Toki Underground

Toki Underground is a Taiwanese ramen restaurant at 1234 H St NE on the H Street Corridor of Washington, D.C., United States. It occupies a small second-floor space above the street and is listed in the Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand. The cuisine centres on Taiwanese-style ramen and dumplings, and the ramen is the signature dish that draws most visitors. The dining room is tiny, with a handful of tables and a counter, and the atmosphere is loud, cramped and energetic, with music and steam from the kitchen. There is no dress code, and the restaurant is primarily a place for a casual evening meal. The beverage programme includes beer, cocktails and Asian-inspired drinks, and the bar downstairs is where waiting parties usually spend their time. Prices are in the $$ tier. The restaurant does not take reservations. When all tables are full, the bar downstairs texts parties when a table opens, so the practical approach is to put a name down on arrival and wait nearby. Waits can be long, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings and in cold weather when ramen is most in demand, so arriving early is advisable. Listings show evening service daily, with weekend lunch also noted, for example 5pm to 10pm Monday to Wednesday and 5pm to midnight on Friday and Saturday according to Time Out, so calling +1-202-388-3086 to confirm hours is advisable. The H Street location is a well-known dining and nightlife area with other restaurants, bars and venues within walking distance, making it simple to combine the meal with a night out. Visitors who dislike waiting can consider arriving as service begins or choosing a weeknight, and those who want a longer evening can use the wait to explore nearby bars.