If you've ever tried to get a decent wonton in Washington, D.C., you know to try your luck outside of Chinatown.
Insiders know that Rockville, Maryland does the best Chinese; Annandale, Virginia is your go-to for Korean. And Eden Center, which may not sound familiar to you yet, is the largest Vietnamese commercial center and Asian-themed mall on the East Coast.
Located in Falls Church, VA (about eight miles outside the District), Eden is an all day, err day Vietnamese wonderland condensed into a strip mall. The main draw here is definitely the food. You have your pick of Vietnamese bakeries hawking springy bánh bò (rice-flour sponge cakes) and super strong coffee, and then there's the abundance of eateries for phở, bánh mì, and a slew of other tasty dishes (including a kickass vegetarian place dedicated to tofu, Thanh Son).
Come for the chowdown, stay for Eden Center's bazaar-like set-up. Think of it as several mini-malls tucked within the larger strip mall, so what you can see from the parking lot (all those great shops and restaurants on the exterior) barely skims the surface. To reach the interior mom-and-pops, you have to walk through the exterior stores—think international beauty products, jewelry, Vietnamese-centric grocery items, and small drug stores stocked with funky herbs and medicinal potions, like Po Sum On, a muscle relaxing oil.
OK, now here's the real clincher: If you're into karaoke, nightlife is no joke at Eden. We like Cafe Nho, which doubles as a café-slash-karaoke bar. So hypothetically, you can have your durian smoothie and your slow jam, too.
Eden Center
6751 Wilson Boulevard
Falls Church, VA 22044
MAP![]()
Flashing lights, lights... Photos by Alison Baitz![]()
The newly opened grocery store—Good Fortune—is like your Whole Foods (but better?). ![]()
Eden Center is the largest Vietnamese commercial center and Asian-themed mall on the East Coast. Here, a pretty picture of eggs. ![]()
There are also tons of medicinal product options available here, like Po Sum On, a muscle relaxing oil.![]()
The trinket shops are great and stocked for Vietnamese New Year (February 19).![]()
SpongeBob hangs out in a claw arcade game, inside a café. ![]()
Each restaurant and café within Eden Center has its own unique vibe, ranging from straightforward and no-frills to swanky.
Insiders know that Rockville, Maryland does the best Chinese; Annandale, Virginia is your go-to for Korean. And Eden Center, which may not sound familiar to you yet, is the largest Vietnamese commercial center and Asian-themed mall on the East Coast.
Located in Falls Church, VA (about eight miles outside the District), Eden is an all day, err day Vietnamese wonderland condensed into a strip mall. The main draw here is definitely the food. You have your pick of Vietnamese bakeries hawking springy bánh bò (rice-flour sponge cakes) and super strong coffee, and then there's the abundance of eateries for phở, bánh mì, and a slew of other tasty dishes (including a kickass vegetarian place dedicated to tofu, Thanh Son).
Come for the chowdown, stay for Eden Center's bazaar-like set-up. Think of it as several mini-malls tucked within the larger strip mall, so what you can see from the parking lot (all those great shops and restaurants on the exterior) barely skims the surface. To reach the interior mom-and-pops, you have to walk through the exterior stores—think international beauty products, jewelry, Vietnamese-centric grocery items, and small drug stores stocked with funky herbs and medicinal potions, like Po Sum On, a muscle relaxing oil.
OK, now here's the real clincher: If you're into karaoke, nightlife is no joke at Eden. We like Cafe Nho, which doubles as a café-slash-karaoke bar. So hypothetically, you can have your durian smoothie and your slow jam, too.
Eden Center
6751 Wilson Boulevard
Falls Church, VA 22044
MAP
Flashing lights, lights... Photos by Alison Baitz
The newly opened grocery store—Good Fortune—is like your Whole Foods (but better?). 
Eden Center is the largest Vietnamese commercial center and Asian-themed mall on the East Coast. Here, a pretty picture of eggs. 
There are also tons of medicinal product options available here, like Po Sum On, a muscle relaxing oil.
The trinket shops are great and stocked for Vietnamese New Year (February 19).
SpongeBob hangs out in a claw arcade game, inside a café. 
Each restaurant and café within Eden Center has its own unique vibe, ranging from straightforward and no-frills to swanky.