West Coast Gem on the East Coast

Those who know me know that I am always on the lookout for curious and/or incredible eats, and I found just that in A&J, a Los Angeles chain serving Taiwanese food in Annandale, VA.  I do not exaggerate when I claim that this place leaves most other Northern Virginia Chinese restaurants in its dust.

Walking into the small space, the restaurant immediately set off triggers in my mind.  Chinese people eeeeeverywhere.  And not predominantly Chinese-Americans--Chinese.  There were small dishes cluttering every table, with young and old folks alike slurping and chomping away.  The air was cooled but not modified otherwise as an enveloping aroma of good food hit me like a wall.  There was a clamor and sense of urgency to the customers eating and the employees working, giving off a bustling liveliness (热闹).  A lady from behind the counter shouted a question at me and caught me off guard: "两位?" "Two seats?"  She might as well have said "Welcome home."

I went with a friend, and we both ordered noodle bowls, despite the summer heat, and some side dishes.  I ordered a Taiwanese spicy beef tendon noodle soup, picture below.  When they asked us whether we wanted thin or thick noodles, I thought the thin noodles would be too thin so I ordered thick.  Turns out the thin noodles are fairly normal and the thick noodles are thicker than I prefer, but it did not ruin the overall taste.  The thick noodles taste like they were made in-house, but they are most likely made by machine, not hand-pulled.

For side dishes we ordered everything pictured below, in order from left to right:

• Chinese scallion pancakes (葱油饼)
• Steamed vegetarian dumplings (花素蒸饺)
• Spiced spare ribs steamed with rice batter (粉蒸排骨)
• Chicken and mung bean noodle salad (雞絲拉皮)
• Seaweed beansprout salad (芽菜海带)

IMPORTANT: This place only accepts cash.  I highly recommend this restaurant without any reservations whatsoever.  Thanks a bunch to a colleague who suggested I check it out!