🌙 Late-Night Cravings Solved: Yechon Korean Restaurant in Annandale (4.2 Stars!)
Prior to the COVID-19 shutdowns, this Annandale VA institution was open 24-hours a day. Just minutes off the Beltway, Yechon is easily accessible from all over the DMV (DC/MD/VA). It consistently draws crowds seeking everything from authentic Korean BBQ to comforting stews and even solid sushi. With a 4.2-star rating across 2,487 reviews, diners celebrate its extensive menu and no nonsense atmosphere.
👘 The Vibe: Traditional Charm & Attentive Service
Well, that heading is a bit generous. The servers wear something close to traditional Korean dress (“hanbok”) but they are always busy so don’t expect to chat – be ready to order.
As a good Korean restaurant should, the basic table setting includes varied banchan (small side dishes) that are free (and you can ask for refills during your meal).
Unexpected Blessing: Excellent Sushi and Sashimi While Yechon is known for its Korean BBQ and hearty stews, reviews consistently point out the quality of their Japanese menu items. Don’t miss out on their incredible sushi and sashimi platters, which offer a fresh, beautiful alternative to the traditional Korean fare!
🍜 Must-Try Dishes & Menu Highlights
The menu is extensive, but a few dishes are consistently lauded by reviewers for their outstanding flavor and authenticity.
| Dish | Reviewer Praise |
| Galbi (Grilled Marinated Short Ribs) | “Tender, flavorful meat that melts in your mouth.” A top recommendation for the communal Korean BBQ experience. |
| Tteok Mandu Guk (Rice Cake Soup with Dumplings) | Perfect for comfort, with a rich, umami-bursting oxtail bone broth, “fresh and springy” rice cakes, and seemingly homemade mandu. |
| Bibimbap | Described as both visually stunning and delicious, offering a harmonious blend of textures and flavors. |
| Kimchi Jjigae / Sundubu Jjigae | For those seeking warmth, the stews are called robust, hearty, and comforting with a satisfying spicy kick. |
My go-to order at Lunchtime to warm up: Hae-jang-guk (hangover soup) is a bubbling stew vegetables and meat – if you want the real experience, then order with tripe and seonji (congealed ox blood). Sounds gross, but it is very good.
My go-to order at Lunchtime when its hot out: Hwe-dup-bap (sashimi covered rice) is a Korean rice bowl featuring fresh, cubed raw fish (sashimi), mixed vegetables, and a gochujang sauce. Mix and eat like Bi-bim-bap except this meal is cold.
🗣️ What Diners Are Saying (Review Excerpts)
To be honest the atmosphere is a bit cramped and old.
But “Saul Goodman” when you meet good friends for good food (and drink) to start the night, or to grab a late-night meal after a night out!
Yechon is beloved for its consistency and tradition, although like any hotspot, it has its off moments. Here is a snapshot of the detailed feedback:
“How does this place exist?? A 24-hour Korean restaurant that serves not only stellar Korean food but also very solid sushi as well? Our family has been going to Yechon for years, and while most long-standing restaurants have their rise and fall in quality, Yechon has been extremely consistent.”
“I ordered the Tteok Mandu Guk… Nothing could have been more perfect than this soup in that moment. The rice cakes were fresh and springy, the mandu seemed homemade… The banchan were fabulous and paired well with the almost plain soup (but it really wasn’t plain, it was bursting with umami flavor…).”
“Yechon’s ambiance is a perfect blend of modern comfort and traditional charm… The Galbi (grilled marinated short ribs) is a standout, with tender, flavorful meat that melts in your mouth… Despite the high quality of the food and service, Yechon remains reasonably priced. The portions are generous, ensuring that you leave both satisfied…”
💡 Quick Facts
| Category | Detail |
| Name | Yechon Korean Restaurant |
| Google Rating | 4.2 Stars |
| Address | 4121 Hummer Rd, Annandale, VA 22003, USA |
| Hours | Open 24 Hours (Typically 7 days a week, but check website for holidays) |
| Price Range | $$ (Moderate/Reasonable) |
| Good For | Groups, Dinner, Lunch, Brunch, Takeout |
| Website | Yechon Korean Restaurant |
| Maps & Reviews | View Yechon on Google Maps |
Plenty of free parking and there is a Korean bakery/cafe right next door (Breeze) for dessert!
🔥 Try Cooking Korean Food at Home
There is nothing quite like the flavor of authentic Korean food, but those weekly dining costs can definitely add up. T-Nice’s wealth hack? Recreating those fantastic flavors in your own kitchen! This is also definitely a health tip since you can control the quality of the ingredients.
In addition to our 5-Bok Recipes, we have two recommendations to enjoy Korean cuisine at home:
🍳 T-Nice’s Korean Kitchen Essentials
To truly capture the soul of Korean dining, you need the right recipes and the right gear, especially if you love dishes like Dolsot Bibimbap or table-grilled Bulgogi.
🇰🇷 #1: Master the Recipes (The Authority)
Start with the ultimate resource: **Maangchi’s Big Book of Korean Cooking**. Maangchi is widely considered the “Julia Child” of Korean food, and her book offers hundreds of perfect, approachable recipes—from simple banchan to show-stopping Kalbi and the famous Haemul Pajeon (Seafood Pancake).
➡️ Korean Cooking with Maangchi
🥢 #2: Cook Like a Pro (The Essential Gear)
To get that authentic, sizzling Dolsot (hot stone bowl) crunch on your Bibimbap, or to serve your stews piping hot, you need high-quality Korean cookware. This essential set brings the restaurant experience directly to your table.
1 Comment
A 5-Bok Guide to Northern Virginia’s Korean Food Scene → 5-BOK.COM · 2025-11-19 at 11:11 pm
[…] high-quality dishes, presented in a way Koreans expect. Of course there are exceptions – Yechon has done well offering BBQ, sushi, stews and soups – but Yechon is the […]