It’s business by day, party by night at Pop-Up District, a new food hall and entertainment space at the Eden Center in Falls Church. Founders Jay Tran and Alice Nguyen have introduced a nearly round-the-clock concept that begins the day with coffee, baked goods and free Wi-Fi starting at 7 a.m., and later welcomes post-workday crowds with a bar and theme nights going until 2 a.m.
In between, food stalls are now serving a panoply of pan-Asian foods all in one place, from morning until late night.
“We need one space for people to hang out after work [with] good food, good music, good vibes, good drinks,” says Tran, who also owns TeaDM, a bubble tea shop that started at the Eden Center in 2016 and now has four locations. “I want to bring a new vibe to the community.”
Pop-Up District had its soft opening May 1 and celebrated its grand opening June 8. The space has spots for eight vendors, including a rotating roster of pop-ups (hence the name). “People who want to launch a bakery or line of clothing, they can have a pop-up here and see if customers like the products,” Tran says.
The first pop-up, set to arrive this month, will sell Labubu, collectible plush toy monsters from China.
Current food and drink purveyors include Doppo, which specializes in creative coffees and Japanese matcha drinks, and The Beat Bakery, a stop for French croissants, sweet Hong Kong egg tarts and other baked goods.
Honey Pig Cupbop, a fast-casual concept from Annandale’s fan favorite Korean barbecue, Honey Pig, serves proteins like bulgogi and tofu atop rice, noodles or greens, which customers can dress up with toppings such as corn, kimchi and seaweed, plus several sauces. “It’s like a Chipotle version of Korean,” Tran says.
Eatsy, a Falls Church Thai restaurant, has a counter serving Thai street foods such as fried chive dumplings, crispy pork belly with basil and noodle favorites like pad Thai.
“Our menu at Eatsy Thai Street Food is inspired by the food and people of Isaan, a fertile region in northeastern Thailand recognized as the birthplace of some of the country’s most intriguing cuisines,” says Jintana Phaethaisong, the kiosk’s manager. “The flavors of Isaan are unique—spicier and more intense compared to other regions.”
A counter called Sun-C emphasizes the lesser-known Hue cuisine of central Vietnam, where Tran is from, with options like vermicelli bowls and fish cakes noodle soup. The Eden Center has long been a destination for Vietnamese restaurants, he says, but most focus on dishes from the country’s north and south. This is something new. “The central food flavor, you barely can find it anywhere in Virginia,” Tran says.
Coming this month is Soulber, a bar serving mostly highball cocktails and Japanese-inspired drinks from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Also set to launch this month: DJ nights on Fridays and Saturdays and live acoustic music on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Other events in the works include movie and game nights. “Every week we try to bring something new to the community,” Tran says.
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Guests can try out Haru Film, a photo booth concept offering next-level selfies with frames and stickers that started in Korea in 2021. 1943 Classic Restaurant in Annandale is the only other NoVA establishment that has one, Tran says.
Food, drinks and fun aside, Pop-Up District is all about eye candy, with custom-designed elements and colorful accents imported from Southeast Asia. The result is a stylish aesthetic punctuated by giant video screens and neon lighting.
“It looks futuristic,” Trans says. “Gen Z goes out not only for food, but the ambience.”
Find Pop-Up District at 6763 Wilson Blvd., Falls Church. Doppo’s hours are 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. The Beat is open from 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. Other food vendors are open from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends. The forthcoming Soulber bar will be open 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.