By Ellie Meyerstein, VRG Intern
I recently had the opportunity to try the food at Shouk, a Middle-Eastern vegan restaurant with locations in Rockville, MD and Washington, DC. Shouk’s mission is to create delicious, flavorful food, made from plants without anything ultra-processed. The restaurant was fast-casual style, with seating both indoors and outdoors. You order at the counter and pick up your food when it’s ready. Though it was a little busy when we went, our food was ready very quickly. I tried the mushroom shawarma, which was warm, delicious, and very flavorful. I especially enjoyed the tangy cucumber and onion salad on top. My coworker chose to build her own bowl, with the mushroom shawarma, lentils, chickpeas, and peppers. She was pleasantly surprised by the mushroom shawarma. Despite usually disliking mushrooms, the way they were seasoned and cooked was very tasty. If you’re not vegan or don’t love mushrooms, I would still recommend trying their falafel or pita and hummus. You can also customize your meal however you like with the “build your own bowl” option. Overall, we had a great time at Shouk, with the flavorful food and chill atmosphere. I would highly recommend trying it out if you’re a fan of Middle-Eastern cuisine.
Shouk also offers catering services and take-out options for those not wanting to dine in the restaurant. To find more information, visit their website! And if you’re interested in finding more vegan restaurants, check out VRG’s restaurant guide.