One of Route 1 corridor’s best late-night spots is Momo Yakitori‘s new basement lounge, which opened this spring.

Located in the space formerly occupied by Nido in Woodridge at 2214 Rhode Island Ave. NE, just south of Mount Rainier, Momo Yakitori has become a local favorite for its flavorful skewers.

But its basement bar adds a whole other dimension.

Starting at 5 p.m., the lounge begins serving Japanese-inspired cocktails with food options such as a cup of ramen and a spam rice sandwich. A large television projector along one wall plays anime.

Guests use the lounge as a waiting area when the restaurant is full or a spot for an after-dinner cocktail and it stays open as long as guests are having a good time. It’s also available for private events and parties.

Momo Yakitori is also planning to add a Sunday lunch service, starting as early as this weekend, with Japanese “soul food” options such as curry rice — a staple of home-cooking in Japan — and soba meshi, a mix of fried yakisoba noodle and rice invented in Kobe, where co-owner Masko Morishita was raised.

Sunday lunch service will be walk-in only and served at the eight-seat counter only. Morishita said to check the restaurant’s Instagram and Facebook pages for an announcement when it starts.