9 Activities
Eat Your Way Through DC's Little Vietnam and Koreatown
Starts from
Washington
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
9
Duration
10 hrs 35 min
Length
29 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Washington
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
10 hrs 35 min
Length
29 mi
- Gastronomy
Adrienne Mahsa Varkiani
Travel Expert
- Order a little bit of everything at the Vietnamese strip mall known as Eden Center.
- Sing your heart away at a small Korean karaoke spot in Annandale.
- Try to contain your excitement when you visit the area’s largest H Mart.
Tucked away in the suburbs of Virginia are two hubs of East Asian culture and cuisine.
Eden Center is a Vietnamese American strip mall in Falls Church. Here, you can find more than 30 authentic Vietnamese restaurants. Eden Center also has Vietnamese bakeries, grocery stores, and a bubble tea shop that honestly seems like a club. This itinerary has some recommendations for where to eat, but don't be afraid to go off script and try something from any restaurant or bakery here.
Annandale is known as the DMV's Koreatown. Like Eden Center, the excellent food here is due to the large Korean population in the area.
This trip also includes the obligatory trip to H Mart. Forget about the sad "International Foods" section that's limited to half an aisle at whatever grocery store you usually shop at. H Mart has ingredients and spices from most of Asia, and some of Latin America as well. Stock up on groceries here, or pick up a new snack you haven't tried before. There are a lot of H Marts in the area, but make sure to go to the one in the itinerary; it's the best and the biggest. There's a food court in this H Mart (yes, you read that right), so you can eat even more Korean food.
This trip is all about food. Be prepared to eat all day.
Eden Center is a Vietnamese American strip mall in Falls Church. Here, you can find more than 30 authentic Vietnamese restaurants. Eden Center also has Vietnamese bakeries, grocery stores, and a bubble tea shop that honestly seems like a club. This itinerary has some recommendations for where to eat, but don't be afraid to go off script and try something from any restaurant or bakery here.
Annandale is known as the DMV's Koreatown. Like Eden Center, the excellent food here is due to the large Korean population in the area.
This trip also includes the obligatory trip to H Mart. Forget about the sad "International Foods" section that's limited to half an aisle at whatever grocery store you usually shop at. H Mart has ingredients and spices from most of Asia, and some of Latin America as well. Stock up on groceries here, or pick up a new snack you haven't tried before. There are a lot of H Marts in the area, but make sure to go to the one in the itinerary; it's the best and the biggest. There's a food court in this H Mart (yes, you read that right), so you can eat even more Korean food.
This trip is all about food. Be prepared to eat all day.
Categories
- Gastronomy
Tucked away in the suburbs of Virginia are two hubs of East Asian culture and cuisine.
Eden Center is a Vietnamese American strip mall in Falls Church. Here, you can find more than 30 authentic Vietnamese restaurants. Eden Center also has Vietnamese bakeries, grocery stores, and a bubble tea shop that honestly seems like a club. This itinerary has some recommendations for where to eat, but don't be afraid to go off script and try something from any restaurant or bakery here.
Annandale is known as the DMV's Koreatown. Like Eden Center, the excellent food here is due to the large Korean population in the area.
This trip also includes the obligatory trip to H Mart. Forget about the sad "International Foods" section that's limited to half an aisle at whatever grocery store you usually shop at. H Mart has ingredients and spices from most of Asia, and some of Latin America as well. Stock up on groceries here, or pick up a new snack you haven't tried before. There are a lot of H Marts in the area, but make sure to go to the one in the itinerary; it's the best and the biggest. There's a food court in this H Mart (yes, you read that right), so you can eat even more Korean food.
This trip is all about food. Be prepared to eat all day.
Eden Center is a Vietnamese American strip mall in Falls Church. Here, you can find more than 30 authentic Vietnamese restaurants. Eden Center also has Vietnamese bakeries, grocery stores, and a bubble tea shop that honestly seems like a club. This itinerary has some recommendations for where to eat, but don't be afraid to go off script and try something from any restaurant or bakery here.
Annandale is known as the DMV's Koreatown. Like Eden Center, the excellent food here is due to the large Korean population in the area.
This trip also includes the obligatory trip to H Mart. Forget about the sad "International Foods" section that's limited to half an aisle at whatever grocery store you usually shop at. H Mart has ingredients and spices from most of Asia, and some of Latin America as well. Stock up on groceries here, or pick up a new snack you haven't tried before. There are a lot of H Marts in the area, but make sure to go to the one in the itinerary; it's the best and the biggest. There's a food court in this H Mart (yes, you read that right), so you can eat even more Korean food.
This trip is all about food. Be prepared to eat all day.
Adrienne Mahsa Varkiani
Travel Expert
- Order a little bit of everything at the Vietnamese strip mall known as Eden Center.
- Sing your heart away at a small Korean karaoke spot in Annandale.
- Try to contain your excitement when you visit the area’s largest H Mart.
Day Itinerary
9 Activities
Day 1
29 mi0.2 mi
Eden Center & Annandale
This trip will give you a list of recommendations in both Eden Center and Annandale. But feel free to ignore them and go wherever your heart takes you in both places. You won't go wrong either way.
The trip to this exact H Mart is non-negotiable.
The trip to this exact H Mart is non-negotiable.
10:001 hr
Eden Center
Eden Center is a Vietnamese American strip mall in Falls Church. Here, you can find more than 30 authentic Vietnamese restaurants. Eden Center also has Vietnamese bakeries, grocery stores, and a bubble tea shop that honestly seems like a club.
Go to several bakeries and restaurants here and order a little bit at each one. That way, you'll make the most of your trip here. Don't be afraid to follow your heart: if something is calling to you, just go try it. You don't need to look it up on Yelp beforehand.
If you want actual recommendations for Eden Center, you can follow the next few stops on the itinerary.
Go to several bakeries and restaurants here and order a little bit at each one. That way, you'll make the most of your trip here. Don't be afraid to follow your heart: if something is calling to you, just go try it. You don't need to look it up on Yelp beforehand.
If you want actual recommendations for Eden Center, you can follow the next few stops on the itinerary.
0.2 mi
5 min
11:3530 min
Huong Binh Bakery
Huong Bing Bakery is the oldest continuously operating bakery at Eden Center.
This bakery of course has sweets and desserts, but it also has things like egg rolls, spring rolls, lemongrass chicken, and freshly squeezed sugarcane. Think of this more as a bakery and deli, plus a small grocery store. They also have banh mi here. You can order that now or at a later stop at Eden Center.
Spend some time perusing, order a couple things, then head to the next stop.
This bakery of course has sweets and desserts, but it also has things like egg rolls, spring rolls, lemongrass chicken, and freshly squeezed sugarcane. Think of this more as a bakery and deli, plus a small grocery store. They also have banh mi here. You can order that now or at a later stop at Eden Center.
Spend some time perusing, order a couple things, then head to the next stop.
0.1 mi
5 min
12:1045 min
Thanh Son Tofu
Thanh Son Tofu is one of the most popular places in Eden Center thanks to its housemade deep fried tofu. The tofu is super crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and comes in a variety of seasoning and flavors. The onion mushroom tofu is excellent.
If you're not into tofu, this is still worth a visit for the sticky rice dishes. Again, there are a lot of options, but you can get your rice topped with things like durian and pandan, salted peanuts, jackfruit, chicken and sausage, and more.
If that still isn't up your alley, try the sesame balls. They are quite good.
Thanh Son Tofu is quite popular and on the weekends will likely will have a line snaking out the front door. The line typically moves quickly, and the food here is worth waiting for.
If you're not into tofu, this is still worth a visit for the sticky rice dishes. Again, there are a lot of options, but you can get your rice topped with things like durian and pandan, salted peanuts, jackfruit, chicken and sausage, and more.
If that still isn't up your alley, try the sesame balls. They are quite good.
Thanh Son Tofu is quite popular and on the weekends will likely will have a line snaking out the front door. The line typically moves quickly, and the food here is worth waiting for.
0.2 mi
5 min
13:0045 min
Nhu Lan Sandwich Shop
Nhu Lan Sandwich Shop is a family-run shop at Eden Center. This is where you should order a banh mi.
You won't see this shop from the outside. You'll have to enter the strip mall to get to it. It's pretty small, but the banh mi is exceptional. Order whatever kind you want.
There's also a special where if you order five banh mi, you get one free. (Five banh mi sounds like a lot, but if you're in a group it's a great deal.)
You won't see this shop from the outside. You'll have to enter the strip mall to get to it. It's pretty small, but the banh mi is exceptional. Order whatever kind you want.
There's also a special where if you order five banh mi, you get one free. (Five banh mi sounds like a lot, but if you're in a group it's a great deal.)
13.7 mi
25 min
14:451 hr 30 min
H Mart — Fairfax
H Mart is the greatest of all supermarkets. If you've been, you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, get ready to be transported to another world.
H Mart is a Korean American supermarket chain that has everything you could possibly want.
Forget about the sad "International Foods" section that's limited to half an aisle at whatever grocery store you usually shop at. H Mart has ingredients and spices from most of Asia, and some of Latin America as well. Stock up on groceries here, or pick up a new snack you haven't tried before. (If you are grocery shopping, please be mindful that this itinerary doesn't take you back to DC until around 10pm.)
There are a lot of H Marts in the area, but make sure to go to the one in the itinerary. It's the biggest and the best. There's a small shopping section with Korean skincare items, and a food court with several more options in case you're somehow still hungry.
H Mart is a Korean American supermarket chain that has everything you could possibly want.
Forget about the sad "International Foods" section that's limited to half an aisle at whatever grocery store you usually shop at. H Mart has ingredients and spices from most of Asia, and some of Latin America as well. Stock up on groceries here, or pick up a new snack you haven't tried before. (If you are grocery shopping, please be mindful that this itinerary doesn't take you back to DC until around 10pm.)
There are a lot of H Marts in the area, but make sure to go to the one in the itinerary. It's the biggest and the best. There's a small shopping section with Korean skincare items, and a food court with several more options in case you're somehow still hungry.
12.6 mi
20 min
16:4030 min
Lil' Thingamajigs
Welcome to Annandale, the de-facto Koreatown of the DC area.
Lil' Thingamajigs is a gift shop that sells pop culture items from East Asia, especially Korea and Japan. Here, you can find jewelry, anime figurines, kawaii plushies and stationary, and of course, all things K-pop.
Spend some time perusing the cool things here.
Lil' Thingamajigs is a gift shop that sells pop culture items from East Asia, especially Korea and Japan. Here, you can find jewelry, anime figurines, kawaii plushies and stationary, and of course, all things K-pop.
Spend some time perusing the cool things here.
0.7 mi
5 min
17:152 hrs
DA IN Cafe
Stop at DA IN Cafe for a karaoke session with friends.
Karaoke, or noraebang as it's called in Korean, is incredibly popular in South Korea and how many relieve their stress after a long day. This isn't like American karaoke, where you're expected to sing in front of a room full of strangers. Here, you get your own private room where you sing with only your friends. You choose the songs, and you choose who has the mic.
DA IN Cafe has an expansive karaoke song list including recent hits, so you'll be sure to find the right song for you.
Karaoke, or noraebang as it's called in Korean, is incredibly popular in South Korea and how many relieve their stress after a long day. This isn't like American karaoke, where you're expected to sing in front of a room full of strangers. Here, you get your own private room where you sing with only your friends. You choose the songs, and you choose who has the mic.
DA IN Cafe has an expansive karaoke song list including recent hits, so you'll be sure to find the right song for you.
0.4 mi
5 min
19:201 hr 30 min
Kogiya Korean BBQ
At Kogiya, the meat quality is excellent, and it's all you can eat.
The Washington Post listed Kogiya as one of its must-visit places for a day in Annandale.
Like any other Korean barbecue place, diners sit around an open flame grill, where the servers will cook your meats of choice. The table will also be packed to the brim with banchan, a variety of side dishes served along with the main meal in Korean cuisine. This includes things like kimchi, cucumber salad, soybean sprouts, and more.
Kogiya doesn't take reservations, so depending on when you visit, you may have to wait for a table.
(If you're vegetarian or trying to limit meat consumption, you can order tofu here, but this might not be the best place for you. Try Yechon Korean Restaurant instead, under a 5-minute drive away.)
The Washington Post listed Kogiya as one of its must-visit places for a day in Annandale.
Like any other Korean barbecue place, diners sit around an open flame grill, where the servers will cook your meats of choice. The table will also be packed to the brim with banchan, a variety of side dishes served along with the main meal in Korean cuisine. This includes things like kimchi, cucumber salad, soybean sprouts, and more.
Kogiya doesn't take reservations, so depending on when you visit, you may have to wait for a table.
(If you're vegetarian or trying to limit meat consumption, you can order tofu here, but this might not be the best place for you. Try Yechon Korean Restaurant instead, under a 5-minute drive away.)
1.7 mi
10 min
21:0045 min
Breeze Bakery Cafe
You made it to the last stop of the day. How's your stomach doing? Okay, I hope, because you can't skip out on Breeze Bakery Cafe.
Say goodbye to Koreatown, and the deliciousness of the Virginia suburbs, by satisfying your sweet tooth one last time.
Order the bing-soo, a Korean shaved ice dessert with sweet toppings of your choice. The milk snow here is also good; instead of shaved ice, it's shaved frozen milk with the toppings of your choice.
Say goodbye to Koreatown, and the deliciousness of the Virginia suburbs, by satisfying your sweet tooth one last time.
Order the bing-soo, a Korean shaved ice dessert with sweet toppings of your choice. The milk snow here is also good; instead of shaved ice, it's shaved frozen milk with the toppings of your choice.