CHIKO

About time I review CHIKO. They recently reopened Barracks Row location for inside dining, and I’m thrilled. I’ve been coming here pretty regularly since they opened back in 2017, and it’s definitely one of my favorite spots in DC. My favorite dishes are the brisket and confit duck fried rice, but everything on the menu is fantastic. If you see something new and you will, give it a shot because they definitely put a lot of creative energy and care into their dishes. Oh yeah, and their take out bags are adorbs.

"Chi Ko, nestled in the bustling heart of Capitol Hill DC, presents an extraordinary culinary journey where Chinese and Korean cuisines harmoniously meld. Each dish we sampled was a testament to the chef's prowess in fusion cooking, beginning with the Duck Fried Rice. This dish was a delightful symphony of flavors, perfectly cooked rice intermingling with succulent duck pieces, offering a satisfying texture and rich taste. The Orange Chicken was another standout, transcending the usual fare with its tangy and sweet glaze, which enhanced rather than overpowered the tender chicken. It was a fresh take on a classic, elevating it with a sophisticated balance of flavors. Equally impressive was the Lamb Stir Fry. The lamb was cooked to perfection - tender, juicy, and infused with a blend of spices that paid homage to both Chinese and Korean culinary traditions. This dish was a vibrant mix of tastes and textures, leaving an unforgettable impression. The Kimchi, a Korean staple, was exquisitely prepared. Its perfect blend of spice and fermentation added a delightful kick to the meal, showcasing the authenticity of their Korean dishes. Finally, the Smashed Salmon was a revelation. The salmon was flawlessly cooked, flaky and moist mixed with veggies. It was an innovative dish that encapsulated the essence of Chi Ko's fusion concept.

CHIKO is a neighborhood favorite - they just reopened recently for indoor dining. The pork kimchi dumplings and cumin lamb stir fry are in the regular rotation. While this is not quite the same level of authenticity as a mom and pops Asian restaurant with a lazy susan, I think the food does a good representation and pays homage to familiar flavors.

We did the $50/person chef's counter to celebrate a birthday and it was hands down the best meal I've had in DC in 2019. The service is welcoming and attentive - always willing and able to give context and detail to what each dish is and how it fits into the overall experience. We had the pleasure of having the royal menu and I still dream about the duck taco a month later. Split their sake or the beer and you won't be disappointed. They serve food until 11pm at night 12 on the weekends which is a rare find in DC.

Pretty delicious food!! The place was a little small for seating area, but the food came out hot and ready. Everyone was super nice and helpful. Me and my friends, did a family style meal and tried a lil bit of a few things on the menu. No regrets!! Plus this place is right off the metro too

What's good? The Crispy Chicken Spring Rolls were the best, addictive. The Rib Eye & Rice Cakes was extremely good. The House Fried Rice was tasty with a nice spicy kick. The Garlic Shrimp Dumplings were delicious. The Double-Fried Chicken Wings dry spice were crunchy good but small for the price.

This is for IEggYou not Chiko menu Very classic breakfast sandwich. I got the one with bacon. Not many places in eastern market you can get breakfast for under $10, and the yolk was runny which I love. I ordered ahead was ready in less than the time they suggested.

Considering the prices and the fact that this is an order at the counter restaurant, I'd say this place is super overrated. For example their WAGSHAL’S CHOPPED BRISKET did not taste fresh and to be honest tasted like those corned beef brisket that you buy at any grocery store. There are better places in the area that offer better dishes for same value

This is a small Chinese+Korean fusion restaurant. It has 8 tables and u might have to share a table with other people if you don’t have a big group less than 4. Coming to the food, chicken wings are a must here they were tender and the sauce on the top adds another dimension to it don’t forget to tell them to add the sauce on top. The chopped Brisket was great, it was smoky and smooth. The orange chicken is not like the regular ones you gettoo sweet and thick sauce, here the chicken had a crisp and light layer on top with some greens and had a nice flavor. My friend ordered the full Monty which are 6 different kind of sides all of them are good. If you are a group of four you can share it and they are a nice pairing to the meat dishes. Overall it’s a must try place and the chicken wings are worth going again and again.

Wow. C.H.I.K.O. If I was being unfair I'd say this is be best restaurant I've been to. This is my new favorite restaurant. Korean food is very popular but many people still haven't all of their dishes. Chinese food is a miss miss hit. Yes I said miss miss hit. Amazing Chinese food is hard to come by. There are maybe 2 in all of DC that I say are cream of the crop. DC being the melting pot that it is has ultimately created this restaurant. I typically am not a fan of fusion. I always feel like fusion restaurants don't dive the really strong and fragrant flavors that make a dish. I usually experience toned downed versions of my favorite dishes. This isn't the case with Chiko... Let's start with customer service. Victoria knows the menu inside out. She can literally describe the flavors and how they are going to burst in your mouth. Just tell her what you're in the mood for and I'm sure she will satisfy your palette. Food isn't all about flavors. It's about balance of textures, aromas, flavors, presentations which fuels the whole experience. The restaurant is medium sized leaning more towards the small side. I personally love the industrial metal. It gives me a feeling that my food is being crafted by the Iron Chefs. It's also very upbeat and modern feeling. Hipsters you'll feel right at home. My favorite dish was the cumin lamb stir fry. It is spicy but to the perfect level. It gets really hot but never to the point where it's unbearable. The flavors are bold and strong. The lamb is so tender and soft. I personally love eating fat so when I got a hold of some small pieces of fat I was in heaven . The noodles had an amazing bite. They were thick enough to hold the sauce and move it around the dish. The scallions and mushrooms added earthy and fresh flavors. You just cannot go wrong with this dish. I'm going to move right into the clams. The Chinese love they're seafood. Black bean sauce clams are a very popular dish that are a miss miss hit for me. The clams here are... just to die for. They are bold in flavor. You get some hints of soy and spice from the chili . Don't worry there is no brine flavor anywhere. The clams body held the sauce well creating the perfect bite of explosive flavors. I could order 4 of these. I think I'm going to stop right here. I had many other dishes. I don't want to drag this review. This place has mastered the art of creating an unforgettable dining experience. If you're a fan of Chinese and Korean food you will not be disappointed. They have harnessed flavors from both worlds and married them together in harmony. I will be visiting again. I'm ordering the entire menu this time. Update... Okay...orangish Chicken... is actually my favorite dish here I'm biased towards Fried Chicken. The batter was light and CRISPY. You can taste a hint of orange but it's not overpowering or obnoxious like you normally get with overly sauced versions. The sweetness actually comes from sauce that's on the side and garnish that's sprinkled all over the deconstructed chicken dish. The dish is prepared with dark meat. The chicken was just moist and utterly delicious.