
TaKorean
Capital City Market, Washington DC
Restaurant in Washington DC, United States
The Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
TaKorean is a counter-service Korean taco spot in Washington D.C.'s Union Market neighbourhood — an easy, no-reservation lunch stop rather than a destination dinner. The Korean-fusion format works best in the warmer months when lighter toppings shine. Skip it for special occasions; book it when you want a fast, flavour-forward meal at an accessible price.
About TaKorean
Quick Take: TaKorean, Washington D.C.
With limited data in our records, here is what we can say with confidence: TaKorean operates out of 1309 5th St NE in the Union Market neighbourhood of Washington D.C. a stretch that has become one of the city's more interesting corridors for casual, counter-service dining over the past decade. The address alone tells you something useful — this is not a white-tablecloth destination, it is not trying to be.
The Korean taco format TaKorean works with is a genuinely seasonal proposition. The core concept — Korean-marinated proteins folded into tortillas with slaw-style toppings, lends itself to lighter builds in warmer months and heartier, more aggressively seasoned combinations when the weather shifts. If you are visiting in summer, expect the kind of bright, acidic toppings that work outdoors; in cooler months, the gochujang-forward heat comes into its own. That seasonal rhythm is worth thinking about when you time your visit.
The Union Market area is worth understanding before you go. The neighbourhood draws a mix of office workers at lunch, residents in the evenings, visitors who have made their way up from the Capitol Hill corridor. The physical space at this location reads as casual and functional, the kind of counter-service setup where the decision you are making is mostly about what to eat, not where to sit or whether to dress for it. For a special occasion or a business meal, look elsewhere. For a well-priced, fast lunch before or after exploring the Union Market food hall, this is a direct call.
Booking is easy, no reservation required. Walk in, order at the counter, eat. That simplicity is a feature, not a limitation, particularly if you are building a day around the neighbourhood. For more considered dining nearby, the D.C. scene has options at every price point: Oyster Oyster for sustainable New American at $$$, or Albi for Middle Eastern cooking at the $$$$ tier. If you are building a longer itinerary, our full Washington D.C. restaurants guide covers the range from counter-service to tasting menus. You can also explore bars, hotels, wineries, and experiences across the city.
Quick reference: Counter-service Korean tacos in Union Market, D.C. No reservation needed. Casual dress. Suits lunch and a quick dinner, not a special occasion.
The take
The Take
The Vibe
TaKorean leans into the Union Market fabric, treating the industrial shell as a design asset rather than a deficit. Exposed infrastructure, wide-open sight lines and a deliberate lack of decorative softening create a pared-back, minimalist backdrop for energetic counter service. The place feels unapologetically utilitarian: the container is part of the proposition, and the dining experience privileges immediacy over ceremony. Rather than dressing the space up, the restaurant accepts the rawness of its setting, which keeps focus on quick, thoughtfully executed Korean-fusion plates delivered through a streamlined counter flow.
Best For
TaKorean is best for unfussy neighborhood meals where speed and flavor matter more than formal service. The counter format naturally suits solo diners, quick lunch runs and casual after-work stops, and it works well for small groups who want bold flavors without a long sit-down commitment. Because the operation compresses the distance between kitchen and guest, meals feel direct and informal—this is the sort of spot you visit for a focused bowl or a couple of tacos and then move on, rather than for a long, multi-course evening.
Ordering Tips
Ordering at TaKorean follows the counter-service logic: come prepared to make choices at the counter and expect efficient handoff rather than table service. Signature items to look for include the dak galbi tacos, the chicken bulgogi bowl and the tofu bowl—all are suited to the grab-and-go, hands-on rhythm of the place. If you prefer a paced meal, pick a bowl and a taco to share so you can sample textures and sauces; otherwise order what sounds best and eat in the communal flow of the Union Market corridor.
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Oyster Oyster, New American, Vegetarian, Vegetarian (Sustainable), $$$
- Albi, United States, Middle Eastern, $$$$
- Causa, Peruvian, $$$$
- Rooster & Owl, Contemporary, $$$
- Rose’s Luxury, New American, Contemporary, $$$$
Restaurant context
Against D.C.'s wider restaurant field, TaKorean sits firmly at the casual, accessible end of the spectrum, which is not a criticism, it is just a different decision. If your priority is value and speed around Union Market, TaKorean competes on convenience. If you are willing to plan ahead and spend more, the city's mid-tier options offer a meaningfully different experience. Rooster & Owl at $$$ delivers a considered Contemporary tasting format that rewards a longer evening; Oyster Oyster at the same price tier offers one of the city's more compelling vegetable-forward menus with a genuine sustainability story behind it.
For a genuine special occasion, none of TaKorean's direct neighbours in the counter-service category will serve you as well as a reservation at Albi, Causa, or Rose's Luxury, all at $$$$ and all requiring advance planning. Rose's Luxury in particular remains one of the harder reservations in the city and rewards the effort for a celebratory dinner. Causa brings a Peruvian tasting format that has few peers in D.C. at any price point.
The honest comparison: TaKorean is not competing with any of those venues, trying to evaluate it against them misses the point. The real choice is whether the Union Market neighbourhood fits your day. If it does, TaKorean is an easy, low-friction lunch. If you are planning a dedicated dinner out in D.C. and weighing where to spend, redirect your budget to Albi or Rooster & Owl and book a table properly.
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Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full TaKorean guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare TaKorean
| Venue | Price | Booking Difficulty | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| TaKorean | Easy | No published awards | |
| Oyster Oyster | $$$ | Unknown | Washingtonian 100 Very Best Restaurants 2026 · #622026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Highly Recommended2025 Food & Wine Global Tastemakers Top Restaurants · #152025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #251We're Smart World Top Restaurants 20252025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 The Best Chef One Knife2025 Michelin 1 Star2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #203 |
| Albi | $$$$ | Unknown | Washingtonian 100 Very Best Restaurants 2026 · #12026 North America's 50 Best Restaurants · #6RAMMYS 2026 Winners - Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year2025 World's 50 North America's Best Restaurants · #342025 Robb Report 100 Greatest American Restaurants of the 21st Century · #892025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #1302025 Michelin 1 Star2024 James Beard Awards · #12024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #109 |
| Causa | $$$$ | Unknown | Washingtonian 100 Very Best Restaurants 2026 · #162025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #2752025 James Beard Awards2025 Michelin 1 Star2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #2252024 Michelin 1 Star |
| Rooster & Owl | $$$ | Unknown | Washingtonian 100 Very Best Restaurants 2026 · #652026 OAD Casual in North America Recommended2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #7532025 Michelin 1 Star2024 Michelin 1 Star |
| Rose’s Luxury | $$$$ | Unknown | Washingtonian 100 Very Best Restaurants 2026 · #232026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #682025 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #572025 Michelin 1 Star2024 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #562024 Michelin 1 Star2023 OAD Gourmet Casual Dining in North America Ranked · #12023 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Ranked · #74Pearl Recommended Restaurants |
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TaKorean worth the price?
Pricing varies at TaKorean; confirm via check the venue's official channels.
Where is TaKorean located?
TaKorean is located in Washington, D.C. at 1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002.
How can I contact TaKorean?
You can reach TaKorean via check the venue's official channels.





























