Chaplin's

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Chaplin's Washington DC | Michelin-Recommended Japanese Ramen & Cocktails

Chef Myo Htun’s Tokyo Training

At Chaplin’s, the kitchen is led by Chef/Partner Myo Htun, a native of Burma who spent nearly three decades in Tokyo training under a Master Ramen Chef. That depth of experience shows in every bowl. The restaurant describes itself as “scenes from a Japanese table,” and the menu reflects the precision and soul of the ramen-ya tradition.

The Ramen & Mazemen

The menu centers on ramen and mazemen – the “mixed noodles” category that uses a thickened, reduced broth rather than a full soup. The Chaplin ramen features pork belly chashu, a stamina egg, and black sesame paste in a rich tonkotsu broth. The Chaplin A.S.S. (Asian Spicy Sour) brings chicken chashu, lemongrass, coconut milk, and cilantro. For those who prefer broth-less noodles, the Mappo Maze combines ground pork, tofu, and shoyu flavor. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available, including a veggie shio with wakame broth and rice noodles.

Beyond ramen, the kitchen turns out crowd-pleasers like tori karaage, pork gyoza, and chaplin buns – Japanese braised pork in a bao bun. Curry rice bowls, chicken katsu, and cold impressions like the shabu salad round out the menu.

Playful Cocktails

Co-owners Ari and Micah Wilder of Wilder Brothers designed a beverage program that matches Chef Myo’s cooking with equal creativity. House signatures like The Kid (cazadores blanco, grapefruit, aperol) and The Tramp (bulleit bourbon, benedictine, fino sherry) are joined by inventive frozen snow monkeys and a serious selection of Japanese whisky. Happy hour runs daily from 4–7 pm with half-off select drinks.

A Nod to Charlie Chaplin

The restaurant’s name and mood evoke the silent-film era: “where Charlie Chaplin tips his hat, martini in hand, and the spirit of classic showmanship meets the energy of a modern Japanese table.” The space balances entertainment and indulgence, with a bar that stays open late and a menu that rewards exploration. This approach earned Chaplin’s a Michelin Recommended distinction in 2026, a fitting recognition for a kitchen that honors Tokyo tradition in the heart of Washington, DC.