Rice Paper - Taste of Vietnam | Authentic Vietnamese Dining in Falls Church

Inside Rice Paper - Taste of Vietnam

Rice Paper - Taste of Vietnam is a straightforward, bustling Vietnamese restaurant situated on Wilson Boulevard in Falls Church. Known primarily for its authentic pho and a variety of classic Vietnamese dishes, it appeals to diners looking for hearty, flavorful meals rather than a quiet or upscale dining environment.

The dining room tends to be packed, even during weekday lunch hours, which speaks to its steady local following. Expect a lively atmosphere where the focus is clearly on the food, served in generous portions that often lead to leftovers. Busy staff keep things moving, though it can sometimes take a moment to grab their attention during peak times.

Specialties like the Special Combo Rice Platter (Com Tam Dat Biet), Grilled Lemongrass Beef, and Summer Rolls reflect a broad and traditional Vietnamese menu, with some standout options such as Bun Cha, Cha Gio, and a variety of hot pots for sharing or solo meals. The dishes come with robust flavors, emphasizing fresh herbs and savory sauces that customers note are consistently well-balanced and true to Vietnamese culinary roots.

Rice Paper suits those who appreciate no-frills dining focused on authentic taste rather than presentation. It’s best enjoyed with a group when you can sample several dishes, including smoothies like Sinh To Avocado or Jackfruit for a refreshing touch. The availability of domestic beers and sake also adds a casual yet interesting drink pairing to the experience.

One notable quirk is that tap water isn’t served automatically; bottled water is sold, and hot water is available if requested. This small detail hints at the restaurant’s practical, efficient approach rather than full service comfort. Pricing has risen compared to earlier years, but the portion sizes usually justify the cost, especially when dining with company and taking some food to go.

For locals or visitors craving straightforward Vietnamese fare in a lively communal setting, Rice Paper provides a reliable spot. Weekends and early evenings are the busiest times, so arriving slightly off-peak helps avoid waits. In all, it feels like a piece of Vietnam tucked into the Falls Church dining scene — where authenticity and generous servings create an inviting, if bustling, experience.

Highlights & Local Essentials

Highlights

Has fast service

Popular for

Popular for lunch

Popular for dinner

Good for solo dining

What they serve

Serves alcohol

Serves beer

Serves cocktails

Serves coffee

Serves comfort food

Serves healthy options

Serves spirits

Serves vegetarian dishes

Serves wine

Best for

Serves lunch

Serves dinner

Serves dessert

Has seating

Accessibility

Has wheelchair-accessible car park

Has wheelchair-accessible entrance

Has wheelchair-accessible seating

Has wheelchair-accessible toilet

Parking

Free of charge street parking

Free parking lot

Plenty of parking

Local Moments in Photos

Find It on the Map

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

10:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Tuesday

10:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Wednesday

10:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Thursday

10:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Friday

10:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 08:00 PM

Sunday

10:00 AM - 08:00 PM

What Locals & Travelers Say

726 Reviews

TheMia315

02 Jan 2026

We used to go here often when we lived in Alexandria. Last time was probably 9 years ago. Prices sure did go up. The wait was maybe 15 mins because it's always crowded on the weekends. My tofu and husband's shaky beef were great as usual, but the prices are why I give 4 stars. At least the portions were huge and 3 of us took leftovers home. There were 5 of us and with tip meal was $172. This place is good for special occasions but there are cheaper places ...

Aoxue Chenqi

05 Dec 2025

Posting this sort of on behalf of my girlfriend, who grew up on Vietnamese food - this place is one of the most authentic places I’ve gone to, and they do it well. The food was amazing, portions were great, and it was all reasonably priced. I find it odd that they don’t serve you water though.

Sanghoon Lee

01 Dec 2025

Had lunch at Rice Paper and the place was busy even in the afternoon. The pho and beef fried rice were delicious, and the meat was very tender. The staff were friendly but extremely busy, so it took a while to get their attention. Bottled water cost $3 for two, which was a bit unusual — but overall, great food and pleasant atmosphere!

James Le

01 Nov 2025

This place is a gem for authentic Vietnamese food—it’s even Vietnamese-mom approved! The dishes are flavorful, affordable, and the packed dining room speaks for itself. While there’s usually a wait for a table, the fast turnover makes it manageable. Just keep in mind they don’t offer free tap water—only bottled water for sale. (You can get hot water for free or bring your own bottled water like my mom did. ) Overall, totally worth it for the food!

Haydar Celik

20 Oct 2025

This place is a real gem. Food is very very delicious, cooked so amazing, used flavorful sauces, and it provides aroma festival. I will go back to try everything.

Dora O'Donnell

07 Oct 2025

Went here with a bigger group on a Saturday night and snagged the last table. The service was friendly and fast. Most of the table got pho and loved it, I got the Hu Tieu hoac Mi Tom Thit with the soup (pictured). I thought it was good but not amazing. I think I was expecting to be more wowed with all the awards. I would come back if I was in the area because it was tasty and well priced.

D Lee

12 Sep 2025

It was crowded but we were seated fairly quickly. The reviews about not serving tap water were true but it did not bother us. There was a wide selection of various Vietnamese dishes and some were fairly unique. We did not order soupy based dishes but they looked great. The portion was generous and we could not finish our dishes. This restaurant is definitely better than your local Vietnamese restaurant and I would recommend this place if you are in the Eden center.