KARE BAR CLOSED! But there in spirit???…read more I stopped by today to see that Kare Bar was replaced by a place called Jumak Cafe. Was super sad and then saw reviews for Jumak and saw that it apparently still looks pretty similar inside and has some of the same items as Kare Bar but more Korean food now. It's closed on Mondays! (As of 12/29/2025) so haven't gone in yet to the new place but plan to!

I ordered the chicken katsu curry and the employee brought it as an entire tray including miso soup…read moreand vegetables which was so convenient. They wrote out their new restaurant name in the curry which was pretty cool. The menu states that there is a 3% transaction fee on credit cards and also has the prices of each item in cash and credit cards for your convenience. Our server was very kind and lovely and frequently checked up on us. The ambience was nice and clean.

The place is a hidden gem in Old Town Ellicott City. The staff was very nice and GORGEOUS. The…read moreambiance was perfect as they offered inside and outside seating. The sushi was amazing and fresh. The steam bun was delicious but was not fully heated as the middle was still cold. They had ice cold beers and were very attentive after the entrees were served. This place is a must and I encourage everyone to come out for delicious food and a great time. We will be back for the food and especially for the service.

Visited Umi Sushi on a Saturday night around 8:00 PM -- full house and no reservation, but…read morethankfully we only had about a 10-minute wait. The back patio is definitely where you want to be on a warm evening. The overhead string lights created a great atmosphere, and the staff were both pleasant and efficient throughout the night. We had an unexpected guest join us mid-meal, and our waitress immediately accommodated us with a table change without missing a beat. It's impressive how quickly they're able to turn tables while still keeping service smooth. The sushi presentation was very nice, and they offer a great selection of rolls. While everything we ordered was good, several of the rolls ended up tasting fairly similar - all specials I believe. If possible, request seating toward the very back of the patio -- it's closest to the Patapsco River and makes for a really relaxing setting.

This is some of the freshest sushi I have ever had in this area!…read more Food: 5/5 I could not highlight more how fresh the fish tastes. The sushi in this area is mostly average, but this is comparable to the fresh servings I've had in Maui. Please go try the sushi. We also got the seafood pancake, which was not greasy and delicious, but noticed there wasn't as much seafood as I have seen in other seafood pancakes, more chives (which was still yummy). Miso soup and house salad was provided without us ordering it, unsure if it comes with every meal. Service: 5/5 no-frills service, food came out fast and no issues! Ambiance: sushi bar seats and tables for 4-6 people. Parking is fine, was not busy when we went. Soft music in the background. Bathroom was roomy and clean.

I will definitely be adding Niko to my local vegetarian sushi rotation! Ordering takeout required…read morecalling my order in, but was quick and easy, with my food ready in about 20-25min. The staff was warm and welcoming when I arrived to pick it up. I ordered edamame and four different rolls to try: Mushroom Roll, Vegetable Roll, Asparagus Roll and Sweet Potato Roll. Everything was fresh and flavorful. Terrific value for the price! Looking forward to my next order.

Came here to celebrate hubby's birthday. The restaurant is beautifully decorated inside and the…read moreservice is really top notch. It was our first time there. We picked the middle tier option. We thought it was a little pricey but the quality of meats was very good. And the amount of food you get was really a lot and this is coming from a heavy hitter at AYCE restaurants. They also included dessert. I only wish they allowed for AYCE options AND à la carte options, like Gyuzo Japanese BBQ in Rockville. It turns out they're owned by the same company. You must come very hungry to get your money's worth.

Bring your appetite for an expensive feast…read more Gyu San is an all-you-can-eat Japanese joint with a focus on bbq. Expect to pay a lot but in return, gain access to unlimited top tier meats from the land and sea. Gyu San offers three levels of dining. The entire table must have the same level, so talk to your other diners before ordering what level you'd like to go for: Basic gives you their lowest quality cuts of meat and a handful of seafood options and side dishes. This is great for people who want to get their money's worth, especially when pairing their meal with Gyu San's extensive alcoholic cocktail menu. Their middle level offers a larger variety of beef, pork, and seafood, and side dishes. The middle level also offers ramen. The ramen is good, but extremely filling, so I advise avoiding it. This level also includes a one order-per customer wagyu sampler. This is a MUST include to get your money's worth and it will be the highlight of your meal. One of the sides you can unlock at this level is wagyu burgers. While these burgers are great, with a spicy sauce that is fantastic, they sit in your stomach and make it harder to eat more of the unlimited BBQ. If you must try it, order one and split it among your table. The final and most expensive level opens up an all wagyu menu, taking the one-time sampler from the second level and giving you as much as you can handle. In addition, you'll get one order of five unique appetizers, each carefully crafted around high end seafood and wagyu. Each person at the table can also pay an extra $5 for all you can eat sushi, and their sushi is good. If you're ordering from the low tier meats, then adding sushi is worth it for adding variety and good values. For more money saving, you can become a member by asking your server or host, though its only worth it if you plan on coming to Gyu San more often. Gyu San is a high cost, high caloric, and highly flavorful meal experience, best left as an ultimate treat-your-self with friends and family.

Haven't been to the Lotte cafeteria in years I'd say. It felt a bit nostalgic, and the selections…read morewere still good. I remember ordering a sushi platter from Ikkyu long time ago, but today we did cast iron pot udon and the lunch box. We enjoyed them very much, and the prices were reasonable. Order, pick up your order, and return the tray when done. Clean and quiet today - a Monday afternoon.

This place is inside Lotte Plaza in Ellicott city. They have pretty good authentic like Japanese…read morefood. Their Donkatsu is always on point. Udon is just average. Staff is always friendly and provide fast service.

I first walked in the place was very, very full. I said at the bar area the first lady that served…read moreme was not very nice. The second lady was very pleasant and nice and very helpful I got the pork bowl and the pork was very tasty, but the broth was a little lacking in flavor also got the spring roll, which I did not care at all. I don't think I would return.

Sooo tasty!! I asked for some chili sauce on the sauce which elevated the dish (because I love…read morespicy food). The server was really helpful when I asked whether or not the dish was vegetarian and told me the sauce contains oyster. It seemed pretty packed there the evening we went but I loved how lively the place seemed. I can't wait to go back again.

This is such a cute restaurant located inside of Columbia Mall, easy barking outdoors1…read more Service was amazing very quick and efficient and everybody was friendly It was also so great and fresh I got cucumber salad, which was nice and also beef kimchi Ramen very delicious spicy and dread ingredients. Sushi rolls were all great and fresh. Yellow tail hibachi I was just a little different on the flavor , but it was very fresh and presented in a beautiful way. I also got Wago beef rice. Rice was great, very flavorful. but I was not a fan of the beef - It was couple huge pieces. Rea tender. Not your typical way of beef in fried rice. Yet fresh and good. I would come and try other dishes.

Takumi Japanese Bistro and Bar…read more My first visit to this welcome addition to our local mall. The restaurant blends modern and traditional Japanese design and occupies the former space where a coffee shop once stood. There is ample free parking outside, though Friday evenings in this part of Columbia are notoriously busy. Food -- Thoughtfully presented, visually appealing, and made with fresh ingredients. Seafood Miso Soup -- A large bowl filled with whole fresh clams, scallops, shrimp, and green onion. A very generous portion--so much so that she brought some home to enjoy later. Salmon Skin Salad -- Pieces of salmon skin ranging from crispy to slightly chewy, mixed with cucumber, fish roe, spicy mayo, and eel sauce. A delicious combination. Signature Maki - "Maryland" Roll -- Beautifully presented with blue crab, shishito peppers (mild and slightly sweet), Old Bay-torched salmon, spicy mayo, and rice pearls. Both friends quickly devoured theirs. Prices felt somewhat higher than typical mall fare, but the freshness of the ingredients and attention to detail made it worthwhile. The entire staff we encountered were engaging and genuinely seemed happy to be there for their guests. A big nod to management for making hospitality an important part of the dining experience. One minor suggestion: the attractive menus could use periodic checks, as a few pages appeared a bit worn. I would happily recommend a visit--perhaps on a less hectic day so you can enjoy the décor and food at a more relaxed pace. There is also an outdoor patio that will be especially appealing once the warmer weather returns.

Family went for birthday dinner, everyone else got hibachi but I wasn't very hungry so I ordered…read moretwo sushi rolls instead. Yummy sushi! Loved the California cream roll, wished it was bigger than 6 rolls! The Yummi-yummi roll was also good, also wished it was bigger than 5 pieces. Waiter and hibachi chef were fun and helpful. Loved the hibachi show. Everyone got to catch shrimp in our mouths! Pricy for what you are getting, fun for a special event like a bday.

I've been looking for a solid hibachi place in the Baltimore area and this is the first one I've…read moretried that I would recommend. Food: I don't eat beef so can't comment on that. I got the chicken and shrimp combo. The salad was great. The soup is made with chicken and beef broth, so I couldn't have that. I would recommend getting the mushrooms over the shrimp side, mainly because it's just two more pieces of shrimp. I felt like they gave a good amount of food (I was struggling to finish) - sufficient mixed vegetables and fried rice. The shrimp and chicken were cooked very well. The food isn't particularly spicy, but I like the sauces. I'm sure you can ask for hot sauce if you'd like. The menu is pretty focused on the hibachi, so no sushi options. I just wish they also had option for yakisoba (noodles). Service: We had a large group for late lunch on Sunday and were seated immediately. Our server and chef were both great. Our chef had a solid balance of theatrics (we had some kids in our group) without delaying food service, which I feel like is important for hibachi. Ambiance: Overall, it's a nice & clean establishment. Great for a group dinner, families, special occasion etc. Sufficient parking in the plaza. Overall, I would recommend and I'll definitely be back.

It was late night door dash delivery. And food was great. Cucumber salad was so fresh and…read moreflavorful. Chicken wings great. Soup amazing. Fried chicken bites a dry and not my fav. But overall food was great. Service great. And i will repeat.

Really solid spot in Elicott city. The food is really…read moresolid! We had their cucumber salad, mix of skewers and dumplings. The skewers are pretty unique and you might find some pieces you can't find anywhere else if you are adventurous enough. Everything we ate was very delicious and you could tell made to order. The space itself was clean and has a few tables. The service was quick and friendly! The restaurant is in a strip mall and can be missed if you aren't looking carefully enough. Parking can be tough during peak hours just an FYI.

Overall impression? Overpriced for the quality and quantity. I ordered delivery on a weekday night…read moreand would have expected more ample portions and fresher ingredients for the amount that I paid. I ordered two vegetable rolls totaling nearly $20 for only 10 pieces. The pieces were sloppily rolled and fell apart as I was eating them. The sweet potato roll was mediocre at best. The yasai gyoza just didn't taste that fresh and were overall unremarkable. I will be hard pressed to return given a number of better sushi spots in the area.

A hidden gem in Ellicott City! We went to Yama Sushi today…read moreand I'm honestly blown away. We tried the Spicy King Roll, Butterfly Roll, and Columbia Roll. All fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. The owner even brought out a sample of seared salmon belly, and it was out of this world! The service was just as amazing as the food. Everyone was warm, attentive, and genuinely kind. I can't believe I've lived in HoCo this long and never tried Yama Sushi before. It's officially my new favorite sushi spot! Highly recommend for anyone who loves great sushi and great people.