Donald Trump visits a Vietnamese restaurant at the Eden Center

Donald Trump famously visited only one Washington restaurant during his four years as president: the steakhouse in his own hotel, so it was a bit of a surprise to see him at Truong Tien, a new hidden gem in the Eden Center, Falls Church’s Vietnamese fine-dining spot.

“I don’t know what it is, you’ll have to explain it to me, but the Vietnamese community loves me. I love them,” Trump told a crowd in the small restaurant today. He called the Vietnamese community “the most beautiful dressers I’ve ever seen” and appeared alongside Hung Cao, the Virginia Senate candidate he supports.

It didn’t look like Trump actually ate anything at the restaurant. When asked if he had ever tried Vietnamese food, Trump said, “I love Vietnamese food, but I love the people more.” He also told a group of gathered supporters, “I’m going to buy something nice, I don’t know what it is.” He spent most of his time signing autographs and complaining about both the upcoming presidential debate with Kamala Harris and Joe Biden’s beach trips. “That’s not the Vietnamese, they’re hard-working people,” he said.

Truong Tien, which owner Thanh Huong Thi Truong opened last year, specializes in Hue cuisine from the central Vietnamese city that was once home to emperors. As far as local Vietnamese restaurants go, the menu is one of the most unique, with several specialties you’re unlikely to find anywhere else in the Eden Center. The restaurant also offers an excellent version of Bún Bò Huế, the spicy lemongrass noodle soup with meatballs, pig’s blood and other gelatinous bits. The cozy spot was named one of the best new restaurants in the DC metro area. Washingtonian‘s July issue.

Trump visits the Vietnamese restaurant Truong Tien at the Eden Center in Falls Church, Virginia pic.twitter.com/BQOzCG2oNm

— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) 26 August 2024

Food Editor

Jessica Sidman reports on the people and trends behind DC’s food and drink scene. Before she Washingtonian In July 2016, she was the Food Editor and Young & Hungry columnist at Washington City Paper. She is a Colorado native and graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.