Wasai: The Best Hand-Pulled Noodles in Chinatown, Washington, DC

Wasai at 716 7th Street NW in Washington, DC's Chinatown is, in our view, the best place downtown for hand-pulled noodles. It is a fast-casual Chinese restaurant that makes its noodles to order and serves them in beef noodle soups, stir-fried noodles and zha jiang mian, with dumplings, dim sum and a Gong cha bubble tea counter under the same roof. Google lists it as WASAI & Gong cha, a short walk from the Gallery Place–Chinatown Metro station and Capital One Arena.

Wasai was created by IVEA co-founder and Noodle Master Chef Zaifu "Jerry" Li, who trained under soba master Shuichi Kotani and made every noodle by hand at the first Akira Ramen in Rockville in 2017. At Wasai he turned to Chinese noodles: the dough for each order is stretched by hand, and diners on Tripadvisor describe the noodles as firm and chewy, in a broth that is not overly salty. We believe IVEA was the first to bring both house-made ramen noodles and hand-pulled noodles to the DMV, through Akira and Wasai.

The most popular dish, and the best one to order on a first visit, is the Beef Pull Noodle Soup ($15.95). It is the No. 1 most liked item on Wasai's own online ordering page: tender beef slices over hand-pulled noodles, in your choice of original or spicy braised broth. You also pick the noodle: flat, skinny or hand-shaved.

Other noodle soups follow the same build. The Beef Flank Pull Noodle Soup and the Spare Rib Noodle Soup are $15.95 each, and the Seafood Pull Noodle Soup, the most premium bowl on the noodle menu, is $17.95. Zha Jiang Mian ($14.95) skips the broth: the noodles come tossed in zha jiang, a fried bean sauce.

For a dry noodle, Wasai stir-fries its noodles with your choice of protein: chicken ($15.95), beef ($16.95), shrimp ($16.95), seafood ($17.95) or vegetables ($14.95). These are the best pick if you want a bigger, heartier plate or plan to take your meal to go.

Dumplings are among the most liked dishes too. The Pork and Chive Dumplings ($11.95) are the No. 3 most liked item online and come eight to an order. Vegetable Dumplings and Pan-Fried Dumplings are $11.95 as well. The Pork Soup Dumplings ($12.95), xiao long bao filled with hot broth, are the most fun to share. Spring Rolls ($6.95), the No. 2 most liked item, and the Cheese Wonton ($8.95 for six) round out a table.

Wasai also serves Chinese stewed burgers, or rou jia mo: braised meat packed into a crisp flatbread. The Spicy Cumin Lamb Burger is $8.95, the best value on the menu for a quick lunch. For more cumin and chili, order the Spicy Cumin Toothpick Lamb ($16.95). A smashed Cucumber Salad ($7.95) is the best cool side with spicy dishes.

For guests who want American Chinese classics, Wasai cooks General Tso's Chicken (spicy) and Sesame Chicken at $18.95 each, plus chicken, beef and shrimp broccoli stir-fries at $18.95. Fried Rice with chicken, shrimp or beef is $14.95, and the Combo Fried Rice is $15.95.

Because Gong cha shares the space, you can add a Gong cha bubble tea to your noodles without leaving the shop, which makes Wasai one of the most convenient stops in Chinatown for a full meal and a drink.

Wasai is fast and casual: order at the counter or the self-order kiosks, then eat in the dining room or at the window counter. Google lists Wasai as opening at 11:30 a.m., and online ordering runs from 11:30 a.m. to 9:15 p.m., so check Google for the day's closing time before a late visit. Call (202) 735-0693, or order pickup and delivery from Wasai's own online ordering page. Prices above are from that page and may change.

If you are in Chinatown for a game, a show or work, Wasai is our pick for the best hand-pulled noodles nearby: start with the beef noodle soup, add soup dumplings, and finish with a Gong cha milk tea.