The Red Boat Asian Fusion

Loved the Pho! The iced coffee was especially good, sweet and bitter and very flavorful. I'll be coming back just for the coffee!

Great addition to the neighborhood! Finally a good place to have a tasty bowl of pho. Plus they have Vietnamese iced coffee and Thai iced tea (and you can get boba in them!)

There's a lot in a sign and Red Boat Asian Fusion's sign is a little too bright to scream "good food." Or at least I thought. I went in a critic and walked out a fan. Here's why:

1) Food: I ordered three things with a friend- K-town hot dog, Saigon hot dog, and the kimchi fries. Both hot dogs were delicious. They take bold flavors and put them on a thick hot dog. It works. The kimchi fries were just okay.

2) Location: It's on the west end of H Street NE near the Whole Foods, a part of H Street with more fast casual restaurants. It's easy to get to from Union Station if you're using the Metro.

Space: Since most people seemed to get their food to go, there were plenty of open tables. They have high tables, low tables, and window seating. Each table has a few sauces on it including sriracha sauce.

A few things they can improve upon:

1) Service: They are new to the city of DC, but not new to the world. They have locations in Baltimore, other parts of Maryland, and even Florida. Despite that, it had the feel of a new restaurant very much working out the kinks. The staff seemed stressed and service was slow. We had to ask several times for the water jug to be refilled.

2) Payment: They have a $10 minimum for credit cards, but their hot dogs only come to $7.40. They don't have enough sides to cover the difference leaving people to pay with someone as the only logical approach to a weird credit card limit.

All in all I was surprised by Red Boat Asian Fusion. I don't see them lasting for more than 2 years, but for now I will return for a K-town hot dog craving.

If they're out of the veggie broth when you arrive try the Tom Yum broth!!! It's only a touch spicy and very bright and yummy! Delicious rolls and peanut sauce. I'm so glad this is on my block now!!!

Tried Red Boat today, opening day, and it was delicious! The fresh spring rolls were perfect and the peanut dipping sauce is everything. The steam bun was huge and filling on it's own, but I was a glutton and got the pho too. Beef broth was savory, brisket was tender, and the veggies were plentiful. Will definitely be back.