It’s Day 100 of eating at 100 Asian restaurants in Maryland, and I could not think of a more fitting place to close out this series than Shin Chon Garden. This one’s personal, Nomsters. My family’s been coming to this Ellicott City Korean BBQ spot for decades, and it’s a place I hold close to my heart. They’re known for their KBBQ, cooked right at your table on their famous turtle grill, but the thing I love most is that they just do everything well here, from the homemade mandu to the mushroom jeongol. It’s a la carte, it sits in the big Korean plaza off Baltimore National Pike near Lotte, and it’s been quietly earning its reputation since way before Ellicott City became a Koreatown.
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What Makes Shin Chon Garden a Standout Korean BBQ in Ellicott City
Ellicott City’s got no shortage of Korean spots these days, but Shin Chon’s earned its stripes the long way, by being consistently great for years. This isn’t a trendy new all-you-can-eat spot, it’s an a la carte KBBQ institution where the quality of the meat does the talking. Andrew Zimmern’s even named it one of the best Korean BBQ restaurants in the country, and once you’ve grilled a few cuts here, you get why. If you’re weighing your options, Chosun Hwaro is another Ellicott City KBBQ spot worth knowing. What sets it apart isn’t gimmicks, it’s the turtle grill, the deep menu, and the fact that it nails the classics every single time.
What to Order at Shin Chon Garden
Here’s what I’d steer you toward, Nomsters.
Korean BBQ on the Turtle Grill
The KBBQ’s the main event, and it’s why most people make the trip. You’re grilling cuts like galbi (short ribs), bulgogi, pork belly, and brisket right at your table, and the staff will help you get everything cooking so you’re not guessing. Figure somewhere around $20 to $30 a person if you’re ordering a la carte, and if you’ve got a group, they do combination sets that pile on brisket, pork belly, and short ribs so nobody leaves hungry. The marinated short ribs are a great place to start if you want that savory-sweet, caramelized bite. And you already know a KBBQ meal here comes with a full spread of banchan to keep the table busy while the meat sizzles.
Homemade Mandu
The mandu’s a must for me, and it’s one of the things I love most here. These are homemade Korean dumplings, and I like mine steamed best, that soft, pillowy wrapper with a savory, juicy filling. Make sure you get an order to share while your grill heats up.
Mushroom Jeongol
This is my other go-to, and it might surprise you if you’re only here for the meat. Jeongol’s a Korean hot pot that gets simmered right at your table, and the mushroom version is loaded with shrooms, tofu, veggies, and glass noodles in a deeply savory broth. It’s comforting, it’s great for sharing, and it’s the kind of thing I always want when it’s cold out. Between the jeongol and the mandu, you could honestly skip the grill and still leave happy, though I’d never actually tell you to skip the KBBQ.
A few other things worth knowing the menu carries if you want to branch out:
- Bibimbap and dolsot (stone bowl) bibimbap
- Seafood tofu soup and other Korean stews
- Cold noodles for the warmer months
- Classic soups like yukgaejang and gomtang
What Is a Turtle Grill?
If there’s one thing Shin Chon’s known for beyond the food, it’s the turtle grill. Short answer: it’s the domed, turtle-shell-shaped grill built right into each table, and the rounded shape helps the heat spread evenly while the fat drains off instead of pooling. The ventilation’s solid too, so you’re not walking out smelling like a smoke pit.
The Vibe and Experience
Shin Chon’s tucked into a busy Korean shopping plaza off Baltimore National Pike, the same stretch near Lotte where you’ll find a bunch of other gems (if you’re already out here, Seoul Soondae does a mean Korean blood sausage nearby). The dining room isn’t huge, so weekends can get a wait, but the staff move fast and they’re happy to help you cook if it’s your first time. It’s family-friendly, it’s lively, and it’s the kind of place where you’ll see multi-generational tables grilling together. Come hungry and be ready to EAT!
Good to Know
- 📍 8801 Baltimore National Pike #25B, Ellicott City, MD 21043, in the Korean plaza near Lotte off Route 40.
- Open daily except Tuesday, roughly 11AM to 10PM (a little later on Saturday). It’s closed Tuesdays, so plan around that.
- It’s a la carte KBBQ, not all-you-can-eat, so you order the cuts you want. Figure around $20 to $30 a person.
- Parking’s free and easy in the big plaza lot.
- Reservations are accepted on weekdays; weekends are first come, first served, so expect a wait at peak times.
- The turtle grills are well ventilated, and the staff will help you cook
- Craving more Korean in the area? My guide to Korean food in Howard County rounds up more local favorites.
Shin Chon’s not just my pick for the best old-school KBBQ in Ellicott City, it’s a place woven into my family’s story, and it more than earned its spot as the finale for this whole series. Go for the turtle-grill KBBQ, stay for the mandu and mushroom jeongol, and bring people you love. It’s exactly the kind of Asian-owned spot I started this series to celebrate.
And that’s a wrap on 100 restaurants, Nomsters. Thank you for riding along for every single one, it’s meant more to me than I can say. Have you been to Shin Chon Garden yet? Let me know in the comments, and save this one for your next Korean BBQ craving.