Teahouse with theater opens in Annandale
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| Soricha Tea & Theater |
Annandale has something new and different – a beautiful
Korean teahouse with live cultural performances and a wide variety of teas –
traditional and innovative – designed to restore your health and lift your
spirits.
Soricha Tea & Theater, at 7112 Columbia Pike, is in the
storefront that’s been vacant since the School Box closed in 2013.
storefront that’s been vacant since the School Box closed in 2013.
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| The stage area can be used for tea drinking, too. |
Soricha is a great place for a leisurely conversation while
enjoying award-winning teas, says the owner, Eun Su Kim, through translator, Min
Ji Kim, a student at George Mason University.
enjoying award-winning teas, says the owner, Eun Su Kim, through translator, Min
Ji Kim, a student at George Mason University.
Eun Su Kim is the founder and director of the Annandale-based
Washington Sorichung Institute, which provides instruction in traditional
Korean music, dance, and other arts.
Washington Sorichung Institute, which provides instruction in traditional
Korean music, dance, and other arts.
Performers from Sorichung will entertain guests at Soricha
on Aug. 1, 5 p.m. On Aug. 16, a Korean marching band from New York will
perform, although it’s not going to be anything like an American marching band,
Eun Su Kim says. Tickets for the shows are $25, which includes tea. Reservations
are required, as the teahouse only seats 30.
on Aug. 1, 5 p.m. On Aug. 16, a Korean marching band from New York will
perform, although it’s not going to be anything like an American marching band,
Eun Su Kim says. Tickets for the shows are $25, which includes tea. Reservations
are required, as the teahouse only seats 30.
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| From the left: Soricha employee Jaeim Lee, Soricha owner Eun Su Kim, and Sorichung Institute student Min Ji Kim. |
Free movies are shown every Thursday at 8 p.m. This week it’s
a classic from Korea. Eun Su Kim is open to suggestions from patrons about
future movies.
a classic from Korea. Eun Su Kim is open to suggestions from patrons about
future movies.
Among the teas offered at Soricha Tea & Theater are burdock
root tea, which is good for the skin; buckwheat tea for cooling down; hydrangea
tea, a sweet variety with lots of Vitamin C and other nutrients; and chrysanthemum,
which is said to lower cholesterol. There are several iced teas, including
grapefruit tea, on the summer specials list.
root tea, which is good for the skin; buckwheat tea for cooling down; hydrangea
tea, a sweet variety with lots of Vitamin C and other nutrients; and chrysanthemum,
which is said to lower cholesterol. There are several iced teas, including
grapefruit tea, on the summer specials list.
When asked about her favorite teas, Eun Su Kim cites plum
blossom, balloon flower root, persimmon leaf, red ginseng-citrus peel, and
roasted dandelion, which she says tastes like coffee and is a harmless
alternative for pregnant women.
blossom, balloon flower root, persimmon leaf, red ginseng-citrus peel, and
roasted dandelion, which she says tastes like coffee and is a harmless
alternative for pregnant women.
Most teas are $7, but customers can request additional hot
water, stretching one cup of tea to two or three. Tea also comes with a snack,
such as a Korean traditional rice cake known as dduk.
water, stretching one cup of tea to two or three. Tea also comes with a snack,
such as a Korean traditional rice cake known as dduk.
The furnishings in Soricha, including rustic wooden tables,
are from Korea, and there is a rotating display of artworks on the walls. Works
by local artist In-Soon Shin are currently featured. The tea room is open daily
11 a.m.-10 p.m.
are from Korea, and there is a rotating display of artworks on the walls. Works
by local artist In-Soon Shin are currently featured. The tea room is open daily
11 a.m.-10 p.m.
