I've tried my best to do my research. If correct, I think this is one of the two authentic Korean restaurants which serve Jajangmyeon in the city. Am I wrong? Seriously, if I'm wrong, please let me know. I've been trying to track it down for a long time. There's a Krispy Krunchy Chicken attached to this building as well, which seems like a weird concept, but it totally works. As everyone mentions in the reviews, it looks a little shady outside, but it's totally fine inside. There's extra parking in the back of the shop as well. We ordered egg rolls, bulgogi, and Jajangmyeon. The entrees are accompanied by a variety of sides that include: kimchi, bean sprouts, cucumbers, eggplant, and a few more. The kimchi is simply astounding. It was so good, I would return for that alone. The beef bulgogi was delicious (even if it doesn't look entirely appetizing at first). Also, the black bean sauce was exceptional. The pork bits were perfectly sized and cooked within the dish. As everyone also mentions, you're given a tiny drink at the end of your meal. It looks milky, but tastes tropical like a wonderful surprise. I wish I knew what it was called so I could find it somewhere! We were floored with how yummy all the food was here. Please give it a try! read more

They have lunch option until 3 pm! The service is quick! Although they do not give much side dishes compare to Koreana, the service definitely make up for it. This is one of my friend favorite place to go. Really cool concept, one side is korean and the other is fried chicken. You pretty much have the best of both world. P.S. the gps will probably confused you but its right off the highway! read more

Kum's Cafe - Korean Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

This restaurant is run by the previous owners of Arirang's that used to be in Middletown. We were so bummed when they closed. Discovered them at Kums Cafe & Arirang through word of mouth. The owners are still wonderful and the food is sooooo delicious. So good I would have to say it is the best Korean restaurant in Louisville. They are located in an industrial area of Poplar Level Rd and the inside is very clean and cozy. Try their dol sot bi bim bap - you will not be disappointed. read more

Kum's Cafe - Korean Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

This is my favorite Korean food in Louisville. The restaurant is a cajun fried chicken stand that also has a full Korean menu. The chicken counter is to the right and the dining room is the door on the left. Just grab a seat and some one will ask if you want Korean. Say Yes! No lunch specials on saturday so it is a little pricier. I always have enough for lunch or breakfast the next day. The ban chan is different every time I have gone. This last time it included some awesome eggplant and some very firm dried tofu in chili oil. The kim chee is the best. Refills are free. I would be happy just with the sides but the pork bbq in spicy sauce is great. I don't know what it's called and the phonetic english next to it didn't help. I pointed and the owner understood perfectly. Some of the best Korean I've ever had. Right down to the funny fake yogurt shot at the end. read more

Surprisingly good Korean food is available in the south! My party and I were doing a Mammoth Cave expedition/Kentucky Bourbon tour and found ourselves in need of sustenance. Thanks to yelp, we found this place and it did not disappoint. It is a family-style korean restaurant that also sells delicious-looking Cajun fried chicken that I was tempted to order. The other table of approximately a dozen Koreans of all ages feasted first on a big plate of fried chicken as an appetizer before moving onto their korean dishes. As for our table, we ordered the seafood pancake as appetizer and several different dishes. My wife tried the Soon tofu. I got the next item in the menu, a dish made of beef soup. The other two in our party got bibimbap (looked great) and a rice-cake noodle dish. The portions are very generous. The side-dishes offered to us were tasty and varied. We had 8 sides brought to us. The other larger group had at least 4 or so sides that I did not recognize, so they have quite a variety of sides available. This restaurant is better than anything we have here in Columbus OH where I live right now, and is on-par with the better places in Ktown in LA, where I am originally from. We'll be sure to swing by again whenever we find ourselves brave enough to venture into the red south. read more

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I've had the Korean and the chicken from here. The staff have always been very friendly and the items that I've tried were quite tasty. They have Asian specials of the day Monday through Friday which are great deals and they come with rice and an egg roll. read more

Kum's Cafe - Soup with beef, onions and sweet potato noodles. - Korean Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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The ambience is weird due to the chicken place next door but over all the food was delicious!

I get the cafe part but not being Korean I had to look up "Arirang" which seems to be defined as the unofficial Korean national anthem or a mountain pass. Not sure how that applies to a restaurant but the varied lyrics to the anthem are poetic. Here's one version: If you leave and forsake me, my own, Ere three miles you go, lame you'll have grown. Wondrous time, happy time--let us delay; Till night is over, go not away. Arirang Mount is my Tear-Falling Hill, So seeking my love, I cannot stay still. The brightest of stars stud the sky so blue; Deep in my bosom burns bitterest rue. Man's heart is like water streaming downhill; Woman's heart is well water--so deep and still. Young men's love is like pinecones seeming sound, But when the wind blows, they fall to the ground. Birds in the morning sing simply to eat; Birds in the evening sing for love sweet. When man has attained to the age of a score, The mind of a woman should be his love. The trees and the flowers will bloom for aye, But the glories of youth will soon fade away. Beautiful, romantic stuff. I stopped in during lunch so I don't know that I had the experience that some other reviewers had but I recommend asking for the Korean menu as the lunch board is specific to the more American fare they have available, catering to the local factory crowd I suppose (good fried chicken, super crispy and possibly marinated in Korean hot sauce but not super spicy.) They have a daily Asian special, too, which was also very good but I expect my next visit to be far more adventurous, maybe not as adventurous as the writer's experience above but more scenic by far. read more

Kum's Cafe - Monday Special - Stir Fry Chicken - Korean Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

This place was such a pleasant surprise! We like Lee's a lot, but Arirang sounded interesting. Korean cafe with a Krispy Krunchy Chicken attached??? The server was very nice, she kept our water glasses full and offered more banchan (side dishes and pickles) if needed. The mandu were very crispy but not greasy. The filling was sooo soft and smooth, almost buttery. The kimbap was some of the best I've had! Lightly seasoned with sesame oil and still slightly warm. We also shared an order of bulgogi which was well seasoned and not over cooked. The banchan were very simple, eggplant, potatoes, homemade kimchi, cucumbers and bean sprouts. Arirang is the definition of hole in the wall. They have a much smaller menu than Lee's or Koreana II, but it was much cheaper. We really enjoyed it! read more

First time eating at a place that served Korean bbq and southern fried chicken with biscuits. My lawd this place is a gem. Hole in the wall, family owned/operated. The food was delicious, service was fantastic and genuinely kind people. read more

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Overall prices were fair and decent. We had a pleasant experience because of Yelps recommendation. The seafood pancake was excellent

Great food and great price. Had the Kim-bop and Galbi. Owner was incredibly nice and kept bringing me more side dishes. read more

Kum's Cafe - Galbi, Kim-bop, and various banchan. - Korean Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

So this place looks really unassuming and honestly in a sketchy area but once you go in OMG! You're greeted by this super nice lady and she gets you your water & the menu. We had the mandu and the bulgogi. She came and started cooking the beef and it took about 2 minutes and WOW it was sooo amazingly melt in your mouth tender and delicious. She gave us about 6 side dishes & rice for both of us. The meal was so delicious and unforgettable. Definitely some of the best Korean I've had in the city. After our meal she brought our check and a digestive smoothie melon thing, it was so cute. Would definitely recommend this place. Can't forget to add that there's a Cajun chicken right next to the cafe for your less adventurous friends. read more

The place has a sweet old Korean couple that manages and serves the food. The lady is always so kind and helpful and even helps with grilling the meats. The food is always delicious and comes with several side dishes. It is never busy and honestly has the best pricing for kbbq in Louisville! read more

The food was great, the Korean grandma waitress was the best ever! She cooked the food on the Korean barbecue perfectly, offered side dishes she didn't have to, was on point with her water refills, gave out dessert drinks that I didn't even know what they were but they were delicious, and even came out the door to wave goodbye. The seafood pancake appetizer thing was amazing! The furniture and paintings on the wall are so strange and quirky in a way you just have to appreciate. Will definitely be going back to try the bi bim bop ! read more

This was my friends and I first time coming to Kum's Kafe (its how it's really spelled). It's just a small little ma and pa restaurant. Really cozy and welcoming. We went as soon as they opened(11am), so no costumers yet. We ordered Lunch special number 7: Bul Go Gi. You'll get additional veggies with your order. The food was definitely good. We really enjoyed it. Our waiting time wasn't long at all. At the end when you pay you'll get a little drink not exactly sure what it is. Would recommend Kum's Kafe. read more

Kum's Cafe - Korean Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

This is probably the the most authentic and best Korean food in Louisville. Everything is cooked fresh to order. The place is not fancy but it is very clean. Next to the eating area they also sell fried chicken which is very reasonably priced and probably the best fried chicken I've ever eaten. Usually I go in and eat a Korean meal and order an eight piece fried chicken to take home though I usually end up eating a couple of pieces of chicken with my meal. One of the best clues about how good their food is is that every time I've been in there there's a lot of Korean people eating dinner. read more

Yesterday was my second time coming here. First time the food was amazing and very well seasoned. This time the food was just okay and they were missing things. I ordered the Mon Do half order of 6 for $4.95, and the kim bop for $5.95. They didnt have the Kim Bop which was disappointing cause it was one of the reasons I went. Also ordered the lunch Bulgogi for $9.95. Food came out fast and with four side dishes and a side of white rice. The Mon Do was crispy but overly salty. My 2 year old loved them and for $4.95 it was a great deal for 6 cause they are huge. The Bulgogi came out and wasnt that hot. But I ate it anyways cause I was starving. The Bulgogi lacked flavor from the last time I had it. The sides that come with all Korean food were great except the KimChi. Their Kimchi just doesnt have any flavor what so ever. But the other sides were amazing and had a little bit of everything. Salty, sweet, sour. The lunch is the best way to go. Everything is under $10 and for newbies to Korean it's a perfect way to try out things without spending a fortune. If they have the Kim Bop get it! I'm so bummed they didnt have it this time cause last time it was my favorite. Especially with the sauce that comes with it. read more

Kum's Cafe - Sides that come with the dishes - Korean Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Just about the weirdest setting where part of the restaurant serves Korean food and the other fried chicken. Not much ambiance but you don't come here for that. We ordered seafood pancake which was generously sized and contained a lot of seafood. It was nice and crispy, very tasty. Mandoo and rice cake soup was a bit greasy and salty which was true for most of their banchan. The mandoo was definitely homemade but it was a bit limp, not firm and chewy like the best ones. Soup was tasty and had the right flavor but just salty. Dolsot bibimbap can best be described as homely with just basic vegetables. Tasty but not very sophisticated. I rounded up from 3.5 stars. read more

Outstanding restaurant and highly recommended! Like others, I was somewhat skeptical of the outside of the restaurant (and albeit, a little confused on which door I should be entering through). On one side is the Korean restaurant - but immediately through an arch, is a Cajun Fried Chicken restaurant. Being my first time there....I decided - why choose? So, I ate at both. :) The Korean restaurant offers a huge variety of Korean dishes. From Korean pancakes to Monkfish - there is plenty to choose for both the first timer as well as the veteran. I tried the Korean BBQ which includes around 10 side dishes. The BBQ was quite well prepared, mild, and very excellent for a first time visitor trying Korean food. And from the Cajun Chicken restaurant side, I ordered the 2 piece white chicken meal w/ Jambalaya and Mashed Potatoes. The chicken was quite excellent. It was crispy, quite hot temperature-wise, and packed with a lot of flavor. The only negatives I can throw out: the 2 side dishes (mashed potatoes + jambalaya) were just O.K. I've had better...I've had worse. I'll likely try some of the others to see if any of those are a home run. Bottom line: I DEFINITELY will be going back. The food was excellent, and you can tell that they really care that everything is perfect for your meal. One of the quirkiest and fun places food-wise I've been to in Louisville...period. 5 stars! read more

Excellent food at great prices! Just are here with my boyfriend--we got the seafood pancake, he got the hot stone bibimbap and I got the #1 soup (green onions and beef in spicy brother.) The pancake was huge--like a pizza huge--and delicious. The bimbimbap featured a large portion of fresh veggies and good beef in a HOT sizzling stone bowl. My soup was simple but delicious and also huge. I barely put a dent in it. The pickled veggies are delicious and unlimited. All very fresh, especially the cucumbers. The restaurant is well lit with a fresh coat of paint, the service was great (motherly Korean woman), and my boyfriend even got a free chicken wing. The only drawback is the location. read more

This was my second time eating Korean BBQ here. It is odd because the entrance point is a fried chicken joint. You just have to go to the lady and tell her you want Korean BBQ. Service is great and food comes out fast. You can choose to cook it by yourself or have the lady prepare it. Overall, service is great and food is tasty. Great place to come for family styled sharing. read more

Can't say enough about this place!!!! Soooooooo delicious!!!!! I was really sad the my normal 'go-to' Korean place closed (the one on Preston). I really needed to find a replacement... tried everywhere!!!! And this was the last place on my list an low and behold it's my new favorite restaurant!!!! The Japchae is THE BEST I EVER HAD!!! Their beef bulgogi is tender and flavorful! The sides are home grown vegetables and homemade and you can tell! I've had my share of authentic Korean and this is like home cooking!!!! I can eat there every day!!!! read more

Lovely family owned business. Food is delicious on the Korean menu and the burger platter is awesome on the American menu. I have not had anything that I didn't like. read more

This place is absolutely a hidden gem. We had the yukhejang, gomtang, fried catfish and fried chicken and everything was seasoned perfectly. The service was super even with my son making a huge mess I felt welcomed and finally enjoyed a meal out with both good food and service. The highlight of our dinner was definitely the fried catfish and chicken. Just the right amount of breading super crunchy and served piping hot it really blew us away. I still can't believe how good our meal was and will definitely be returning weekly if I can :D read more

Kum's Cafe - Fried chicken and catfish - Korean Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

I drive by this place daily but had never stopped in until just now. This is my first venture into Korean food and I was really impressed. I had the Bul Go Gi and some hot tea. It comes with a really generous portion of beef in a tasty sauce, a small bowl of rice, and various pickled vegetables. The lady who was my server was very friendly. I wouldn't say this place has ambiance, but it's nothing bad. Just has that hole-in-the-wall restaurant appeal in terms of look. I will be back and I'll bring friends next time. read more

The owners are very friendly and fast. We tried the bbq and the marinade was delicious. I love little hidden gems especially when there are very few Korean options in Louisville, even less for the tabletop BBQ. Glad we found this little place and we will be back again. read more

This is a hidden gem. The Korean bbq is really good. The prices are very reasonable and the portions are plentiful. I would suggest coming to try it out. read more

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Prices were fair. I ordered the fried chicken, seafood pancakes, and jap chae. There was a stale taste to the seafood pancake. It tasted like left over fried food that was re-fried to serve. I would like it better if it doesnt have a sour taste to it. Overall the chicken was good. read more

I agree with other reviews that this is the best Korean restaurant in Louisville--I'm Korean, and I've been to all of the Korean restaurants in town, several times each. Don't go for the atmosphere, go purely for the food. I've never had a better haemul pajeon (seafood pancake)--usually it's a bit soggy, but at Arirang, the pancake had an excellent crisp texture. The nachibokum (spicy stir-fried octopus) was also wonderfully cooked, so flavorful,and Korean-level spicy. My partner got the kalbi (short ribs) and he was very pleased. Prices were comparable to other Korean restaurants in town, and were pretty reasonable. Can't wait to introduce my friends to this gem! read more

My stepmother and I were craving some good Korean BBQ and that's exactly what we got tonight! The food was to die for! we got the Garl Bi and the Bu Gal Bi and grilled it at the table. The meat was tender and flavorful, and the portions were fantastic. The side dishes were a whole new level of deliciousness. They complimented each other so well, and they didn't over power the meat. The tofu and kimchee were flavored beautifully and my stepmom raved about the potatoes. The owner was awesome! She was our waitress and our chef but still managed to not let our drinks get empty. We spent around 45 bucks (tip included) and got two different kinds of meat, the 9 side dishes, 2 bowls of rice, & 2 sodas, plus the little yogurt dessert at the end. We will definitely be back. BEST KOREAN IN LOUISVILLE!! read more

Kum's Cafe - All the food! - Korean Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Best Korean food I've had outside of New York City or San Francisco! The service was fantastic, as well. Friendly, attentive, and accommodating. When I asked for tofu replacements for meat, they were completely ready for it, and it was delicious! No limit to the banchan (side dishes), and the servings are huge! All four of us left totally stuffed. The kimchi is as hot as I'd ever want kimchi to be, not uncomfortably hot as I've experienced at some other places. I loved the veggie and seafood pancakes (they could be a meal by themselves!), the Jajang myuen is a super tasty mild dish, and of course, you can't go wrong with bibimbap. So nice to finally find a place I feel I can get my Korean foodie fix. Don't let the location deter you from this experience. read more

Kum's Cafe - Bibimbap (one with tofu) and banchan! They had to use another table to hold the pancakes (huge!) and off camera there is tasty jajamyeun. - Korean Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Upon pulling into the parking lot, the family and I were highly suspicious of the joint as it almost seemed abandoned. We were craving Korean food, so we just went in anyway. We ordered ja jiang myang, gom tang and kim bap and were pleased with all three. Everything was authentic and delicious. The joint also serve fried chicken, but we were too full to try. Therefore, I asked the folks waiting for their orders about the food, and they had very positive feedback about the fried chicken. Can't wait to try that next time. Only down side to this place is probably the location. It just looks a bit abandoned and lonely... I probably would be afraid to bring my toddler here at night alone. Other than that, the food was definitely worth the trip. read more

You would never guess that this is be best Korean food in Louisville by the looks of the building, the location, etc. Awesome food, great service and a great regular spot. read more

My family has been going here for 4 years now it's our favorite Korean restaurant in Louisville most authentic! The service is always excellent too! Great food! They were closed but they are reopened now i think the father was ill hope he is on the mend! We were here tonight 7/6/2018 read more

Best korean in louisville. Yes i am korean and i tried all the other korean places in town. If i just convince the owners to move to highlands or frankfort! read more

If I were to judge based on location alone, I would wonder how this place stays in business! Going by my taste buds, however, I'm confident in its success. I do wish it was located in a more trafficked area! This place would be perfectly suited for a quaint unassuming restaurant on Frankfort Ave. It could use a decor facelift, but other than that, I have no more complaints. This is a great place for a large group because it's never crowded and the service is quick! Plus I don't know of any Korean place in Louisville that could compare! read more

I usually order take out but they're still pretty good! They don't give you as many side dishes when you Togo but that's understandable. It's my go-to on cold or sick days. Their soontofu soup always sweat out my fever. I usually order that and the black bean noodles. Looking forward to sitting down and trying their BBQ grill one day. read more

Good authentic Korean food! Highly recommend this place, we've been coming here for years.

This place was recommended by a friend. We went on a Saturday night about 7:30. It wasn't crowded at all. The food was fantastic. Started with Korean pancake. Brought out sides with it. Everything was delicious. I had the spicy squid (not too spicy). It was wonderful! My husband had the pork His was good too. I would definitely recommend this place. Staff very consciences and attentive. read more