Reviewing Rasa: A perfect introduction to fast-casual Indian cuisine in Washington DC.

It’s no secret that fast-casual food is a staple of the Washington D.C. area, and local restaurant, Rasa Grill, introduces a mouthwatering Indian twist to the classic “build your own bowl” lunch spot. I visited the brand-new Crystal City location of Rasa and was so excited to try this D.C. hotspot’s Virginia location. Rasa’s founders, Rahul Vinod and Sahil Rahman aim to bring Indian food to the DMV in an accessible and fun way. As you walk down the sidewalk, the establishment’s bright green floor-to-ceiling door and trendy, a colorful sign catches your attention immediately. Once the vibrant storefront draws you in, the warm interior welcomes you with modern seating, dreamy hanging accent chairs, beautiful bronze pendant lighting, and whimsical decor hinting at the restaurant’s Indian roots. 

As you approach the assembly line-style food counter, the bright theme continues with colorful Le Creuset Dutch ovens filled with aromatics made from scratch ingredients. From here, you have the choice to create your own bowl or opt for one of the pre-selected menu items. Since it was my first time visiting, I chose to go with one of the suggested combinations: the “Tiki Chance On Me” bowl. This dish contained chicken tikka, tomato garlic sauce, basmati rice, sauteed spinach, pickled radish, kachumber, pickled onions, toasted cumin yogurt, and mint cilantro chutney. I loved this meal. It was spiced exactly right, and everything was so flavorful. Each ingredient stood well on its own as well as paired with the other items in the bowl. The portions were also quite generous; I even had leftovers to enjoy the following day. One of my friends built their own bowl, while another ordered the “Goa Your Own Way,” which included spiced beef, coconut ginger sauce, basmati rice, tossed green beans, pickled onions, mint cilantro chutney, and roasted lentils. Priced between $10.75 and $13.00, their price point sits solidly at their competitors’ rates, but with more unique and premium food choices! 

To go with my meal, I selected the tamarind margarita after discussing the drink options with the staff. They were extremely kind and explained the different on-draft cocktails that they serve. Considering the sweet and sour tamarind flavor and the lime garnish, it was a very tasty cocktail. My friend ordered a Kingfisher beer, which is a brand brewed in India. He thought it paired nicely with his bowl. 

Overall, Rasa was a great fast-casual food experience. If you’re newer to Indian cuisine, this would be a wonderful place to start. I would highly recommend this spot for lunch or dinner with friends or coworkers. While the restaurant’s interior design is super appealing, Rasa is also a fantastic place to grab food to go even if you don’t have time to sit and appreciate the decor. I’ll be trying out the two D.C. proper locations the next time I’m in those neighborhoods. I urge you to check out one of Rasa’s three locations; you won’t be disappointed with the high-quality food at a low price point.