KOREAN CULTURE IN D. C.
KOREAN CULTURE IN D. C.
BY NEVIN MARTELL
When most people think of Korean culture in America, Los Angeles and New York City usually come to mind first. Both are home to thriving Koreatowns, close-knit neighborhoods packed with restaurants and shops. However, the D. C. area has the thirdhighest concentration of Korean immigrants in the United States, although their presence is more spread out. The most prominent Korean community is in northern Virginia, but there is also a growing one in Howard County, Maryland, and the city itself hosts several notable institutions and award-winning restaurants that serve authentic dishes from Korea. Here’ s how to enjoy a delicious taste of Seoul without booking a flight.
ANNANDALE, VIRGINIA
Nestled in the heart of Northern Virginia’ s Fairfax County, Annandale is the top destination for Korean culture in the Mid-Atlantic, full of restaurants, bakeries, markets, and stores. Here are the spots you should visit, according to Danny Lee, James Beard Award-nominated co-founder of the Fried Rice Collective restaurant group, owners of the highly acclaimed Korean restaurant Anju, the Chinese-Korean fast casual Chiko, and Capitol Hill’ s breakfast-all-day favorite, I Egg You.
SIROO
Lee’ s longtime favorite features over two dozen varieties of juk( porridge), with flavors ranging from mushroom and perilla seed to spicy kimchi, bulgogi octopus, and seaweed oyster. Additionally, there are numerous rice and noodle dishes, Korean corn dogs, and snow ice topped with fruits and sauces. Don’ t overlook the bakery, which serves delicious dduk( rice cakes). 4231 Markham St N, Annandale, VA 22003,( 703) 354-5488
SHILLA BAKERY
The OG Korean bakery in the area makes unparalleled loaves of milk bread( which Lee uses for breakfast sandwiches at I Egg You) and attractive cakes, such as scrumptious cream cakes bejeweled with fresh fruit, green tea chiffon cake with swooping swirls of icing, and mango mousse cake. 7039 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003,( 703) 333-2001
SHIN-CHON SUL LUNG TANG
Renowned for its beef bone broth with a luxurious, milky consistency, Lee sits down to enjoy a bowl when he needs comforting to the core. 7131 Little River Turnpike Ste B, Annandale, VA 22003,( 571) 378-1745
CHOONG HWA WON
One of the first restaurants in the area to serve Korean Chinese cuisine, Lee loves the ja jang myun( noodles and pork coated in black bean sauce) and pork tang-soo-yook( deep-fried pork drenched in sweet and sour sauce). 4409 John Marr Dr, Annandale, VA 22003,( 703) 256-8006
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