5-Star Review for Truong Tien at Eden Center, Falls Church
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Truong Tien at Eden Center has been my ultimate Vietnamese comfort spot since it opened its doors in late 2023—I've been making the trek from the DMV area ever since, and each visit feels like a mini escape to Hue without leaving Virginia. 📸🍜 Tucked right inside the bustling main building under the clock tower (6763 Wilson Blvd), this gem channels royal Hue cuisine with elegant vibes, fresh ingredients, and that authentic spice that keeps me coming back. On my latest October outing, I loaded up on all the classics: starting with some killer appetizers, diving into hearty mains like cơm hến, bún bò Huế, and cơm gà xé, then capping it off with heavenly desserts. The whole spread was a flavor explosion—bold, balanced, and beautifully presented!
We kicked things off with a trio of appetizers that set the tone: crispy nem cuốn (fresh spring rolls) bursting with shrimp, herbs, and that tangy peanut dipping sauce—light yet addictive, perfect for sharing. Then the gỏi cuốn with grilled pork and chả giò (fried imperial rolls) arrived hot and golden, crunchy on the outside with juicy fillings that screamed street-food nostalgia. 😍 These starters were fresh, not greasy, and just $4-6 each, whetting the appetite without filling us up too soon.
For the mains, oh man—cơm hến was a revelation! This Hue specialty bowl of steamed rice topped with tiny freshwater clams, fresh herbs, roasted peanuts, crispy shallots, and a side of pungent mắm nêm (fermented anchovy sauce) had that perfect umami punch—salty, briny, and textured like a seaside dream. We mixed it tableside for max flavor, and it was hearty enough for a full meal at around $14. Next up, bún bò Huế: steaming vermicelli in a fiery lemongrass-chili broth loaded with tender beef shank, pork knuckle, and those chewy chả Huế sausage slices—spicy, aromatic, and soul-warming on a crisp fall day. My tablemate raved about the heat level (they nailed the "medium" request), and at $13.95, it's a steal for the portion. Finally, cơm gà xé stole the show: fluffy jasmine rice piled with hand-shredded poached chicken, fragrant ginger-scallion oil, cucumber slices, and a drizzle of nuoc cham—simple, juicy, and incredibly comforting, like home-cooked perfection for $12. Everything arrived piping hot, with sides of lime and herbs to tweak to taste, and the staff (super attentive and bilingual) even suggested pairing with their house iced tea—herbal, slightly sweet, and refreshing.
But the real magic? Saving room for desserts! We split a silky chè Huế—a warm coconut milk pudding layered with mung beans, lotus seeds, and pandan jelly—that was creamy, not overly sweet, and the perfect cool-down after all that spice. Then came the bánh flan (Vietnamese crème caramel), velvety smooth with a caramel kiss, and a scoop of house-made chè ba màu for that tropical fruit medley vibe. These $4-5 treats were the cherry on top, light enough to end on a high note without regret. 🍮
The atmosphere at Truong Tien is cozy yet lively—think modern Hue elegance with banana leaf accents and a buzz from fellow foodies—plus quick service even on weekends. Prices are fair for the quality (mains $12-15), and it's family-friendly or great for dates. If you're wandering Eden Center's vibrant scene, skip the lines elsewhere and head straight here for an unforgettable Vietnamese feast. Two years in, and it's only getting better—highly recommend for spice lovers, nostalgia seekers, or anyone craving royal-level...
Read moreA Culinary Symphony: A Review of Elevated Flavors and Textures provided by 3 magic mushroom gummies
My recent dining experience was nothing short of extraordinary. It was as if a new sense had been awakened, allowing me to appreciate the symphony of flavors, textures, and colors that danced across my palate. This heightened awareness, I believe, was partly attributed to the three magic mushroom gummies I had consumed earlier.
The restaurant itself was a familiar setting, but the culinary experience was far from ordinary. The meats we sampled were divine, each morsel offering a symphony of flavors that exploded in my mouth. The accompanying spicy sauce was so addictive that I could have easily downed an entire bottle.
The rice, topped with a generous layer of pork floss, provided a delightful contrast in textures. The fluffy rice gave way to delicate strands of pork floss that melted in my mouth, leaving behind a lingering savory taste. The pickled vegetables, with their tangy and refreshing crunch, served as a palate cleanser, ensuring that each dish was savored to its fullest.
What truly elevated this dining experience was the remarkable harmony between the various elements of each dish. Each ingredient played its part, creating a cohesive and unforgettable culinary masterpiece. The meats, with their snappy chew and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, were the stars of the show, while the rice and pickled vegetables provided a harmonious backdrop.
The experience was akin to a culinary orchestra, with each ingredient playing its own unique instrument, combining to create a symphony of flavors and textures that delighted the senses. It was a dining experience that will forever be etched in my memory, a testament to the power of food to transport us to new realms of culinary delight.
Ratings:
Flavor: 5/5 Texture: 5/5 Presentation: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Overall...
Read moreLOVELY STAFF WITH TRADITIONAL OUTFITS!
I am Vietnamese and been to many viet restaurants in USA! P.s from Canada
I have to say this place is so cute full of genuine staff, it feels like a welcoming family restaurant. Let’s get to REVIEWING!
Staff: they don’t have strong English but they do their best and it’s adorable. Even when it was full, their was a boy that said if we would like to sit out where the little chairs are, he made sure we knew it would be hard for staff to be there constantly since it was a full house. When we sat there, a lady kept checking up on us and smiled many times. Even if it was a full house, she still came out constantly if we needed water or anything else ! We felt very taken care of! THEIR OUTFITS ARE CUTE! U can also ask if u want to take a photo with them
Food: YES! My fav is the banh beo. It’s like a soft pudding savoury paste with topping and u pour fish sauce onto it and slurp the little dishes . Banh bot loc, is more like a chewy tapioca feel that has filling inside and you dip it in the sauce. There’s the banh khoai, I wasn’t a really fan of this, it tastes like a mini banh xeo. I didn’t like the peanut sauce and rather dip this in fish sauce like a banh xeo or I would just order the banh xeo. I came here for more appetizers dish
Price: yes for the price, these are hard and authentic to find fresh. It takes a while to cook and for them to add ingredients and fresh sauce makes it worth the dollar
Interior and exterior. It’s a cute small shop and if you want the feel of Vietnam, sit on those little wooden chairs lol
Summary, I would bring my friends here just to experience a little...
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