On a random weeknight, we stopped into Rice Bar around 6pm. Not crowded at all. Service was swift and friendly, and the food came out quickly. I got the Tofu Noodle Soup - a warm, deep broth with slightly chewy buckwheat noodles, bean sprout, carrot, zucchini, eggplant, shitake mushroom, radish salad, tofu, topped with a fried egg. Delicious! I ate it all up, every drop of soup. This place has a nice, sleek aesthetic, and it was a pleasant environment to savor the food, unbothered by a big crowd. Thumbs up for anyone who wants good food in a clean, bright space. If you haven't tried Rice Bar, you should stop in a give it a shot! read more

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Good fast healthy food. It's like if chipotle had 10 times more options and was Korean. You pick rice or noodles bowl as a base then choose from wide range of protein, veggies, and sauces. The noodles option by the way should say "noodle soup" and they ask you clear or miso broth. Since it was already 2:30, I was starving and couldn't be bothered to make a million decisions so went with the "signature tofu noodle" on the menu. I only had 3 choices to make: spicy, ramen style noodles and miso broth. The eggplant, mushrooms and other veggies were great but cold and didn't appreciate that in my hot soup. The ramen noodles and the fresh firm tofu were the best part! This doesn't take the place of real ramen in terms of depth of flavor but think that's not the goal here. Big trendy place with great amount of seating. We ate in silence because we were starving and it was good. read more

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Great place for a quick bite. I was a bit disappointed that they didn't have any pescatarian options but the vegetarian selections did the job. You can mix and match various menu items to create something to your liking. Quick and cheap! read more

Rice Bar - Korean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Service: Came with a friend while we were in the area. The ordering process was smooth--you select your ingredients using a sheet, which keeps things simple. There were only two staff members preparing food, so even though it wasn't too busy, the wait was longer than expected. Staff was polite but minimal interaction overall. Taste: The food was flavorful and tasted fresh. Everything came together really well in the bowl, and it definitely felt like a more authentic take on a fast-casual rice bowl spot. The ingredients looked and tasted high quality. Ambiance: Very casual, more of a quick-eat or takeout kind of place. Not ideal for a sit-down meal if you're looking for atmosphere, but it gets the job done for a fast and tasty option. Overall Review: Rice Bowl is a solid spot for a quick and flavorful meal. Just be mindful that it's more expensive than similar build-your-own places like Cava or Chipotle, especially with add-ons. That said, the food tastes fresh and authentic, so it's worth trying if you're nearby. read more

Rice Bar - Korean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

3.5 stars overall. A fun idea. However, I suggest getting the pre-selected meals. We all went full custom and none of us really loved our dishes, and we only had ourselves to blame. The ingredients (udon, ramen, rice, chicken, beef, corn, edamame, seaweed salad) were all fine, but our personal combinations were just ok. I would say the chicken chunks were a bit too big, and the egg was slightly overcooked (the yolk was soft and just barely runny). We got here around 12:30-12:45pm on a Friday. There was a line that went across the bar and to the door, but it moved quickly. It took 10-15 minutes to get our food. read more

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Found this on a whim while looking for lunch. Love this concept and wish it was all over. You can choose noodles or rice and then make your own bowl. Very fresh ingredients and friendly, yet efficient, staff. Located inside an office building with communal style seating for those on the run. Definitely try this out for a great noodle or rice bowl read more

Rice Bar - Udon Noodle Bowl - Korean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

A fast casual Korean restaurant in McPherson Square, this restaurant is a nice place to come for a quick lunch when working downtown. To order, you fill out a card with pencils provided by the restaurant. I prefer to see what I'm ordering as I go, but the process certainly helped the large line move along. The food was pretty good! I loved the bulgogi beef and the delicious mushrooms. I didn't care much for the pungent seaweed salad or the lackluster and watery sauces. Overall this was a pretty tasty lunch! I would definitely come back here in a pinch. read more

Rice Bar - a man preparing food in a kitchen - Korean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Fairly quick and really tasty place to grab a Korean rice bowl. Yum! Pretty big portion size. We stopped by while in town and on our way to see the sites, so ordered for dine-in and had to toss what we couldn't finish eating. But if you're local and can pack leftovers, then order to-go, and it's packed in a bowl with lid. read more

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Legit the best bibimbap I've had in DC. The flavors are so tasty-- definitely recommend the spicy chicken. The kimchi is so good too! The restaurant is clean and has outdoor seating. Service is fast and professional. 10/10 recommend! read more

Rice Bar - Bibimbap - Korean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

First time in DC and I saw this place on an IG reel and it looked really delicious - it definitely didn't disappoint! The menu was a bit overwhelming at first because there are A LOT of options. You can either get a preset ramen, poke bowl, bibimbap, etc. OR make it yourself. Just think something like Chipotle/CAVA. The service is good, super friendly and helpful. At the time there were only two servers on the line helping a crowd of ~10 people, so please be patient and it's worth the wait. read more

Rice Bar - Korean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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3.5 stars Rice Bar is a make your own bibimbap bowl place but also have other dishes including noodles. The food is healthy with plenty of vegetables to choose from and there is even black/purple rice ar no additional cost. The portion is pretty big. Mine was enough for two meals. The food is decent but a little on the bland side. I had much better bibimbaps. Not a fan of their gochujang sauce. It's a little bit too pungant for my taste but they do offer other sauces. I got my bibimbap bowl with an egg which has a nice runny yolk, but it's premade and lacking the fried parts. It would have been much better if it was freshly fried. read more

Rice Bar - Beef bulgogi bibimbap - Korean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Overall quick service and good food. Will come back again. I went for lunch during work and there was a bit of a line but it moves pretty fast as you fill out your order on paper slips and hand it to them. I decided to make my own bowl and got the seaweed salad, cucumber, zucchini, carrots and tofu, with gochujang sauce. Everything tasted great, except the gochujang was overpowering. Towards the end of my meal the sauce was the only thing I was tasting. I love the concept and variety of options of this place though and will definitely come back again (and probably ask for a different sauce or less gochujang). read more

Rice Bar - Korean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Very allergy friendly, I am celiac and they have a very clear gluten free menu with plenty of items. The staff were very welcoming and helpful, making the experience very easy. The food is a bit overpriced but that's expected for the location. read more

Let a work colleague talk me into this place while visiting a different office around the corner. Glad I did. In terms of work lunch, this place was delicious and filling, but didn't leave me feeling heavy. Very good food fir the price. Service was great and friendly. And the ambiance was nice - outdoor seating was a bonus. read more

Terrible service. Rushed, confusing fast food. Menu is listed immediately on the top wall to the left as you enter. Quickly, four or five away, to the left is the long counter with servers behind glass ready to pour your choice of food which is not labeled. We felt rushed, weren't sure what we had ordered and wanted to get out of there. read more

Loved the portion sizes and all of the creative options. Overall tasted pretty good and liked how they put the sauce on the side. Definitely great for a quick healthy option! The servers are very efficient and nice! Great casual spot! read more

This place is sooooo good. The spicy chicken is not too spicy so don't be afraid of it! There were three of us here for lunch. You fill out a piece of paper and select either rice or noodles and then all your toppings! The service was spectacular and they were patient with us as it was our first time. read more

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Yummy. Definitely recommended if you are in the area. Fastest best cheapest for a good lunch around there

I ordered from the Ritual app and received $5 off my first order at this location, so I paid only $5 or so for a delicious bowl of purple rice, spicy tofu, kale, edamame, eggplant, and cucumbers. My order was ready as soon as I arrived. I went straight to the friendly and attentive cashier and collected my bag. At pickup, I added a generous portion of the spicy gochujang sauce and peanut sauce to enhance the flavor. There's a narrow condiment station right by the queue of customers ordering. The interior of the restaurant is a bit cramped and smaller than the 19th St location but I ordered my meal to go so I ate in my office. Recommended! read more

Very impressed. Stopped her for lunch and grabbed a customized noodle bowl. The portions are huge and each order is made quickly the way YOU want it. All the vegetables seem fresh which makes me wish I'd asked for more. There are options to please everyone and the line moves fast. I really appreciate the to go bowls provided by the door since there's no way I can eat it all at once. The music and atmosphere is fun too! While $12 seems like a lot to pay for lunch, the sizes and quality reflect the price. read more

Rice Bar - Ramen noodle bowl. It's huge! Design Your Own Noodle Soup - Korean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I love Korean food! Naturally, when I found Rice Bar a block away from my hotel I had to try it. This is a great twist on classic Korean food with some great new additions. The concept is quite simple, you choose either a rice bowl or a noodle bowl. You can build your own or choose from some preselected combinations and customize from there. I went with the rice bowl (black rice as opposed to brown or white as the other options). I loaded up with tons of vegetables and finished it off with tofu, sesame seeds and sesame oil to keep it authentic and vegan. Everyone was polite and the service was incredibly fast. I would love to see these all across the country someday! read more

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I work in the building right next door so this is definitely a go-to lunch option. Either you can do Chipotle-like style as you go down the line and choose the ingredients you want for your dish or rice/noodle bowl. You can also fill out a paper to customize your own bowl which makes it efficient but also lets you get a scope of the different ingredients that you can choose from - from the carbs, veggies, protein options, etc. - This is a good option if you experience social anxiety when it comes to ordering food.... like me :B The several times I've been here, the ingredients have been very fresh, flavorful, and have never been a disappointment. (Especially love how there's THREE types of tofu - as a tofu lover :D). It's always been efficient and never a disappointment when it comes to a great workday lunch. There is space to eat inside but for a quick casual lunch with a small party / 1 on 1 meal. There's also tables available outside! Also like how you can choose from an array sauces, and can even put it in a sauce container if you think you'll need more than what was served. A good fusion/modernized take on Korean food, and I would recommend! read more

For the price in dc, it's decent. Not a lot of seating but happened to have gone a warmer day on Nov, wow as able to sit outside. Saw a ton of people getting takeout. I gave it 3 stars bc some of the ingredients didn't taste as fresh. read more

The concept is still good, even if it doesn't rock my world. My spicy chicken bibimbap was a bit of a dud. Ingredients were fresh, but the chicken was severely dried out, and the egg was sort of pre-fab. The cucumber on the menu was actually pickled, and that's a good thing. I regret not getting my gochujang sauce on the side. read more

Rice Bar - Spicy Chicken Breast Bibimbap - Korean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Delicious lunch spot. They give you plenty of food so you won't go back to work hungry, and plenty of sauce you so won't be missing any flavor. You're given the option to select a classic/signature noodle or bibimbap dish, or build your own. FYI Rice Bar prefers you wear a mask. read more

Rice Bar - Camera eats 2nd - Korean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Customer Service was great and food was even better! All ingredients were fresh and only waited about 5 mins for my food during the lunch rush. Would try again! read more

Interesting concept. I've seen something similar to this before elsewhere. It's like a Korean version of 'Chipotle' or 'Cava' to make your own bibimbap (rice) or bibimmyun (noodle). It's conveniently located in Downtown DC, good walking distance from many of the major office spaces around there. I have been hesitant on trying this place for awhile now because I'm picky with Korean food (since I grew up eating Korean food my whole life). But after the whole lockdown situation, I been wanting to try different places to support the local businesses. They do have a similar layout as 'Chipotle' where you start off with a base (rice or noodle) and then move on to the toppings you'd like to add along with choices of protein. Thought the variety was excellent. I think you have to like somewhat of spicy food since a lot of their toppings and choices were red pepper based. When I got the food, it was slightly more expensive than I thought it would come out to but that was fine. Nothing unusual in DC. The food was pretty good for a quick fix Korean meal and I'd definitely go back at some point. It would've been nice if there was soup that came along with it. read more

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Amazing scenery, deals, location and food. The staff was very nice and helpful. The outdoor seating is perfect for the summer. A fun date night or place to go solo or with friends! The curry tofu and ginger chicken was flavorful, tasty and fresh. I will be back for more! The grocery options are unlimited and unique! read more

Rice Bar - Groceries - Korean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Delightful lunch place in the Downtown area! It's hard to find a place that's healthy, tasty AND fairly affordable in the area. My favorite Korean cart on K street just closed but I was pleased to find that this new place fits the bill. It has the fast-casual feel where you go down an assembly chipotle-type of line to pick and choose what you want in your bibimbap bowl. Yummy korean fresh food! I ordered purple rice! Yes you heard that right. Nice coveted healthy purple rice to add to your bibimbap bowl. Also added bulgolgi beef that was tender and had the just the right amount of savory meaty goodness. Then added a ton of bean sprouts, greens, seaweed and marinated mushrooms. Mmm. Perfect lunch and douse it in spicy sauce and sesame oil. The interior of the place has a handful of seating -- it does get crowded during lunch time but you can manage to find some space. Bright, warm decor with wood accents. read more

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Two days later & im still thinking about the wonderful food at Rice Bar. Easy, quick and delicious, there is something for everyone. Great quality. Armando was an absolute joy, interacting with him made my whole week. Thank you so much for a lovely lunch and memorable customer service. read more

Won't make that mistake again. I thought it would be at least warm, not cold food. Service is like....say what you want and leave!

It's unfortunate that I can only give this place 3 stars because the interior has cute decor, and it is very clean. I love the rustic-looking menu on the wall, and the line moves pretty smoothly. Staff very efficient and friendly. Portions are generous. The reason I went was because I was craving Korean bowls (bibimbap), and the ones here were not good (though the place is always packed!). I got the tofu bowl with brown rice, eggplant, mushrooms, seaweed salad, kale, and kimchi. I'd initially ordered plain tofu, but when I got to the tofu section, I noticed it was completely white (i.e. bland and not even sauteed to give it crunch as other Korean bowl places do sometimes), so I ordered the teriyaki tofu instead. It tasted fine enough. The problem I had with the bowl was that none of the flavors went together as they usually do at these kinds of places. My kimchi tasted very fishy, my kale very "green" if you know what I mean, and as a whole, the bowl was just disappointing. I really wanted to like this place because it's in a good, convenient location, but unfortunately, I have other Korean places I prefer for my bibimbap. read more

Rice Bar - tofu bibimbap and rib eye bibimbap - Korean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Walked over here from a visit to a work site and didn't regret it one bit. It's a bit of a choose your own/chipotle vibe. There were plenty of options for vegans and the servings were pretty generous for the price. The sauces were all really yummy as well. I'd definitely recommend checking this place out, it was tasty, filling, and the service was really great. read more

Rice Bar - a bowl of stir fry with sauces - Korean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

THE BIG: Yummmmmm, I love bibimbap...try saying that five times fast. Located in the heart of DC, closer to the corner of 15th and K. Small exterior does not do justice as the inside is quite spacious. It even has a tiny outdoor patio, perfect for spring/summer/fall eating. THE BLACK AND WHITE: I fortunately had a free lunch provided by MealPal and chose Ricebar. The automatic bowl was all veggie that included a brown rice base, pickled carrots, cucumbers, kimchi, stir fried eggplant, kale, and bean sprouts. To all of you who need meat in their meals...this provides alot of oomph and a meaty taste to help subside those protein kicks. Service was suprisingly very fast...as it is a fast casual korean restaurant. Craft drinks are located at the beginning of the line. Since I had meal pal, all I had to do was go to the front of the store and pick up my already to go bag. Super convenient! Staff were friendly and efficient. They knew exactly the portions to hand out and if you want a lil extra, don't be afraid to ask. You know the saying, if you don't ask...you'll never know. THE FINAL BAMBOO: It gets super hectic around lunch time. The bibimbap can be as low as $8 but with additional sides and toppings, you can easily spend over $12 on a bowl. You've been warned! read more

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Wow, I loved Rice Bar! Everything about it just screamed urban ingenuity. When you go in, there about a thousand office workers (me included) waiting in line for their food and your first thought is "Well, it's exactly noon on a weekday and I'm gonna be here for hours waiting." Except you're not, because Rice Bar has an area for you to fill out a form detailing your order. It then goes through the line assembly style, like Chipotle but way more efficient and less of you trying to yell your order above other people to the person behind the counter trying to make your food. The whole process takes about 5 minutes, even during the lunch rush, and you don't have to talk to a single person. Somehow, Rice Bar provides plenty of seating and makes it very easy for you to eat your food there comfortably even if it's crazy busy. As for the food, you have a lot of options. You can choose the bibimbap route and get some kind of rice (white, brown, even black rice) or get noodles (ramen, udon, yam??) or even a salad base. You can choose toppings/meats after that and they for sure have everyone's Korean favorites. I had no idea what yam noodles were, but let me tell you, for having nearly no carbs and no calories, they were absolutely amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed my lunch, and it was perfectly filling without being too heavy. I also appreciated that the spicy peanut sauce was actually spicy, not super fiery but just a nice little bite on your tongue. I don't always work out of DC, but I can't wait to come back here next time I visit! read more

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Quick, healthy lunch spot with so many choices! I wish they were open after office hours as well because it's the perfect early dinner option as well. Spicy tofu bibimbap with soba noodles, extra seaweed and peanut sauce is a regular option! read more

I tried to eat it but I gave up. It just tastes bad. The ingredients seemed good. I don't know why it was bad. Service was friendly. Price was friendly. Quantity large. Cafe area quaint. But I didn't enjoy the food at all. Maybe fresh and warm would've been different. Instead of bins of prepared ingredients. Whatever the reason. I threw it away. read more

Rice Bar is a Korean fast casual lunch spot in downtown DC open only during the week day. It's a small place with only a few tables so most people get theirs to go. As you walk in, you'll grab a colored piece of paper (bulgogi, noodles, or gluten free option) and you start to build your order. Don't worry if you can't decide. They have a full menu of their own creations if you don't want to make your own. Once you give them your paper, it only take 45-60 seconds for them to make your lunch. You pay, grab a free mint as you go, and grab a craft soda or a fresh brewed Honest Tea. Don't miss the spicy sauce section as you exit. Enjoy! read more

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I decided to try the Rice Bar today because my tastebuds were screaming for flavor. Like a party in your mouth flavor. So I ran across the Rice Bar on doordash, my current addiction. I looked at the yelp reviews and settled in for my adventure. I decided to design my own bowl. There is nothing like a rice bowl and a taco, Mexican food, my other addition. But anyway, I started with brown rice, soy sauce, bean sprouts, broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, kale, and corn. For protein I added the Kalbi (Korean bbq rib) and the Bulgogi (Thinly sliced ribeye) and they topped it of with some spicy red sauce. LORD HAVE MERCY! Remember that party I wanted to have in my mouth, yes, yes, yes, it was a party of flavor and pure deliciousness. I am so excited about this lunch delivered by dashdoor. I need to take a ride to this place and see the magic happen for myself. FIRSTHAND! To close out this review, I would be just plain wrong not to say that every veggie in that bowl was seasoned. Create texture! The meat was outstanding. The spicy sauce was ah-mazing. And the portion size of each ingredient was just right. Nothing overpowered nothing. They just worked in harmony. Definitely give them a try. Rice Bar, don't cut corners or lower your standards. read more

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I will probably go back to Rice Bar and might change my opinion. This review is for my first visit. Whenever there is a restaurant option with an order sheet, I am all for it. It reduces the communication and language problems, not being able to hear at busy lunch time and having to point to toppings. Here you pick either the bibimbap or noodles sheet and mark everything from the base to the sauces. One caveat is, you don't know what they are out of. In my case, I got in the line thinking I would get beef bulgogi, only to find out at the end that they had run out. I got their chunk beef instead and found it to be quite chewy and nothing special. As far as I can remember, you only get three free toppings, and a few sauces, so not that many unless you pay extra. The base fare is pretty affordable, even with the protein, compared to the prices around. Next time I will try a noodle bowl. read more

Rice Bar - Build your own noodle/salad and bibimbap bowl. - Korean Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia