Popular Maryland food blogger Nomtastic Kim recently shared her list of “8 Korean Spots in Maryland That Never Miss,” highlighting restaurants across various counties offering a specific dish or experience to try at each. While there aren’t any Montgomery County restaurants on this list, many are worth the drive.
The list begins with ChoSun Hwaro, located at 9445 Baltimore National Pike in Ellicott City. Kim calls it one of her favorite Korean BBQ spots in Maryland, praising the quality of the meats and the tableside service, where staff cook the meat for diners. She recommends ordering one of the meat combinations to sample several cuts and also points to the bossam and bibim naengmyeon as dishes not to overlook.
At Da Rae Won Restaurant, located at 5013 Garrett Ave. in Beltsville, the recommendation is jjajangmyeon. Kim calls the restaurant her pick for the best jjajangmyeon in Maryland and the DMV. The Korean-Chinese restaurant makes its noodles fresh in-house, and she also recommends the jjampong, tangsuyuk and lollipop chicken.
Kong Pocha, located at 9350 Snowden River Pkwy., Unit J, in Columbia, makes the list for Korean fried chicken. Kim calls it her current pick for the best Korean fried chicken in Maryland and recommends the sweet and spicy version. She describes Kong Pocha as a true Korean pocha, or late-night pub, and suggests visiting with friends for soju and a variety of Korean comfort foods.
Siroo and Juk Story, at 10176 Baltimore National Pike in Ellicott City, is highlighted for bingsoo and Korean comfort food. Kim specifically praises its Gold Snow Ice bingsoo, topped with ingredients including red bean, mochi and injeolmi powder. She also recommends the restaurant for juk, ddukbokki, bibim naengmyeon and rice dishes.
For soondae, Kim recommends Seoul Soondae, located inside Lotte Plaza Market at 8801 Baltimore National Pike in Ellicott City. Soondae is a traditional Korean blood sausage, and Kim says she likes dipping it into the restaurant’s seasoned salt. Other recommendations include soondae bokkeum and soondae-guk.
Be.Se.To, located at 822 Rolling Rd. in Catonsville, is included for what Kim describes as a Korean food hall experience. The food court offers Korean, Korean-Chinese and Japanese options, making it a choice for groups looking for different foods. Her personal favorite there is bibim naengmyeon, and she notes that visitors can also explore the Asian market and shops downstairs afterward.
Kim Bob Na Ra, at 9339 Baltimore National Pike in Ellicott City, is Kim’s go-to Maryland spot for kimbap. She describes it as an affordable, no-frills mom-and-pop restaurant and says she orders the beef kimbap every time. She also recommends pairing it with tteokbokki and dipping a piece of kimbap into the sauce.
Rounding out the eight is Hang Ari, located at 9380 Baltimore National Pike, Suite 105, in Ellicott City. Kim recommends it for soondubu, a bubbling Korean soup made with silky tofu. She says the mushroom version is her go-to and also notes that the restaurant is known for its kalguksu.
Six of the eight selections are in the Ellicott City/Catonsville area, with the remaining two in Columbia and Beltsville. The list spans Korean BBQ, fried chicken, Korean-Chinese noodles, kimbap, soups, blood sausage, desserts and other traditional comfort foods.
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