Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide

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, 7236 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)]

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.