Rice with Butter and Soy Sauce and National Building Museum

A recipe for Rice with Butter and Soy Sauce inspired by our visit to the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. Freshly steamed rice is paired with butter and a drizzle of soy sauce.

National Building Museum

The National Building Museum is located in Washington, D.C. on 401 F Street NW (accessibility entrances at G Street and 4th Street).

At the time of this updated post (2023) the hours are 10-4 Thursday-Monday (except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day).

These photos are a mixture of our visits in 2016-2018 and 2023.

Parking near the museum can be difficult. There is very occasionally street parking and a few nearby garages.

We usually take the metro to the Judiciary Square Station (red line). The entrance is directly across the street from the museum.

It is housed in the former Pension Bureau building, originally constructed between 1882 and 1887.

One of the most notable parts of the building is the gorgeous interior of the Great Hall with its 75-foot tall Corinthian columns.

The building was in danger of being demolished before becoming listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969.

In 1985, the museum moved in after a careful restoration with its inaugural exhibit, Anatomy of a Bridge: Seven Steps in Constructing the Brooklyn Bridge. It was officially named the National Building Museum in 1997.

Functions and special events occur often so be sure to check the calendar before planning your trip.

Throughout the year, you will find Discover Engineering Family Days, Yoga in the Great Hall, Film Programs, Flying in the Great Hall, Teen Workshops, Story Times, Family Afternoons, and more.

Play Work Build

We usually spend the most time in Play Work Build. Located on the second floor, this is definitely the busiest area of the museum- particularly in the mornings.

This exhibit features the connections between toys and the work of building professionals through play.

There is a floor in the middle of the room filled with large blue foam blocks along with tables set up for more intricate work with smaller foam pieces.

House & Home

Photography is not allowed inside House & Home, but this ongoing exhibit brings together photographs, objects, models, and films from the past and present to focus on the American home.

The kids especially loved looking through the hundreds of household goods on display and the models of different building styles.

Brick City

Brick City is the newest addition to the museum and currently on view until Spring 2025.

This temporary exhibit of highlights the work of U.K.-based artist Warren Elsmore with carefully reconstructed architecture from around the world using Lego bricks.

There is even an interactive area to build your own creations over a map of Washington, D.C.

Overall, we always have a wonderful experience at the National Building Museum and usually spend around 2-3 hours here.

The play areas are especially perfect for toddlers and younger elementary-aged children.

Saku Saku Flakerie

Saku Saku Flakerie is a newer addition to the museum on the first floor. I also love their location near Smithsonian’s National Zoo.

They have a variety of Japanese-French inspired pastries, coffee, and tea. There are a few tables just outside the shop. I enjoyed the Matcha White Chocolate Cookie.

Bantam King

In addition to Saku Saku Flakerie, the National Building Museum is surrounded by a few great restaurants. A personal favorite is Bantam King located directly across the street on the corner of G Street NW and 5th Street SW.

Bantam King is open daily for lunch/dinner with indoor and patio seating plus carry out/delivery. The menu features a variety of ramen, fried chicken, sides, drinks, and desserts.

Our go-tos include the Shoyu or Miso Ramen, Rice with Chicken Drippings, Gyoza (steamed chicken dumplings with chili oil, sesame seeds, and cilantro), Fried Chicken Plate, and the Suga Suga Donut (Hokkaido flour donut with sugar and kinako coating).

Love on the Run

During our latest visit, we stopped by Love, Makoto’s newly opened Love on the Run. Love, Makoto is just down the road at 200 Massachusetts Avenue NW Suite 150 and their fast casual Love on the Run was such a fun lunch before our museum visit.

This small food hall is open daily with Japanese inspired salads, sushi rolls, ramen, sandwiches, donuts, soft serve, coffee, tea, and other drinks. Ordering is via kiosks in the center of the room or online through their website with counter and table seating or take out.

I didn’t get a photo because she grabbed it off the tray immediately, but Claire was excited to see Melon Ramune on the menu. She fell in love with the drink while in Tokyo.

We also enjoyed the Shrimp Tempura Sushi Roll (asparagus, avocado shio kombu, shiso, eel sauce, tenkasu, spicy mayo, sesame seeds), Matcha Affogato, Kale Soba (chicken, kale noodles, spinach, arugula, carrot, seaweed salad, watermelon radish, cucumber, red onion, green onion, shiso, shio kombu, chili crunch spicy sesame soy dressing), Shio Ramen, Glaze Donut, and Matcha Coconut Vanilla Swirl Soft Serve.

Looking for more things to do in DC?

Check out:

• Galaxy Doughnuts and National Air and Space Museum
• Çılbır (Turkish Poached Eggs with Yogurt) and Washington, D.C.
• Dinosaur Bento and Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Rice with Butter and Soy Sauce

To pair with this post, I made the simple, but delicious and comforting Rice with Butter and Soy Sauce. It was inspired by the Rice with with Roasted Chicken Drippings, Butter, and Soy Sauce at Bantam King.

This isn’t so much a recipe as just an easy way to dress up freshly steamed rice. I usually top 1 cup (185 grams) of cooked rice with about 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 teaspoon of soy sauce. Adjust the amounts higher or lower as desired, but a 3:1 ratio of butter to soy sauce seems to work well.

This is best with fresh, hot rice to help melt the butter almost immediately and blend everything together.

According to Norio on Food and Wine, Butter Soy Sauce Rice (バーター醤油ご飯) is more common in Hokkaido.

Korea also has a version called Gyeran Bap (계란밥, Egg Rice) with a fried egg, soy sauce, sesame oil, and butter.

The Chinese Pork Fat Mixed Rice (猪油拌饭) adds a small amount of lard to help enhance the flavor.

Rice with Butter and Soy Sauce Serving Ideas

I topped the rice with a few thinly sliced chives, but the options for customization are endless.

Furikake (Japanese rice seasoning), thinly sliced green onions, or sesame seeds would also be delicious.

For a little protein, you can add an egg yolk (consume raw eggs at your own risk) or a sprinkling of bonito flakes.

To take it up a notch, follow Bantam King’s style and drizzle some roasted chicken drippings over the top.

Rice with Butter and Soy Sauce Recipe

Adapted from Norio on Food and Wine

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5 from 2 votes

Rice with Butter and Soy Sauce

A recipe for Rice with Butter and Soy Sauce inspired by our visit to the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. Freshly steamed rice is paired with butter and a drizzle of soy sauce.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine N/A

Keyword butter, rice, soy sauce

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

0 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 serving

Ingredients

• 1 cup (185 grams) freshly steamed Japanese rice
• 1 tablespoon (14 grams) unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• 1/2 tablespoon thinly sliced chives optional

Instructions

• Place the rice in a serving bowl and make a depression in the center.
• Add the butter and allow to melt slightly. Drizzle the soy sauce over the top and add a sprinkling of chives if desired.
• Stir to combine and serve immediately.