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Shouk

Took a while to get to this Vegan Middle Eastern Street Food location.  It is, in a word, striking.  You are hit with a rich smell of spices as soon as you enter, followed by the impact of a funky design -- concrete floors and distressed wood -- followed by the sound of bouncy Middle Eastern music.  Much like the statement on the wall (pictured) this is a place designed to assault the senses.  The food ain't bad either.  It is one of those restaurants where you pick a base then a topping (don't be fooled by the "burger" listings, there is no meat here) along with sauces and/or sides.  Faced with too many choices I had too much (again).  I got a rice and lentil bowl with the Shouk burger and a side of Falafel (I kinda sorta love Falafel).  The dish I received was replete with a wide variety of flavors and textures.  I took small bites and time to savor it.  There was the crunchiness of the burger, the sweetness of tomato, pickled turnip and charred onion, the soft spongy texture of the eggplant, the snap of the arugula.  The underlying rice and lentils were fairly bland in comparison but given the other flavors anything else would have competed.  The dish was topped with the house Tahina (not sure why it is Tahina and not Tahini?) with a Harissa on the side.  DO get the Harissa on the side.  I made the mistake of not having kleenex on me and my nose was running as soon as I started in on it.  The Tahina, also accompanying the delightful Falafel (crunchy on the outside, smooth and gently seasoned on the inside without being at all greasy) was also a treasure -- silky and rich in flavor.  The secret is clearly out as the place was packed and I ended up squeezing into a single open seat on on one of their small community tables (complete with board games!)  The customers were a real cross-section of local families and working types.  Credit to the kitchen staff who kept the orders moving despite the crowds.  Bottom line:  Will absolutely return, as I need to sample the other menu options.  Maybe take-out so I can split the food across two meals though.  I left "very" stuffed. 

Counter Service Vegan Middle Eastern Street Food
655 K St, NW and Union Market
https://www.shouk.com/

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