International Flavor
You'll find a veritable United Nations of restaurants in Penn Quarter. There are plenty of familiar chains, but if you're willing to experiment a little, your taste buds will never be the same.

Many of the area's authentic Chinese restaurants are being squeezed out by development, but thankfully Chinatown Express still survives. Order the fresh noodles stir-fried or as a meal-in-a-bowl soup (both $5.50). For upscale contemporary Asian cuisine, you can't beat Ten Penh, located at 10th and Pennsylvania.

above: Though the number of Chinese businesses is declining, the Chinatown Friendship Arch in Penn Quarter remains a D.C. landmark.