6 Korean Restaurants in Howard County My Picky Parents Actually Love
You guys have been loving my roundups lately, so I’m sharing an extra-fun one today! Here are six places in Howard County I take my (very) picky Korean parents when they’re craving a taste of home. As always, this list is unranked so don’t @ me, lol.
1. Seoul Soondae (inside Lotte Ellicott City)
If you know, you know. Seoul Soondae is a must for me and my family. They specialize in Korean blood sausage (soondae) – one of Korea’s most beloved comfort foods and street snacks – and they do it so well here. Here’s what we like to get:
For a deeper look at the menu and what to order on your first visit, check out my full Seoul Soondae Ellicott City review.
- Sliced soondae with liver – dip it in the salt blend that comes with it for that perfect savory bite.
- Soondae bokkeum (spicy stir-fried soondae) – amazing with kimchi and rice.
- Soondae guk (blood sausage soup) – especially great for hangovers, lol.
📍 8801 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City
⏰ T-Su 10-8pm
2. Siroo & Juk Story
Located in the heart of Ellicott City, Siroo & Juk Story‘s a must for so many reasons. Not only is their food solid, their pricing’s affordable and portions are generous. My family’s never had a bad dish here but two stand out as musts:
- Their ddukbokki (떡볶이): chewy rice cakes simmered in a rich, spicy-sweet gochujang sauce that’s perfectly balanced – not too sweet, not too fiery. You can tell the sauce has been simmered with care because it coats every rice cake like velvet.
- Their bingsoo (빙수): a serious must. Their shaved ice is ultra-fine and fluffy, piled high with toppings like red bean, mochi, fruit, and condensed milk (depending on what flavor you get). It’s the kind of dessert that makes you audibly go “wow” after the first bite – light, refreshing, and not overly sweet.
📍 10176 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City
⏰ Su-Th 9-8pm, Fr-Sa 9-9pm
3. Delimanjoo (inside Lotte Ellicott City)
This small stall might not look like much, but trust me, they make the best bungeoppang in the DMV. If you’re not familiar, bungeoppang is a fish-shaped pastry that’s typically filled with red bean paste, though other fillings like custard or Nutella are popular too. It’s crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and pure nostalgia for anyone who grew up eating these treats. Definitely make sure to give ’em a try if you haven’t had them yet.
If you love snacking on Korean street food in Howard County, you also need to try the potato mozzarella corn dogs at Ssong’s Hotdog in Columbia, another spot that absolutely delivers on the cheesy, crave-worthy front. —
📍8801 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City
4. Shin Chon
Our go-to spot for Korean BBQ in Howard County, and honestly, one that’s packed with nostalgia for my family. We’ve been coming here since my Peabody days, and it’s one of those places that instantly takes me back to weekends when we’d eat way too much bulgogi and walk out smelling like BBQ smoke (…in the best way possible, lol).
Shin Chon’s been around for decades, and it’s practically a HoCo institution at this point. It’s not super fancy – it doesn’t need to be – but it’s consistent, comforting, and always buzzing with energy. You’ll see tables full of families, students, and friend groups grilling meat, clinking soju glasses, and calling for more banchan. We love to get their samgyeopsal, LA galbi, and bulgogi with their bibim naengmyun.
If you want to add karaoke to your Korean night out, Soju Haus in Ellicott City combines private noraebang rooms with a full Korean menu featuring budae jjigae and bossam.
📍 8801 Baltimore National Pike #27, Ellicott City
⏰ Su-M, W-Th 11-10pm, F-Sa 11-10:30pm
5. Kim Bob Na Ra
Easily the best kimbap in Maryland, and yes, I’m willing to stand by that bold statement. If you’re new to kimbap, it translates to seaweed (kim) + rice (bap). Think of it like Korea’s version of a rice roll, filled with veggies, proteins, and other goodies. Their beef and veggie’s my fave – I like to also dip it in ddukbokki sauce – but their tuna’s also super popular as well.
📍 9339 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City
⏰ W-M 10am-6:30pm
6. Kong Pocha
If you haven’t had Korean fried chicken from Kong Pocha, you’re missing out. Their chicken is insanely crispy like, “you can hear the crunch from across the room” crispy. Located in Columbia, this spot is perfect for late-night cravings since they’re open until 1AM Su, Mo & W and 2AM Thursday–Saturday. It’s the ultimate spot to hit up after a fun night out with friends.
📍 9350 Snowden River Pkwy UNIT J, Columbia
⏰ Su-M, W 4pm-1am, F-Sa 4pm-2am
So there you have it, six spots that even my very picky parents approve of. Whether you’re craving comfort classics or just looking to explore more of Howard County’s Korean food scene, these places won’t disappoint. Have you been to any of these yet? Or do you have a favorite spot I missed? Let me know in the comments – I’m always down for dope food recs.
For more on yum MD eats, make sure you check out this tab.