Day 2 of eating at 100 Asian restaurants in Maryland, and I’m SO excited to share this one with you Nomsters! Today we’re heading to Hang Ari Ellicott City, which has become my absolute go-to spot for soondubu (Korean soft tofu soup) in Maryland. I’ve been coming here for years, and it just keeps getting better.
Real talk: when BCD Tofu House closed, I was genuinely devastated. That place was my soondubu safe haven, and I thought I’d never find a worthy replacement. Then I tried Hang Ari, and you guys, their tofu soup is just as good (maybe even better, depending on the day). If you’re a fellow soondubu lover who’s been mourning BCD, this is the spot you need to know about.
What Hang Ari Is Known For
Hang Ari is a cozy, family-run Korean restaurant tucked into a shopping plaza on Baltimore National Pike. It’s the kind of mom-and-pop spot where the food does all the talking. And the quality just seems to be getting better and better. They’ve refined their recipes and committed to using no artificial seasonings!
The menu is huge and covers tons of Korean comfort food classics like grilled meats, kalguksu (knife-cut noodle soup), bibimbap, dolsot dishes, and more. But IMO, the soondubu is the absolute star of the show, and that’s what most people come for. If you love Korean food, you might also want to check out my guide to Korean food in Howard County for even more spots to try in the area.
What to Order at Hang Ari Ellicott City
Real talk, I almost exclusively order the soondubu when I come here. But let me break down what makes it so good and what else is worth trying.
Soondubu (Korean Soft Tofu Soup) – $16.95 lunch / $17.95 dinner
This is THE move at Hang Ari. They have 9 different soondubu options to choose from, so there’s something for everyone. Seafood is probably the most popular, but my personal favorite is the mushroom soondubu, with the beef as a very close second. The mushroom version has this earthy, deeply savory broth that’s just so satisfying, especially on a cold day.
Here’s the thing about the spice level: I used to always order spicy because I love heat, and let me tell you, theirs is actually SPICY (not just menu-marketing spicy, like genuinely intense). I’ve been trying to be a little nicer to my tummy lately, so I switched to medium on this visit. Even medium has a really nice kick, so consider yourself warned, lol.
Your soondubu comes out bubbling hot in a stone pot, alongside a hot bowl of rice and a few different kinds of banchan (Korean side dishes). Pro tip from the video: when it arrives, crack a raw egg into the boiling broth right away so it poaches in the soup. It adds this beautiful richness and creaminess to the broth. If you don’t want to crack it yourself at the table, you can ask your server to do it for you.
Kalguksu (Knife-Cut Noodle Soup)
If you’re not in the mood for soondubu (but like, why wouldn’t you be?!), their kalguksu is also really solid. The hand-cut noodles have a great chewy texture, and the broth is comforting in that classic Korean noodle soup way. I’ve heard the bajirak (clam) version is especially popular.
Banchan
I have to give a shoutout to the banchan because it sets the tone for the whole meal. You’ll get a small spread of pickled vegetables, kimchi, and other Korean side dishes that change up depending on the day. They’re a great little appetizer while you wait for your main to come out.
If you love Korean food in Howard County, you should also check out Kim Bob Na Ra for the best kimbap in the area.
The Vibe at Hang Ari
Hang Ari has that classic mom-and-pop Korean restaurant vibe. It’s casual, comfortable, and you’ll usually see a mix of Korean families, couples, and solo diners (which IMO is always a good sign for a Korean spot). The space isn’t huge, but there’s plenty of seating for groups of various sizes, and it can get a little loud during peak hours just because people are enjoying themselves. The service is friendly and efficient, and it’s very much a neighborhood gem.
Good to Know
- Address: 9380 Baltimore National Pike Ste 105, Ellicott City, MD 21042
- Phone: (410) 988-8102
- Hours: 11am-9pm daily, closed Tuesdays
- Reservations: Yes, they take reservations (you can call ahead for larger parties)
- Parking: Easy parking in the shopping center plaza (no need to stress)
- Pricing: Reasonable. Soondubu runs $16.95 lunch / $17.95 dinner. Most dishes are in the $15-25 range, making it a great value for the quality.
- Dietary: Limited vegetarian options, but the mushroom soondubu is a solid pick
- Spice levels: Customizable, but be warned that spicy is actually spicy here
Would I Go Back to Hang Ari?
Absolutely, and I already have countless times, lol. Hang Ari is one of those spots that’s earned its place in my regular rotation, and I’m excited to keep coming back as I work through this 100 Asian Restaurants in Maryland series. If you’ve been craving really good soondubu and haven’t tried Hang Ari yet, please do yourself a favor and go ASAP.
And if you want to expand your Korean soup horizons beyond soondubu, check out Maryland’s first Seol Lung Tang spot.
Have you guys had soondubu before?! What’s your favorite Korean comfort food spot in Maryland? Let me know by commenting below, Nomsters!
📍9380 Baltimore National Pike Ste 105, Ellicott City, MD