Okay Nomsters, I’d been eyeing Ye’s ever since I spotted their sign on the Route 40 stretch in Ellicott City, and I’m so glad I finally stopped in, because the food was really great. It’s a Chinese seafood house (full name Ye’s Seafood House) tucked right into Maryland’s Koreatown corridor, next door to Hang Ari, and it turned out to be exactly the kind of warm, under-the-radar gem I love putting you on to.
I came for a spicy lunch and left already planning my next visit, and I literally called my mom afterward to tell her I’d bring her the next time she’s in town. Between the tender hot and spicy beef, the garlicky pea leaves, and outstanding service, Ye’s is a real addition to EC. Let me walk you through it.
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What Makes Ye’s So Special?
So what makes Ye’s stand out on a strip already packed with great food? It’s a proper Chinese seafood house, specializing in Fuzhou-style cooking (the chef-owner’s originally from Fuzhou in southeastern China), with a deep menu that leans on fresh whole seafood alongside Cantonese preparations and a handful of hot and spicy dishes.
It’s the chef’s second restaurant, and that experience shows in how dialed-in everything is. The fact that it’s dropped into the Route 40 Korean corridor, right next to Hang Ari and Tous Les Jours, just makes it an easy add to a food crawl through the area.
What to Order at Ye’s
Here’s everything I got, plus what I’m eyeing for next time.
Sauteed Hot and Spicy Shredded Beef ($13)
I got this as part of their lunch deal, which comes with soup (I went hot and sour) and a scoop of brown rice, and it’s such a solid midday move. The beef was nice and tender, and the flavor had me hooked, but fair warning, the peppers pack some serious heat, so if you’re spice-averse, this isn’t the one. For me, it was a perfect spicy lunch. Their lunch deals run Monday through Friday, 11:30 to 3, and you can swap in wonton soup or a veggie spring roll and white or fried rice if you’d rather.
Sauteed Pea Leaves ($17)
I LOVE pea leaves and order them any time I spot them on a menu, so this was a must for me. Ye’s cooked them beautifully, seasoned just right and loaded with yum garlic. It’s a fresh, simple green, and the kind of side I’d happily order on repeat.
Hot and Spicy Sliced Lamb ($32)
This one came with five lamb chops and a generous pile of diced veggies, and the meat was extremely tender. It’s the priciest of the three, and if you’re a lamb person, it delivers.
What I’m Getting Next: the Seafood
Here’s the thing, it’s called Ye’s SEAFOOD House for a reason, and I didn’t even touch that part of the menu yet! They do fresh seafood like lobster, blue crab, razor clams, and sea bass in all kinds of preparations, and the Double Lobster with Ginger and Scallion is at the very top of my list for round two.
What Kind of Chinese Food Do They Serve?
Good question, because Ye’s isn’t quite like the Sichuan spots nearby. It’s a Fuzhou-style Chinese seafood house, meaning the roots are in Fujian province in southeastern China, with an emphasis on fresh seafood, plus Cantonese-style dishes.
You’ll still find hot and spicy options (the ones I ordered), but the heart of the menu is that fresh seafood cooked whole, steamed, or with ginger and scallion. If you’ve mostly done American-Chinese takeout, this is a step into something more traditional.
The Service Had Me Calling My Mom…
Real talk, the service is what sealed it for me. I wasn’t sure what to order, and the team patiently pulled up photos of their favorite dishes to help me decide, which I thought was so sweet. They also bring complimentary tea in the cutest little teapot and cup, a small touch that makes the whole meal feel special. It was warm enough that I called my mom on the way out to tell her I’m bringing her here next time she visits, and if you know me, that’s about the highest praise I can give a spot.
The Vibe and Experience
Ye’s is an intimate, welcoming little space, the kind of warm room where you settle in and stay a while. It’s light and cheerful inside (there’s even playful fish wallpaper, fitting for a seafood house) with that window into the kitchen so you can watch the chef work. One handy thing to know: it’s BYOB, so bring your own bottle if you want wine or beer with dinner. It’s a lovely spot for a relaxed meal with family or a low-key date.
Good to Know
- 📍 9380 Baltimore National Pike, Suite 101, Ellicott City, MD, on the Route 40 Koreatown corridor right next to Hang Ari.
- Hours: 11:30am to 9:30pm daily, closed Tuesdays. A few sources show Friday and Saturday running a little later, so call ahead if you’re coming near close.
- Lunch deals Monday to Friday, 11:30 to 3, with soup and rice included.
- It’s BYOB (no liquor license), and they pour big pots of tea.
- Dine-in and takeout, plus online ordering and DoorDash delivery.
- The heart of the menu is fresh seafood (lobster, blue crab, razor clams, sea bass), with hot and spicy dishes too.
- Free parking in the strip-mall lot, and figure roughly $30 to $50 per person for a full seafood dinner.
Is Ye’s Worth Visiting?
Ye’s is a lovely Chinese seafood house that’s earned a spot on my Ellicott City list, and I’m already plotting my seafood-focused return trip. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner or a BYOB night out, especially if you want something a little different from the usual takeout. And since it sits right in the heart of EC’s Korean corridor, it’s easy to pair with a stop at Hang Ari next door for soondubu another day, or Pepper House if you’re chasing Sichuan heat. Go hungry, Nomsters.
Have you guys been to Ye’s yet? And if you’ve tried their seafood, you HAVE to tell me what to order, because I’m going back for that lobster. Drop your favorites in the comments, Nomsters!