
There's a common misconception that elderly men are the only ones with low testosterone or imbalanced hormones. According to the Cleveland Clinic, however, data shows that many men including men in their 40s and 50s suffer from low testosterone and sub-optimal testosterone around the world.. The truth is you don't have to be on your "last legs" to suffer from low testosterone.
In reality, as men get closer to 30, it's common for their testosterone levels to drop. When that happens, their lives and bodies change. Life may not seem as colorful or as exciting. Getting out of bed without aches and pains is rare. Finding the motivation to get up, go to work, and come home with a pep in your step is easier said than done. And for many men, the ultimate embarrassment occurs - they lose the ability to perform intimately in the bedroom.
If you're one of the millions of men with unexplained fatigue, weight gain especially abdominal fat, inability to put on muscle in the gym, decreased mental sharpness, increased anxiety or even erectile dysfunction, you may think that all hope is lost. But nothing could be further from the truth. Thanks to decades of trials and research, male health centers like Proactive Wellness are equipped with cutting-edge, FDA-approved medications and procedures to restore your hormones to optimal levels. It's called testosterone replacement therapy, or TRT for short, and it's giving men around the country renewed hope for a normal, meaningful life.
But to understand the incredible benefits of TRT in Annadale, VA, it's important to know about testosterone and how it works in your body.
About Understanding Testosterone
What comes to mind when you think about the word "testosterone"? For many people, testosterone is associated with men who are overtly aggressive or macho. And while testosterone has an effect on a male's vigor and motivation, it plays a much more important role than the average person thinks. The truth about testosterone is that it is a crucial hormone for male development that affects men from the time they go through puberty to the time they pass away.
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As their primary androgen, testosterone helps men develop common male characteristics and is essential in the production of sperm. Controlled by your body's pituitary gland and hypothalamus, testosterone helps develop and maintain:

Muscle Mass

Facial and Body Hair

Sex Organs

Healthy Libido

Bone Density

Sexual Function

Healthy Red Blood Cell Levels
When low testosterone or hypogonadism occurs, however, males begin to notice concerning symptoms that often affect their everyday lives and romantic relationships.
Causes What Causes Low Testosterone?
Also called low T, lower testosterone levels are most often caused by aging. When testosterone levels deplete in this manner, it occurs naturally - just about every man will experience lower levels of testosterone as they get older. However, other causes of low T also exist, including drug abuse, obesity, prescribed meds, testicle injuries and even taking certain bodybuilding supplements.
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When men lose significant amounts of testosterone, it alters their body's levels of testosterone and estrogen. Lower T levels usually result in abdominal fat, which in turn causes estrogen synthetize levels to increase, creating even higher levels of estrogen in the body. With more estrogen and less testosterone, a number of concerning issues begin to surface. Some of the symptoms of low testosterone include:
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Lowered Libido
- Lowered Sperm Count
- More Body Fat
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Issues with Concentration
- Male Breast Development
- Less Muscle Mass
- Motivation Issues
If you're a man struggling with one or more of the symptoms above, it could be because you have low testosterone. But the only way you can find out for sure is to have your testosterone levels tested by a wellness center like Proactive Wellness. If your testosterone levels are low, TRT in Annadale, VA, may be the answer to your low-T problems.
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Understanding The Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Are you starting to notice that you don't feel like "you" when you're at home or at work? Do you feel tired and lethargic all the time, even in your free time away from the office? Many men mistake these symptoms for being too sleepy or too busy. But the truth is, they're suffering from low testosterone. Since no two males will have the same symptoms of low T, it's prudent to recognize and understand some of the most common signs:

Erectile Dysfunction
If there were two words that all men wish to avoid, it's these two. Being unable to perform in the most intimate moments isn't just embarrassing - it can affect long-term relationships and mental health. It's a difficult topic to talk about. But it doesn't have to be. Our experts are ready to help you re-light that special spark.

Low Libido
When you have low testosterone, sometimes the thought of having sex just isn't appealing. If you're one of the many men in the U.S. who lacks sex drive, it might not be you. I could be low testosterone. Don't settle for a mediocre sex drive - reclaim your vigor at Proactive Wellness Centers.

Lack of Sleep
Do you work hard every day and come home exhausted, only to find that you toss and turn all night long? Whether you have undiagnosed insomnia or another sleep disorder, it could be linked to low T.



Less Strength and Muscle Mass
When testosterone levels deplete as we age, men lose their ability to lift heavy items, even with weightlifting routines in the gym. If you're making a concerted effort to maintain your muscle mass and strength but aren't making gains, it could be due to low T.

Depression
Your brain is home to many testosterone receptors, but when your body has low T, it can affect your mood. With time, poor spirits can lead to serious psychological issues, like depression. However, studies show that TRT in Annadale, VA, can rebalance your hormones, which can help relieve depression and improve your mood.

Lack of Concentration
Do you find it hard to complete normal tasks when you're at work? Does it seem like your memory is fading? Does your spouse or significant other complain that you're not paying attention to them? The effects of low testosterone don't just affect your body - they can affect your mind and memory, too. When your testosterone levels are within normal range, brain fog and other concentration issues have been shown to go away.

What are the Risks of Living with Low Testosterone?
At Proactive Wellness Centers, we understand what men must go through daily when they have low testosterone. They suffer from fatigue and lack motivation and often don't feel like their usual selves. But as bad as those symptoms sound, living with low T can have more severe health risks that that put vital organs at risk. Some of the most concerning health risks you should be aware of include the following:
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Some of the most concerning health risks you should be aware of include the following:


Heart Health
If you've been told by a doctor that you have high blood pressure, you're probably wondering what it stems from. Is it aging? Is it hereditary? Is it something else? According to academic research, men with low T have a higher chance of developing cardiovascular illnesses. When testosterone levels are low, red blood cell reproduction suffers. When that happens, plaque buildup in your arteries may be accelerated. With time, plaque building can lead to very serious problems like strokes and heart attacks.

Anemia
When you have anemia, your body has a lack of or dysfunctional red blood cells, meaning your organs have less oxygen with which to function. Because testosterone has a role in healthy red blood cell production, it makes sense that men with low t have a higher risk of anemia. In fact, a 2009 study found that older men with low T are 5x more likely to be anemic than men with healthy levels of testosterone. While TRT in Annadale, VA, isn't a cure for anemia, it will help produce more red blood cells in your body, which can prevent anemia.

Diabetes
If you have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes or diabetes, and you're trying to figure out why, it may be linked to your T levels. That's because men with low testosterone have a greater chance of developing diabetes as they age. Similarly, men with diabetes are much more likely to have low testosterone, establishing a relationship between diabetes and testosterone. This relationship is further solidified by the fact that men with low T have a more challenging time resisting insulin. Though TRT won't cure diabetes, studies show that men with healthy testosterone levels also have healthier blood sugar levels and are often less obese.

Obesity
If you look in the mirror in the morning and can't stand how much body fat you've gained since getting older, you're not alone. Many aging men have problems with their waistlines. If you eat well and exercise regularly but still can't get rid of that unsightly stomach or body fat, the culprit may be low testosterone. Multiple studies have shown the link between obesity and low T. In fact, testosterone plays an important role in food metabolism by regulating insulin, glucose, and fat. Fortunately, when combined with diet and exercise, men who undergo TRT can often lose weight and enjoy improved blood glucose and low-density cholesterol levels.
Enjoy Life to the Fullest with TRT in Annadale, VA

Testosterone replacement therapy does precisely what it sounds like: It is a science-backed therapy that replaces low testosterone levels in men. The ultimate goal of TRT is to improve your life and well-being by balancing your hormones. Also referred to as androgen replacement therapy, TRT helps many men deal with and overcome the debilitating side effects of low T.
Originally developed by scientists in the 1930s, TRT has grown substantially in popularity over the years. Today, it is one of the most common and promising treatments for males with low testosterone.
How Does TRT Work?
Without getting too scientific, TRT works by providing your body with the testosterone it needs to function properly. Without healthy levels of testosterone, the male body can't maintain the natural processes it needs for overall health. In fact, men with low testosterone levels are more prone to serious health problems like type-2 diabetes and even heart disease. Until their T levels are restored to normal, most men suffer until they find a solution.
That's where TRT comes into play. With balanced hormones, your body can finally begin to heal, causing most symptoms of low t to diminish greatly.
The Proactive Wellness Approach to TRT in Annadale, VA
At Proactive Wellness Centers, our team utilizes a three-pronged approach to healing and treatment:
Patient Education. We equip you with the knowledge needed to take charge of your health and achieve optimal well-being in your life.
Prevention. We focus on preventing diseases by providing you with a thorough evaluation, which includes comprehensive diagnostics and the information you provide on your health history form.
Rejuvenation. Lastly, we work closely with you to implement a rejuvenation program consisting of several science-based treatments that aim to promote tissue regeneration, reduce cellular degeneration, foster healing, and slow your aging process.
Because no two patients ever have the exact same needs and treatment, your journey to journey to optimal health will be unique and tailored to your body.
However, to give you a brief snapshot of the average patient's TRT timeline may look like this:
Getting Started:
You contact our TRT clinic in Virginia. Based on your schedule, we'll arrange for a time for you to come in for your initial assessment.
Diagnostics and Evaluation:
One of our diagnostic experts will complete comprehensive testing to discover your testosterone and related hormone levels and your best treatment options.
Review Testing:
We'll sit with you one-on-one to discuss the results of your lab tests. During this session, a medical practitioner will also answer any questions you have about low T and testosterone replacement therapy.
Begin Your Custom TRT Regimen:
Based on your lifestyle, goals, and test results, we'll craft a custom TRT plan exclusively for you.
Success Coaching:
When you undergo TRT at Proactive Wellness Centers, you're never alone. We'll be by your side the entire way to ensure your treatment is going well and you're hitting your benchmarks. We'll keep track of your progress, and if there are areas that need improvement, we'll work with you to accomplish the goals you haven't achieved yet. Because, at the end of the day, a little bit of encouragement can go a long way.
Enjoy the Results:
This is the best part! With time and care, you'll begin to notice the effects of TRT and will be well on your way to enjoying balanced hormones.

Trust The Proactive Wellness Difference
Did you know that 13 million males suffer from low T, but a whopping 90% go untreated by doctors? The reason is that conventional doctors believe that unless your Testosterone level is below the low lab reference range level, that your are "OK". At Proactive Wellness, we help you to optimize and be the best you can be, not just OK. Why be OK, when with the help of the right Testosterone dose, you can feel better, be healthier, stronger and more vibrant. If you believe that your testosterone levels are at unhealthy levels, it's time to contact Proactive Wellness Centers for testing. Living with low testosterone is a risk, but with personalized TRT in Annadale, VA, you can minimize the harmful effects on your body.
Unlike other TRT clinics, we utilize a more complete and personalized approach to Testosterone Replacement Therapy. Our approach considers the role of DHEA, another very important hormone that needs to be balanced. And we look at Estradiol conversion, the unwanted effect where some men convert too much Testosterone to estradiol. In this case, these men (about 10%) need a medication to block this conversion, called an aromatase inhibitor. But notice that I mentioned that only 10% of men need this, but at many men's clinics, all men automatically get an aromatase inhibitor whether they need it or not. This drives Estradiol too low, causing other issues. Yes, Men need Estradiol also, but they need it in the proper proportion. Bottom line, our personalized approach ensures that you get exactly what you need, no more and no less.
Further, Proactive Wellness offers the widest range of Testosterone Replacement options so that men can choose the best for their particular lifestyle. Choose from pellets that are inserted just under the skin and last for 4-5 months, or the most popular option, Test Cypionate injections that are typically done weekly, or specialized transdermal cream or even a specialized intranasal application that mimics natural testosterone levels. Any of these methods are available at Proactive Wellness Centers so that you can get the option that is right for you.
Is testosterone replacement therapy enough? Maybe, it all depends on your goals and your lab results. Many men are also deficient in growth hormone (GH) and this hormone can also contribute to you not being your best. If this one is low, Proactive Wellness offers a range of Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone (GHRH) peptides to increase your GH levels. Many men combine this with TRT to feel their absolute best.
If you're ready to reclaim your confidence and return to loving life on your own terms, our physicians and medical team are ready to help. Don't be one of those men who constantly complain about their health but don't do anything about it. Contact Proactive Wellness Centers today to make a difference in your life!

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Latest News in Annadale, VA
$1 million decision: Virginia man wins the lottery
wusa9.comhttps://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/virginia/million-decision-virginia-man-wins-lottery/65-c1a96d4f-7138-4e81-af81-8fcd07f057d4
An Annandale resident decided to play the Mega Millions on a whim and that decision paid off - literally.ANNANDALE, Va. — What would you do with a million dollars? One Virginia man is getting to answer that exact question after he found himself with a winning lottery ticket.Man Nguyen, an Annandale resident, decided to play the Mega Millions on a whim and that decision paid of...
An Annandale resident decided to play the Mega Millions on a whim and that decision paid off - literally.
ANNANDALE, Va. — What would you do with a million dollars? One Virginia man is getting to answer that exact question after he found himself with a winning lottery ticket.
Man Nguyen, an Annandale resident, decided to play the Mega Millions on a whim and that decision paid off - literally. He said that he just happened to notice the Virginia Lottery app on his device and decided to buy a few tickets online.
That turned out to be a million-dollar decision.
One of the tickets he bought ended up matching the first five numbers in the Feb. 28 drawing and missed only the Mega Ball number to win the whopping prize of $1 million.
The winning numbers in that drawing were 14-16-40-52-59, and the Mega Ball number was 13. According to the Virginia lottery, if he had matched that final number, he would have won a jackpot estimated at $145 million.
Nguyen also let his luck guide him to the win as he used Easy Pick and allowed the computer to select his numbers at random.
When asked the question of what he would do with his winnings, he responded by saying: “My wife’s birthday is coming up, and I’m thinking of buying her a new car!”
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The University of Northern Virginia is ordered to close in Annandale after 15 years
Tom Jackmanhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/local/wp/2013/07/23/the-university-of-northern-virginia-is-ordered-to-close-in-annandale-after-15-years/
If you never got to experience the thrill of a fraternity rush at the University of Northern Virginia, the electricity of a basketball game featuring the UNVA Fighting Commuters, or the silent satisfaction of having your F-1 visa application validated, your opportunities are gone. (If they were ever there.) The University of NoVa,...
If you never got to experience the thrill of a fraternity rush at the University of Northern Virginia, the electricity of a basketball game featuring the UNVA Fighting Commuters, or the silent satisfaction of having your F-1 visa application validated, your opportunities are gone. (If they were ever there.) The University of NoVa, operating out of the ground floor of an office building on Little River Turnpike in Annandale, has been ordered to cease and desist after 15 years of operation, due mostly to the fact that it has been unaccredited by any recognized group for five years now, and also because it failed four audits by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia which indicated failure to hire “qualified faculty” or use “appropriate curriculum content.” Which are key elements in any good university.
The school, not widely known to many who thought they knew Northern Virginia, has had problems with its ownership, its record-keeping, indications that its chancellor was “a suburban sex-dungeon master” and with allegations that it was simply a way for foreign nationals to obtain a U.S. visa. It was one of the subjects of an investigation by the Chronicle of Higher Education in March 2011 about small for-profit colleges exploiting visa loopholes to recruit foreign students for big dollars.
In that article, UNVA founder Daniel Ho told a reporter that the school “is very profitable. Very profitable.” He acknowledged that, “I can sell degrees. I can sell diplomas. But I won’t,” he said. “Who’s going to supervise me, control me? Myself.”
Well, the folks at the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia, or SCHEV, had something to say about that. Beginning in 2007, it audited UNVA periodically, always finding “items of non-compliance” such as not documenting or reviewing its faculty or maintaining student records that show the requirements for admission. UNVA’s accreditation was revoked by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools in 2008, and the school never obtained approval from any other Department of Education-approved body again, as required by Virginia law.
David North, a fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, pointed out that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials raided UNVA in 2011, but then took no further action. North visited the Fighting Commuters campus last week, posing as a student’s “uncle,” reprising my own 2011 visit as a “reporter,” and counted four classrooms on site. “Somehow this tiny outfit managed to produce 189 alleged grads,” North said, “who got short term work permits (29 months) because of high-tech degrees from this place. They were the 18th largest university in the nation in this category.”
I called the university several times on Monday, but failed to get a human on the line. I also e-mailed the home of the Fighting Commuters (the mascot chosen in 2011 by the State of NoVa staff), in hopes of hearing from Ali Dastmalchi, the current chancellor and CEO, but have not heard back.
The cease and desist order issued by the state higher education council was first reported by Bre Payton at Watchdog.org, who also noted the university will have to refund any fall tuition money it has already collected. This leaves an unknown number of students in limbo, some of whom may have legitimately been trying to obtain a degree, even if from an unaccredited four-room school in the basement of an Annandale office building.
The state council’s chronology of the shutdown of UNVA states that the school was established in 1998 and attained accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools in April 2003. But four years later, that same group denied UNVA reaccreditation, finding that there was “insufficient evidence that the distance education faulty is reviewed by the administration” and “insufficient documentation that the institution follows its Satisfactory Academic Progress policy,” among other problems.
The state council conducted audits in both 2007 and 2008 which found problems, their chronology notes. Meanwhile, a dispute erupted in court over who owned the school. A new chancellor, David Lee, asked the state council to allow more time to obtain accreditation. But nothing happened, and Lee resigned in August 2011 when his online search for an “attractive submissive” to live in his basement “dungeon complete with bondage racks” became public. I am not making this up. This occurred at the same time as the ICE raid, so that was a really tough time for UNVA.
The audits and the lack of accreditation continued, and in March 2012 the state council notified the university it was about to revoke its certification to operate in Virginia. UNVA entered an agreement by which it would at least be a candidate for accreditation by June 2013, and agreed to “extinguish Dr. Ho’s financial interest in the institution” and “ensure Dr. Ho relinquishes ownership and involvement in the administration.”
But still, according to the state council, the Fighting Commuters couldn’t get it done. The state council conducted another audit in October 2012 and found items missing from files. Dastmalchi reported that UNVA was seeking accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which is a problem since F-1 foreign students must take classes at a brick and mortar location. However, according to the audit, “University of Northern Virginia has failed consistently to remain in compliance with such items as the hiring of qualified faculty, appropriate curriculum content and student disclosures regarding transferability of credits to other institutions.”
The state council’s audit concluded that UNVA “deliberately and continuously demonstrates its disregard for the requirements of Virginia law and regulation. The violations identified above are not merely technical in nature. They touch on the most fundamental provisions in [state law] related to minimal standards of academic quality and fair treatment of students.”
The cease and desist letter sent July 17 orders UNVA to turn over a list of all students, their visa status (many are from India), their financial records and the location of their transcripts. The state council said it would notify students that the school is no longer legally authorized to operate in Virginia, confer with the Department of Homeland Security to determine viable options for foreign students and estimate claims for unearned tuition.
And so the University of Northern Virginia is gone. There were never any basketball games, or fraternities, or any of that trivial college stuff. But the name could be a good one, a prestigious one, representing a wealthy and well-educated part of the country, for someone who wants to launch a legitimate replacement. And the rights to the Fighting Commuter brand and intellectual property are, at last check, still available.
Fairfax County firefighters battle building fire in Annandale; Columbia Pike shut down
7News Staffhttps://wjla.com/news/local/fairfax-county-fire-rescue-firefighters-battle-building-fire-annandale-columbia-pike-shut-down-between-backlick-road-john-marr-drive-fcfrd-helicopter
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — Fairfax County Fire and Rescue crews responded to a building fire that broke out in the 7200 block of Columbia Pike in Annandale Sunday morning.When firefighters arrived around 7 a.m., heavy smoke was showing from the roof line.Investigators do not have a cause yet, but believe it was accidental and not intentionally set. Nobody was hurt. Total damages have reached over $2 million as of Monday afternoon.FCFRD said the operation was in defensive mode due to instability of building and a...
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — Fairfax County Fire and Rescue crews responded to a building fire that broke out in the 7200 block of Columbia Pike in Annandale Sunday morning.
When firefighters arrived around 7 a.m., heavy smoke was showing from the roof line.
Investigators do not have a cause yet, but believe it was accidental and not intentionally set. Nobody was hurt. Total damages have reached over $2 million as of Monday afternoon.
FCFRD said the operation was in defensive mode due to instability of building and all firefighters stayed outside of the building to extinguish the fire.
Fairfax County Fire Marshal's Office Capt. Charles Cunningham said a bystander actually alerted the fire station located just a few blocks away after seeing smoke.
“A gentleman was going past this location, and Fire Station 8 Annandale was literally about 300-400 yards away. He went over there, knocked on the door, and reported the fire there,” Cunningham said.
Columbia Pike was shut down in both directions between Backlick Road and John Marr Drive, but has since reopened.
James Shinn is the president of the U.S. Korean Association of Washington President, and said he is saddened to see popular businesses in Annandale's vibrant Korean community destroyed.
“A lot of people in and out. It’s so busy. You’re normally waiting in line for an hour,” Shinn said. “It’s just a disaster just to come back. I don’t know what to say.”
The four businesses that were destroyed were Hanmi Post, JJ Salon & Barber, To Sok Jip, and Bonchon. Shinn was referring to To Sok Jip.
FCFRD's helicopter, Fairfax 1, monitored the fire from above.
According to Cunningham, the building did not have fire suppression systems.
“At this point, we were not able to determine if there was any alarms that were activated. There were no smoke alarms that were activated," Cunningham said. "These buildings didn’t have any sprinklers. It was a non-sprinklered building. If the building was built today, there would be different building codes that would apply, as opposed to when this building was built.”
Fairfax County Fire/Rescue crews responded to a building fire that broke out in Annandale Sunday morning. (WJLA)
As the investigation continues, Shinn said he is hoping for answers because of how much these four businesses mean to the community.
“Especially this place that has been here a long time and run a lot of business in this area, made a lot of sales," Shinn said. "It’s overwhelming. It’s jaw dropping now.”
What to do in Annandale, VA
Annandale, VA Patchhttps://patch.com/virginia/annandale/calendar
Local EventNov6Meditation for Optimal Well-Being (Virtual)Monday, 7:00 pmAnnandale, VATuesday, November 7Local EventNov7...
Local Event
Nov6
Meditation for Optimal Well-Being (Virtual)
Monday, 7:00 pmAnnandale, VA
Tuesday, November 7
Local Event
Nov7
Fall Flow Yoga Classes on Zoom
Tuesday, 6:30 pmAnnandale, VA
Wednesday, November 8
Local Event
Nov8
Pop-up Pottery Sale -- 8 Nov 23
Wednesday, 9:30 amAnnandale, VA
Friday, November 10
Local Event
Nov10
Lunch N' Life with Tom Hone
Friday, 9:00 amAnnandale, VA
Saturday, November 11
Featured Event
Nov11
Beginner Wood Carving Class
Saturday, 10:00 amAnnandale, VA
Featured Event
Nov11
Local Event
Nov11
Sunday, November 12
Featured Event
Nov12
Lights, Camera, Auction
Sunday, 5:00 pmFairfax City, VA
Monday, November 13
Local Event
Nov13
Beginners Japanese Mahjong
Monday, 3:30 pmAnnandale, VA
Local Event
Nov13
The Night of Terror: Suffragists at the Occoquan Workhouse
Monday, 7:00 pmAnnandale, VA
Saturday, November 18
Local Event
Nov18
Annual Christmas Bazaar
Saturday, 9:00 amAnnandale, VA
Local Event
Nov18
Holly Jolly Christmas Bazaar
Saturday, 10:00 amAnnandale, VA
Friday, December 1
Local Event
Dec1
Saturday, December 2
Local Event
Dec2
Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, 9:00 amAnnandale, VA
Sunday, December 3
Local Event
Dec3
Together for the Holidays: Cookies & Cocktails – Social with a Purpose
Sunday, 4:00 pmAnnandale, VA
Friday, December 8
Local Event
Dec8
Brain Gym
Friday, 2:00 pmAnnandale, VA
Saturday, December 9
How to spend 24 hours eating Korean food in Annandale
Adele Chapinhttps://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/how-to-spend-24-hours-eating-korean-food-in-annandale/2018/03/21/b5ce5eba-085c-11e8-94e8-e8b8600ade23_story.html
When Jonathan Lee opened Korean Bakery in Annandale in 1989, he even made his bean paste from scratch. He didn’t have a choice. “There was no supplier,” he says. “When I opened this business, it was the only Korean bakery in the Washington area.”Twenty-nine years later, nearby shopping centers are home to countless Korean restaurants, and Annandale has become a must-visit dining destination not only for Fairfax County, and its dense Korean population, but also for patrons across the area. In fact, there a...
When Jonathan Lee opened Korean Bakery in Annandale in 1989, he even made his bean paste from scratch. He didn’t have a choice. “There was no supplier,” he says. “When I opened this business, it was the only Korean bakery in the Washington area.”
Twenty-nine years later, nearby shopping centers are home to countless Korean restaurants, and Annandale has become a must-visit dining destination not only for Fairfax County, and its dense Korean population, but also for patrons across the area. In fact, there are so many compelling places to try that you could literally spend an entire day bouncing among them.
Follow along with this chef-approved Korean dining itinerary stretching from morning until late night, which allots a few hours per stop, and you’ll understand what David Chang, the celebrity chef behind the Momofuku empire — and a Northern Virginia native — means when he names the biggest misconception about Korean food: “that it’s just barbecue and kimchi.”
One of Washington’s buzziest dining destinations isn’t in the city — but it’s worth the trek
Breeze Bakery Cafe, 7 a.m.
Your Korean dining extravaganza begins with pastries, coffee and tea at this inviting two-level cafe (complete with outdoor dining upstairs). Wire baskets are provided for shoppers to load up on all sorts of baked goods — think sweet pumpkin cake rolls ($5.50), chestnut bread loaves ($4.50) and mocha buns ($1.99). Adorable animal cupcakes peer out from the glass pastry case. The cafe menu is wide-ranging: You can get a nitro coffee — and a bulgogi quesadilla with marinated beef and mozzarella. 4125 Hummer Rd. breezebakery.com.
Siroo, 10 a.m.
Don’t miss the juk, a comforting Korean rice porridge, at Siroo. Chef Danny Lee — who owns Mandu, in Northwest Washington, along with his mother, Yesoon, and co-founded the buzzy Barracks Row destination ChiKo — is amazed by the varieties of juk offered, including ginseng chicken ($10.99), spicy kimchi — a side dish and staple of Korean cuisine, made with fermented cabbage and other vegetables ($8.99) — and abalone ($12.99). “They have 20 different versions of this juk that are all cooked in different broths, and all have different proteins and different produce in them,” Lee says. “It’s really a cool thing to see, and it’s delicious.” 4231 Markham St. siroousa.com.
Cheogajip Chicken, 1 p.m.
Bonchon is arguably the biggest name Washingtonians might know when it comes to Korean fried chicken but there’s another huge franchise from Korea making inroads in the Washington region. Cheogajip, which translates as “mother-in-law’s home,” slathers on spicy, soy garlic or sweet sauce on its fried chicken, all while keeping the drumsticks extra crispy (family size order, $16.85). Not in the mood for chicken? The small carryout also offers an intriguing pizza topped with yellow sweet potatoes. 4300 Evergreen Lane.
Gom Ba Woo, 3 p.m.
Bone-broth devotees need to try the soups and stews at Gom Ba Woo, says chef Rob Rubba. Rubba — whose wife, Deb Rubba, is Korean — often cooks Korean food at home and showcases the cuisine’s flavors at his globally inspired restaurant, Hazel, in Shaw. But when Rubba’s looking for a warming soup such as sulrung tang (a beef-bone broth with rice and noodles), he heads to this cozy spot. “The way they do [the bone broth] so slow with the marrow bone, it just looks like you’re eating a bowl of warm milk,” he says. “It’s just the best beef broth you’ve ever had.” Stir scallions and hot chile paste into your bowl ($7.95 at lunch) until you get the spice level just right. 7133 Columbia Pike. gombawoo.net.
Hazel review: Global flavors at a neighborhood hot spot
Tous Les Jours, 5 p.m.
You might not guess it from Tous Les Jours’ nondescript exterior, but the spacious Annandale outpost of this popular French Asian bakery chain is all soaring ceilings, polished concrete floors and exposed brick walls. Wooden display cases are stocked with such Parisian desserts as croissants stuffed with strawberries ($3.25), along with other specialties: kimchi croquettes ($2.75), soft milk bread buns ($2.50) and chewy, orblike doughnuts stuffed with a spoonful of sweet pumpkin filling ($1.75). Grab a lavender milk tea latte ($3.25) with a pastry, or cool down with a bingsoo, a Korean dessert stacked with toppings — ice cream, red beans and fresh fruit — on a mound of fluffy shaved ice. 7219 Columbia Pike. tljus.com.
To Sok Jip, 7 p.m.
It can be tough to get a table at this tiny restaurant, which excels in seafood stews such as daegu maeun tang, a spicy codfish soup ($15.99) and bo ssam, a build-it-yourself, seasoned-pork-belly dish with cabbage leaves, kimchi and seasoned radish. Also of note, a favorite of Rubba’s: budae jjigae ($31.99), or “army base stew,” a hearty red hot pot inspired by the surplus food from American military bases eaten during the Korean War. The portions are generous: The dish — bubbling with hot dogs, kimchi and dried instant ramen — could easily feed four. 7211 Columbia Pike. tosokjip.com.
At To Sok Jip, a bold taste of Korean cooking
Choong Hwa Won, 9 p.m.
David Chang may be one of the most famous chefs in the United States, but his dad still calls the shots when they’re dining out in Annandale. “He calls in the orders” in advance, Chang says. “I don’t recall ever looking at a menu in my life.” Their destination is often Choong Hwa Won, where they go for the jjajangmyun. An order of the Chinese-Korean dish brings a giant helping of fresh, chewy, wheat-based noodles with pork, vegetables and black bean curd sauce ($6.99 at dinner), which servers can cut with scissors for easier slurping. The no-frills restaurant stays open until midnight — and has a karaoke room, too. 4409 John Marr Dr. choonghwawon.com.
Kogiya, 11 p.m.
Order one of the all-you-can-eat options at Kogiya, and the meat will keep coming until you admit defeat. (Dinner starts at $23 per person.) Diners sit around an open flame grill while servers cook brisket, pork belly, short ribs and more before your eyes. The stainless-steel table will also be packed with banchan (an array of gratis side dishes that traditionally arrives with each meal, including kimchi, seasoned soybean sprouts or cucumber salad), rice, a steamed egg dish and soup. Don’t worry: Kogiya has a ventilation system above each table to keep the smoky meat aroma mostly contained. (For another classic Korean barbecue experience, there’s Honey Pig. The local institution has expanded with locations in Northern Virginia and Maryland, but its Annandale home base still packs in diners for kalbi beef rib grilled to the thumping beat of K-pop.) 4220-A Annandale Rd. kogiya.com.
Jangteo 7080, 1 a.m.
At this after-hours haunt, where posters of throwback Korean musicians decorate the walls (hi, Cho Yong Pil) and bottle caps hang from the ceiling, the order is soju or makgeolli. The former, Korea’s most popular spirit, is often distilled from rice, and the latter is a sweet, traditional rice wine. Pair drinks with bar food fit for a crowd, such as the intensely fiery, cheese-covered crazy chicken ($20.95). 7118 Columbia Pike.
Yechon, 3 a.m.
The doors never close and the menu goes on for pages at Yechon, a dinerlike Korean and Japanese restaurant. Day or night, grab a table at the wood-paneled spot, and servers in traditional hanbok dresses will bring out sushi rolls (prices vary), mul naengmyeon (homemade buckwheat noodles, vegetables, beef and a boiled egg in a cold broth, $12.95) or kimchi dolsot bibimbap (the traditional Korean mixed-rice dish served in a hot stone bowl, topped with marinated beef and vegetables, $13.95). 4121 Hummer Rd.
To Soc Chon, 5 a.m.
The menu highlights at this 24-hour spot include dakdori tang (a steaming-hot, spicy stew with potatoes, carrots and chicken) and handmade, knife-cut noodles served in the broth of your choice (think clam or chicken, $12-$13). But To Soc Chon is best known for one dish, and it’s a big reason the restaurant is open at all hours. “They make sundae guk, which is like a stew or soup where the base is Korean blood sausage,” says Danny Lee, the chef. “It’s pretty much known as hangover soup.” Sounds like a necessity after a full day of kimchi, bulgogi and soju. 7031 Little River Tpk., Suite 21D.
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