Oodles Noodles / Nooshi

The 19th St location has the same Oodles Noodles menu as Bethesda used to have, now with sushi. For a recent lunch I had cucumber roll and Burmese ginger salad. Both were good, but the salad suffered from using pickled ginger rather than fresh. Still, it was light and refreshing. The Thai iced tea was good, too. Summary: still a good bet for a tasty nosh.

from 11/04: The Bethesda location has closed, replaced by a New Orleans type joint.

from 1/22/04: Not as good as in its heyday, but still a tasty nosh.

Don’t try and tell me they have something other than noodle soups here- I won’t believe you. You can order what you want, but for me, oodles=comfort, and comfort=soup. Mmmm, warm spicy noodly soup. And tea! Service is much better at the DC location than at the Bethesda oodles, and DC doesn’t have the unfortunate ’raising well-behaved children is so one hundred years ago’ clientele problem. Actually, we’ve pretty much decided Bethesda is only good for carryout, as the abysmal service and the loud children make it an intolerable dining experience. Pity, really.

Last years’ redecoration of the Dupont oodles has brought it to be more in line with Spices in Cleveland Park, also under the same management. Expanded with a sushi bar, they have a daily sushi happy hour [$20 all-you-can eat] that is somewhat unfortunately named “Funky Sushi”. They mean funky-cool. The sushi is acceptable- I’ve always enjoyed it, but sometimes the rolls are more substantial than others. I tend to get a spicy roll as an appetizer. The service is usually excellent, the decor is pleasant, and even better- they’re open all day. Nothing like realizing that one has forgotten to eat lunch at 2:30pm, just when most joints are closing. Ooodles to the rescue!

Noodle soup? This is the place. The menu is nonspecifically Asian, but in a way that is just tasty, not pretentious or inauthentic. The core of the menu are their noodle soups with chicken or seafood, prepared exactly as they should be. They’re filling, flavorful, and rarely disappointing. Other food is available, but the strength is in the noodle soups.

The DC location was recently redecorated with a sleek new décor, a sushi bar, an expanded cocktail bar, and a simplified menu. This makes it an excellent alternative to the anemic DC Raku.