Joongmi Banjum Manassas — Restaurant in Manassas

Today's lunch was a culinary leap of faith at Joongmi Banjum in Manassas, where I blindly picked Jam Bong off the menu, lured by the siren song of seafood in a picture. And, oh, what a serendipitous choice it was!

The soup arrived looking like a spring afternoon in a bowl: a vibrant red, bursting with spices that wafted up to greet me, promising warmth and zest. Diving in, the flavors were as rich and complex as a tapestry, each spoonful an ode to the sea and the earth's bounties. The noodles, kimchi, and pickled radish on the side played backup singers to the soup's lead vocal, each complementing the other in this harmonious meal.

And can we talk about the packaging? Sealed like a boba cup, the soup was a no-leak, no-fuss affair that kept everything piping hot and fresh, defying the odds of delivery. This wasn't just lunch; it was an experience that left me both sated and intrigued, already plotting my next visit to Joongmi Banjum for another...

I gave this place a few chances, hoping it would grow on me. On my first visit, I ordered one of the simpler dishes, and it was decent. I appreciated that the food was cooked to order—you could hear the wok in action, and the result had that fresh-off-the-heat quality.

But as I branched out and tried some of their more expensive offerings, the experience fell flat. The dishes leaned far too sweet and lacked depth—more reminiscent of a Panda Express plate than something worth a higher price tag. And to be honest, Panda Express might win on flavor, which says a lot.

This isn’t a matter of the food being healthier or more refined—it’s a matter of execution. The kitchen simply doesn’t seem equipped to deliver elevated dishes. With a menu this large, it might be wiser to focus on fewer items and do them well, rather than padding the selection with mediocre, high-margin fare.

Unfortunately, I won’t...

First, let me say that this place is immaculate! You can literally eat off the floors. Decor is nice, sparse but tasteful. The staff is over the top helpful and attentive and quite helpful without being obtrusive.

The menu is varied with a strong emphasis on traditional Korean fare. Portions are very generous with one dish usually being enough for two to share. But, you're going to want to sample a few dishes and take some home with you! We had #15. JJA JANG MYUM, a noodle dish with black bean sauce, a side of Kimchi and pickled radishes. It was amazng!! We also had #22 HA MUL JANG BAN JJA JANG, a similar dish with a variety of seafoods and garnishes. It was not only delicious, it was HUGE! And, for once, the actual dishes look very much like their menu items!

At first, prices appear to be moderate. But given the portion sizes, they are quite the...