A Second Look: Ipoh

Roti canai is sooo good, and everyone I know likes it. Can it be so hard? Why aren't there roti canai vendors on every street corner? A big pot of chicken curry, and whatever they use to cook that crispy, flaky, chewy pancake. Food cart entrepreneurs take note!

Until someone implements my fantastic business ideas, Ipoh does as fine a roti canai as you'll find anywhere in DC. It's only a tad spicy, too much so for A-lo's delicate innards, but nothing your average curry-friendly fellow can't handle. With excellent green curry and pad thai, and some easily avoidable misses like the mango chicken (life tip: in the daring game of pan-asian menu navigation, "mango" is always a minus, and "crispy" a massive plus), Ipoh should be dominating the Woodley Park asian delivery scene. If they do a good General Tso's, I can finally say a sweet goodbye to Mr. Chen's.

Rating: 3 stars
Recommended: Roti canai, green curry, pad thai


Ipoh Asian Cuisine

2625 Connecticut Avenue NW, 2nd FL

Washington, DC 20008

Get Directions

(202) 332-3636

• Yelp

Tasty Bite: Ipoh - Superb Asian Delivery Finally?

One of the few negative aspects of living in Adams Morgan/Woodley/Dupont Circle is the lack of a reliable and worthy Asian delivery option.

Ipoh Asian Cuisine opened in the last few months in Woodley Park, and it promises to end our gastro curse. It's one of those nondescript Pan Asian restaurants that cooks everything from pad thai to lo mein to sushi. Normally, I would avoid such a place. The range of cuisines, while convenient, means the kitchen doesn't turn out anything memorable (see Banana Leaf in Dupont). But all these other offerings are mere distractions from the star attraction: Malaysian food. Apparently Ipoh is a city in Malaysia, and if there is one Maylaysian dish that can draw me in, it is the heaven sent, Roti Canai!

Roti Canai is a flakey, slightly greasy pancake, usually accompanied by a small side of chicken curry liquid for dripping. You just rip the roti apart, dip the buttery crispy chunks in the mildly spicy chicken curry sauce, and chomp away. It's a fantastic appetizer or light meal, and I'm happy to report that Ipoh's version is excellent. I'll admit that I'm no expert on Maylasian food, but Ipoh's rendition is the best that I've ever had. And best of all, they offer free delivery.

I haven't tried any of their other dishes, but I will definitely be rushing back, so keep an eye out for a review in the future.

Rating: n/a
Recommended: Roti Canai


Ipoh Asian Cuisine

2625 Connecticut Avenue NW, 2nd FL

Washington, DC 20008

Get Directions

(202) 332-3636

• Yelp

Corn fungus...it's what's for dinner. (Super Tacos)

Sir Noshalot Says:
At least it should be if you find yourself in Adams Morgan, near Super Tacos and Bakery, née Pepito's II. Black and slimy generally goes on my "do not eat" list, but huitlacoche is an exception, an earthy, savory Mexican delicacy. The name's Aztec for "raven shit," but don't let that deter you; near as I can tell, it refers to the shit-eating grin you'll have as you savor each bite. It's packed into Super's quesadilla Mexicana along with sweet corn, oozing queso fresco, and a tangy green salsa. The masa wrapper can be a little too tough, but this is a minor annoyance compared to the luscious mess within.

Rating: 4 out of 4 blight-ridden kernels
Recommended: quesadilla Mexicana, carnitas taco


According to A-lo:
Once upon a time, Pepitos II was my reliable go-to shack for cheap Mexican fare in Adams Morgan. A name change to Super Tacos seems to have wrought more than just superficial evolution. I'm not sure if the joint is under new ownership, but the consistency of the food has unfortunately become suspect. However, that's not to say that you can't get some very satisfying Mexican food here, but be warned that results may vary.

My favorite item used to be the carnitas tacos, which were crispy, juicy, and flavorful. The carnitas tacos are still very good, but they're now a bit too dense and lack that magical crispyness that previously elevated them to one of my favorite foods in the city. The tacos are still better, in my opinion, than those found at Taqueria Distrito Federal in Columbia Heights, which are slightly overrated.

As Sir Noshalot describes, the Quesadillas Mexicans are indeed worthy of purchasing, although I'm less smitten with the huitlacoche—it's different and tasty but needs some more punch. I'm more partial to the gorditas which are perfectly fried with a remarkably flavorful meat filling.

Overall, Super Tacos is still the place for fast, tasty, and cheap Mexican in the city. It's located in Adams Morgan, so you can't ask for a more convenient location. Just be sure to load up on the free sauces, and if you have a bad experience, don't be discouraged from trying the same dish again. I'll be sure to report back in case they regain their previously stellar touch.

Rating: 3 stars
Recommended: Carnitas tacos, gorditas, Quesadillas Mexicanas


Super Tacos and Bakery
1762 Columbia Rd. NW
Washington, DC 20009
202-232-7121 (they deliver!)

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