Pumped to tell you guys about one of the BEST happy hours in the DMV. Head to Mandu at 453 K St NW in Washington, DC for daily happy hour from 5-7PM at the bar, and you’ll quickly see why this place’s been a staple of the DC Korean food scene since 2006. I went with my beautiful friend, @urnovafoodie, and we worked our way through the bar menu, and every single thing we ordered was on point.
The Korean fried chicken here’s some of the best I’ve had in the DMV, period. The budae jjigae is exactly the kind of comforting, spicy hit I’d order no matter how hot it is outside. And the yogurt sojutini? A must. Mandu’s been in the Michelin Guide, and once you try the bar menu, it’s easy to see why they’ve built the reputation they have. This one’s a gem, Nomsters.
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What Makes Mandu DC a Standout Korean Bar in Washington, DC
Mandu’s been around since 2006, led by chefs Yesoon Lee and her son Danny Lee. Yesoon Lee and her son Danny Lee lead the kitchen, and the hand-folded mandu dumplings, the restaurant’s namesake, are still made daily in-house. Beyond the bar menu, the main dining room’s got galbi, dolsot bibimbap, pa jeon (seafood scallion pancakes), ddukbokgi, and more.
It’s Korean homestyle cooking done with real love, and it shows. The bar at Mandu serves a totally separate menu from the dining room, with exclusive dishes and late-night availability, which makes it one of the more versatile spots in the city. Whether you’re there for happy hour deals, a full dinner, or a late bite on a Friday night, Mandu’s got something for you.
If you want a full sit-down dinner with a completely different vibe, Fraiche DC in Columbia Heights is putting out upscale Cajun and Caribbean cooking on 14th St NW and it is one of the better date night options in NW right now. And if ramen’s what you’re after, Menya Hosaki in Petworth is a Michelin Bib Gourmand shop that should absolutely be on your DC list.
What to Order at Mandu DC
Korean Fried Chicken (KFC) ($15)
Some of the BEST Korean fried chicken in the DMV. I’m not exaggerating when I say this, and I mean it when I say Mandu’s is up there. They also offer KFC sliders ($15, or $5 each during happy hour) and bulgogi sliders as alternatives if you want something a little more handheld. The sliders are great for sharing if you’re going with a group. If Korean fried chicken’s your thing, I’ve got a full guide to the best Korean fried chicken in the DMV that gives you even more options across Maryland and DC.
Budae Jjigae ($22)
I don’t care how hot it is outside, I will ALWAYS order budae jjigae if I see it on a menu. Mandu’s version’s available on the bar menu and it’s the kind of comforting, spicy, umami-packed stew that earns its spot on any must-order list. If you’re not familiar, budae jjigae translates literally as army base stew. It’s a Korean-American dish born after the Korean War, made with a rich spicy broth, kimchi, gochujang, and classic ingredients like Spam, hot dogs, and instant noodles that were available through American military supply chains. It sounds wild but it tastes incredible, and at $22 it’s one of the more substantial dishes on the bar menu.
Kimchi Quesadilla ($13)
One of my absolute faves on the bar menu. The kimchi quesadilla’s got a nice kick to it that I really love, and it’s def one of the more creative dishes you’ll find on a Korean bar menu in DC. It’s got a nice kick to it that I really love, and the combo of kimchi and cheese just works. Honestly a must-order if you sit at the bar.
Mac N’ Kimcheese ($13)
Perfect for late night, lol. This one’s Shin noodles sauteed with kimchi, cheddar, spiced breadcrumbs, and scallions. Yes, it’s as good as it sounds. The combination of kimchi and cheddar with Shin noodles is SO yum, and yes, it really is as good as it sounds. Bar food is available until 11PM on Fridays and Saturdays if you’re going late.
Mandu Dumplings ($14)
Get an assortment of everything, fried. These are really delicious hand-folded dumplings, and they also offer them frozen to take home so you can cook them yourself, which is honestly a great deal. The dumplings are the restaurant’s namesake, mandu is literally the Korean word for dumpling, and they’re still made in-house daily.
Yogurt Sojutini
On the drink side, the yogurt sojutini’s a must. They also have a matcha version, and both are delicious. During happy hour, sojutinis are $4, which is a steal for a DC bar. They’ve also got $3 craft draft beers and $4 mixed drinks, so there’s plenty to work with even if you’re keeping your budget in check.
What Is Mandu, Exactly?
Good question. Mandu (만두) is the Korean word for dumpling, and the restaurant’s named for its signature hand-folded dumplings, which have been central to Yesoon Lee’s menu since day one. Korean mandu can be steamed, boiled, pan-fried, or deep-fried, and they come in all kinds of fillings: pork, kimchi, tofu, beef, and more. At Mandu DC, the bar menu version’s served fried and assorted, which gives you a little of everything. The restaurant’s been known for their mandu since opening in 2006, and the fact that they’re still hand-folding them in-house daily is part of what makes them stand out from the places that have gone pre-made.
If you’re on a DC dumpling crawl, Dumplings and Beyond in Glover Park belongs on the list too, pan-fried and soup dumplings done really well on the other side of the city.
The Vibe and Experience at Mandu DC
Mandu’s warm, lively, and unpretentious. The bar area’s great for groups or dates, and the happy hour vibe is lively and welcoming. They’ve got an outdoor patio that’s first come, first served and weather-dependent, so factor that in if you’re planning on an outdoor spot. The dining room takes reservations via Resy and they’re encouraged for dinner service. The bar is a little more walk-in friendly, especially for happy hour. The space’s got a comfortable neighborhood feel despite being in the heart of DC’s Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 453 K St NW, Washington, DC 20001
- Happy hour: Daily 5-7PM, bar only; drinks from $3-4; bar food til 11PM on Fri-Sat
- Dining hours: Sun-Thu 5-9PM, Fri-Sat 5-9:30PM
- Bar hours: Sun-Wed 5-9PM, Thu 5-10PM, Fri-Sat 5-11PM
- Reservations: Via Resy for the dining room; walk-ins welcome at the bar
- Parking: Street parking in the surrounding area; nearest garage is City Vista Safeway (Colonial Parking, 440 L St NW, roughly $9/hr). Metro is easier: Mt Vernon Sq/7th St or Gallery Place Chinatown
- Outdoor seating: Patio available (first come, first served, weather permitting)
- Website: mandudc.com
- Frozen mandu: Available to purchase and take home
- Good for: Happy hour, date night, late-night bar food (F-Sa until 11PM)
The Korean fried chicken and the budae jjigae alone are worth the trip, and with sojutinis going for $4 during HH, you can have a really solid night out without breaking the bank. Mandu’s been a DC institution for nearly 20 years and the bar menu proves they haven’t lost a step. Whether you’re bringing a date, a friend group, or going solo at the bar, this one’s a solid call any day of the week. Have you guys been to Mandu DC yet? Let me know what you order in the comments!
A huge thanks to @urnovafoodie for being my date and to the Mandu team for always putting out such consistently great food. If you’re in DC and you haven’t been yet, put this one on your list, Nomsters. And don’t forget to check their happy hour hours before you go since specials can change.