Hoco NomNom

Poké Bowl

The Common Kitchen in Clarksville added another healthy option to it’s army. Setup right across from Trifecto Bar, this vendor provides healthy customized poké bowls. Poké is a Hawaiian dish featuring small diced raw fish (for the non raw fish eaters, do not worry, they have you covered). I am a big fan of poké and when poké bowls started becoming a trend, I couldn’t wait til they made their way here. Blowfish Poké is now open for business in Howard County, filling our bellies with yummy fish.

Here’s a couple of new openings that sprung up in the area during the past month or two. The last restaurant is now open at the Common Kitchen and a fast food wings place has opened up in Columbia.

Tonkotsu Ramen

Ramen has always been near and dear to Mrs. Nom Nom and mine’s heart. But without a place to go in Howard County, we would be forced to travel to Rockville or Wheaton to satisfy our cravings. When this restaurant opened, we couldn’t be happier. This was one of the first ramen only restaurants in Howard County. The timing was just right, as ramen shops were beginning to become popular. Uma Uma opened off of route 40 in Ellicott City to fill the ramen void.

The Halal Guys Sign

If you had the pleasure to visit or live in New York in the past decade or two, you may have heard of this place. They started from a small hot dog cart to what is now over 200 locations. They’ve had huge success in one of the toughest food competitive cities and have now opened in Howard County. They’ve opened at the Columbia Mall across the parking lot near Kung Fu Tea and Bonchon Chicken. Just 1 of 4 locations in Maryland, The Halal Guys serves up fast and simple halal food.

We have a couple of openings over at the Clarksville Kitchen. Also, if you didn’t know we’re trying to complete a listing of places that are open during the holiday hours. Check out the Holiday Hours Page. We won’t have any posts next week but I’ll try to keep the holiday hours page updated.

Bibimbap Bowl

To find a Korean shop that isn’t on Korean Way or originate from there, is rare. Of all places, this place has roots in Columbus, Ohio. But they are doing something right, having 37 locations in DC and 6 states. This is the fourth location in Maryland, first in Howard County. This restaurant is located on robot statue alley of the mall (is there a real name for this section?). Bibibop provides simple and healthy choices that you customize to build your own bibimbap.

Wonton Soup the Staple of Chinese Take-out

I read somewhere that chinese take out places outnumbered McDonalds, Burger King, and Wendy’s combined. Howard County isn’t shy of the number of chinese take out places but this place has gotten our fair share of business. Tucked into the corner of Enchanted Forest is this small little shop. China Taste offers all the great staples one would look for in a chinese take-out place.

Not as many updates this time. I have a theory that the cold and the holidays are slowing down the amount of new announcements. Don’t worry there are plenty of places still coming very soon. Check the past updates in case you missed any. If you’re all caught up, today’s post has 1 new opening and 1 upcoming.

Inside Eggspectation

We’ve covered a couple of restaurants that have found Howard County as a great second home. This particular restaurant is a prime example of that. Hailing all the way from Montreal, this restaurant chose Ellicott City as their first in the US. They have expanded since then across the DelMarVa area and one in Texas. This is the ultimate brunch restaurant. They serve almost everything, from burgers to french toast to crepes to steak. What’s brunch without eggs? Well they have plenty of those, their name won’t let you forget that, Eggspectation.

Happy Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving just a couple of days away, we’ll be taking a break this week. I’m dreading that Boston Market line. Mrs. Nom Nom’s family gets ham at Honey Baked Ham in Ellicott City. Are there any food traditions or places you go during Thanksgiving?

We just want to take a moment and say a big thank you to all the readers out there. It’s amazing to get such a warm welcome from all of you. From the Nom Nom family to yours, have a great Thanksgiving. Eat lots of Nom Nom!

Today’s updates have some interesting locations coming up. We have a pizza place that will have a self service tap for beer and wine. Hot Pot where you cook your own food right in front of you with your own small pot. And a place that you throw sharp axes at a wall.

Premium Sausage Hotdog

It has been a long time since I’ve had this much excitement waiting in line for food. Once I found out about this place, I got there as fast as possible. Ssong’s Hotdog has brought the Little Nom out of me. I’ve never had Korean hot dogs before and Howard County has never had a place like this before. So you can bet that the first chance I got, I bolted over to the Columbia Mall to try.

Some really cool places in Elkridge have opened up, part of a revitalization of Main Street. Both places are in the same building 5782 Main St, Elkridge, MD 21075. This is just the beginning of plans to bring new life into historic Elkridge.

Cava Bowl

This restaurant has exploded in the past couple years. Originating from Rockville, it’s amazing to see how many locations have spread across the nation. The restaurant is in 12 states with over 87 locations and more coming soon. It shows that the concept of this restaurant works. If you haven’t had Cava yet then rush to Columbia.

With the cold air now here, that’s maybe why the amount of updates are cooling down. But we still have a bunch of restaurants and food among us. Here’s the latest news. And a couple of firsts for the website, an event update this saturday and a submitted tip from a reader.