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    Southeast Impression

    4.5 (456 reviews)
    Open • 12:00 pm - 3:00 PM, 4:30 PM - 10:00 PM

    Southeast Impression Photos

    Business Info

    SOUTHEAST IMPRESSION ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy

    Recommended Reviews - Southeast Impression

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    Nice decor
    Thuy V.

    Still a great place to eat. Year later and interior is still immaculate. Some dishes more of a hit than others. Hainanese chicken good. The roti good. Papaya salad wasn't the best. Good service. Great for a nicer dinner/meal but not too fancy.

    Singaporean chili crab
    Parth R.

    This place is the real deal. You walk by thinking it is going to be just some strip mall overpriced Asian food but the internal ambiance and decor is just so cool! The staff and service were fast and friendly. The food was fantastic (and we are well versed). We enjoyed the nasi goreng, whole grilled squid, roti canai, and tamarind shrimp. But the two STARS OF THE SHOW were Beef Rendang and the Singaporean Chili Crab. Beef was "melt in your mouth" tender and the rendang curry was velvety and luxurious. The chili crab was Dungeness, pre cracked, required bibs and gloves, and has me looking fool trying to suck the claws clean. Cocktails were just iight, but can't all be hits. Well done yall!!

    KL hokkien mee
    Suzie Z.

    Back again for the third time! The food is absolutely Alicia's and we did family style this time round splitting it amongst 4 of us. We had the best time and were very well taken care of by Tammy (sp?). As a Singaporean this food reminds me a lot of home. One tip would be to opt for outdoor seating during summer months as indoor seating gets very loud and we couldn't hear each other well. Would come back again and again.

    Braise Beef
    Richard H.

    Can't go wrong with this restaurant if you like Southeast Asian food. Amazing quality. Love the service. The restaurant is modern and well organized. It is worth every penny I paid for.

    Pad Thai with crispy noodles added
    Tony G.

    This is one of the best Thai restaurants I have ever dined at! I have been here twice and the food is consistently excellent. The interior is gorgeous and they also have the option for outside seating The employees are very friendly and service is great! You really cannot go wrong with whatever dish you choose. I would suggest making a reservation because the restaurant stays busy. There is a free parking garage behind the building. I will definitely return!

    Salmon ceviche
    Faith N.

    The service was amazing! Our waitress was so sweet and knew how to take care of my grandparents and the rest of my family! We were sat in a small room for our party of 8 and it was nice and private for our birthday event. My favorite dish was the grilled squid and hainanese chicken. Everything was cooked so well and so flavorful. I especially loved the 3 sauces that came with the chicken. Can't eat to come back again!

    Papaya Salad
    Sanjana R.

    Food is always amazing here, and the portions continue to be huge overall! Went for lunch on a weekday and the service was fast, and we got a table very quickly. Food is very flavorful and there are plenty of options on the menu. The decor here is also super pretty.

    Roti Canai with Chicken Curry
    Kimberly S.

    A slightly elevated Southeast Asian restaurant with an elegant dining space, attentive service, and thoughtfully executed dishes. I genuinely enjoyed every dish we ordered, and I was especially glad that the flavors were not compromised by the upscale atmosphere. Each plate was presented nice and came in a satisfying portion size. I also really appreciated the menu design, especially the small flags indicating where each dish originated and sectioned in a way that was easy to read through. I recommend the papaya salad! My only comment is that it was a windy day when we dined and they had a door open. All the wind blew right to us (we were seated near the door) and I got cold during the meal.

    Various main dishes - my fav was the crispy pork (bottom)
    Lydia N.

    I've been here a couple of times now and the food has not disappointed either times! This is one of the best places in NoVa for southeast Asian food, and their desserts are also very impressive! Some highlights were their crispy pork belly, mango sticky rice, and Pandan chiffon cake. The servers were also friendly and attentive and the atmosphere was lively - just wish I lived closer so I can visit more often!

    Duck Pad Kapow
    Sheran M.

    4.5 stars The food here is amazing, and the portions are generous. This would have been five stars, but the nasi lemak wasn't perfect. While some pieces of the rendang melted in your mouth as expected, others were a bit too tough for my taste. The duck pad kapow was a standout, with incredible crispiness and bold flavors. Service is attentive and the staff gave us great recommendations on how to navigate the menu, especially since it was our first visit. The ambiance is very modern and feels upscale, although the prices are quite reasonable. It's a nice blend of traditional Southeast Asian elements with a modern American style.

    Sarah L.

    I've been to south east impression multiple times but every time the food is so good ! The server was very kind and attentive. We got the tamarind shrimp, Haines chicken, pineapple fried rice, and the roti appetizer. It is a little pricey but it's a nice restaurant with beautiful interior !

    Christina V.

    It was amazing!!!! Our server Tammy was amazing too :) we both got drinks- the espresso martini was DELICIOUS. I usually only take a sip of it but I took a lot of sips!!! I got myself a cosmopolitan and it was classic. For appetizer get the papaya salad, a wonderful dish to get your stomach ready for the entrees! I honestly believe their Panang curry is the best this area has to offer. No dessert tonite but maybe next time :)

    Pandan Creme Brulee & Mango Sticky Rice
    Ellen D.

    I have been to Southeast Impression a handful of times and have loved every single experience. Most recently I went for a friend's bridal party get together; we were able to make a reservation via phone a few days prior for our table of 10 so that was nice! Food: (5 of 5) -Appetizer Platter: great to share with friends and great for you have a small taste of everything -Papaya Salad: was refreshing but could definitely use more heat/spice -Pad Thai: cant go wrong with a classic -Nasi Goreng: topped with a delicious fried egg -Pineapple Fried Rice: presentation was everything!! -Roasted Duck Curry: sweet, great with rice -Pandan Creme Brulee: best dessert on the menu -Mango Sticky Rice: refreshing mango, would order again -My cup of Kopi: their take on an espresso martini, it was amazing, i ended up having 2 that brunch. The service was fantastic, our server was nice and attentive and kept our water glasses filled, and kept asking if we wanted additional drink refills. The ambiance is nice, it has a cozy vibe to it; with some booths and mostly table/chairs. Theirs a full bar so you can order what you like. I would highly recommend for a date night or brunch with friends.

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    6 months ago

    Food had no taste, very bland. We ordered Beef Rendang and Mutton Curry. Have had much better Malaysian food elsewhere.

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    Page 4 of 12

    Southeast Impression Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Southeast Impression

    Is this halal?

    Yes all their meat are Halal

    Would the chef be able to substitute some of the dishes with tofu or vegetarian protein?Entree like Thai curries and Thai noodles.

    Yes most of the dishes and all most all the curries and all but a couple of the noodle dishes is already pick your protein, in which you can pick just veggies or tofu or egg. There are a few specify seafood dishes and a duck and a lamb dish that are… 

    Is it possible to get carry out in order to avoid the uncomfortably loud music?

    Yes, you can! They have online ordering options for pick up and delivery. While the ambiance is fairly noisy it may not be for everyone, people do enjoy the atmosphere. I normally don't like loud restaurants but enjoyed the liveliness of the place.… 

    Is meat halal?

    The chicken and beef is halal

    View All 7 Questions

    Satay Club

    Satay Club

    3.7(307 reviews)
    11.9 mi•Tenleytown
    •$$

    This was my first experience with Malaysian food, and it was a positive one! I ordered via Uber…read moreEats and wanted to try several things, so I got the Roti Canai, Chicken Satay, Char Kway Teow, and Curry Laksa. Roti Canai - Absolutely delicious. The flaky, layered roti was soft and delicate. The curry sauce to dip it in was tangy, a bit spicy, and very flavorful. The Roti was the perfect vehicle for the curry, as it absorbed into the layers of the Roti and didnt just fall off. The curry was pretty thin, so I wasnt sure how well the Roti would pick it up. Chicken Satay - This was the only "okay" item, and is also the only item that I have had before. The chicken was a bit dry and it lacked a bit in flavor, but it came off the skewer easily and was still pretty tender. Nothing wrong with it, just not special. I loved the peanut sauce, though, and I liked that it had the pieces of peanuts in it because it gave a nice texture. It was also a pretty good amount - 4 skewers and the chicken was meaty. Char Kway Teow - Very good, ultimate comfort food. The rice noodles were so chewy (im the best way). They absorbed the sauce really well, which was savory. And they had a sort-of smoky flavor to them, which was unexpected but good. I ordered mine with chicken, which was very tender and flavorful. I would have liked a bit more sauce to enhance the flavor because the rice noodles really absorbed it all, but i also am a sauce girl so thats just personal preference. Very good reheated as leftovers, too. Curry Laksa - Favorite dish. The curry broth is savory, spicy, and slightly oily (not in a bad way). I loved the texture contrast between the softer/chewier egg noodles and the rice noodles. The tofu was spring and really absorbed the curry, so it was very flavorful. Same with the chicken that I got in mine. The bean sprouts added a bit of a crunch, which was nice. I can see this being my go-to for a rainy day or if Im sick. It was almost even better as leftovers because the flavors melted even more. As I got this delivered, I cant speak to the restaurant/customer service experience. I can say that, while it took a while to get my food (just over an hour after ordering, which aligned with the ETA), everything arrived still piping hot. The portions were also generous, and I wound up with about 3 good sized meals from my order. As I haven't had Malaysian food before, I also have no point of reference in comparison to other Malaysian spots and can't speak to how "traditional" the dishes were. What I do know is that I loved the food, and I look forward to going to Satay Club in person sometime. I definitely recommend this to others!

    No clue why this place has less than 4 stars!!!…read more This is the only Malaysian restaurant in DC, and they serve such yummy, authentic food. They also have AWESOME lunch deals that you can even redeem on weekends too ($14 for an entrée + soup on the side). The roti canai was so delicious. Must-order appetizer. The flatbread is super flaky, and the curry dipping sauce is SO good. A bit oily and messy when handling and ripping the bread but still awesome. The char kway teow is also a must. Stir-fried wide rice noodles with your choice of protein, bean sprouts, and Chinese broccoli. It kind of reminds me of chow fun, but it's even more savory and just so well made. The laksa (curry noodle soup) was okay. It was a little bland for me, and the noodles soaked up a lot of the broth, so by the end my soup had basically disappeared. And for dessert.... The chendol!!!! This is the only place I've seen selling chendol in the DMV. So yummy. I do wish they used palm sugar instead of brown sugar, and I wish the shaved ice was a little finer, but it still satisfied a craving I've been chasing for a while. I will DEFINITELY be back.

    Photos
    Satay Club - The main dish!

    The main dish!

    Satay Club
    Satay Club - From Wisconsin Ave!

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    From Wisconsin Ave!

    Esaan Northeastern Thai Cuisine - Sweet Sticky Rice with Thai Custard

    Esaan Northeastern Thai Cuisine

    4.2(309 reviews)
    7.4 mi
    •$$

    Having Recently returned to the DMV after a stint in the Asian-food desert that is Annapolis, my…read morewife and I decided to venture explore our plethora of options for Thai food in the Potomac-McClean area We decided ti take a flyer on Esaan based on yelp reviews and - OMG - this should have been on our rotation year ago! Now, the restaurant itself is deceptively unassuming. It's tucked inside a strip center behind a bank and next to two other (well rated apparently) restaurants with only a handful of seats, both indoors and outside. DO NOT let the appearance deter you from sitting dow and enjoying what will be an unbelieveanly good meal . We kept it simple - we started with the special fish dumplings (fish based dumpling around a pork/mushroom filling), the Yum Woon Sen and their house Drunken Shanghai noodles. My wife asked for mild, and j asked for medium on the spice levels The flavours were simply divine. The portions were perfectly sized in this era of gigantosaurus dishes and the service was helpful and friendly. The only possible negative comment was that my medium spicy was leaning toward the mild (ok - it was actually mild) side of the spectrum. That's certainly an issue that can be overcome - and is always better than falling on the other end of that spice spectrum where you risk having your face melt during the meal. We will definitely be back - and cannot wait to explore more of the menu!

    As a visitor from Dallas, and just happened to be driving by, decided to stop in on a whim…read more Absolutely impressed with every dish, from the fish dumpling appetizer tho the fantastic curry. Sorry for a lack of photos, but we ate everything as it hit the table!!

    Photos
    Esaan Northeastern Thai Cuisine - A cozy dinning area and a small bar

    A cozy dinning area and a small bar

    Esaan Northeastern Thai Cuisine - Crispy Rice Salad

    Crispy Rice Salad

    Esaan Northeastern Thai Cuisine - Kao Kao-Soi

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    Kao Kao-Soi

    Nooshi - BBQ Eel & Cucumber Roll

    Nooshi

    3.6(808 reviews)
    12.7 mi•Downtown
    •$$

    Food: fine! I tried the edamame which was served promptly and with a generous amount of salt. The…read moreeel and avocado roll was garnished with a classic bbq sauce, and the tuna and avocado roll felt fresh. The sushi had more rice than I'm used to, and each slice was a little thick, so I would've preferred a few more thinner pieces. Drinks: I had the oolong tea and it came in the cutest tea pot. It was HOT, which was nice given the cooler weather. Service: attentive!! As a solo diner, I almost felt that folks were checking in a little too much, but it's great to see that they want to make sure their patrons are taken care of Ambiance: this place is casual, great for meeting up with coworkers or friends. And it wasn't too busy. This pan Asian restaurant offers a little something for everyone. Pricing reflects restaurants in the area, but their happy hour is quite enticing (they call it crazy hours).

    I've seen this place for a long time and have not had the chance to try them until this weekend…read more Fast service but it was an early day so nobody was really there Clean facility Good service Good prices and selections We ordered the following: Note that all of the rolls were fresh and delicious! Shrimp Tempura- AMAZING! My favorite of the group. The shrimp serving was generous and the roll had a beautiful taste and texture. Philadelphia Roll- Very tasty and fresh Tuna Roll- My second favorite. It was tasty and fresh Overall, I truly enjoyed the selections and look forward to returning

    Photos
    Nooshi - Inside

    Inside

    Nooshi
    Nooshi

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    East Street Cafe - Main course

    East Street Cafe

    3.0(137 reviews)
    14.6 mi•NoMa
    •$$

    East Street Cafe is one of the nicer sit-down options at Union Station. Located on Level 2…read more(Mezzanine), it's a little more secluded from the hustle and bustle of the lunch hour rush, and with their open seating, you still get to people-watch at a busy train station. I ordered the Singapore Noodles to-go for lunch. It comes out to about $18 after tax. They bagged up my order and included a fork and napkins. I thought $18 was a little steep for lunch, but you're paying sit-down restaurant prices (food is made to order) and the portions were quite generous. These are more family-style servings - great for sharing. The Singapore Noodles came with shrimp and chicken, which were nicely cooked and very tender. There weren't heaps of protein, but there was enough to know it was in there. The Singapore Noodles had good flavor and came with carrots, cabbage, and onions mixed in for texture. I would order this again. I've also enjoyed the crab rangoons here, but they have gotten pricey for the serving - over $8 for three pieces - but I guess that's DC/Union Station prices for you.

    This place tends to be our office's official retirement celebration venue due to its close…read morelocation, reasonable prices (for Union Station area), and quick turnaround on orders. It is conveniently located on the 2nd floor of Union Station. They have a wide array of dishes from Asia--Chinese, Thai, Philippino, Malay, and Vietnamese. Good lunch combos, but everything else is ala-carte. Expect to drop $15 - $20 per person for lunch. Recommended if you want Asian food and are in the downtown D.C. area.

    Photos
    East Street Cafe - Train station

    Train station

    East Street Cafe - Cilantro Fried Rice

    Cilantro Fried Rice

    East Street Cafe

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    Southeast Impression - thai - Updated October 2026

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