660 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, formerly Joselito.
New Laos-Thai-Bistro To Open near Eastern Market
by Larry Janezich
Posted May 8, 2025
Charles Kia, the owner of the popular Haad Thai restaurant at 1100 New York Avenue, NW, (which closed in October 2024 after 30 years) is opening a new restaurant at 660 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, near Eastern Market. The space was formerly occupied by Joselito. Kia said the restaurant closed after being unable to renegotiate a new lease with the landlord.
ZomTum – which translates to “papaya salad” names the new restaurant and the concept, variations of which will characterize the menu.
Kia told Capitol Hill Corner that he had been looking for a place to open near Eastern Market for 15 years and found that the space was available and leased it. He will make some cosmetic changes inside and hopes to open in July.
Go here for more information: https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/zomtum
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 
OMG. We have a wonderful Thai (Sampan) restaurant just across the Avenue. Please. go away ! Maybe 8th or U St. DMM
Go away?? Good grief. I think there’s room for a second Thai restaurant, in this case Laotian-Thai, on Capitol Hill. “ทานให้อร่อยครับ/ค่ะ” (More or less, bon appetit.)