Honestly, I’m high key obsessed with Ellicott City. It’s a foodie’s paradise when it comes to Asian cuisine. With so many great options to choose from, it’s challenging to know where to start, but that’s why I’m here =P. Here are 10 must visit restaurants in Ellicott City, and no, this is *not* a ranked list:
And if you’re the type who likes to mix a browse with your bites, Backwater Books on Main Street is a must, an independent bookstore with a full cocktail bar upstairs that makes for a great first or last stop.
1. Siroo & Juk Story
Siroo & Juk Story is a standout spot for Juk (duh) and bingsoo! In case you’re unfamiliar, juk is a savory Korean rice porridge that’s often enjoyed for breakfast or when you’re feeling under the weather. They have a variety of options available, but my fave’s hobak juk (pumpkin).
Their bingsoo (Korean shaved ice aka snow ice) is perfect for a hot summer day. My favorite’s their gold, and it comes with sweet red bean paste, mochi, and other goodness.
OH, and their ddukbokki (spicy rice cake) is also incredibly flavorful and affordable, making it a great option for sharing with friends. I recommend getting a nice spread for the table so you can try a bit of everything!
📍10176 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042
2. Pepper House
This spot serves up authentic Sichuan cuisine, and the food’s fire…literally, =P. The restaurant’s menu is a must-try for spice lovers, and they have all kinds of noms available.
I personally love their dan dan noodles and chili wontons so they’re a must try IMO! The food’s super flavorful, but be prepared to experience some heat. They don’t mess around. PS. they sell their own chili oil, and it makes a great gift!
If you want more great Chinese food in EC, make sure to check out Tea Horse as well, since they bring real Sichuan cooking (plus Peking duck) to the area.
📍10176 Baltimore National Pike STE 105, Ellicott City, MD 21042
3. Rainpia
This restaurant’s a really great late night hangout spot! They’re known for their Korean fried chicken and street food staples. Their spicy fried chicken is a standout for me personally, but I hear awesome things about their spicy green onion chicken as well. They also do a mean budaejjigae (army stew).
Speaking of late night Korean, Soju Haus is another must-visit in Ellicott City, with private karaoke rooms, budae jjigae, and a full soju menu for your next night out.
Definitely make sure you get their a soju cocktail. They’re shareable and come out semi-frozen, served in an icy bowl. Think reeeeeally satisfying for the summertime!
📍10194 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042
4. Chosun Hwaro
A Korean BBQ spot worth visiting – quite possibly my fave KBBQ spot in the area? The quality of the meat there is excellent, and the service is impeccable. The servers there are always so friendly, and they do a wonderful job of cooking everything for you! Their banchan’s, the assortment of small Korean side dishes, also solid.
I recommend getting their Chosun Hwaro Combo (S) – it’s $109, and you get 3 different cuts of meat (empress galbi, emperor’s galbi, and brisket point), gyeran jjim (Korean egg custard), and doenjang jjigae (fermented soybean paste stew). It’s a GREAT deal for the amount of food you get, and it’s a better option than other AYCE spots IMO.
📍9445 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042
5. Seoul Soondae
If you’re a fan of Korean blood sausage, Seoul Soondae is the place to be. Their soondae is one of the best in the DMV area, and it’s a spot my parents crave regularly.
We like to get their soondaebokkum aka spicy sautéed soondae stir-fry (how’s THAT for alliteration =P) with vegetables, their soondae guk (blood sausage soup), and their regular soondae with sliced liver. SO, so good.
📍8801 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21043
6. Thai Aroma
I’ve been driving past this restaurant for years, and I’m not sure why? I finally went for dinner the other day, and the food was fantastic. Get their drunken noodles with beef, and their Thai basil krapow with chicken. Definitely looking forward to trying more of their menu ASAP! If you guys have been here before, let me know what your go-to order is by leaving me a comment.
📍8815 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21043
7. La Boulangerie
Ok SO, I feel like many of you prefer Tous Les Jours over La Boulangerie, but personally, they’re my favorite Korean bakery in EC. Maybe it’s a nostalgic thing as well? It’s been a family favorite for years now, and my parents always stock up when they visit.
And if you’re looking for a new cafe spot to add to your EC rotation, check out Cube Coffee Ellicott City, a fresh halal cafe with a cool aesthetic and creative drinks worth knowing about.
We love their patbang (bread stuffed with red bean) and their goguma cake (sweet potato cake), but they have all kinds of delish options available! This no-frills shop is a great place to satisfy your sweet tooth so definitely make sure to stop by to treat yourself.
For a completely different kind of sweet stop in the area, Soft Stuff Ice Cream is doing falooda and bubble waffle soft serve that’s worth adding to your Ellicott City food crawl.
📍8815 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21043
8. Asian Court
For those of you looking for dim sum in EC, you’re welcome in advance! This spot’s definitely one of my go-to’s – they have an extensive list of dim sum available, and everything is freshly prepared and served hot for the ultimate nom experience.
They offer dim sum daily until 3pm, but cart service is only available on weekends. They get very BUSY so make sure you go earlier rather than later to avoid waiting, like go as soon as they open, lol.
📍11105 Resort Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042
9. Kim Bob Na Ra
Hands down, the best kim bob in EC! I like their beef best, but I usually get their combination platter because it’s such a great deal.
You get ddukbokki (chewy rice cakes in spicy sauce) and veggie kim bob, and trust me when I say it’s a winning combo. And TBH, I actually think their ddukbokki is the yummiest in the are as well!
📍9339 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042
10. Shin Chon
Yet another family favorite, Shin Chon is heavy in our rotation.
Although they have an extensive menu of Korean staples, I like to get their yukgaejang (spicy beef stew), my mom always gets their dol sot bibimbap (mixed rice in a hot stone pot with meat + assorted veggies), and my dad LOVES their maeuntang (aka spicy fish stew). For those of you interested, they also have KBBQ grills there.
If the KBBQ vibe is calling your name, Shin Chon Garden is right in Ellicott City too, and they do a turtle grill setup with jeongol and mandu that’s worth checking out.
📍8801 Baltimore National Pike #27, Ellicott City, MD 21043
Bonus:
Not gonna lie, I could’ve easily picked 20 more restaurants to include in this roundup, lol. Soooo maybe there will be a part 2 soonish? We’ll see. BUT for your bonus entry, I’d like to feature Delimanjoo!
One I’d definitely add to a future update is Yama Sushi, where their $60 omakase is one of the best things I’ve eaten in Ellicott City.
This dessert spot is located inside Beseto, and they’re known for their bungeoppang (aka fish bread…because of the shape, not the flavors, lol). They have 3 different flavors available (chocolate, red bean and vanilla), and they’re honestly all good.
Alright Nomsters, I hope you enjoyed today’s latest ft. 10 must visit restaurants in Ellicott City! Let me know what you think of these places by leaving me a comment below. And I’m always happy to take on requests so let me know what I should cover next =)
If you’re planning a Saturday trip out to EC from May through October, make sure you also check out the OEC Farmers Market in Tiber Park, it’s a really fun way to add something extra to your visit.