Hawkers Asian Street Food — Restaurant in Arlington

This is a deliberately quaint restaurant in the center of the busy Ballston Arlington area which is replete with several fabulous eating places. Yet the restaurant manages to hold its own and then some thanks to its carefully curated menu selections, extraordinary friendly service and an interesting decor.

We had gone for lunch and the place was bustling, yet we were greeted and seated almost immediately. On hearing that it was our first time there, our waiter was genuinely keen to ensure that we have a memorable experience. Despite the rush, he spoke to us trying to figure out what kind of food works for us, went over the menu selections and drinks, checked back with the manger for the ingredients (me being a picky vegetarian), all with a smile.

The wait for the food was not very long. They have an interesting systems wherein the person who waits on you is different from the servers. I guess that’s what gives the wait staff the time to chat with the customers. The servers were somewhat disinterested, simply wordlessly putting the plates on the table and rushing back to their next order. However they were not unhelpful. I asked one of the servers for hot sauce and she helpfully got the sauce tray to help me pick the right one.

The food was great. I ordered the tofu bites as an appetizer and it was the first time I saw tofu cooked in this manner - soft fresh tofu, deep fried in hot oil. The outside was crispy and inside soft. It was seasoned with herbs and spices. I also ordered their veggie plate which was a mixture of veggies, tofu and sauces. They was a bowl of white rice on the side. The two dishes were a bit more than I would normally be able to eat, but given that they were so tasty I managed to work through them.

We sat for over an hour and there was absolutely no pressure to order up or leave. The check was printed right there at the table - so happened really fast.

All in all great dining...

Came here Thursday night (last night)and needless to say we were all disappointed..

The service- the waitress we had was nice but she did not check in as often, the service wasn’t the best and not up to par. Our drinks took a very long time and they were okay nothing special. We ended up getting our appetizers before our drinks and we also waited a long time for our entrees to come next…

The food- portions are on the smaller size and our appetizer were good but they were just warm, that’s also the issue we all had with our food. Funny because the waitress said the food comes out as soon as it’s done cooking individually that way they don’t get cold. The only thing that was hot was our Korean double fried wings since they are fried. The soup dumplings which were very flavorful but were just warm, the wings were on the smaller size but tasted good however you only get like 5.. summer rolls were good just smaller and only 1 small cup of peanut sauce for the rolls.. the roti canai was flavorful but again was just warm. It’s almost as if they had certain foods prepackaged or just sitting under a heat lamp or conventional oven. It just didn’t seem as fresh as they make themselves out to be..

Atmosphere- they seemed busy it’s more appealing to a younger crowd, it’s nicely decorated, it’s a typical instagram post restaurants, very aesthetically pleasing, the typical neon lights/writings, the artsy wallpapers, clean bathrooms w/ dimmed lights, cute dinning area, and, a nicely lit up patio area for outdoor seating.

Overall seems to be in a good area for business and mediocre food that is pretty much overpriced considering the service and food that you get. Definitely was not impressed and we won’t be returning. Sucks because we saw it on tiktok and some people recommended it and I wanted to like it but unfortunately that was not...

If you're looking for bold flavors, a lively atmosphere, and a true celebration of Asian street food culture, Hawkers is the place to be. From the moment I walked in, I was welcomed by the aromas of sizzling woks, fragrant spices, and an unmistakable buzz that comes with a restaurant that knows exactly what it's doing. Let’s start with the Roti Canai – hands down, the best I’ve had outside of Malaysia. Flaky, buttery, and perfectly paired with a rich curry dipping sauce that had just the right kick. It set the tone for the rest of the meal. The Korean Twice Fried Wings? Absolute game-changer. Crispy, sticky, spicy-sweet perfection. They nailed the balance of textures and flavors. The Pad Thai was another standout – not overly sweet, like so many places tend to make it, but well-balanced, with a depth of flavor that shows care in the cooking. We also tried the Singapore Mei Fun and the fusion element at Hawkers works because it’s thoughtful, not gimmicky. Drinks were just as impressive – I highly recommend the Ginger Old Fashioned if you like a cocktail with a little edge. The service? Friendly, attentive, and genuinely excited about the food. Our server offered great suggestions and made sure we felt taken care of without hovering. Hawkers isn’t just a place to eat – it’s a culinary experience. Whether you're an adventurous foodie or just want a great meal, this spot hits all the right notes. Can’t wait to come back and try the rest of the menu hand-down the best restaurant I’ve...