summary: located in a shopping center off of route 40, Jumak offers what was unfortunately an incomplete dining experience and fell short in certain regards. edited: initially I gave a 3/5 star review giving the benefit of the doubt that my experience may have been a one-off experience of sub-par customer service. The owner(s) have since replied indicating that somehow my content may not reflect the "actual" experience. Feels a bit disappointing that their response has been to try and delegitimize what I experienced. I think it goes hand in hand with what I initially wrote about how it kind of felt like somehow we weren't welcome. Based on the feedback, I'm feeling less certain that this was a one-off experience and hence the updated review. -- original review -- We went at an off time and there happened to be no patrons there. However, there was this strange feeling that we weren't necessarily all that welcome - like when customers go at 8:58pm when a restaurant closes at 9:00pm. Except we were well within the open hours, so maybe it was in my head. The ambiance makes it feel like they want to be an upper-end restaurant and the prices definitely reflect that too (average price was $15+ for even the small plates). The ordering situation is a little confusing. They have tablets, but the app that you're supposed to use to order is not very intuitive at all. You have to press a button that looks like "zoom" in order to get more details about the dish. You also can't add any notes to dishes that you order in the event of dietary restrictions. At the same time, our server didn't stop by all that often, so it wasn't very easy to get a hold of anyone even though we were the only patrons for a while. The food that came out was tasty and had great depth of flavor. It took a while for the kitchen to make the items, so I'm thinking it's all made to order. Mostly positive notes there. The side dishes were pretty small in portion size and they only gave out two choices. Still tasty, but would love to see more options there. They also have an upcharge if you're paying with credit, so if you want to save 3.5% on your bill, you should bring a pocket full of cash. Maybe it was a one-off experience, but left feeling a bit disappointed overall. read more

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Food was a 4. Service was a 0, so average a 2. Overall: good food, cute ambiance, awful service and logistics, single stall inclusive restrooms, changing table, and high chairs are available They are trying ordering from tablets which I really disliked. There was only one per table and at some tables they are attached to the wall. Only one person can look at them at a time and it's hard to see from many seats at the table. We enjoyed the bonchon, especially the pickled radish. The tonkatsu ramen was okay. The chicken karage and yakisoba was good. We were there for a special dinner for my partner. Their meal never came out, when we asked the server said she would check. She came back 10 minutes later to apologize that she never put it in. We asked if we could just cancel that order then because the rest of our food was already done and we have a 1 and 4 year old who can't last forever in restaurants. She said she couldn't cancel it but came back later saying, "Good news we can offer it to go." They never offered us a discount. Then the order they packed us to go completely broke through the bag they gave it to us in. I had to ask for a refund they did not offer anything to us. We were the only people there the whole time we were there, so I didn't see any reasons for our service to be so bad. Also in the middle of the meal the server came out and asked what the sound was. We assumed it was from our one year old. She said her and her boss say to not bang on the table. He's one, but he was pretty well behaved while we were there and there wasn't a single other person in the restaurant. read more

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Went to grab a high quality late night dinner after dance class and this was a great spot to go with my friends. The cafe had plenty of seating and a calm and warm vibe. We had a large party of 8 and they were able to accommodate us. The server provided us a specials menu and everything else could be ordered on the iPad. There was a huge variety of food options so no one went home hungry. We ordered the padak chicken (spring onion fried chicken, 10/10), chicken terriyaki, haemul paejeon (skip this, batter is too thick), tuna tartare (10/10 refreshing and so flavorful), and the pork octopus special (10/10 wide variety of sauces and combined well with the pickled veggies for one big bite). The server was very attentive as we had a big talkative group and we really went through the waters constantly. This was a pleasant experience and I would come here again for a clean late night meal with friends. Definitely will be back to get the padak chicken and tuna tartare. read more

Jumak - Padak Chicken - Korean Near Me - Ellicott City, Maryland

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Probably the most delicious katsu curry I've had around here! Food: 5/5 please try one of their dishes containing katsu. I got the tonkatsu with my curry udon, and my husband got chicken katsu curry. Both were delicious, and not too heavy on the sodium. It tastes like they must make their own curry in house instead of using those pre-made cubes at the grocery stores. Service: 5/5 the servers are there to deliver the food and bring water/napkins/utensils to the table. There is a tablet at the table where you order everything and request the check when you are ready. Everyone was very kind and pleasant to interact with, and it was very easy to navigate the tablet. Ambiance: the place appears like the average asian cafe, however the music was matching a nighttime asian bar vibe. We went around 7pm so this works for the evening, but I wonder what it is like during the daytime. read more

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I'm so impressed! All aspects of this restaurant were met with incredible detail, from the dishware to the cozy modern interior to the food. We got the katsu don, katsu with curry udon, and bossam (off the chef's special menu). Everything was delicious and creative. I have never had bossam so uniquely made with pickled lettuce wrapping, cucumber, and a garlic paste spread atop the pork belly pieces. Each table has a screen for self-order, but an in-person staff member is always available as well. Excellent all around! read more

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Food here is surprisingly good! I was a little wary looking at how big their menu was, but my family and I enjoyed all the dishes we ordered. The pork tonkatsu and hamburg steak were our favorites, but the curry was yummy too. Formerly known as Kare Bar, the restaurant has been revamped to include more Korean menus items (including anju). The interior looks pretty much the same as before, except that it's a bit trendier. Few people know about the change from Kare Bar to Jumak right now, so it's easy to get a table when you walk in. I imagine it'll start to get busier with time though. read more

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Excelllent food! Really innovative take on Korean and Japanese dishes. The Triad dish and Poke nachos were delicious. Kids loved it read more

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I've been here at least five times and dream and salivate of the food. im its biggest fan. and the menu is so big?? and the servers are so sweet and hella attentive. you will not be abandoned. FOOD BREAKDOWN - the chicken katsu is the crunchiest and non greasy thing ever!! if you get it with no curry, you have a chance of keeping it crispier. - the flatbread where you can drizzle honey yourself...me, my boyfriend, and my friends DREAM about this. combination of sweet (but not too sweet) and savoury with almonds topped off. - kimchi stew (has pork) is spicy and i love how they have hella vegetables like beansprouts in it. the spicy makes it challenging and i like a challenge #meow. - soba noodles were refreshing. hella toppings. love it, never miss. and it's pretty now i feel prettier. if you see me Jumak, please know i (alexis le) love your food and the vibes and you. read more

Jumak - soba noodle and chicken katsu combo + kimchi stew (that has pork) + flatbread - Korean Near Me - Ellicott City, Maryland

After our golf round, my friends and I came to Joomak and ordered the Spicy Tuna Tart Nachos, Octopus Bossam Combo, and Golbaengi. All three dishes were absolutely delicious and unique. The flavors were outstanding, and each dish was memorable in its own way. The service was excellent as well--the staff was very friendly and attentive. The atmosphere was warm and enjoyable, making it a great place to relax after a round of golf. We had a wonderful experience and will definitely be coming back again. Highly recommended! read more

Jumak - Korean Near Me - Ellicott City, Maryland

Tried this new spot out for dinner today. The ambiance was cozy!! Service was good and waitress made good recommendations for us, as the menu was rather large. The apps were all so delicious! Honorable mention for the Tori Karaage. Definitely get in here and try this place out read more

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This place is great, they're executing Japanese and Korean comfort food at a very high and consistent level. I'm Japanese and they do Katsu donburi as well as my own grandmother. Same for the katsu kare, and kare udon read more

Food is really good! They have different fusions between Japanese, Korean and Italian cuisines. Some are very unique and not available anywhere else. The Tonkatsu is really well made. Crispy on the outside, tender and Juicy on the inside. Of course this is a dish you need to bite into right away when served. You can combine tonkatsu (pork, chicken, fish or shrimp!) with udon noodles or the cold soba noodles with the cold dipping sauce. Very refreshing. We tried the Hamburg steak with carbonara sauce out of curiosity and it turned out so good and delicious. Never would have thought carbonara goes well with Hamburg steak. Their Japanese curry is also delicious and goes well with the Hamburg steak as well. The potato croquettes are amazing appetizers, I cannot get enough of it! The spicy squid stir fry is their version of Ohjinga Bokum. Spicy but Delicious! There's so many other dishes I want to try. We need to come back several more times to try them all! read more

I love the interior of the place and lighting. The toowoomba udon and katsu curry are 10/10! It's my go-to spot for udon!! Def check it out if you're in the area. The service is also good, you can call them when you need with the tablet and they are very helpful. read more

Jumak - Toowoomba udon and Chicken Yaki Udon cleared - Korean Near Me - Ellicott City, Maryland

The food is amazing and theres great ambiance, we love coming here after work to relax and share great food, the kimchi pancake is my favorite ! read more

This place replaced the old Kare Bar that use to be here, but they seemed to incorporate most of the old menu and decor. They added plenty of korean staples like tteboki and jigae. I had the tonkotsu and it was perfectly crisp, and came with plenty of sides. Service was impeccable, everything came out fast and we were checked up on often. Would go again 10/10 read more

Jumak - Korean Near Me - Ellicott City, Maryland

The vibe and food is so good here. I ordered the Toowoomba and I literally was dreaming about it and had to come back to order it again. It was just as good this time around. The server was very polite and helped whenever it was needed. The bathroom and interior is very beautiful and clean. Overall super great restaurant, 100 percent will be back. read more

Jumak - Toowoomba udon - Korean Near Me - Ellicott City, Maryland

Service was very fast and friendly. Would highly recommend if you are coming with a larger party and seating is accommodating!

Went to eat there for the first time. Soups, appetizers, and entrees were delicious and would order again. Ordered all items the waitress recommended and we were not disappointed. Highly recommend the restaurant for any occasion. read more

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Great Japanese food! (Although they have a big Korean menu) I love the Japanese's curry

Incredible food, best of the best, perfect ambiance and the service is top notch!! Really really good

Because this place us new, it has some potential and room for improvement. The tablet for ordering was annoying with a larger party. We had to pass it along from person to person and I felt people didnt have an adequate opportunity to peruse the menu before making a decision. Offering the option of paper menus would help everyone have a chance to look at the menu and then they can always place it on the tablet afterwards. The ramen and udon dishes were not good. Broth could have been a little hotter. We didn't like the raw bok choi and the addition of sautéed onions was strange. Udon had a fried fish cake that was also too oily. However, people who ordered the katsudon and hamburg steak said their dishes were decent. read more

Formerly Karé -- So so good and hit just the craving we had on a Saturday night. We ordered the chicken fried rice, bulgogi with rice, and tonkatsu ramen. Every single dish was delicious and the portions were so generous. It's such a cute little spot, and service was friendly and attentive. read more

Jumak - Tonkotsu Ramen - Korean Near Me - Ellicott City, Maryland

Amazing food, quick service, and a warm, inviting ambiance made for a perfect dining experience. read more

Jumak - Korean Near Me - Ellicott City, Maryland

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Yummy food and a nice place to grab a late meal with friends. Prices are a bit high, but the friendly service, atmosphere, and presentation make it a solid spot. read more

Jumak - Korean Near Me - Ellicott City, Maryland