Some of the best soondae in Maryland is hiding inside a grocery-store food court, and I’m kind of obsessed with that fact! Seoul Soondae’s a little Korean counter tucked into the Lotte Plaza Market food court in Ellicott City, and it’s where my family goes for blood sausage platters, sliced liver, and hearty stews served with rice and kimchi.
It’s budget-friendly, it’s the real deal, and it’s exactly the kind of unfussy, no-frills spot I love telling Nomsters about. We first landed here because my parents were in town, and honestly, it’s quietly become one of our comfort go-tos in Howard County’s little Koreatown. If you’ve been soondae-curious and want the genuine article done by folks who clearly know it, this humble counter is where I’d send you first.
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What Makes Seoul Soondae a Standout Korean Spot in Ellicott City
The name says it all, this spot’s all about soondae. If you haven’t had it before, soondae’s Korean blood sausage: pig intestine stuffed with pork blood, glass noodles (dangmyeon) and a bit of rice or barley, then steamed and sliced. The flavor’s actually pretty mild and savory with a springy, chewy bite, so don’t let the words “blood sausage” scare you off. It’s one of Korea’s most beloved street foods and it goes way, way back, so it’s proper old-school comfort food.
What makes Seoul Soondae worth seeking out is that they do it right, and specialist soondae like this is genuinely hard to find around here. They serve it as a platter with sliced liver and other steamed cuts, plus a seasoned salt-and-chili dip that pulls it all together. The whole plaza sits in what’s basically Maryland’s Koreatown, so if you want to go deeper, I’ve got a full guide to Korean food in Howard County to help you make a day of it.
What to Order at Seoul Soondae
Blood Sausage Platter with Sliced Liver
This is the order. You get the soondae sliced up with pieces of liver and other steamed cuts, and you dip everything in that salt-and-chili blend. The liver throws some people, I totally get it, but paired with the sausage and the dip it just works, and it’s a great way to try a bunch of textures in one go. The soondae itself is soft and springy, almost like a dense, chewy noodle, and the seasoned dip adds the salty kick that makes every bite pop. If you’re soondae-curious, start right here, it’s a really approachable, budget-friendly way in.
Stews with Rice and Kimchi
We also love getting their stews. They’re warming, savory, and exactly what you want on a cold day, the kind of soup-and-rice combo that fills you up without emptying your wallet. It’s honestly the ultimate comfort move. If you love soondae, look for the soondae-guk, a hearty blood-sausage soup that’s basically the platter in warming soup form. Fair warning, this is a food-court counter, so don’t roll up expecting a fancy sit-down situation, you order at the counter and eat at the food-court tables.
The menu runs a little deeper than what we usually get too, so if you want to branch out, you may spot other Korean comfort staples like a gamjatang (pork-and-potato soup) or a stir-fried pork on the board. I can’t put a verdict on those since the soondae platter is what we come for every time, but it’s nice to know there’s more than one reason to swing by.
What Does Soondae Taste Like?
Soondae tastes mild, savory and a little earthy, way more mellow than the words “blood sausage” might have you bracing for. The texture’s the real thing to know about: it’s soft and springy, almost like a dense, chewy noodle, thanks to those glass noodles packed inside. That seasoned salt-and-chili dip on the side adds the salty kick that makes every bite pop. If you’ve been nervous to try it, this is genuinely one of the friendliest introductions you’ll find, and it’s a yum, satisfying bite once you get going.
The Vibe and Experience
This is a counter inside the Lotte Plaza Market food court, so it’s casual, quick, and all about the food. Don’t let a so-so Google star average throw you, a lot of that’s about atmosphere, and atmosphere isn’t why anyone comes here. You come for legit soondae at a great price, and on that front it delivers every single time. Grab your tray, snag a table, and dig in. It’s a real family spot for us, the sort of low-key, no-pressure meal where my parents feel right at home and nobody’s fussing over a dress code.
Good to Know
- Closed Mondays: the counter runs Tuesday through Sunday, roughly 10am to 8pm, but it’s dark on Mondays, so plan around that.
- Where: 📍 8801 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21043, inside the Lotte Plaza Market food court.
- Parking: there’s a big plaza lot, though it fills up on weekends since Lotte’s a popular Korean grocery run.
- Budget-friendly: this is an affordable, order-at-the-counter spot, no reservations, just walk up.
- Make it a Lotte run: you’re inside an Asian market, so grab your soondae, do your Korean grocery haul, and swing by the Delimanjoo counter in the same plaza for a sweet bungeoppang finish.
Is Seoul Soondae Worth It?
If you’re chasing real soondae, short answer, yes, this is your spot. It’s not about the atmosphere, it’s about a specialty done really well by folks who clearly know it, and that’s exactly my kind of find. For a specialist, budget-friendly bite in Ellicott City’s Koreatown, it’s honestly hard to beat, and it’s earned its place as one of our family comfort go-tos. If you’re on a Korean comfort-food kick in the same neighborhood, Siroo & Juk Story is another affordable counter I’d point you to just up the Pike.
Have you guys tried soondae yet, Nomsters?! I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts if you’ve had it, and if you haven’t, consider this your nudge to be brave and grab a platter. Save this one for your next Lotte run, and let me know your order in the comments.