Anju reservations open 21 days in advance on a rolling, day-by-day basis through Resy. For a Friday or Saturday dinner, start looking when your date enters that three-week window. Anju does not publish an exact release time, so any claim that tables appear at midnight or another precise hour would be guesswork.
That booking rule matters more than generic advice to reserve early. The modern Korean restaurant has remained a Washington favorite, and its upstairs dining room has only about 60 seats. If the ideal table disappears, a restaurant reservation concierge can monitor supported platforms for a cancellation without promising that inventory will appear.
Last verified: August 21, 2026. Time-sensitive policies can change, so review the live terms before confirming.
The Anju reservation window at a glance
- Platform: Resy, reached directly or through Anju's official website
- Booking window: 21 days, or three weeks, in advance
- Release cadence: rolling, one date at a time
- Exact release time: not published by Anju or Resy
- Online party size: up to six guests
- Larger groups: email
info@tfrc.com - Card requirement: a credit card is required for every reservation
- Walk-ins: no current formal policy is published, so do not build a prime-time plan around one
The strongest source is Anju's reservation FAQ, which states the three-week rolling window, six-person online limit, and card requirement. Resy's interview with the Anju team independently describes the release as 21 days ahead and explains that reservations cover the main upstairs dining room.
How to book a prime dinner
Count back 21 days from the date you want. Check Resy when that calendar date first becomes eligible, but stay flexible because the restaurant has not verified a time-of-day drop. Searching a little before and after the expected date boundary is more honest and more useful than relying on an invented release time.
Use a party of two when possible. Larger groups consume more contiguous seats and have fewer workable tables. Parties of seven or more cannot use the standard Resy flow and need to contact the restaurant directly.
Friday and Saturday between roughly 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. should be treated as the hardest targets. A Sunday through Thursday dinner, weekend brunch, or an early opening-hour table gives you more paths into the room.
If the first search is empty, keep the date and party size fixed while widening the time range. Then repeat with a nearby date. Changing every variable at once makes it difficult to notice which concession actually unlocked availability.
What to do when Anju is sold out
First, use Resy's notification tools if they are available for the date. A notification is useful, but it can still create a race with every other diner who receives the same alert.
Second, watch the cancellation window shown during checkout. Anju confirms that a card is required, but its public FAQ does not state the current cancellation deadline or fee. Those live booking terms can motivate diners to release tables as a penalty deadline approaches.
Third, try off-peak inventory. The official hours currently show dinner from 5 p.m., with last seating at 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Weekend brunch runs from 11 a.m. to a 1:30 p.m. last seating.
Do not assume the bar is a dependable walk-in fallback. Resy's Anju feature says reservations are for the upstairs dining room, but neither it nor the current FAQ publishes a firm walk-in allocation. Calling before traveling is the sensible move.
Why Anju remains worth the chase
Chef Angel Barreto's cooking moves between Korean comfort food and a more contemporary Washington restaurant vocabulary. The official Anju story highlights Korean fried chicken, handmade mandu, and bibimbap, while newer coverage points to long-fermented kimchi, galbi, stews, and seasonal plates.
The restaurant is not a tasting-menu marathon. It works best as a shared dinner where the table can balance crisp, rich dishes with ferments, vegetables, rice, and something brothy. For a first visit, start with mandu or fried chicken, add a stew or galbi-centered plate, and ask what fermentation or seasonal side is most expressive that night.
Anju was Washingtonian's number one restaurant in 2020 and remains in the publication's 2026 100 Very Best Restaurants. The Michelin Guide also continues to recommend it, describing the restaurant as contemporary Korean cooking at a higher level of polish.
Cost, room, and best use cases
Washingtonian places a dinner for two at roughly $101 to $200 including tax and a 20 percent tip. That is a planning range, not a fixed menu price. Drinks, larger plates, and a more ambitious order can push the bill higher.
The bi-level space at 1805 18th Street NW combines exposed brick, wood beams, a bar, and an upstairs dining room. It feels energetic enough for a celebratory night but relaxed enough that smart casual clothing works.
Anju is strongest for dates, small celebrations, and groups that like sharing. It is less convenient for a spontaneous party of seven or a diner who needs a guaranteed walk-in seat.
Practical details
- Address: 1805 18th Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
- Dinner: 5 p.m. nightly, last seating 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
- Brunch: Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to a 1:30 p.m. last seating
- Price: about $101 to $200 for two, including tax and tip, according to Washingtonian's 2026 guide
- Booking: Resy
- Official site: anjurestaurant.com
Before paying, read the exact cancellation terms shown by Resy. The public sources verify the required card, but not the current fee or deadline.
Anju reservation FAQ
When do Anju reservations open?
Anju opens reservations three weeks, or 21 days, in advance on a rolling daily basis. The restaurant does not publish the exact release time.
Does Anju use Resy or OpenTable?
Anju uses Resy. You can book through the restaurant website or the direct Resy venue page.
How many people can book Anju online?
Resy accepts parties of up to six. Groups of seven or more should email info@tfrc.com.
Does Anju require a credit card?
Yes. The official FAQ says every reservation requires a credit card. Check the live checkout screen for the current cancellation deadline and fee, which are not stated publicly in the FAQ.
Can I walk into Anju without a reservation?
Anju does not currently publish a formal walk-in policy. Some non-reserved seating may be possible, but call first and treat a walk-in as uncertain, especially on weekend evenings.
When reservations are gone
Let Resto Mojo keep checking for the table.
Choose the restaurant, date, party size, and time range. Resto Mojo monitors supported booking platforms and can book when a matching opening appears.
