A Maryland food creator is documenting 100 Asian restaurants across the state

Kimberly Kong has a simple premise with a long runway: find 100 Asian restaurants across Maryland and show the rest of us where to eat. Kong, who posts as Nomtastic Kim on Instagram and TikTok, filmed at Chosun Hwaro, a Korean barbecue spot in Ellicott City.

The #100AsianRestaurantsInMaryland series launched in December 2025. Kong said she started it after a personal loss, channeling grief into a project she had wanted to build for years.

Her partner Minje Suh shoots the footage while Kong focuses on dishes and owner stories. They prefer mom-and-pop businesses that may not have ad budgets or PR staff.

At Chosun Hwaro, owner Sean Kim explains the restaurant grew from his family's love of dining out and frustration at limited local options. That kind of origin story is exactly what Kong's format is built to surface.

For diaspora readers, the series is more than restaurant content. It is a statewide map of Asian food businesses that often survive on word of mouth and community loyalty.

Kong and Suh had released their 80th video, with the Ellicott City piece still in production. If you live in Maryland or visit regularly, the project is a practical guide taking shape in real time.