Rice 19th St - Washington

I am not the biggest fan of the food options in downtown, but this restaurant is decent enough. The food is both quick and delicious. However, there are limitations as the broth for the noodle soup is not vegetarian, so I would recommend opting for a rice or noodle dish instead. The build your own bibimbap option is affordable, but it tends to be heavy on rice and light on toppings. It might be more exciting to try a different restaurant that doesn't focus primarily on rice. Additional toppings come at an extra cost, especially if you want a lot of vegetables. The vegetable options are decent, but may not satisfy those who prefer veggies over carbs. There are various choices such as burdock root, steamed broccoli, grated carrots, seaweed salad, roasted algae, bean sprout salad, and steamed kale. You can choose from different types of pasta and rice, and tofu can be added for an additional charge. The restaurant offers a variety of sauces including sesame oil, sesame seeds, hot sauce, and others. The food can be on the salty side, which may explain why it is so flavorful.

Although not my top choice for dining in the downtown area, this restaurant is sufficient. The food is quick and tasty, with options mainly limited to rice bowls or noodle bowls due to the non-vegetarian broth used in the noodle soup. Building your own bibimbap can be affordable, but it consists of mostly rice with a small amount of toppings. For those seeking a more varied menu, it may be more enjoyable to dine elsewhere. Additional toppings can be added at an extra cost, especially if you prefer a generous portion of vegetables. The vegetable options are decent, but may not satisfy those who prioritize veggies over carbs. The menu offers a variety of choices including burdock root, steamed broccoli, cooked carrots, seaweed salad, roasted seaweed, bean sprout salad, and steamed kale. Noodle options include wheat, udon, buckwheat, or clear yam starch, while rice choices include white, brown, or black rice. Tofu can be added for an additional charge. The restaurant offers a variety of sauces such as sesame oil, sesame seeds, and spicy options like peanut or sriracha sauce. The food can be on the salty side, possibly due to the abundance of starch in the dishes.

I am a fan of Korean cuisine, but often struggle to find satisfying vegetarian options at most Korean restaurants. The build-your-own bowl concept at Rice Bar makes it easy to create a hearty vegetarian meal in Korean style, similar to Bibimbap. While the restaurant may not be the most aesthetically pleasing, it is convenient for a quick lunch if you happen to be in the area. I personally enjoy bold flavors, so I don't mind if some find the dishes too salty - this is characteristic of Korean cuisine. As for authenticity, having lived in Asia for years, I find the food at Rice Bar to be quite authentic. While some may find the prices a bit high, I found that my Bibimbap and soda combo only cost $11.50, making it a satisfying and affordable lunch option. Overall, I was pleased with my dining experience at Rice Bar.

It is easy to customize your own meal at this restaurant. When I inquired about vegan options, they provided me with the gluten-free menu instead. I decided to order from that menu for safety, although I am not sure if all other items on the regular menu are also vegan. Some people have complained about the prices, but it is typical for downtown restaurants.

I absolutely adore this restaurant! They offer custom-made rice or noodle bowls, as well as miso noodle soups. There are several vegan options available, all of which I have thoroughly enjoyed. They have a wide variety of gluten-free and whole grain rice and noodle options, as well as plenty of vegetable choices. The food is flavorful and always prepared quickly. Since I work nearby, I visit this restaurant about once a week.