NOT SAD OFFICE LUNCH - Tsunami (Thai Menu Edition)

Interrupting the regularly scheduled programming of wistful European recaps because I had to make sure that the best Thai curry I've had in DC (yes, really) went down on record in this blog. So without further delay:

Today's NSOL features: 

Tsunami Sushi  & Lounge
1326 14th St NW, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20005
http://www.tsunamisushidc.com/

For one reason or another, the Jenkins-Chan household has been patronizing (read: getting delivery from) Tsunami Sushi in Logan Circle for over a year now. Despite the fact that the sushi itself is pretty mediocre, it's been our go-to for dependable, predictable maki because sometimes a girl just needs some Spider/DC/Lava/Jade/Pearl/Dragon rolls in her life. 

Fortunately, I started hearing whispers down the grape vine that Tsunami had apparently added an authentic (A-word alert) northern Thai menu and after reading Jessica Sidman's surprisingly positive write-up, I decided to check it out for lunch.

I wasn't disappointed. In fact, I would go so far as to describe my feelings about the beef curry noodles (or
guuai dtiiao kehk núua, as pretty mindblowing for a casual Wednesday lunch. 

If you'll excuse the terrible office "flatware", the messy picture above highlights almost all the disparate elements that made the curry ridiculously tasty: super tender cuts of beef,  thin rice noodles, lots of crunchy bean sprouts which soaked up the sauce, chopped up bits of slightly chewy bean curd, FRIED ONIONS and of course, a hard boiled egg. 

The curry sauce itself clearly comes from some incredibly fragrant (and legit) curry paste and is made creamy from (I'm guessing) no nonsense full fat coconut milk of some kind. The entire thing is packed with tons of umami and flavor, without being too salty.

Another plus (or minus, depending on how you talk to), is that the smell of the curry has now permeated the entire office, leading to lots of questions about what I'm eating - and of course, I was happy to point them to Tsunami just down the street.

I can't wait to try the rest of the menu, which I will also do when I'm not wearing white. In summary:

What's the deal: Mediocre Japanese joint "spices" things up (haha) with a new Thai menu
Wallet damage: It's more expensive than your average lunch joint but worth it. Apps are between $5 and $7, entrees like the beef curry will go between $14 and $16.
What to get: The beef curry noodles, obviously, and I suspect most everything else. The khao soi gai seems to be another resounding favorite - wonder whether it'll be as good as Doi Moi's up the street. Don't get anything off the Japanese menu; why would you, when they've added all this good stuff?