If you tell me a restaurant’s inside a gas station, I’m immediately intrigued. Amore Eats has been on my list for a minute, and I finally stopped by while craving Taiwanese food. Here’s what I ordered for me and my mom, and why I’ll be back ASAP.
They first opened their doors in May 2022, and the restaurant’s co-owned by Pei Hsieh and Max Mo. They wanted to bring a true taste of Taiwan to the DMV, and their concept actually came together by chance.
Pei, who worked in real estate, was originally searching for a restaurant space for a friend who sold bao. When that plan fell through, she decided to move forward with her own idea and partnered with Max to create Amore Eats.
The name itself is a clever play on words, blending “amore” (love) with Max’s last name, Mo, symbolizing both their shared passion for food and the heart behind their business. Pei has shared in interviews that she felt deeply homesick for authentic Taiwanese flavors during the pandemic and wanted to recreate the comforting, soulful dishes she grew up with. That sense of nostalgia and care shines through in every part of Amore Eats – from the hand-made dumplings and hearty bentos to the friendly, neighborhood vibe that keeps locals coming back again and again.
What We Ordered (and Loved)
- Leek Dumplings ($14 for 10 pcs) – Handmade in-house and seriously tasty. The chive-forward filling + juicy bite = automatic reorder for me.
- Popcorn Chicken Bento ($12.99) – Big portion of salted-pepper crispy chicken over rice with steamed cabbage (shockingly delish), fried tofu, pickled veg, plus marinated chicken & sauce on the rice. The tofu was meh for me, but everything else slapped, and it was very reasonably priced.
- Fried Pork Chop ($6) – Well-seasoned and fried nicely. I doubled up on fried mains (whoops), but you can’t go wrong with pork chop or popcorn chicken.
I keep hearing great things about their noodle soups – especially their beef noodle and braised-pork styles – so I’m 100% returning to explore that side of the menu.
And if you’re already in a noodle-soup headspace while you’re up in MoCo, Chopin Noodle House in Gaithersburg is worth the quick drive for their hand-pulled and knife-cut noodles.
Why You’ll Love Amore Eats
- Peak hidden-gem energy: It’s located inside the gas station at 1900 Rockville Pike!!!
- Authentic Taiwanese staples: They have everything from popcorn chicken and pork chop to Taiwanese burgers and hearty noodle soups.
- Friendly prices + generous portions: Solid bang-for-buck across “bentos” and small plates. PS: I spent $30+ and got a free soda – a fun little perk the day I went.
- Order your way: Dine-in counter vibes, easy pickup, and third-party delivery available for those in the area.
📍 1900 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD (inside the Exxon/Liberty gas station)
⏰ Sun–Thu 11-8 & Fri–Sat 11–8:30
Gas-station restaurant or not, Amore Eats delivers comforting Taiwanese flavors that feel like a hug. If you’ve been, tell me your go-to order below, especially if you’ve tried the noodle soups. For more on yum Rockville eats, make sure to browse this tab. Until next time, Nomsters <3 Happy eating!
If you’re already in Rockville and want to make a full dinner night of it, Genki Wagyu Shabu House is right in the area with all-you-can-eat wagyu shabu shabu that is perfect for a date night or a group outing.
*Photography from the owners on their Google Listing*