I have been wanting to try Ummas for a few years now - but am rarely in downtown Charlottesville in the evenings. I finally got to go! I enjoyed the menu selections and Korean and Japanese options. I was with my kid who is a very picky eater and he ate all of his karage Japanese chicken - high praise! The kimchi selections are very fresh and delicious. The Korean Fried Chicken is so crispy and yummy. I really am glad to have finally been able to dine here. Also note that it’s a QR ordering system - with option to order at the front counter if the tech fails for you. Go!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Banchan, Korean Fried Chicken
Garrett
QR menu and ordering makes things quick and easy. Ordered peach soju and spicy miso ramen. The soju was smooth and sweet a pleasant pairing with the ramen. The ramen was spicier than anticipated but good flavor wise, the broth was thin but still filling.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Daisy (DC)
We went on a busier Saturday night. It didn't take us long to be seated and the services was okay. It seemed like they were training a bunch of people that and it seemed hectic. We have the Korean Fried chicken, Karraage, and carbonara tteboki. It was all alright. I know it's fusion but was really expecting more Korean/Japanese flavors. The tteboki wasn't spicy at all and tasted more like italian pasta with rice cakes. The chicken was well fried and crunchy but i would have preferred it saucier. The karaage very much underwhelmed and remimded me of chick-fil-a nuggets with kew pie mayo. Overall not bad, but nothing to write home about either.Dietary restrictions: They have a very long list of options you can check when ordering related to dietary restrictions
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Korean Fried Chicken
Ken Cruser
Really nice place and friendly staff. At the end of our stay they brought us a beer that was for another table. We told them about the mix up and they picked the beer up and took it to another table. Totally unchecked from our table to another.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Dennie Kim
I want to love this place. Great atmosphere, love the Toast integration to make ordering easy, and the staff are wonderful. But the food was so disappointing. Ordered the karage and the Korean fried chicken sandwich… the karage was so overfried and dry and then the sandwich was the same. It was enormously tall but almost every bite was dry, hollow batter.Look K(Korean)FC is notable for double or even triple frying but the key is that you fry each time on top of the outer layer without drying out the meat. Umma’s needs to figure out how to fry, which kills me to say, but it is true.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Laren Seymour
Super yummy food! With the ordering online aspect you didn't get to experience much interaction with the servers. Also seating outside during winter was really cold but the warm food made up for it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Korean Fried Chicken
Viv So
Umma’s is one of our go-to’s!! Their ramen is delicious and so cozy. We like that they introduce fun twists to traditional dishes but also has the comfort dishes for whatever mood I’m in. Cocktails are solid. Karaage, tayaki are kid fail-safes. The staff is always friendly. It’s easy to order and pay with their system. Kimchi of all kinds for all levels of kimchi eaters (love the napa for spicier, the Korean cabbage for milder) and to take home. So glad this place exists in C’ville!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Various Korean Dishes, Dolsot Bibimbap, Banchan, Big Mac Bibimbap, Spicy Honey Garlic Karaage, Korean Fried Chicken, Bulgogi Bowl, Spicy Ramen
Isabelle Farineau
Outstanding. Kicking myself for not trying Umma’s sooner. Although there is a QR ordering system the staff behind the front counter were also fantastically friendly and gave us really great recommendations. The plum chuhai and gin cocktails were perfect. We ordered curry fries kind of as an afterthought and they ended up being our favorite. The Karaage was delicious and next time I want to try the Korean fried chicken. The tantanmen was delicious and deeply satisfying. While overall the portion is huge I agree with another who commented it was pretty light on meat for the price. That said, that onsen egg was like magical flavor explosion. I would still order the tantanmen again and again.
FavoriteramenintownGreat atmosphere, beautiful patio.I get take outs from them all the time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
ByTheArch
Amazing food. Definitely come here for happy hour (5-6). Pork belly, spicy garlic Karage, and curry fries are definitely my fsvorites. Great, fast service and the atmosphere is cozy.
We sat outside in the tented area - it was warm and toasty. The through app ordering is a little off putting to me - it's hard to get input on food/drinks when you don't have a server to talk to. The Korean fried chicken was delicious I'd definitely recommend that (although between that and the bonchon I was stuffed before my entree). I got the bulgogi and found the meat to be a bit too difficult to chew for my tastes but the overall flavor was good. My date got ramen and thoroughly enjoyed it - next time I'll go that route I had just made homemade ramen a few days prior so wasn't in the mood. I got the election year cocktail with vodka and ginger bear - a twist on a Moscow mule and it was tasty. Overall I'd go again but really wish they'd do traditional table service in lieu of toast tab ordering to make the experience more personal.
Alyssa N.
Great food and one of the most popular spots in downtown Charlottesville! A town favorite.
Laura H.
Decided to try out this Japanese/Korean restaurant while in Charlottesville. The ramen is just mediocre. I got the spicy miso ramen, not spicy at all more sweet. Noodles were long and super good. Meat was slightly overcooked. We also tried the Age Taikaki in red bean and marshmallow and chocolate. Red bean was really delicious but the marshmallow had no chocolate.Restaurant is really cramped, had an outside sitting area with heating. Service is okay, the food came out fairly quickly.
JERRY “The Wook” MOSBY
The food is great, the owners are great and the service was great. I would recommend this place to anyone.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jess L.
I came with a few girlfriends at prime dinner time. We waited the stated 45 minutes, and that was precisely when they texted to let us know they were ready for us.We sat in the well-heated tented area. You'll be warm, but you might also need to put on your coat eventually.Our waiter was very nice and introduced us to the menu, including explaining the evolution of the menu since the restaurant opened.I wasn't drawn to any of the alcohol - beer or cocktails. Not a huge deal, I suppose. I liked the Asian influence across the options.I went for the spicy miso paitan. I liked the flavor and texture of all the ingredients. The table was split on the Gimmari, but I loved the noodles with seaweed and tempura. I don't think I've ever had anything quite like it.The beoseot tangsoo mushrooms were also good and had some nice texture despite being mushrooms.I'd definitely recommend checking out this spot if you're even remotely interested in some adventurous eating.
I have been wanting to try Ummas for a few years now - but am rarely in downtown Charlottesville in the evenings. I finally got to go! I enjoyed the menu selections and Korean and Japanese options. I was with my kid who is a very picky eater and he ate all of his karage Japanese chicken - high praise! The kimchi selections are very fresh and delicious. The Korean Fried Chicken is so crispy and yummy. I really am glad to have finally been able to dine here. Also note that it’s a QR ordering system - with option to order at the front counter if the tech fails for you. Go!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Banchan, Korean Fried Chicken
QR menu and ordering makes things quick and easy. Ordered peach soju and spicy miso ramen. The soju was smooth and sweet a pleasant pairing with the ramen. The ramen was spicier than anticipated but good flavor wise, the broth was thin but still filling.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
We went on a busier Saturday night. It didn't take us long to be seated and the services was okay. It seemed like they were training a bunch of people that and it seemed hectic. We have the Korean Fried chicken, Karraage, and carbonara tteboki. It was all alright. I know it's fusion but was really expecting more Korean/Japanese flavors. The tteboki wasn't spicy at all and tasted more like italian pasta with rice cakes. The chicken was well fried and crunchy but i would have preferred it saucier. The karaage very much underwhelmed and remimded me of chick-fil-a nuggets with kew pie mayo. Overall not bad, but nothing to write home about either.Dietary restrictions: They have a very long list of options you can check when ordering related to dietary restrictions
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Korean Fried Chicken
Really nice place and friendly staff. At the end of our stay they brought us a beer that was for another table. We told them about the mix up and they picked the beer up and took it to another table. Totally unchecked from our table to another.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
I want to love this place. Great atmosphere, love the Toast integration to make ordering easy, and the staff are wonderful. But the food was so disappointing. Ordered the karage and the Korean fried chicken sandwich… the karage was so overfried and dry and then the sandwich was the same. It was enormously tall but almost every bite was dry, hollow batter.Look K(Korean)FC is notable for double or even triple frying but the key is that you fry each time on top of the outer layer without drying out the meat. Umma’s needs to figure out how to fry, which kills me to say, but it is true.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Super yummy food! With the ordering online aspect you didn't get to experience much interaction with the servers. Also seating outside during winter was really cold but the warm food made up for it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Korean Fried Chicken
Umma’s is one of our go-to’s!! Their ramen is delicious and so cozy. We like that they introduce fun twists to traditional dishes but also has the comfort dishes for whatever mood I’m in. Cocktails are solid. Karaage, tayaki are kid fail-safes. The staff is always friendly. It’s easy to order and pay with their system. Kimchi of all kinds for all levels of kimchi eaters (love the napa for spicier, the Korean cabbage for milder) and to take home. So glad this place exists in C’ville!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Various Korean Dishes, Dolsot Bibimbap, Banchan, Big Mac Bibimbap, Spicy Honey Garlic Karaage, Korean Fried Chicken, Bulgogi Bowl, Spicy Ramen
Outstanding. Kicking myself for not trying Umma’s sooner. Although there is a QR ordering system the staff behind the front counter were also fantastically friendly and gave us really great recommendations. The plum chuhai and gin cocktails were perfect. We ordered curry fries kind of as an afterthought and they ended up being our favorite. The Karaage was delicious and next time I want to try the Korean fried chicken. The tantanmen was delicious and deeply satisfying. While overall the portion is huge I agree with another who commented it was pretty light on meat for the price. That said, that onsen egg was like magical flavor explosion. I would still order the tantanmen again and again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Curry Fries, Spicy Honey Garlic Karaage, Spicy Ramen
FavoriteramenintownGreat atmosphere, beautiful patio.I get take outs from them all the time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food. Definitely come here for happy hour (5-6). Pork belly, spicy garlic Karage, and curry fries are definitely my fsvorites. Great, fast service and the atmosphere is cozy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Spicy Honey Garlic Karaage, Spicy Ramen
Restaurantji Recommends
We sat outside in the tented area - it was warm and toasty. The through app ordering is a little off putting to me - it's hard to get input on food/drinks when you don't have a server to talk to. The Korean fried chicken was delicious I'd definitely recommend that (although between that and the bonchon I was stuffed before my entree). I got the bulgogi and found the meat to be a bit too difficult to chew for my tastes but the overall flavor was good. My date got ramen and thoroughly enjoyed it - next time I'll go that route I had just made homemade ramen a few days prior so wasn't in the mood. I got the election year cocktail with vodka and ginger bear - a twist on a Moscow mule and it was tasty. Overall I'd go again but really wish they'd do traditional table service in lieu of toast tab ordering to make the experience more personal.
Great food and one of the most popular spots in downtown Charlottesville! A town favorite.
Decided to try out this Japanese/Korean restaurant while in Charlottesville. The ramen is just mediocre. I got the spicy miso ramen, not spicy at all more sweet. Noodles were long and super good. Meat was slightly overcooked. We also tried the Age Taikaki in red bean and marshmallow and chocolate. Red bean was really delicious but the marshmallow had no chocolate.Restaurant is really cramped, had an outside sitting area with heating. Service is okay, the food came out fairly quickly.
The food is great, the owners are great and the service was great. I would recommend this place to anyone.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I came with a few girlfriends at prime dinner time. We waited the stated 45 minutes, and that was precisely when they texted to let us know they were ready for us.We sat in the well-heated tented area. You'll be warm, but you might also need to put on your coat eventually.Our waiter was very nice and introduced us to the menu, including explaining the evolution of the menu since the restaurant opened.I wasn't drawn to any of the alcohol - beer or cocktails. Not a huge deal, I suppose. I liked the Asian influence across the options.I went for the spicy miso paitan. I liked the flavor and texture of all the ingredients. The table was split on the Gimmari, but I loved the noodles with seaweed and tempura. I don't think I've ever had anything quite like it.The beoseot tangsoo mushrooms were also good and had some nice texture despite being mushrooms.I'd definitely recommend checking out this spot if you're even remotely interested in some adventurous eating.