By Aaron Nair
Summer 2013
With a multitude of nationalities and ethnicities represented, it isn’t surprising to find that Washington is one of the most diverse American cities, if not the most. This diversity is best represented in none other than the city’s culinary scene.
When you have dining options ranging from Ethiopian to Uruguayan, you have yourself a gastronomic version of the UN (sans the spineless bureaucracy and acrimonious exchanges, of course). As for me, a lifelong advocate of multiculturalism (you can call me a product of my “Chindian” upbringing), such a plethora of cuisines is definitely a check on my scorecard. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that the great city of Washington, DC is my favorite place to eat in Washington, DC.
I’ve tried American, Brazilian, Cajun, Peruvian, Uruguayan, Szechuan, Indian, Malaysian (of course), Ethiopian, Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese food with some memorable highlights:
– Peking Gourmet Inn in Baileys Crossroads, VA: This place is known for Peking Duck, a timeless Chinese classic of roasted duck with scallions and hoisin sauce in small pancakes. The restaurant has also played host to various luminaries, including President Bush and John Travolta.
– Penang in Bethesda, MD: As a Malaysian, it would be remiss of me to give this a miss. Highlights at this restaurant are the beef and chicken satay, beef rendang and pulut hitam, a sweet porridge of black glutinous rice with coconut milk.
– Meskerem in Adams Morgan: This was my launch pad into Ethiopian cuisine, which has become a mainstay in the Washington dining scene due to the influx of Ethiopians in the DMV area. A memorable dish that I tried was kitfo, a dish of minced steak tartare marinated in spices and butter on injera, a type of flatbread.
– Ben’s Chili Bowl on U Street: More than just a mere fad, the half-smokes at Ben’s are top-notch. I’ve brought several visiting friends there to try it out, with rave reviews coming from them.
In a nutshell, my culinary experience in DC has been a rewarding one. I have broadened my horizons by learning a little about each country through its food and culture, one ethnic restaurant at a time. Bon appétit!
Aaron is a senior at BU School of Management. He is interning at the Federation of American Scientists.
