice with chicken drippings and butter was a nice touch! Overall, I would definitely come back! read more
Business owner information
Joseph V.
Salman,…
2 years ago
I usually get the Nashville chicken dinner to go and it's always delicious. It's a good amount of food for the price. I typically get an extra order of rice to make two meals. read more
Decent $12 lunch special for ramen, close to work and convenient. Service is quick and pleasant. I'm not a fan of the "hole in the wall" aesthetic. It's one thing to be one, but another thing to literally just not spruce up the place... at all. School chairs for seats is insane for a dine in experience outside of a school. Anyway, I will go back for the affordable ramen for lunch during the cold season my food was tasty and hearty and the vibe of the place is chill and you can tell everyone's letting their hair down. read more
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More info about Bantam King
501 G St NW
Washington, DC 20001
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(202) 733-2612
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http://www.bantamking.com
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Ask the Community - Bantam King
Do they still serve halal meat in it? Is the chicken still halal?
Yes I went last week and they have halal chicken! They have a wine spray to top off the ramen but they omit it to make the dish halal. On their menu online they have it stated specifically it's halal.
Are you seating people inside during the week?
They are now allowing indoor seating!
What is halal here?
All dishes are made with Halal Chicken. The Ramen typically includes a spray of wine, but the staff is very familiar with Halal. Just let them know you eat Halal and they will not put the wine spray on it.
Is this restaurant 100% halal?
Is there any vegan options available here?
They just recently added a vegetarian broth and you can keep all the additions vegan. For example, you can add butter to the vegetarian broth, and make it non-vegan.…
The broth of this ramen is true chicken broth or mix with tonkotsu broth?
True chicken broth
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Bantam King - ramen - Updated August 2026
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