Note: for fans of noodle soups and good hangover food.
Annandale, the D.C. suburb that sits right inside the beltway next to Fairfax, has the best food in the region. It’s filled with delicious cuisines including Szechuan, Vietnamese, Peruvian, Mexican, Japanese, Indian, and perhaps most famously Korean barbecue. Moreover there are mouthwatering hybrids and fusions between these cuisines that have yet to let me down.
I am from Annandale. I am writing this during social distancing measures, so a couple of my photos will be from the Internet rather than my camera roll. I apologize for this in advance. I would love nothing more than to take a gastronomic tour down Little River Turnpike right now and indulgently post about it, but I will settle instead to indulgently post about it while I daydream with fondness about these restaurants.
Forewarning: most of these choices revolve around noodle soups, my favorite type of dish. If you’re not interested, then keep reading, because my goal is to make you interested.
1. Lighthouse Tofu
While the Korean barbecue is plentiful in Annandale, and always flavorful, my personal favorite is Lighthouse Tofu, with its awesome menu of Korean stews and noodle dishes. If you eat meat, don’t let the name dissuade you; there are plenty of options for the carnivore as well. The tofu soups are particularly tasty, and I recommend going with a group of friends in order to indulge in the combos.
2. Pho Hai Duong
This is my go-to Pho spot in Annandale. It has a relaxed vibe to it, perfect those early afternoons with a hangover. Tranquil Vietnamese music drifts in the background. The service is fast as the kitchen has pre-made the broth upon opening. I admit that I haven’t ventured further past the Pho on the menu, though the desserts are recommended. Very affordable for the amount of soup you receive.
3. Chicken Pollo
I recommend this spot for lovers of Peruvian chicken. It’s often very busy, so expect to wait just a little bit in the line. They are fast at preparing the food. I go there for the chicken and the sides of Yucca, a personal favorite. Let’s face it, Peruvian roasted chicken is always good.
4. Tanpopo Ramen House
If you’re craving ramen or sushi, this little spot tucked away off Markham Street is reliably delicious. The sushi menu is filled with classic rolls, all of them excellent. The ramen has never failed to disappoint me. My personal favorite is the Miso ton Kotsu Ramen, and the Udon. I hope that it opens up again soon.
5. The Block (Asian Fusion)
This isn’t so much a restaurant as it is a food court. It is consistently packed, a sign of good quality, and there is also a bar and TV that usually has a sporting event playing. Make no mistake, it is a fun place to go with your friends, especially if you are a little buzzed. If you are unsure of what you want, there are wide-ranging options here, from banh mi, soup dumplings, pork noodles, pig frites, ramen, and an ice cream menu. This spot is the perfect encapsulation of Annandale in its mixture of gastronomic styles. To not include it on this list would be irresponsible.
Honorable mention: A&J restaurant
In the same building as Tanpopo Ramen House, you have A&J, a restaurant I can’t exclude from this list. It has my favorite beef noodle soup in the area. It is inexpensive and totally worth it. This is often the place I bring my friends as it is a small place. Remember to bring cash, or download your Venmo account – they don’t accept cards!
When I wish to go out to eat in my hometown, I head within the beltway to Annandale. I believe it to contain the widest array of options for dining out in the D.C. suburbs… at least in Virginia, though without a doubt there are equally delectable places on the other side of the Potomac!
Bird On the Wire 