Cheap Eats 2017: Elephant Jumps

Fried watercress salad, banana-blossom salad, and pork stew at Elephant Jumps. Photo by Scott Suchman

About Elephant Jumps

cuisines
Thai
Location(s)
8110 Arlington Blvd
Falls Church, VA 22042

Contact This Restaurant

Make sure to survey the small blackboard of seasonal specials—that’s where the gems are hidden. Whole fish is always featured, and if you’re lucky, you’ll find fried red snapper showered in strips of green mango and cashews. Better yet is the banana-blossom salad with shrimp and chicken. Chef/owner Songtham Pinyolaksana relied on childhood memories to recreate the spicy dish with lime, fish sauce, coconut milk, and fried shallots. Also good: Fried-watercress salad; gang hung lay, slow-cooked pork curry with ginger and tamarind.