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Union Market's Must-Try Dishes

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Get everything from a Bloody Mary stacked with a sandwich to a rice bowl

Union Market
Union Market
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Union Market has become a food lovers' mecca and strong reason to trek it to its industrial Northeast neighborhood. With some 40 food stalls to choose from, shoppers can pick up quality ingredients to cook dinner at home — from olive oil at Ah Love Oil & Vinegar to Aleppo pepper at Bazaar Spices or some gouda at Righteous Cheese.

The market's selection of prepared foods is just as diverse, offering with everything from Indian dosas to Belgian waffles to Korean tacos. Diners and drinkers who want to linger can head to the newest watering hole, beer garden Neal Place Tap + Garden, Bidwell (inside the market), or neighboring upscale Italian spot Masseria. Also nearby: stellar Italian hoagies from A. Litteri. And stay tuned for Jose Garces' long-awaited Latin American food hall that broke ground this summer.

Navigating the intense current culinary lineup can be intimidating for first timers. To help out, Eater has assembled a list of 11 destination dishes and drinks at Union Market.

Toli Moli: The dessert drink Falooda, commonly served in Asia and the Middle East, is the specialty here. The treat includes house-made jellos and syrups topped with milk, ice cream, and an array of toppings. The Royal Falooda is filled with pomegranate-ginger jellies, basil seeds, rice noodle pudding, almond milk, and vanilla ice cream, with silvered almonds, pumpkin seeds, and rose water syrup as toppings.

Toli Moli [Photo: Yelp]

Red Apron: A meat lover just can't go wrong here, but many swear by the Porkstrami sandwich, filled with pastrami-style pork, mustard aioli, and bacon-braised sauerkraut on a sub roll.

Red Apron [Photo: Yelp]

Buffalo & Bergen: This stop is for folks wanting an aggressive Bloody Mary to go with their bagel. Buffalo & Bergen's Lox'D and Loaded Bloody Mary is topped with lox and cream cheese sandwiched by an everything bagel. It's almost $20, but it's a drink and meal whipped into one.

Union Market [official photo]

Buffalo & Bergen [Photo: Yelp]

Neopol Savory Smokery: The Baltimore-based purveyor of smoked salmon, trout, and mussels offers lots of options for the seafood lover. But the smoked salmon BLT, topped with avocado and honey Dijon dressing and served on sunflower flaxseed bread, is one of the most popular picks.


Neopol Savory Smokery [Photo: Yelp]

Rappahannock Oyster Bar: Fresh oysters are naturally the draw here. But the highlight for many mollusk lovers is the Lambs & Clams, with merguez lamb sausage, sofrito, pigeon peas and aioli served with clams. Don't forget a glass of white, rose, or sparkling wine, either.


Rappahannock Oyster Co. [Photo: Yelp]

District Fishwife: The poke bowl has been a hit at this seafood market since making its debut earlier this year. Choose either salmon or tuna, served with rice, seaweed, carrots, pickled ginger, wasabi, and a spicy aioli.


District Fishwife [Photo: Yelp]

Saison Wafel Bar: Diners can opt for the traditional sweet liege waffle doused with strawberries, sugar, and other sweet toppings. But the savory waffle topped with smoked salmon, feta and greens, or cream cheese and onions, stands out for many Saison fans.


Saison Wafel Bar [Photo: Yelp]

TaKorean: The Korean-Mexican stall offers a variety of combinations of rice bowls and tacos. Guests can choose their favorite protein, slaws, and toppings. But the Bulgogi Taco, featuring thin slices of beef marinated in a sweet-and-spicy soy-based sauce and topped with a kimchi appears to be the favorite combo.


TaKorean [Photo: Yelp]

Bidwell Restaurant: The Union Market restaurant earns rave reviews for its patty melt burger, topped with caramelized onion, aged cheddar and Thousand Island dressing served on rye.

Bidwell Restaurant [Photo: Yelp]

DC Dosa: The crepe-like dosas are stuffed with eggplant and sweet potato, roasted cauliflower and peas or just potatoes, making the dishes an excellent option for vegetarian and vegan diners. The vendor also offers diners a choice of lentils for the dosas.


DC Dosa [Photo: Yelp]

Soup Up: It may not be soup weather just yet, but eventually the temps will plunge and the Just DAM Good Chicken Soup will hit the spot. It's made with smoked and roasted chicken, roasted corn, fresh herbs, and spices. Crispy spring rolls are also plentiful here.


Soup Up [Photo: Yelp]

Union Market, 1309 5th St NE, website

Have another favorite Union Market bite? Share in the comments.

Union Market

1309 5th Street Northeast, , DC 20002 (202) 902-2633 Visit Website