If you’re looking for Korean food AND a night out in Ellicott City, Soju Haus is such a fun combo: you eat first, then rent a private karaoke room and sing your heart out. It’s the sister spot to Honey Pig Hot Pot right next door, and it goes ALL in on the K-pop vibe, with a BTS mural in the back and music videos playing on huge TVs. The highlight of our meal was the army stew, but the whole point here’s to grab a big spread, share, and then belt out some Blackpink. If you’re a K-pop stan, Nomsters, you’ll love it.
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What Soju Haus Is Known For
Soju Haus (also listed as Micky’s Soju House) is part of the Honey Pig family, the female-led, minority-owned Korean restaurant group, and it opened in Ellicott City’s Normandy Plaza back in 2022. It’s known for two things at once: Korean staples and street food on the menu, and private karaoke rooms you can rent after you eat. So it’s dinner and entertainment in one stop, which is exactly why it’s such a fun group spot.
It’s also part of what makes this stretch of Ellicott City a real Koreatown. If you want the full lay of the land, I’ve got a whole guide to Korean food in Howard County worth bookmarking.
What Is Army Stew (Budae Jjigae)?
Army stew, or budae jjigae, is a bubbling Korean hot pot loaded with ramen, spam, sausage, rice cakes, kimchi, and more. It literally means “army base stew,” and it goes back to the years after the Korean War, when cooks near US military bases stretched surplus ingredients like spam and hot dogs into a hearty stew with Korean staples (here’s the full backstory). At Soju Haus it was the highlight of our meal, and it’s very much built to share.
If you love Korean pub food in Ellicott City, Rainpia on Korean Way is the other late-night Korean spot you need to know about — same neighborhood, known for their bone-in padak and budae jjigae.
What Should You Order at Soju Haus?
Here’s what we got and how it went:
- Army stew (budae jjigae): the star of the night, packed with ramen, spam, sausage, rice cakes, and kimchi. Get this one.
- Corn cheese: because you can never go wrong with cheesy corn, lol. A no-brainer add-on.
- Cheesy kimchi jeon: a savory Korean pancake made with kimchi and served with a side of seasoned soy sauce. They do a seafood version too if that’s more your thing.
- Bossam: a hugeeee platter of boiled pork belly served with all the fixings. Bossam’s a classic Korean dish where you wrap tender pork in cabbage or lettuce with your banchan, and it’s perfect for a table that likes to build their own bites (more on bossam here).
The menu goes beyond what we tried too, with Korean fried chicken wings, a tteokbokki carbonara, and a Somaek Tower (a beer tower paired with a bottle of soju) if you’re in a celebrating mood. Portions run big across the board, so come with a group and plan to share.
If you want more Korean comfort food nearby on a budget, Siroo & Juk Story in Ellicott City is my go-to for ridiculously affordable ddukbokki and stews.
Does Soju Haus Have Karaoke Rooms?
Yes, and the private karaoke rooms are the whole draw. There are three rooms total: two smaller ones and one extra-large space that fits up to about 30 people, so it works for a duo or a big group. You rent by the hour, they’re fully private (no singing in front of random strangers, haha), and you can order food and drinks right to your room. The song selection’s huge, with both Asian and American tracks, so you’ll never run out of options. Heads up: reservations are strongly recommended on weekends, while weekdays are more first-come, first-served.
The Vibe at Soju Haus
The whole space leans into K-pop and it’s a blast. There’s that BTS mural in the back, music videos playing on the big screens, and an energy that makes it perfect for a friend group or a fun date. And since Honey Pig Hot Pot’s literally next door, this little corner of Normandy Plaza is a one-stop Korean-food destination. If it’s actual Korean BBQ you’re after another night, Chosun Hwaro is one of my top three KBBQ spots in the entire state, and it’s also right here in Ellicott City.
Good to Know
- Also listed as Micky’s Soju House, and it’s the sister concept to Honey Pig Hot Pot next door in Normandy Plaza. 📍 8450 Baltimore National Pike, Suite 125, Ellicott City, MD 21043
- Closed Wednesdays, and open evenings into the late night (roughly 5PM to 1 or 2AM), so it’s a solid late-night option.
- Karaoke: three rooms (two small, one extra-large that fits up to about 30). Reserve ahead on weekends, and you can order food and drinks to your room.
- No outside food or drink in the rooms (celebratory cakes are the exception), and alcohol isn’t served if anyone in the party is under 21.
- Portions are huge, so come hungry and come with people.
- Parking’s in the Normandy Shopping Center lot.
So, Is Soju Haus Worth It?
Short answer, yes, especially if you’re planning a group hang. You get a big, shareable Korean spread and a private karaoke room in one place, which is honestly hard to beat for a fun night out. Grab the army stew, load up the table, and then go sing until you lose your voice. Have you guys been to Soju Haus yet? Let me know your karaoke go-to in the comments, Nomsters.