Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
oChef » UmmaDak – Seattle
UmmaDak - Seattle
Photo from UmmaDak
UmmaDak at a glance
Seattle Chinatown
- 🍽️ Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 136 of the guests
#338 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#45 Restaurant out of 94 in Seattle
Good
7.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
377
Reviews
77.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious chicken
- Friendly service
- Good value
Frequently criticized
- Limited seating
- Undercooked chicken
- No bathroom
The restaurant UmmaDak, a casual and trendy spot in Seattle’s vibrant Chinatown neighborhood, offers you a delightful quick bite experience. You’ll find it’s the perfect place for a relaxed lunch or dinner, whether you’re dining in or grabbing takeout.
This restaurant provides a welcoming atmosphere for you to enjoy a delicious meal.
Overview: Introducting UmmaDak
UmmaDak offers a pleasant dining experience with a notable focus on its culinary offerings. Many appreciate the inviting atmosphere and the generally well-prepared dishes, making it a comfortable spot for a quick meal.
The staff often receives praise for their helpfulness and efficiency, contributing to a positive visit. However, potential diners should be aware of some practical considerations.
Seating is primarily limited to standing tables, which might not suit everyone. There have also been concerning reports regarding food preparation, specifically a food safety risk with undercooked chicken, which is a serious concern.
Good
7.8
out of 10
377
Reviews
77.7%
Satisfaction
63
negative
21
neutral
293
positive
UmmaDak generally earns a solid 7.8 out of 10, reflecting a good overall experience for many. Customer satisfaction stands at a respectable 77.7%, indicating that most patrons leave content.
This assessment is drawn from 377 customer remarks, with a significant majority of 293 positive observations outweighing the 63 negative ones, painting a largely favorable picture. Diving deeper, Service shines brightly with an impressive (8.6), often highlighted by efficient and friendly interactions.
The Food also performs well (7.9), frequently praised for its flavors. Both Ambience (6.8) and Value (6.8) hover in the good-to-average range, suggesting they meet expectations without necessarily exceeding them for all visitors.
What people like
- Delicious fried chicken
- Exceptional, friendly service
- Good value for money
What people don't like
- Limited seating options
- Undercooked chicken concern
- No bathroom access
UmmaDak presents a compelling option for those seeking flavorful Korean fried chicken and attentive service. With a strong recommendation score of 8, it’s certainly worth considering if you prioritize taste and efficient interactions.
Just be prepared for a casual, stand-up dining experience. However, if comfortable seating or a full-service dining room are crucial for you, or if food safety concerns are a deal-breaker, you might want to adjust your expectations.
For a quick, tasty meal where the food and staff shine, UmmaDak generally delivers.
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Verdict: Our expert take on UmmaDak
Food (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark with a good score of 7.9 and a solid customer satisfaction of 79.6%. Patrons frequently rave about the crispy and crunchy chicken, often coated in a delectable glaze, and appreciate the generous portion sizes. With 187 positive remarks out of 235 total comments, many highlight the bold flavors and wide variety of dipping sauces available.
However, not every bite is perfect, as 34 negative comments point out some areas for improvement. Concerns have been raised about undercooked chicken, with some instances of raw meat posing a food safety risk. Other diners have experienced cold or stale food, and the use of instant microwave rice has been a letdown for some.
Food
235
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
34
negative
14
neutral
187
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Crispy, crunchy chicken
- Bold, diverse flavors
- Generous portion sizes
What people don't like
- Undercooked chicken risk
- Cold, stale food
- Instant microwave rice
Often praised
- foodThis is a sweet little place with a very reasonably priced menu. The food is great! What truly motivated me to write this review are the extra steps they take beyond serving delicious food.
- chickenFor those who do opt for a side of rice, be aware that it’s instant rice. Despite this, the value for the bowl size is great – there was so much chicken! I could have easily shared a regular-sized bowl with two people.
- Korean fried chickenThe server, Kevin, was exceptional. Hearing about his mom’s Korean fried chicken growing up made me feel like I was experiencing it with every bite! This is hands down the best fried chicken I've ever had.
- saucethe chili sauce masks the stale flavor of the chicken
- fried chickenGreat local fried chicken place
- FoodAmazing Food! LOVED IT.
- flavorMy experience at the restaurant was delicious! While the chicken was a bit tough, I thoroughly enjoyed the flavor and the overall selection of pickled radish and different flavors. As someone who works at a Korean restaurant, this visit truly helped me understand Korean street food cuisine better.
- honey garlic butterwith honey garlic butter and Original Korean sweet chili
- amount of foodamount of food you get for Seattle is great
- honey butterThe sweet chili and honey butter were great!
Frequently criticized
- chickenI ordered both the original and soy garlic fried chicken, and to my dismay, both were severely undercooked. The chicken was raw on the inside, with some nuggets being completely raw. This presents a significant food safety risk, as it could lead to illnesses like Salmonella.
- food temperatureIt was served room temperature.
- tteokkochiThe tteokkochi (rice cake skewer) was also not crispy and overpriced.
- FoodFood:1
- aciditylacks a little acidity to their signature flavor
- amount of saucebecause of the amount of sauce floating at the bottom
- cold chickenThe rice served was instant microwave rice, which was a letdown. While the chicken was okay, mine was stone cold at the bottom due to an excessive amount of sauce. I found Gangnam to be a better option.
- foodThe food was awful though.
- food safety riskhuge food safety risk
- food textureThe amount of food was also really good! We did get takeout, so take this with a grain of salt: the food was lukewarm and a little tough after a 15-minute drive home. We were disappointed that the radish side was so small considering the amount of chicken we ordered (it's my Korean husband's favorite part of eating Korean fried chicken 😅; in his words, you can't have KFC without pickled radish).
If youre craving crispy, flavorful Korean fried chicken with plenty of sauce options and generous portions, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful of potential inconsistencies with food temperature or doneness, and dont expect gourmet rice.
Service (8.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 60% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot really shines! With a good score of 8.6 and a good customer satisfaction of 89.5%, its clear most folks are happy. Out of 57 total comments, 51 were positive, frequently praising the quick service, friendly staff, and even excellent allergy handling.
Many found the staff welcoming and efficient, making for a smooth experience. However, there are a few areas for improvement, with 5 negative comments. Some guests noted issues with water availability and a couple of instances of customer service falling short.
One opinion also highlighted a negative interaction with the owner, ' suggesting a need for closer attention to guest concerns.
Service
57
Reviews
89%
Satisfaction
5
negative
1
neutral
51
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Quick, friendly service
- Excellent allergy handling
- Helpful, kind staff
What people don't like
- Poor customer service
- Lack water availability
Often praised
- serviceThe food, service, and atmosphere all received a perfect 5/5 rating
- staffI'm already looking forward to trying the other flavors. The service was quick and the staff friendly.
- ServiceService:5
- staff memberthe fellow who took my order came out to find me
- wait timeWait time:No wait
- EliasElias was super nice and so helpful
- KevinKevin was wonderful!
- Umma (mama)I also loved the option to add extra sauces at the table. It's great to know that Umma (mama) is actually in the kitchen! While it's more of a takeout spot, there is some standing room available.
- allergy handlingMy experience at the restaurant was excellent. The food tastes really good, and they handle allergies very well. Specifically, there were no eggs in the honey garlic chicken skewer.
- cashierthe Cashier was so nice
Frequently criticized
- ServiceService:1
- customer serviceBAD CUSTOMER SERVICE BAD
- kitchen processesI was really looking forward to this meal and am super disappointed with the outcome. I urge you to take this matter seriously and thoroughly check your kitchen processes. Undercooked chicken is not only unappetizing but also dangerous.
- ownerthe owner then came out… and she said we ordered plain for the other half so that’s that.
- water availabilitylack of water availability
Overall, if youre looking for a place with generally quick and friendly service, youll likely be pleased. Just be aware that a few guests have encountered minor hiccups with customer service or water availability. It's definitely worth a try for its efficient and welcoming atmosphere.
Ambience (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 57% of the guests
The ambience here generally hits a good note, scoring a solid 6.8, with many guests enjoying the overall feel. Out of 64 total opinions, 40 positive remarks frequently highlight the welcoming vibe, cute posters, and plants, often complemented by nice music. It sounds like a charming and pleasant environment to step into!
Yet, customer satisfaction for the atmosphere is a more mixed 62.5%, showing some clear areas for improvement. With 19 negative comments, the main concerns revolve around the lack of chairs and standing tables, meaning no proper seating for a relaxed meal. The absence of a bathroom and the interior sometimes being chilly are also noted.
Ambience
64
Reviews
62%
Satisfaction
19
negative
5
neutral
40
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Welcoming atmosphere
- Charming decor
- Good music
What people don't like
- No proper seating
- Only standing tables
- No restroom
Often praised
- atmosphereThe food, service, and atmosphere all received a perfect 5/5 rating
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- plantsLove all the plants.
- InteriorInterior is nice and cozy.
- Snoopy and Charlie Brown decolove Snoopy and Charlie Brown deco
- cute postersI enjoyed the crunchy chicken and the bomb food. The atmosphere was great, with cute posters adding to the charm. The service was quick, allowing me to scope out local events while dining.
- environmentUnmadak has a nice environment
- local eventsscoping out local events
- musicMusic and restaurant setting was beautiful
- noise levelQuiet, easy to talk
Frequently criticized
- standing tablesthey only have standing tables... no chairs or stools
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:1
- ParkingThe service was excellent! Parking is hard to find, as expected in Chinatown.
- bathroomNo bathroom.
- dine-in optionNo real dine in option unless you stand for it
- interiorInterior could be warmed up a bit
- lack of chairsthe lack of chairs
- locationif it was close by me
- places to sit downI just wish they had places to sit down
- proper seatingWish they had more proper seating
If youre after a quick, vibrant experience with a cool aesthetic and dont mind standing, this place offers a great vibe. However, if comfortable seating and a restroom are essential for your dining comfort, you might find it less ideal.
Value (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 23% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 6.8 and a customer satisfaction rate of 71.4%, its clear many diners feel theyre getting a good deal. Folks frequently praise the overall price, the value for the bowl size, and the value for money, often noting the menu is very reasonably priced.
Out of 21 remarks, 15 were positive, highlighting delicious food at a great price. However, not everyone is thrilled with how their money is spent. There are 5 negative comments, mainly revolving around extra charges for sauce and the cost of certain items like tteokkochi.
Some feel its a "waste of money" when they have to pay for sauce, especially when its expected to be included or is priced unexpectedly. It seems the main sticking point is the nickel-and-diming for add-ons.
Value
21
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
5
negative
1
neutral
15
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great value for money
- Good price for food
- Excellent bowl size value
What people don't like
- Charge for sauce
- Overpriced tteokkochi
Often praised
- priceMy experience at the restaurant was centered around their honey dak, which I found to be truly unique and delicious. It was very saucy and tasty, and I was pleased with the great price. Overall, a satisfying culinary experience.
- Price per personPrice per person:$20–30
- food priceI was excited to try this place after seeing it on Instagram! To summarize, it's great food for the price. We ordered the mix and match soy garlic and honey butter garlic with a large plain fried chicken.
- menuvery reasonably priced menu
- pricingPricing was great as well!
- value for moneyThe bowls are pretty good value for your money.
- value for the bowl sizethe value for the bowl size is great
Frequently criticized
- charge for saucethey have to charge us for a sauce even though in a large bowl that’s half and half it’s 12.99 regardless of flavors
- free saucestop giving us free sauce
- moneyThis presents a significant food safety risk, as it could lead to illnesses like Salmonella. Consequently, I had no choice but to discard both orders, which was a complete waste of money. I was really looking forward to this meal and am super disappointed with the outcome.
- saucecosts 99 cents for any sauce
- tteokkochiThe tteokkochi (rice cake skewer) was also not crispy and overpriced.
If youre looking for good food that wont break the bank, especially for the portion sizes, this place is definitely worth checking out. Just be mindful of potential extra charges for sauces, as that seems to be a common point of frustration for some customers.
How are the prices at UmmaDak?
You’re looking at roughly 13 per person – reported by 136 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average sits in the $11–$20 range, it’s interesting to see a good number of guests also find options in the $1–$10 bracket, suggesting a nice mix of choices.
This chart shows what people usually spend per person, using the 136 most recent reviews.
A look at this restaurant’s value for money compared to similar spots in Seattle.
Considering it’s a restaurant in Seattle, we feel the pricing offers good value. It strikes a nice balance, making it an appealing choice for many.
Customer Reviews: what people think about UmmaDak
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
6
Cold Chicken and Bland Sauce
My experience at this restaurant was mixed. While the atmosphere was very pleasant and quiet (rated 5/5), the food quality was disappointing. The chicken was served cold, and when it wasn't cold, it was dry and chewy.
It also felt like the chicken could have used some marinade. The sauce was bland, though it was acceptable. On the positive side, the service received a decent rating of 3/3, and there was no wait time.
- sauce5
- atmosphere10
- service8
- chicken2
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Amazing Fried Chicken Experience!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! I had the amazing, hot fried chicken, and the original chili glaze was phenomenal. The chicken had an amazing crunch and was very juicy.
The workers were very kind, and the service was relatively quick.
- fried chicken10
- chili glaze10
- chicken crunch9
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
5
Disappointing Chicken, Good Fries
I was excited to try this place because I love fried chicken. I ordered a large bowl with two types of chicken: the Soy Garlic and the Honey Garlic, along with waffle fries. Both sauces were good, though the Honey Garlic had an unexpected hint of mustard.
However, the chicken itself was disappointing. Despite it being 5: 00 PM, the chicken was not freshly cooked; it had clearly been sitting for hours, resulting in it being neither hot nor crispy. The fries, on the other hand, were quite good.
For first-time visitors, I'd recommend opting for a skewer instead of a bowl. It's also worth noting that while there's a dine-in option, only standing tables are available, with no chairs or stools.
- Soy Garlic chicken7
- Honey Garlic chicken7
- waffle fries8
- chicken2
- standing tables3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Delicious Korean Street Food Experience
My experience at the restaurant was delicious! While the chicken was a bit tough, I thoroughly enjoyed the flavor and the overall selection of pickled radish and different flavors. As someone who works at a Korean restaurant, this visit truly helped me understand Korean street food cuisine better.
💗💗💗
- flavor8
- selection9
- Korean street food cuisine9
- chicken4
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Delicious Honey Glazed Chicken Skewers
My experience at the restaurant was very good. I had the honey glazed chicken skewers yesterday during the food walk, and they were very tasty.
- honey glazed chicken skewers9
- Food10
- Service10
What UmmaDak offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Paid parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What kind of atmosphere can you expect at UmmaDak?
When you visit UmmaDak, you’ll discover a casual yet trendy atmosphere perfect for a relaxed dining experience. It’s an ideal spot for you to enjoy a quick bite in Seattle’s Chinatown, offering a comfortable setting for your meal.
What parking options are available for you at UmmaDak?
For your convenience, UmmaDak offers several parking options. You can find paid parking lots nearby, and usually there’s plenty of parking available. Paid street parking is also an option for you in the area around 512 S King St.
How does UmmaDak generally perform?
UmmaDak scores a good **7.8** overall, with **Service** leading at (8.6) and **Food** close behind at (7.9). **Ambience** and **Value** both register (6.8), indicating a generally positive experience.
What do customers appreciate most about UmmaDak's food?
Many customers praise the delicious and flavorful Korean fried chicken, often highlighting the generous portions and unique sauces like honey garlic butter.
Are there any common concerns about dining at UmmaDak?
Yes, some patrons note the limited seating, primarily standing tables, and the absence of a public restroom. There have also been isolated reports of undercooked chicken.