Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide

Mandu Rang Kimbob, web site, 7217 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA, 703-642-8668, closed Sundays, the sign has mainly Korean characters. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Yelp]

In a little house, in the strip mall with the Giant, near the Auto parts place and the firing range. It doesn’t look like a restaurant. This is the premier place for Korean noodles, dumplings, and also for soft tofu. Get their #6 tofu dish. Super mom and pop. Definitely recommended, though note they specialize in the areas mentioned above and don’t have a full service menu. But that’s a good sign!

To Sok Jib, web site, 7211 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA, 703-333-2861 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Yelp]

Previously reviewed on TCEDG in 2006 here, but this seems to be a new place.

Quite small, very mom and pop. Of all the Korean places around, they have the best whole fried fish, the croaker in particular and maybe the mackerel too. That’s the thing to get here. Of all the rest, nothing is below average, though not much above the prevailing average. This is a fun place and you can’t go wrong here. At lunch time it can fill up, though if need be there are other nearby places you can walk to, if you don’t want to wait.

Osaka, 6669 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA, 703-256-0152 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Yelp]

They keep on putting not-quite-feasible Korean-Japanese restaurants in this space. This place is OK, but I don’t see any reason to think it will survive.

Chung Jin Dong, Crab House, web site (in Korean), 6499 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, VA (close to Annandale), 703-941-2722 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Yelp]

Run and patronized by Koreans, with kimchee available, but most of the servings are straight up seafood. One of the better crab places. The fish and oysters were decent, the shrimp only OK. They even serve fish and chips. It’s fun, and has potential, but I don’t think it has yet iterated into a stable working version. I’ll go back, though. Fish and chips and kimchee is really, when you get right down to it, pretty good.

It's one of the smaller NoVa communities and it has a coherent downtown. For me it has a useful frame shop, tennis club, dentist, a Western Union branch, Giant (easy in and out), and it has one of the best public libraries around, all within walking distance on a single strip and one side road. Natasha gets her massage there. There are plenty of small shops, ethnic and otherwise. It has the best food of any single locale in the D.C. area, including a Korean porridge shop, Korean barbecue, gloopy, disgusting Korean noodles, Korean fried chicken, a Korean tofu restaurant, a Korean bakery (the best hangout around, period, plus the best bakery around), a Korean restaurant specializing in pumpkin dishes (not reviewed yet), non-disgusting noodle houses, a Korean crab and fish and chips place (with kimchee too), at least two restaurants with "Korean-Chinese" food, and a bunch of 24-7 Korean restaurants, with varying emphases but with Yechon as having the best late night or early morning crowd. Many of the other places stay open until 2 or 3 a.m. (you'll find many reviewed here). The town has over 900 small businesses run by Koreans and catering mostly to Koreans.

On the strip is also the area's best Afghan restaurant, a good Peruvian chicken place, and just off the strip is an excellent Manchurian restaurant, A&J. There is a decent community of antique shops, including a place with some good Afghan textiles. South of 236 you can find a colony of contemporary homes, rare in most parts of Fairfax County. Annandale has the central branch of a 60,000 student community college. The traffic is bearable for the most part, the rents are reasonable by NoVa standards, and you have easy access to the major arteries of I-495 and I-395. The schools are well above the national average.

Exxon/Mobile has a base on the edge of town. The first (third, according to some sources) toll road in America, ever, ran through Annandale. Mark Hamill once lived there. It has a lovely Civil War-era church and a rustic barn. Its history dates back to 1685 and it is named after a Scottish village. Many of the people in Annandale are very physically attractive.

What's not to like?

West Annandale is more of a cultural desert than is East Annandale, though it has some Korean cafes and billiard shops. All of Annandale is ugly, with a vague hint of unjustified pastel in the central downtown area. The Into the Wild guy grew up there. They did fight on the wrong side in the Civil War but that has little relevance to the current town. The used CD shop has closed up.

The pluses outweight the minuses. You get all that -- and more -- for only 50,000 people or so. Boo to Annandale naysayers. Hail Annandale.

Originally posted on Marginal Revolution

Chinese-Korean Restaurant (Han Kook Kyola? Jang Won Ban Jum?), 4210 John Marr Dr., Annandale, VA, 703-354-1950 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [metromix | All Taste Same | Chowhound | Yelp]

Chinese food, Korean style, plus Korean food, Korean style. In other words, a Korean restaurant with fried sweet and sour and weird noodle dishes. The standard dish here is the dark noodles in the gloopy sauce, you know the serving which looks disgusting and, to some people, is disgusting. This place is very popular with Koreans, recommended, but note that it is not worth going here for the standard Korean options, which are better elsewhere.

It is Little Seoul, mostly in Annandale, spilling over into West Alexandria. The number of innovative Korean restaurants continues to increase and they are usually crowded. I love the new place devoted to the many forms of Korean porridge. Seoul Gool Dae Gee Honey Pig on Columbia Pike has the best decor (and the pork neck) around. TodamSoonDooBoo (also known as Tofu House, next to the Giant, straddling 236 and Columbia Pike) has dumpling soup and tofu. The two branches of Shilla Bakery and Le Matin de Paris give Virginia a cafe scene. Much of my eating out is now Korean or in the new Vietnamese places in the Western Saigon interior branch of the Eden Center; either that or Ray's Hell-Burger, Hong Kong Palace, Thai X-ing, or the now-reopened Nava Thai, right next door to the shuttered old branch.

Annandale used to be a nice appendage to the peak places to eat. Now it's the epicenter, the main culinary show, and also the coolest place to hang out.

Addendum: Here is a good article, which mentions Korean food as the next trend to come. Let's hope not.

Originally posted on Marginal Revolution

Seoul Gool Dae Gee (Honey Pig Restaurant), web site, 7220 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA, 703-256-5133 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | MenuPages | Don Rockwell | Yelp]

An A+ for the metallic décor and the Korean pop culture strewn all over the walls. Visually speaking, this might be my favorite place on the list. It’s also one of the two or three best places for Korean food. Get the pork neck barbecue. Ask them for their house specialty, a barbecue dish cooked with meat, vegetables, and octopus on top of your table. Very yummy. Good seafood pancake here as well.

Korean Traditional Cake and Porridge Restaurant, also called Dduk Sarang (or Dduck Sa Rang), 4231 Markham Street, Annandale, VA, near Shiney’s, 703-916-0006 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [MenuSarang.com | GeekSqueak]

Currently the most innovative restaurant in Koreatown. Mostly they serve porridge, porridge, and porridge. You never knew Korean porridge could be so good and so comforting. My favorite is the tuna and vegetables porridge but they are very good across the board. Very good dumplings. The beef soup, as portrayed in their photo, is the best around. Very charming décor. Definitely recommended.

Han Gang Korean Cuisine, web site, 7243 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA, 703-256-7077 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Yelp]

This place offers a “fine dining experience” in addition to serving Korean food. It costs more than the others, and has nice décor and service, though it is still affordable compared to a typical non-Korean place. For beef dishes it is a clear first choice for all the Korean restaurants in this area. Get the $60 combination of meats; it is an order of magnitude better than any other Korean meat dish you can get around here. Truly yummy. Go even if you think you are tired of all the other beef dishes at the other Korean places. They also have the best local Jae Chap. I would say it is important to go here with a large or mid-sized group and get a spread. Their sauces are also the best around.

Byol Nan Restaurant, 7118 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA, 703-64-3418 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [openlist | Yelp]

The interior is more stylish than the outside looks. I’d like to go here but I haven’t had a chance yet. The place also has a bit of a specialty feel. The menu has a varied list of Bibim-Bab, lots of Hot Pot Dishes, and Katsu. Very much a Korean place for Koreans.

PADO Seafood Restaurant, 4231-E Markham Street, Annandale, VA, 703-256-3565

An average Korean place, with sushi and some Japanese dishes. Average in Annandale is pretty good, but there’s always above-average right next door, so I don’t think I’ll go back here.

Star Restaurant Banquet, web site, 7203 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA, 703-750-2450 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window)

An authentic albeit underpopulated Afghan place, with a huge room for weddings and banquets. Their plans and their achievement seem totally out of scale. That said, it could be the best Afghan place to visit right now. Very good kadu, not too sweet. Their bready things are yummy, I quite liked the third appetizer, the pastry stuffed with leeks, add yogurt on top. The meats are not so tender but they are very tasty. How long can this place last? Should you be discouraged by the thought of entering a huge cavern and not even being greeted by a hostess? Who knows? Enjoy it while you can.

[former location of Po Jang Ma Cha]

BonChon Chicken, web site, 6653 Little River Turnpike, #H, Annandale, VA, 703-750-1424 [Don Rockwell]

Is it the best fried chicken I've had? I didn't even mind the forty-minute wait, though now I know to call ahead, as the Koreans do. Get it with both sauces - soy and garlic, and hot --and be sure to ask for the kimchi.

Here is the NYT on Korean fried chicken. It's also healthier than you think: crunchy, spicy, and non-greasy.

Sambo Restaurant, 6669 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA, 703-750-6846 (old review) (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) Here's the old review.

The place just reopened with new management, it is now “Chinese-Korean” food, a genre that in general does not thrill me. Too many fried things, too much sweet sauce, and that occasional inappropriate use of ketchup. Still many of you will wish to try this place, if only to see how Chinese food is consumed in Korea.

They don’t offer sushi any more, it is a totally different place.

Cheogajip Chicken, Lotte Plaza, near the deli in the supermarket, 3250 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax Circle, Fairfax, VA, 703-273-4499, usually open. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo also see this | Washington Area Korean Restaurant Guide]

This in the same place as Tian Chinese Restaurant.

See also "Koreans Share Their Secret for Chicken With a Crunch," by Julia Moskin, The New York Times, February 7, 2007

Other locations: in the Korean Mini Mall at 13814 Braddock Rd, Centreville, VA; and 4300 Evergreen Lane Suite 102, Annandale, VA.

Korean fried chicken comes to this area, finally. Very moist and juicy and they cook it fresh, that means a 15-minute wait. This isn’t the very best Korean fried chicken I’ve had, but the idea is a phenomenon and if you haven’t had it before, do give it a try. It comes in regular, sweet, spicy, and herb, so far I’ve only tried the sweet.

Cheogajip Chicken is one of Korea's largest chicken franchise with 1,200 franchises in Korea.

Cheogajip Chicken has been loved by everyone for its classic, mouthwatering taste, which was developed through 17 years of experience.

Cheogajip USA was established in March of 2005 and opened its first restaurant in Annandale, Virginia in October 2005.

Soon after, in March 2006, a second restaurant was opened in Centreville, Virginia, followed by a third in Flushing, New York in April 2006.

In order to reach more customers, we are planning to expand with more restaurants throughout the East Coast this year and in the earlier part of 2007, we will spread out to the West Coast starting with Los Angeles.

Korean B-B-Q Grill, 7215 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA, 703-894-0431, in the mall between Rte. 236 and Columbia Pike with the Giant (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window)

The real name of the place is only in Korean; I don’t think “Korean B-B-Q Grill” is the true name (maybe: Chong Dae Gam Galbi?), but it is the only part of the sign in English. An excellent place for unusual meats. Get the goat, the pork neck, the pork belly, and the brisket. Make sure to use the sauces. The diversity of the Korean vegetables selection is above average. The “standard” Korean dishes here are “good enough,” but not reason to go.

Update February 18, 2007:

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Soo Rah (formerly Pokchangdong?), 7601 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA, 703-658-0508, open until midnight, starting at about 11 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window)

The western-most of the Annandale Korean entries and also one of the best. Get the most expensive of the set menus for a treat. This will involve casseroles, ribs, dumplings, fish, egg dishes, steamed tofu, blue crabs, and the usual medley of Korean vegetables. The casseroles are to be recommended more generally. The bibimbop is good not though the very best. Fully authentic, and though I have for now put it on the favorites list, note that many of the competitors are not far behind.

Update June 2007: Soo Rah is closed

Pokchangdong, 7601 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA, 703-658-0508 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian (scroll down)]

I have yet to go.

Update June 30, 2006: Now called Soo Rah.

Seven Star Restaurant (Gom Ba Woo?), 7133-A Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA, 703-914-5511, set in the Korean strip mall with the Giant, but in the back side of that mall, more easily spotted from Columbia Pike (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Korean DC | WaPo]

I have yet to go, but surely it is good.

Gom Ba Woo (Man Doo Rang?), 7133-C Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA, 703-642-1577, in the mall with the Giant, between Rt. 236 and Columbia Pike (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Wahingtonian | Korean DC | WaPo]

Good dumplings, squid, seafood pancake, the usual specialties. Good array of vegetables, and nice homey feel. Recommended.

Palace Restaurant, 7131 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA, 703-256-9292 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | Yelp]

Set back from the road a bit, this is the most expensive Korean place around. The Shabu with Lycium Fruit, for instance, is $36.95, it goes up to $39.95 if you want the Nok Yong with that. And can you believe it, $29.95 for Gop-Nak Jun Gol? Even the Dioscorea (yum!) Porridge runs $13.95. Can it be worth it? The place claims to serve “Yhak-Sun” cuisine, using Korean herbal medicine. The standard Korean meats are quite good here, though. Worth a visit, even if you don’t buy into their theories about ginseng.

Jang Tuh, although their business card calls it “Kyong Suk Yi,” 7271 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA, 703-642-8668. (Right across from Bada Seafood (7215 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA, 703-894-0431 or 703-916-7661), in the strip mall with the Giant in downtown Annandale)

This place may be closed. Phone not answered.

The quaintest-looking place on this whole list, it is set in a little house with Korean characters on the outside. They specialize in noodles, are closed Sundays, and don’t have a word of English on the menu. Recommended.

Po Jang Ma Cha, 7203 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA, near the Giant, 703-941-7020 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian (scroll down)]

[update December, 2007: now Star Restaurant Banquet]

Koreans come here to drink (and until August 2004, listen to the sounds of gunfire).

"A Cultural Holdover Says Goodbye: Annandale Gun Range And Hangout Closes After a Half-Century," by David Cho, The Washington Post, August 19, 2004

Annan-Gol, 4215 Annandale Center Drive, Annandale, VA, 703-914-4600 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Korean DC | WaPo | City Paper]

Better than average Korean, very cozy and cute too, get the spicy pork ribs. The marinated pork bellies are good also. Pork, pork, pork, if you go here.

Sorak Garden, web site, 4308 Backlick Road, Annandale, VA, at 236, 703-916-7600 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Korean DC | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp]

One of the most ambitious and most popular of the Korean places, their beef is especially yummy, broad selection as well. Recommended.

To Sok Jib, 7211 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA, 703-333-2861 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo (scroll down)]

Maybe the most mom and pop of all the Korean places in Annandale. And the most radically Korean. If you are looking for someplace to challenge your palate, try this one. If you are looking for an introduction to Korean food, start elsewhere. Very spicy. Few Westerners will regard this as comfort food. Nor does the staff speak decent English. Nor is there a menu in English.

Tofu Lighthouse Restaurant, or Vit Goel ToFu House, 4121 Chatelain Road, Suite 100, Annandale, VA, 703-333-3436 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Korean DC]

For Annandale, this place is not above average Korean. In other words, it is really good. Limited menu, this place has decided to specialize in tofu and barbecue dishes.

Yechon, 4121 Hummer Road, Annandale, VA, 703-914-4646, just off 236, always open, 24 hours (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist]

One of the best and most versatile Korean places, plus it has a festive atmosphere. The grilled deluxe specials are excellent but everything is consistent. The only drawback - many of the major dishes have to be ordered by both people. They have sushi too, though not early in the morning for breakfast.

Sun-dal Chung (Chung Sen Dal; Jung Sun Dal Restaurant), 6499 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, VA, 703-642-1444, a bit west of the I-395 ramp, across from the Salvation Army (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Korean DC | Yelp]

Number one for atmosphere, and open 24 hours. A gem, if you can spot the sign. Look for Korean symbols, not the English name. Good food, great soups, limited menu, which is a good thing. The sort of place Korean truck drivers would go to, if we had them around here. My favorite is the pork soup - superb - plus the seafood pancake is first-rate as well, very juicy.

Sambo Restaurant, 6669 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA, 703-750-6846 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | Yelp]

Above average Korean food and sushi, I like the eel here, and it is my favorite place for Bul-Gogi. Cute Korean waitresses as well. Recommended.

Update June 25, 2007: This place has reopened under new management and is a completely different place. The new review is here.

Seoul Soondae, 4231-L Markham Street, Annandale, VA, 703-642-2220 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Korean DC (Annandale) | Korean DC (Wheaton) | WaPo | Yelp]

Branches in Wheaton, MD, 12203 Veirs Mill Road, Stone Mill Square Plaza, 301-942-5200 (equally good, pretty much the same thing); Ellicott City may be replaced by manna, 410-480-5050: 8801 Baltimore Nat'l Pike, Ellicott City, MD, 410-750-0006; and Queens, NY, 158-15 Northern Boulevard, Queens, NY, 718-321-3231 [Village Voice | AM New York]

If you don’t want buffet, one of the best Korean places around. Great seafood pancake here, Korean food for Koreans who know the difference. Gets crowded.

Ribster’s, web site, 7243 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA, 703-750-2751 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [lunchSpark | openlist | Citysearch]

Reasonably good ribs, and good prices too, especially at the weekend lunch specials. Weird and dark, you wonder how it stays in business, but in fact this is the real Annandale. You will feel like you have entered Kansas, or something like that.

Le Matin de Paris, web site, 7326 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA, 703-914-0088 (by the Pollo place and across from Jerry’s) (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Citysearch | WaPo (scroll down) | Yelp]

Also at 4217 Annandale Center Drive, Annandale, VA, 703-914-0088

A Korean bakery, and with many desserts. Must be tasted to be believed. Incredible. Go. Will appeal to the Western palate. The quality here is simply remarkably high. I usually don’t list bakeries but this place is extraordinary. Go, go, go.

Il Mee Buffet, 7031-4A Duke St., Annandale, VA, just west of George Mason branch of Fairfax County library, 703-642-2100 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | Expulsion! | City Paper | Don Rockwell] See also 14015 Lee Jackson Highway, Chantilly, VA, 703-631-3400

An excellent Korean restaurant with an amazing degree of choice. Huge, note that all they have is a very large buffet, reasonably priced. Everything is great and surprisingly fresh. Don’t worry if you hate buffets, as I do, drop your reluctance and go. Everything here is fresh and outstanding. Get the cold soups. The kimchees. Make sure you dip your grilled meats in the sauces.

Food Corner, web site, 7031-A Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA (Rte. 236), 703-750-2185 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [zabihah | City Paper | Citysearch]

Very mom and pop. Relatively authentic Afghan food, including vegetable dishes, kabobs also. Excellent bread. Greasy but good. Unfortunately, they took their best dishes, Aushak and Mantu, off the menu.

Food Corner II, web site, 7031 Brookfield Plaza, Springfield, VA (just off Backlick Road and south of Old Keene Mill Road) (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Citysearch]

Afghan, perhaps a branch of Food Corner (see above), but they also have kept the rotisserie chicken from the Latin place that used to be here. I have yet to go.