Business Review: Tian - Hearty Meals for Cold Nights

 The windows are plastered with large specials that advertise pictures of hot food. Even on a late Friday night, there are many customers warming up over noodles and broth.

Chinese Korean food comes in many varieties with each restaurant preparing their different take on this comfort food. This genre of food always has the staple Jajang Myun ($6.99). The thick, filling wheat noodles comes with black bean paste that you stir in. I found the noodles quite tasty, but the sauce seemed to lack potency compared to others that I have had in the area. However, the ground pork in the sauce was of a good quality.

The Jajang Myun came complimentary along (a limited time special) with the Pork Tangsuyuk ($15.99) that we ordered. It is listed under Special Dishes, but Koreans eat this dish as an appetizer to share with your dining compatriots before digging into the various noodle dishes. A bit pricey, but the Tangsuyuk was large in portion and amazing in taste. 

The batter that surrounded the slices of pork was crisp, light, and fried to perfection. Also, the pork was tender and juicy, a lovely contrast next to the fried batter. Not sticky or syrupy, the sauce surrounding the fried pork was just the right blend of sweet and sour. Along with the pork, veggies like fresh red and green pepper, mushrooms, broccoli, and cucumber were sliced in and lightly cooked to provide more crunch to your dish. 

Don't forget to eat this dish by preparing a small dish of vinegar and soy sauce mixed together (provided at the table) and dip the pork in the sauce before savoring.

Really, this dish was exceptional. You can tell the oil is changed often and that there has been careful thought put into the batter.  It takes practice to get it to this texture and quality.  

Another good dish on a cold night is the Jampong ($9.99).  There are several varieties.  I got the Seafood Jampoong.  The noodles were good and cooked with just the right firmness.  The broth was exactly what I needed to warm up, but the seafood itself was better left to flavor rather than to eat. 

At Tian, you can expect a cozy and lively vibe. The staff and service is excellent and a great addition to the food that they provide. Keep and eye out for the specials that seem to be a part of the charm of this place.  

Come in with a hearty appetite and dig into the Tansuyuk.

Next to Lotte Plaza, 8801 Baltimore National Pike, Ellicott City

Open 11AM -- 10:30PM Daily

(410) 418-8198