Eastern Gourmet to Open Baltimore Location in 2027

The College Park-based restaurant will bring traditional dishes to Light Street this January.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Chinese Food

Bold vector editorial illustration of a ceramic dumpling bowl and bamboo steamer basket, representing a new restaurant opening. — Eastern Gourmet plans to expand its Chinese cuisine operations to Baltimore with a new restaurant location opening on Light Street in 2027. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Eastern Gourmet is set to expand its operations to Baltimore with a new restaurant scheduled to open at 414 Light St. in January 2027. The business owners selected the city after identifying a lack of Chinese dining options in the local area.

Why it matters

The restaurant represents a strategic expansion from the company's College Park headquarters, aiming to fill a perceived gap in the city's culinary landscape. This development adds to a growing local trend of new Chinese dining establishments opening across Baltimore.

The new establishment located at 414 Light St. will open daily at 11 a.m. to serve both lunch and dinner. A specific tenant agreement for the property explicitly prohibits the sale of noodles to avoid competing with a neighboring business.

The players

Eastern Gourmet

This restaurant group is based in College Park and currently preparing for its expansion into the Baltimore market.

Peter Chang

He is a prominent chef and restaurateur who established NiHao in Baltimore in 2020 and expanded near Johns Hopkins Medicine in 2023.

Sean Li

He manages the business operations for the new Baltimore location of Eastern Gourmet.

Shaoguo Li

He serves as the kitchen manager responsible for the menu at the new restaurant.

The details

Managed by Sean Li, the restaurant will feature a kitchen overseen by Shaoguo Li, serving items such as Peking duck, soup dumplings, pot stickers, and General Tso's chicken. While the owners seek to establish a liquor license, they must operate within the constraints of their lease agreement which forbids noodle sales.

January 2027: Eastern Gourmet is scheduled to open.
2020: Peter Chang opened NiHao in Baltimore.
2023: Peter Chang opened a second branch near Johns Hopkins Medicine.
October 10-11, 2026: Pepper House opened a stall at R. House.

Culture Shift

The entry of Eastern Gourmet into the local market reflects a broader cultural shift as restaurateurs target the city to diversify its culinary offerings. This trend follows the six-year growth trajectory of the Baltimore Chinese restaurant scene established by notable industry figures.

Residents can expect a new dining option on Light Street starting in January 2027 that focuses on traditional dishes rather than noodle-based plates. The restaurant's daily opening at 11 a.m. provides a consistent lunch and dinner schedule for downtown patrons.

The takeaway

The opening highlights how specific commercial lease restrictions can shape the menu of a new restaurant compared to its competitors. Diners interested in traditional Peking duck and dumplings will have a new venue to visit starting in early 2027.