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Things To Do In D.C. When You’re Here For The Women’s March

By Morit Chatlynne

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Pho (Screencap via Eden Center in Falls Church)

Vietnamese and Ethiopian Cuisine

D.C. is an international town. We have World Bank employees, diplomats, their families and embassy staff members, and immigrants from all over the world. They all bring their food to our town, and for that we are grateful. (Except for the lutefisk. Looking at you, Sweden.)

Two types of cuisine stand out in their abundance: Ethiopian and Vietnamese, the latter mostly represented by pho, the famous and fragrant noodle soup that you must try.

Ethiopian

There are a ton of Ethiopian restaurants in the Shaw-UDC neighborhood. Check out this map.

Ethiopian restaurants in Shaw-UDC (Screencap via Google Maps)

Why? A very large and close-knit Ethiopian and Eritrean community lives in D.C. Because of that and its local popularity, the city has been able to support this many Ethiopian restaurants for decades. It’s quite different from other cuisines. The most common dish is a kind of tasting plate, either meat or vegetarian (or both), with dabs of stews flavored mainly with ginger and chilis that are served on top of injira, a spongy, sour flatbread. It can be an exotic experience, as many of the restaurants are beautifully appointed. Look in the Washington Post Eats Finder for the one nearest you.

Vietnamese and Pho

Eden Center is a piece of Vietnam in America. (At least, in my opinion, Northern Virginia is America.) This outdoor mall in suburban Falls Church contains 120 stores, including jewelers, salons, health & beauty, entertainment and gifts, not to mention 28 restaurants serving pho and a wide range of other Vietnamese delicacies. And Nhà Hàng Chay is totally vegetarian. But don’t drive there. Just call a ride service. Northern Virginia’s roads are not designed for out-of-town drivers.

If you don’t want to haul all the way out to Falls Church, don’t worry. There’s sure to be delicious pho near where you’re staying. Search the Washington Post Eats Finder for conveniently located and highly recommended pho.