Ja Kum Sung — Restaurant in Glen Burnie

I would ignore the 5 star ratings, especially if they don’t have anything helpful to say about the food. I would NOT recommend this place. My husband drove us 1 hr 45 mins because we were both wanting good Korean food. This place was closer than the other ones and the reviews were mixed but someone mentioned that their jjajangmyun was one of the best. So, we ordered that and the jjamppong. I wanted to eat the kkampongi, but I was nervous because I read a review that said the chicken was very dry. I told the waitress that I read a review about the chicken being dry, so I asked her about it. Out of curiosity, I ended up ordering it with the chicken (with bones). When it came out, the chicken looked very plump, but it was very deceiving because it was all the breading puffed up. Underneath, the chicken was too dry, it was tough to eat. I was very disappointed about that. I felt bamboozled. The chopped veggies in the sauce tasted off, like something went bad. The jjampong was also a bit disappointing. I read a review where someone said it was very spicy, and their menu says it’s very spicy. So, I asked for it to be less spicy. The waitress said “mild?” I said “no, medium” and she nodded and jot it down. Well, I guess she misunderstood me because the broth was not spicy at all! It was more mild and the color was lighter. It also didn’t taste like jjampong but more like a bone broth soup. The jjajangmyun was the only dish I actually liked and finished it, but they could’ve added more sauce and a little more flavor or seasoning to it. It was a bit bland. Service was mediocre. I always had to look around and ask for something. More of the radish, more napkins, for a spoon. It was very bare bones. There are plenty of other Korean restaurants in Maryland and I think we would rather drive further for better food and a better experience. This wasn’t worth our time and money. $15 for fried chicken is...

Last Sunday I ventured to Ja Kum Sung, a Korean restaurant in Glen Burnie. The name “Ja Kum Sung” means “The Forbidden City” in Chinese characters, but it’s written in Hangul as Ja Kum Sung. This place is renowned for offering a taste of everything Korean cuisine has to offer, including Korean-style Chinese food. Yes, you heard that right—Korean-style Jajang myeon!

Jajang myeon, also known as black noodles, originally hails from the Shandong region of China as 炸醬麵. It made its way to Korea in the 1890s and has since evolved into the Korean-style Jajang myeon we know and love today. This restaurant’s Jajang myeon is nothing short of a masterpiece. I highly recommend the “Gan Jajang,” where the sauce, made by stir-frying chunjang without starch with vegetables and meat, is served separately.

The noodles are thick and chewy, and the fresh ingredients make each bite a delightful experience.

But wait, there’s more! Alongside the Jajang myeon, I also ordered Galbi tang. This soup is a heavenly concoction of tender, slow-cooked beef ribs in a rich, flavorful broth. My wife opted for Dogani tang, a dish similar to Seolleong tang but made with bovine cartilage instead of sliced beef. The milky bone broth topped with thinly sliced green onions is a sight to behold and a treat for the taste buds.

For our main course, we chose Yusanseul, a Korean-Chinese dish that originated in Korea. It’s a delightful stir-fry of shiitake mushrooms, sea cucumber, bamboo shoots, enoki mushrooms, shrimp, pork, chives, ginger, and garlic, thickened with starch. Just like Japchae, Yusanseul is a favorite among Koreans.

This restaurant is not just a place to fill your stomach; it’s a place to experience the essence of Korean cuisine. If you ever find yourself in Glen Burnie, make sure to visit this spot. You’ll enjoy delicious food and have...

Update January 2021: Ja Kum Sung has become our go-to Korean takeout during the pandemic. While food quality has suffered at some other restaurants, here it has almost gotten better. At least it is still consistent with when we used to dine in. Orders are always ready on time, and we have only had a few errors. It seems there is not a direct translation between some of the menu items in the online services and what they get in the kitchen. But the staff has always worked with us to quickly fix any mistakes. My suggestion is to call in, especially if you have any special requests or what something not commonly ordered. Overall, a great local business and definitely worth a try if you haven't already.

This restaurant is a great new addition to the Korean fare around Glen Burnie. While the other restaurants in the area lean more towards traditional Korean dishes, this one focuses more on Korean Chinese food. It is very much like the Chinese restaurants I visited while living in Korea.

Service here is hit or miss. When it is not busy the staff takes time to check on you, make recommendations, and even have a pleasant chat if they have time. Otherwise you can end up with incomplete orders and have to press them to even get a water refill.

Food is outstanding. I really like the lunch specials, especially the lunch boxes. They come with a selection of tempura, salad, noodles, fried rice, and entree. Great combo! For regular entrees, portions are good and the food is prepared well. My son loves the chili chicken, and daughter likes the noodles with black bean sauce.

Overall, a good place to try for a great menu that offers some unique items not found at nearby locations. They are good for experienced and first-time Korean food lovers alike. Just try to come at a...