Street food restaurant Hawkers Asian Street Fare is coming to downtown Bethesda early next year, the first location in the Washington, D.C., area, according to a Federal Realty announcement.
The Florida-based chain’s shop will open at 7115 Arlington Road, next to gelato shop Dolcezza, as part of Federal Realty’s Bethesda Row property.
The location will be Hawkers’ eighth restaurant. Others are in Florida, North Carolina and Georgia.
The name refers to the “hawkers” of Southeast Asia, a nod to the restaurant’s creative environment and emphasis on tradition, according to Federal Realty.
“Hawkers tells the story of the Asian street vendor experience in a fun and edgy dining atmosphere perfect for Bethesda,” Hawkers CEO and Co-Founder Kaleb Harrell said in a statement. “Our dishes have been passed down through generations — from parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.”
The menu features made-from-scratch traditional dishes on small plates, paired with craft cocktails, local beer, wine or sake. Dining options include chicken dumplings, miso pork belly ramen and Roti Canai, an Asian flatbread with Hawkers’ signature curry sauce. Po Po Lo’s Curry, a vegetable and protein dish, uses a family recipe from Chef and Co-Founder Allen Lo.
“We’ve taken these recipes, perfected them, and curated an authentic beverage menu, so our guests can enjoy everything in a high-energy atmosphere that replicates the excitement of being directly in the middle of an Asian street market,” Harrell said.
Hawkers will join fellow Asian restaurant Poke Dojo at Bethesda Row, set to open this spring at 7110 Bethesda Lane. Belgian chocolatier Neuhaus Chocolate is arriving in the summer, and Ohio-based ice cream shop Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is coming this fall.
“Federal Realty always seeks to bring the best new-to-market brands and concepts to Bethesda Row, and we’re looking forward to having Hawkers join the neighborhood and contribute to the exciting dining mix on Bethesda Lane,” Federal Realty Senior Vice President of Leasing Stuart Biel said in a statement.
Charlie Wright can be reached at charlie.wright@bethesdda-remix.newspackstaging.com