Day 90 of eating at 100 Asian restaurants in Maryland took me to a newish dim sum spot in downtown Rockville, and Corner Bites completely won me over. Everything’s made to order all day, which means your baked BBQ pork pastries land at the table hot, flaky, and fresh. It’s tucked into The Square in Rockville Town Center, the eats are super affordable, and I walked out already planning my next visit. If you’ve been hunting for made-to-order dim sum in Rockville, this is the one, Nomsters. My top 3 were the baked BBQ pork pastries, the fried stuffed eggplant, and the egg custard tarts, and I promise you can’t go wrong starting there.
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What Makes Corner Bites a Standout Dim Sum Spot in Rockville
Corner Bites is a Hong Kong-style Cantonese dim sum that’s cooked to order all day, and owner Steven Wu has said he built it that way on purpose, because the freshest dim sum’s the kind that’s made right after you order it. You can taste the difference. Rockville already had a solid option in Far East, but Corner Bites carved out its own lane with the made-to-order thing. The spot only opened in 2025 (it took over the old Bob’s Noodle 66 space), and it’s already landed on Washingtonian and Bethesda Magazine’s radar. For a place this new, that’s saying something.
What to Order at Corner Bites
Baked BBQ Pork Pastries (3 for $5.75)
These were the highlight, FOR SURE. Think an ultra flaky, almost buttery shell wrapped around piping hot char siu, that savory-sweet BBQ pork filling. They come 3 to an order, and at $5.75 that’s a steal. Get them first while they’re hot, because that’s when the shell cracks just right. If you order one thing here, make it these.
Fried Stuffed Eggplant ($5.75)
Obsessed with fried stuffed eggplant, and they do this dish so well here. It’s plump and juicy with a generous amount of filling inside, not one of those sad thin slices with a smear of paste. The fry’s light, and it holds its shape instead of going greasy. A must if you like eggplant…and honestly even if you think you don’t.
Egg Custard Tarts (3 for $5.75)
You already know I couldn’t skip the egg tarts. These are really flaky and beautiful, with a silky, barely-set custard I could not get enough of. They’re the perfect way to end a dim sum spread, not too sweet, just smooth and warm. Also 3 for $5.75, so grab an order to share (…or don’t share, no judgment lol).
Those were my top 3 this round, but the menu runs way deeper and I’m already plotting a return. A few things I’ve got my eye on next time:
- Har gow (steamed shrimp dumplings) and siu mai, the dim sum classics
- Cheung fun, those silky steamed rice noodle rolls
- Baked pineapple buns, some stuffed with egg custard
- Bigger plates like roast duck, honey-glazed pork, and beef chow fun
- A Hong Kong milk tea or Thai iced tea to wash it all down
If you want to compare notes, my longtime go-to dim sum spot’s Mai Dragon in Hanover, but Corner Bites is giving it real competition on the freshness front.
What’s the Difference Between Made-to-Order and Cart Dim Sum?
Short answer: freshness. With traditional cart dim sum, servers push steamer carts around the dining room and you flag down whatever looks good as it rolls by. It’s a whole experience, and I love it, but the trade-off is that some dishes have been sitting in those steamers for a bit. Made-to-order dim sum, like what Corner Bites does, means the kitchen fires each dish after you order it off a menu. You wait a few extra minutes, but everything shows up hot and at its best.
The Vibe and Experience
Corner Bites is a smallish, casual spot right in downtown Rockville, so it’s easy to pair with a walk around The Square before or after. It gets busy, especially on weekends, and lines can form since it’s walk-in only, so go a little off-peak if you can. It’s family-friendly and works for a low-key lunch with friends or a solo dim sum run (I’ve got zero shame about a solo dim sum date lol). Service was friendly and quick even when it filled up.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 316 N Washington St, Rockville, MD 20850, in downtown Rockville near The Square (the old Bob’s Noodle 66 space)
- Hours: Monday to Friday 11AM to 9PM, Saturday and Sunday 10AM to 9PM
- Style: made-to-order Hong Kong-style Cantonese dim sum, no cart service
- Price: super affordable, most dim sum plates land around $5 to $7
- Seating: dine-in and takeout, walk-in only (no reservations), and it’s wheelchair accessible
- Ordering: pickup and delivery are available online and through DoorDash and Uber Eats
- Parking: use the public garages at The Square, which give you 90 minutes free
- Good to know: it’s small and popular, so expect a wait at peak times, and there are vegetarian options on the menu
If you love dim sum and you’re anywhere near Rockville, Corner Bites is absolutely worth the trip, especially if you’ve never had it made fresh to order. It’s affordable, it’s quick, and those baked BBQ pork pastries alone justify the drive. It’s not a fancy sit-down affair, it’s a get-in, eat-well, come-back kind of spot, and it’s already near the top of my Montgomery County dim sum list. Pair it with more of Rockville’s best Asian eats and you’ve got a full day.
Have you guys been to Corner Bites yet? Let me know what you order in the comments, Nomsters, and save this for your next dim sum craving. Send it to whoever you always drag to brunch with you too.