Highlights
- Live music
oChef » um.ma – San Francisco
um.ma - San Francisco
Photo from um.ma
um.ma at a glance
San Francisco Inner Sunset
- 🥢 Korean Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 74 of the guests
#2156 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#34 Korean Restaurant out of 36 in San Francisco
Average
6 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
517
Reviews
54.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Nice patio
- Good service
- Tasty food
Frequently criticized
- High prices
- Dirty environment
- Poor service
The restaurant um. Ma is a vibrant Korean Restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s Inner Sunset neighborhood.
You can immerse yourself in a casual yet trendy atmosphere, enhanced by the unique addition of live music. This spot offers a delightful culinary journey, perfect for those seeking authentic flavors and a lively dining experience in the city.
Overview: Introducting um.ma
Dining at um. Ma presents a mixed experience, where a generally pleasant atmosphere and attentive service often stand out.
Many find the overall vibe to be quite enjoyable, especially when considering the nice patio options available. However, some guests have noted concerns regarding certain aspects of their visit, particularly around perceived value.
Average
6
out of 10
517
Reviews
54.5%
Satisfaction
188
negative
47
neutral
282
positive
Delving into the specifics, Ambience shines with a score of (6.7), suggesting a comfortable setting. Service (6.2) also performs adequately, with staff often described as polite.
The Food (6.1) is considered average, though opinions vary. However, Value (3.8) significantly lags, indicating that many feel the pricing doesn’t quite align with the overall offering, creating a noticeable divergence from the other aspects.
What people like
- Pleasant patio ambiance
- Attentive, polite service
- Delicious food options
What people don't like
- Perceived high prices
- Cleanliness issues
- Service inconsistencies
With a Recommendation Score of 6.2, um. Ma is worth a try if you’re in the mood for a relaxed setting and don’t mind potentially higher prices for certain items.
However, if strict value for money or consistently exceptional cuisine is your top priority, you might find yourself looking elsewhere.
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Verdict: Our expert take on um.ma
Food (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
It seems the food here is a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.1 indicating it's pretty average, and customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 53.1%. Out of 305 customer comments, 162 were positive, highlighting some real winners on the menu. Many guests raved about the kimchi fried rice, Korean fried chicken, and Bulgogi beef, often praising their authentic taste and good quality ingredients.
Diners also appreciated the vegetarian friendly options and the overall deliciousness of certain dishes. However, 108 negative comments pointed to some significant drawbacks. Issues like inconsistent quality, lacks authentic flavors, and small portions were frequently mentioned.
Some found the scallion pancake burnt or doughy, and the bibimbap bland, leading to a less than stellar experience for others.
Food
305
Reviews
53%
Satisfaction
108
negative
35
neutral
162
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Crispy Korean fried chicken
- Delicious Bulgogi beef
- Vegetarian friendly options
What people don't like
- Inconsistent dish quality
- Lacks authentic flavors
- Small, pricy portions
Often praised
- foodMa’s patio is great, offering a lovely ambience that is both warm and comfortable. Their food is also delicious. You have the option to have the food cooked for you or to cook it yourself on the grill.
- pork bellyThe service was good, and the outdoor patio with heaters was a nice touch. The food was delicious; we enjoyed two soups, tteokbokki, pork belly, and fried chicken wings. The total bill came out to exactly $100 before tip.
- Korean foodMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I found it to be the best Korean food in town, and the prices were quite reasonable. I highly recommend trying their bibimbap, corn cheese, dak galbi, and kimchee prawns.
- kalbihad the kalbi... All were delicious
- seafood pancakeLove the seafood pancake
- tteokbokkiThe pork belly, Korean spare ribs, and tteokbokki are all absolutely delicious
- FoodFood:5
- bibimbapThe bibimbap is delicious 🤤
- chicken wingsThey have a good selection of options for both vegetarians and carnivores. The rice cakes were spicy and delicious, and even though I'm not normally a chicken wing person, those were great as well. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu.
- corn cheeseI found it to be the best Korean food in town, and the prices were quite reasonable. I highly recommend trying their bibimbap, corn cheese, dak galbi, and kimchee prawns. The seating is mostly at the back, with tables comfortably accommodating four people.
Frequently criticized
- foodThe table was also VERY sticky and dirty, which felt so GROSS. However, the food was the worst part. The wings were average.
- banchanThe banchan was kind of weird with the kimchi brocoli and the kimchi liquid was very thick
- bibimbapbibimbap was a hot bowl of overcooked, mushy, bland vegetables
- riceTheir rice was severely undercooked
- kimchi fried ricekimchi fried rice doesnt have enough kick for me
- scallion pancakescallion pancake that was almost burnt on the outside and undercooked on the inside. It was almost tasteless
- seafood pancakeseafood pancake barely had any seafood
- Korean foodThe kimchi pancake was surprisingly bland, as if the kimchi was washed before being used. Despite the high prices, it's hard to even call it proper Korean food. I will not be revisiting.
- Seafood pajeonSeafood pajeon was a disappointment - very little seafood
- food qualityI have to say, I was a bit disappointed with the food, especially considering it was Michelin-guided and offered upscale Korean cuisine. The presentation was nice, but the quality of food was super mid, honestly, it was pretty low. The rice was dry, which is a big no-no, and the pork belly was way too salty.
If you're craving some specific Korean dishes like their acclaimed fried chicken or bulgogi, you might find some tasty gems here. But be aware that the overall food experience can be inconsistent, so manage your expectations regarding authenticity and portion sizes.
Service (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 62% of the guests
When it comes to service, its a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.2 indicating an average experience and customer satisfaction sitting at 55.6%. Many guests appreciated the 45 positive remarks out of 81 total, highlighting friendly service, attentive staff, and responsive management. Shout-outs to specific team members like Marianne and Madison show that individual efforts truly shine!
However, theres definitely room for improvement, as seen in the 27 negative comments. Common frustrations included long wait times, feeling the restaurant was understaffed, and a general lack of communication. Some experiences were marred by issues like unhonored reservations or being rushed out, suggesting inconsistencies in the service delivery.
Service
81
Reviews
55%
Satisfaction
27
negative
9
neutral
45
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, attentive staff
- Responsive management
- Timely seating
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Understaffed issues
- Poor communication
Often praised
- serviceNothing to complain about with pricing and service. Service was attentive, and pricing was what you would expect nowadays. No games with service charges or extra nickel and dime fees, either, that I noted.
- staffthe vibe and staff really made the experience
- ServiceService:4
- serverthe server was not only cute but also friendly
- FoodFood didn't take a long time
- MadisonMadison did a super job of waiting on us
- MarianneMarianne helped me organize a surprise dinner
- attentivethe team was so attentive and friendly
- business owner or managerthe business owner or manager was very nice
- cross contaminationchecked with the kitchen about cross contamination, and sure enough there was no issue
Frequently criticized
- servicethe service was highly unusual and disappointing
- wait timewaited 45 minutes from the time we ordered to the time our DRINKS came
- waiting timeIt took an hour from finishing entrees and ordering deserts
- We’re closedThe staff assured us it was fine, urging us to "order quick before kitchen closes. " Despite this, halfway through our meal, at 10 minutes past 10 pm, our waitress informed us, "We’re closed, can you please pack it up. " While I understand it was past closing, it felt unfair to be seated, allowed to order, and then essentially rushed out mid-meal.
- allergen informationallergens listed on their online and in-store menu are no longer accurate
- barbecue menubarbecue menu was not proactively offered
- experienceVery disappointed experience
- hostesshostess aggressively accused us
- kitchen closesWe were seated about 30 minutes before closing and confirmed it was okay. The staff assured us it was fine, urging us to "order quick before kitchen closes. " Despite this, halfway through our meal, at 10 minutes past 10 pm, our waitress informed us, "We’re closed, can you please pack it up.
- lack of communicationHowever, the table staff was a bit to be desired. The banchan portions were small and never refilled, and there was a lack of communication regarding wait time for the soups. I ordered a scallion pancake that was almost burnt on the outside and undercooked on the inside, and it was almost tasteless with the sauce.
If youre looking for a place with consistently stellar service, you might find it hit-or-miss here. While many praise the friendly and attentive staff, be prepared for potential delays or communication hiccups, especially during busy times. Its worth a try if you're patient, but manage your expectations.
Ambience (6.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 64% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot generally hits the mark, with a good customer satisfaction of 71.1% and an average score of 6.7. Many guests rave about the patio and outdoor seating, highlighting the good vibes and dog-friendly environment. With 64 positive remarks out of 90 total comments, it's clear the outdoor atmosphere is a big draw.
However, not all experiences are sunshine and patios. The 23 negative comments often point to issues like flies and general cleanliness concerns, including sticky tables and dirty restrooms. Some also found the seating uncomfortable, particularly the picnic tables or bench seating, and noted problems with loud music or poor lighting in certain areas.
Ambience
90
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
23
negative
3
neutral
64
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great outdoor patio
- Dog-friendly environment
- Cozy, good vibes
What people don't like
- Flies and cleanliness
- Uncomfortable seating
- Dirty restrooms/tables
Often praised
- atmospherethe food and atmosphere absolutely make up for it!
- patioMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed the Korean food, and I highly recommend sitting outside on the really nice patio. They have a good selection of options for both vegetarians and carnivores.
- outdoor patioThe outdoor patio in the back is quite nice
- vibesThey had great portion sizes as well for the price. The staff were incredibly polite, and the overall vibes of the restaurant were chill, making it such a relaxing and fun place to be. I'd definitely go back.
- environmentthe environment was peaceful and welcoming
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- ambiancewe loved the ambiance, as it was a great dimly lit atmosphere
- ambienceLovely ambience, warm and comfortable
- patio seatingThe patio seating was perfect for friend gathering
- placesuch a relaxing, fun place to be
Frequently criticized
- tablethe table they sat our family at was extremely dirty with leftover food on it
- outdoor areaToo cold to eat comfortably
- seatingsitting in the front (inside, facing the street) was not a great experience
- atmosphereService and atmosphere were completely lacking
- bathroomThe bathroom was also clogged and dirty and looked like it hadn’t been cleaned in days
- bench seatingTo drink, we ordered a bottle of Soju. The food was tasty, but the bench seating and the hurried yet efficient service didn't quite align with the idea of fine dining.
- cleanlinesswonder whether the restaurant is clean
- fine diningnot much idea of fine dining
- fliesso many flies flying around
- flies insideso many flies inside the restaurant
If youre looking for a casual, dog-friendly spot with a great outdoor patio and good vibes, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be prepared for potentially inconsistent cleanliness and seating comfort, especially if youre dining indoors or expecting a quieter, more polished experience.
Value (3.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 31% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot seems to be a bit of a mixed bag, leaning heavily towards the needs improvement side. While some diners found the food priced fairly, with reasonable prices and no nickel and dime fees, others appreciated the rewards dining programs. However, with a score of just 3.8, its clear theres room for improvement.
The overall customer satisfaction for value sits at a low 26.8%, reflecting the sentiment from 30 negative opinions compared to only 11 positive ones out of 41 total remarks. Many felt the restaurant was pricey or overpriced, citing extra charges for things like banchan, broth, or even a fancy hot plate, leading to a feeling of poor value for money due to small portion sizes and high costs.
Value
41
Reviews
26%
Satisfaction
30
negative
0
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable pricing noted
- No hidden service charges
- Rewards dining programs
What people don't like
- Overpriced for portions
- Extra charges for sides
- Poor value for money
Often praised
- priceNot a bad price at all
- pricesOn the positive side, customers are seated in a timely fashion, and there are lots of unique drinks, both alcoholic and mock. The restaurant is also vegetarian friendly, the prices aren’t too high, and the ingredients are of good quality. I also noted that the restaurant looked clean during my visit.
- pricingNothing to complain about with pricing and service. Service was attentive, and pricing was what you would expect nowadays. No games with service charges or extra nickel and dime fees, either, that I noted.
- nickel and dime feesService was attentive, and pricing was what you would expect nowadays. No games with service charges or extra nickel and dime fees, either, that I noted.
- reasonable priceMy experience at this restaurant was great! I enjoyed the authentic Korean food, which was also at a reasonable price. It's a good place for casual gatherings with friends.
- rewards dining programsI think you could find more authentic Korean in other parts of the bay if that's what you're after. It does participate in several airline/hotel rewards dining programs, though, so that is an added bonus! Nothing to complain about with pricing and service.
- service chargesService was attentive, and pricing was what you would expect nowadays. No games with service charges or extra nickel and dime fees, either, that I noted.
Frequently criticized
- priceWhile the food was okay, we received only 3 quail eggs as a side for 4 people. Overall, it was a very disappointing experience and not worth the price.
- overpricedmost overpriced
- price pointfor the price point, definitely not worth it
- add-onsThe add-ons for the bibimbap do not have any price listed
- extra banchanapparently now they charge for extra banchan
- extra brothcharge another $10 for JUST BROTH
- fancy hot plate8 dollar surcharge for serving in a fAnCY hOT pLatE
- food pricesput food prices on the menu and not leave them for a surprise when the check comes
- fried chicken pricethey were very overpriced in my opinion
- high pricesthe high prices
If youre looking for a budget-friendly meal, this might not be your best bet, as many find it overpriced with hidden fees. However, if youre part of a rewards dining program and don't mind potentially higher costs for smaller portions, it could still be an option for you.
How are the prices at um.ma?
You’re looking at roughly 41 per person – reported by 74 diners. That puts it in the $41–$50 category. For a Korean Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most guests tend to spend around this average, with a good number also falling into the 21 – 40 $ range, showing prices are quite concentrated.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 74 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Korean Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a good balance for what you’d expect to pay for a quality meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about um.ma
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
8
Solid Korean Restaurant Experience
My experience at this restaurant was very positive. They offer a large outdoor patio in the back, which is a great feature. The food arrived quickly and was really good.
I particularly enjoyed the soft shell crab, though it was decently spicy. Overall, this is a really solid Korean restaurant that I could definitely see myself returning to.
- outdoor patio8
- food8
- soft shell crab7
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Moderate
8
Authentic Korean Food for Casual Gatherings
My experience at this restaurant was great! I enjoyed the authentic Korean food, which was also at a reasonable price. It's a good place for casual gatherings with friends.
The atmosphere and service were rated a 4, and the food was also rated a 4. Parking was somewhat difficult to find.
- authentic Korean food9
- reasonable price8
- casual gatherings7
- parking space3
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
6
Good Food, Very Slow Service
My experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The food was good, earning a 4/5 rating. However, the service was incredibly slow.
It took an hour from finishing our entrees to ordering desserts, which was a significant drawback.
- food8
- service2
- waiting time2
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Great Food and Atmosphere, Will Return!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The price was not bad at all for the atmosphere and quality of food. I really enjoyed the patio, which was super cute and cozy.
My sister loved the sesame soy chicken wings, and I found the soft tofu stew to be tasty. We are definitely coming back to try their Korean BBQ!
- price8
- atmosphere9
- quality of food9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Delicious Bibimbop and Wings!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! We ordered the bibimbop with bulgogi and chicken wings, and everything was so delicious. I would definitely recommend visiting here!
- bibimbop with bulgogi9
- chicken wings9
What um.ma offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Catering
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere and dining options can you find at um.ma?
At um.ma, you’ll discover a casual and trendy setting, often featuring live music to enhance your meal. You can enjoy a full dining experience with lunch, dinner, and dessert options, all served with table service. It’s a great spot for a relaxed yet lively outing.
Are there convenient service options and parking available at um.ma in San Francisco?
um.ma offers flexible service options including outdoor seating, dine-in, takeout, and delivery. When it comes to parking in the Inner Sunset, you might find it usually difficult to locate a spot, though free and paid street parking options are available nearby.
What is the overall dining experience like at um.ma?
um.ma offers a mixed experience, with its overall score of 6 indicating an average visit. While Ambience (6.7) and Service (6.2) are generally well-regarded, Food (6.1) is average, and Value (3.8) is a notable concern for many patrons.
Does um.ma offer a pleasant atmosphere?
Yes, many patrons appreciate um.ma’s atmosphere, particularly the patio and outdoor patio , which contribute to a relaxing and comfortable setting. The vibes are often described as chill and welcoming.
Are there any concerns about pricing at um.ma?
Some customers have found aspects of um.ma’s pricing to be a drawback, with opinions mentioning items being overpriced or having unexpected add-ons and extra charges for things like banchan or broth.
Location
1220 9th Ave, 94122 San Francisco
Opening hours
Monday
11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Wednesday – Thursday
11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM – 9:00 PM