Hot Takeout: Ellicott City’s Pepper House Named One of Nation’s Best

Ellicott City’s Pepper House just put Howard County on the national food map. The spicy Sichuan gem, tucked along Route 40, was named the 11th best Chinese restaurant in the country by Yelp — and fans are flocking in from as far as Europe. Owners Yuan Shen and Frank Liang opened the restaurant during the pandemic, and now their bold, Chongqing-style flavors are turning heads and filling tables. The attention is also boosting nearby Koreatown spots, fueling the area’s rise as a true dining destination.