DAIKAYA

"Since opening in 2013, Daikaya has remained a standard setter for ramen lovers in D.C. The fast-paced shop on the first floor doles out traditional broths with salty shio, shoyu (dark soy sauce), and white miso bases (add pork to the vegan ramen for a sacrilicious option). The company has its own special noodle recipe courtesy of their distributor in Japan." - Missy Frederick, Eater Staff

"Pop culture icons Hello Kitty and Godzilla are both celebrating big birthdays this year, and Tonari and Daikaya Izikaya are throwing a party to celebrate. The milestone menus run through November 3, and include kitschy items like a Fiery Alligator Bolognese, a chocolate chip cookie and strawberry milk dessert, a fiery hot honey pepperoni pie, and a Snickers gelato affogato. Fun drinks include the gin-based Kitty King and the Hello Kitty. Tattoo artist Jesse Mine will also be onsite for flash tattoos throughout the weekend." - Emily Venezky

"Daikaya in Chinatown rolls out deals one hour before closing. That means you can get a Toki HighBall, or an Old Fashioned, or a Dark Manhattan for $10 each. Ice cold Kirin Ichiban beers and IPAs are $6. The drink specials, which start at 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday night and an hour earlier on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, make a perfect pairing to savory rice balls and grilled skewers." - Claudia Rosenbaum, Tierney Plumb, Vinciane Ngomsi

"This Japanese comfort food restaurant is mindful of the rising costs of goods and utilizes every piece of produce. Nalee Kim, the beverage director at Daikaya Group, says a house made ginger beer sends leftover ginger pulp back to the kitchen to be used in dishes or as a base for a ginger soy. That ginger beer is in the Big Kitty drink, a wine mixture topped with a lemon twist." - Claudia Rosenbaum

"Izakaya means “stay-drink-place,” and that’s exactly what you’ll want to do at this small plates Japanese restaurant. Unlike other places on this list, don’t expect live entertainment, but do expect a surprisingly awesome ‘80s world disco soundtrack, fantastic hibiscus-mandarin drinks, and immaculate dishes like smokily charred chicken wing skewers and homestyle wagyu curry. The fun here sneaks up on you. You might come in thinking you’re just pre-gaming for whatever’s happening at Capital One Arena across the street, but by the time the game starts, you’re three cherry mandarin mules deep and too happily skewered out to care." - tristiana hinton, omnia saed