Photo by Alexandria Living Magazine
Zen Press Juice Bar & Cafe
When you step inside Zen Press Juice Bar & Cafe, the traffic and bustle of Richmond Highway disappear. The white walls, lush green plants and wood, crystal and rattan accents may make you think you have been transported to Bali, and not steps from a major local thoroughfare. This is exactly the vibe that owners Juann Wong and Nakornsri Sintaisong are trying to achieve. Everything in the space is intentional.
Wong and Sintaisong opened Zen Press on Feb. 22 at 8120 Richmond Hwy., but the story actually began in 2018, when Wong was manager and eventually culinary director for Toastique at The Wharf in D.C. and Sintaisong was a regular customer. Sintaisong’s background is in women empowerment as a speaker and an author. She is also a Reiki healer.
Photo by Andrea Salazar Photography for Zen Press
Juann Wong (right) and Nakornsri Sintaisong (left)
One day, Sintaisong mentioned to Wong that she wanted to open her own juice bar and asked for advice on sourcing produce, bottles and other items for a food-based business. Wong’s eagerness to help her, made Sintaisong wonder if she should ask Wong to be her business partner.
“She popped the question, over the counter: 'How about we start something?'” Wong explained with a laugh. She kindly told Sintaisong no, saying that she was happy with her job.
“At that time I didn’t really make a decision that I was going to do a juice bar, I was just planting a seed and I was like, maybe I should just ask,” explained Sintaisong. “I just went with my voice inside of me and I was just testing to see where she was at and everything.”
A couple of years passed. Like many people, Wong began to question her job situation during the pandemic, which hit the food industry particularly hard. She began to dream about opening her own Korean fried chicken spot and remembered her previous conversation with Sintaisong. She reached out on Instagram and asked if her former customer was still interested in opening a business together.
The two women started texting each other business ideas, names and logos over a period of two months last year. They decided to stick with the juice bar idea. “Ultimately we want to have a Bali feel and expand it to like a spa and just a whole holistic [experience],” said Sintaisong.
When most people meet Wong and Sintaisong they assume the two have been good friends for years but in reality, their partnership was a perfect alignment of the universe. “It’s crazy because we were basically two strangers that just said yes let’s do it. It makes sense, it feels right, we’re ready. It went from idea to creation to execution within 5 months,” said Sintaisong.
Wong, who lives in Arlington, and Sintaisong, who lives at The Wharf, found the spot for Zen Press in Alexandria through a random search of small commercial spots available that fit their criteria and budget. They didn’t do any research on the area before jumping in, but they say that local support has been good and they already have a loyal group of returning customers. “I really love that she [Wong] found this place. It was a hidden gem. There is so much community in Alexandria. People are helping and they’re passing the word out and they are coming and they are supportive,” Sintaisong explained.
Photo by Andrea Salazar Photography for Zen Press
Zen Press juices
Zen Press’ main product is it’s cold-pressed juices and shots. “We do detox programs 1-day, 2-day, 3-day programs where you do juice fasting. The names of our juices hold a lot of meaning to it. They are very powerful words. So say that you are feeling like you need some joy in your life, we have a juice called joy where when you buy it and you drink it you are essentially absorbing the energy from it,” Wong described. Customers can add sea moss gel to their drinks for an added health boost. Sea moss is a type of seaweed packed with minerals and has become a popular supplement in recent years.
In addition to juices, Zen Press also offers coffee, espresso drinks, beet latte, turmeric lattes, and matcha which can be made with regular milk, oat milk or almond milk. They also sell Thai iced tea and Milo a classic Southeast Asian chocolate malt drink, which are a nod to Wong, who is originally from Malaysia, and Singtaisong, who has roots in Thailand.
Photo by Andrea Salazar Photography for Zen Press
Berry Peachy Burrata
Wong has put her culinary experience to good use creating a menu of healthy breakfast and brunch options made with food that is both good for you but also satisfying. Menu items include a low carb pad Thai made with zucchini noodles and “Zen Rolls” which are a twist on spring rolls made with strawberries, avocado, tofu, peanuts and other veggies. Their most popular dish has been their avocado toast. Wong makes her own cashew cream which she uses instead of mayo in her tuna and egg salad sandwiches. Most menu items are vegetarian and vegan friendly. Most ingredients in their drinks and food are locally sourced or organic.
Zen Press is working on opening outdoor seating in time for the spring weather but the women are waiting on some final permits. They will also host events in their indoor and outdoor spaces. Sound bowl meditation, yoga and holistic wellness events are already in the works.
“We definitely want to reach out to more women-owned businesses…we want to make it a hub for people to just come and relax and get into their zen and connect,” said Sintaisong. They will also soon carry some merchandise like sage and healing crystals.
Zen Press' owners have big dreams for their business. While they are considering opening another location at some point, they don’t want to go the typical restaurant franchise route. “Instead of opening another juice bar, why don’t we go into the holistic world and do a Zen world where you can get banana leaf massage or a rock salt cave and we want to bring Ayurveda into the community,” Wong pondered out loud. Wong and Sintaisong have overcome doubts from family and friends and the Fairfax County permitting process, and they are excited for what the future holds.
Zen Press Juice Bar & Cafe is located at 8120 Richmond Hwy., south of Costco and just past Buckman Road. Stop by for a juice and a bite to eat or simply find a peaceful place to get some work done (did we mention free wifi?).
Zen Press also offers delivery via Uber Eats, Grubhub and Doordash and juice cleanses can be ordered on their website for shipping.
