In the hustle of Downtown D.C., an Asian-inspired, fast-casual spot offers quick, all-vegan meals tailored for people on the go.
Located in Franklin Square, Pow Pow is primely situated within one of D.C.’s busiest neighborhoods, offering many wayfaring professionals a healthy, quick-fix at mealtimes. Pow Pow first opened its doors on the H Street Northeast Corridor in 2016, and made a name for itself blending East Asian cuisines with a rapid-fire business model and an entirely plant-based selection.
The restaurant added a Franklin Square location in 2023, now open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The establishment is one block away from McPherson Station and only two Metro stops from campus. Notable D.C. offices, like the Washington Post, and tourist spots, like the National Museum of Women in the Arts, surround the restaurant. But when I visited at 2 p.m. on a Monday, I was surprised to find virtually no line and a short wait.
From the restaurant’s abundant tiger imagery to its stimulating funk playlist, the eatery tapped into the explosiveness and power of its feline logo in its decorations and atmosphere. But these characteristics are also pleasantly contrasted with copious plants, visually soothing geometric designs and red dragon figurines. Complete with bright neon signs, the spot’s ambience was reminiscent of a busy Asian street vendor full of activity, complemented by tranquil scenes of nature.
There was an option to order electronically, but I strolled up to the register to throw in a bottled water with my order as it could not be ordered at the kiosk. In a refrigerator next to the register, colorful drinks ranging from San Pellegrino sparkling water to Wild Bay kombucha were artfully displayed. I was also happy to find a couple of maneki-neko cat figurines next to the drinks greeting me as I passed.
As I perused their menu, I noticed Chinese, Japanese and Korean American favorites that twisted together Asian fusion and classic American flavors, like their Buffalo Chick’n Egg Roll ($11), the Mom’s Style fried rice ($16) that features cilantro, curry and sriracha sauce and the K-Town BBQ ($12) salad with black beans, tomato and pineapple kimchi alongside Korean barbecued plant-based chicken.
With an empty stomach and a tiger-sized appetite, I looked through their fried rice and noodle list as a meal spotlighting peanut butter caught my eye. Drawn to the menu item, I instantly ordered Peanut Butter Chili Chow Mein ($20) that comes with plant-based steak, vegetables and chow mein noodles stir-fried in peanut butter and black bean chili sauce. After a roughly 5-minute wait, a server handed me a small bowl struggling to hold a hefty pile of noodles with plant-based steak, peanuts and bean sprouts stacked high on top.
Mesmerized by the wall’s artwork and panoramic view of the Washington Post office building, I grabbed my chopsticks and sat in the center of the room to take in the sight.
Stools lined up at a bar attached to the wall faced the street — and booths, tables and chairs were scattered throughout the middle of the space. Wooden light fixtures hung from the ceiling and plenty of natural light flooded through the floor-to-ceiling windows at the front of the restaurant. As I waited, I saw office workers come in and out in a flash to grab their mobile orders and timid interns fumble their way through complex group orders.
The bulk of Pow Pow’s Chow Mein’s flavor profile came from the savory, unbelievably realistic plant-based steak nuggets and chili-dusted peanuts.
The peanut butter cooked into the steak and drizzled atop added a sweetness to the savory dish, and a light spiciness came from the chili sauce mixed into the steak and noodles. It was an unexpected but pleasant discovery to find usually savory and salty peanut butter acting as the dish’s sweetening agent.
Fresh vegetables like green onions, broccoli, red peppers and sprouts balanced the heavy bowl with light, crunchy freshness.
The meal encapsulated the explosive vibe of the restaurant — it was quick, effective and each bite was packed with booming savory richness.
From the flurry of mobile orders flying off the shelves to the distracted office workers tapping out their order amid loud business calls, my trip to Franklin Square reminded me that D.C. truly is a city on the move and that establishments like Pow Pow play a role in keeping its stomachs filled.
