Namu

Notes:1) Been here once on my friend's recommendation2) ate with friends 3) near winter break time4) according to site, offers contactless curbside pickup on their website Pros:1) food is amazing (+2 )2) service was good for being extremely busy (+1)3) there are self service drinks and utensils4) good atmosphere for casual meetups and studying (+1 )Cons:1) lots of entrances which was confusing for newcomers2) not much parking3) was so busy there was not many seats availableTotal: 4/5  My friend just finished up his classes in Durham and was meeting with his friends before the winter break started. He brought me along to meet his friends, and we went pretty early to find seats. When we arrived in the afternoon, we went into the closest entrance to our parking which was near the back of the restaurant. When we entered, it looked like a bar area with a decent number of tables filled with people hanging out and drinking unique drinks. We looked around to find his friends but were unable to find them. When we asked, the waiter told us that there were no more seats aside from the outside seating. When we went to check the outside area (which was down a path towards a fenced off seating area with lots of tables that are uncovered), we were still unable to find my friend's friends. When we went back to ask around, we couldn't find anyone to help us get to the place that we wanted to. My friend's friends were waiting for us around the corner, but we did not know how to get there. When we went around to the front and finally found them, his friends told us that the complex had one name but it had multiple restaurants that were labeled on the front. Since we only went to the back, we completely missed the signs leading to the restaurant. I think the signs could have been placed better to help those that are not regulars to help them navigate the area easier.When we went inside, there were a ton of people all over the restaurant and a set of registers near the wall to the left where the food was ordered. My friend was not too familiar with the Korean style menu, so I went with my gut on the Kimchi Bul-fries with chicken. The combination of the fries, the kimchi, and the egg on top really made an amazing flavor. The fries were crispy and cooked well. The kimchi was soft and crunchy. Together, the fries and the kimchi made a great combination of texture and flavor. The kimchi added a nice sour taste to the common oily flavor of the fries. The sauce added a sweet and spicy taste that enhances the flavor even more. To top it all off, the fries egg adds a nice counter to the crunchy texture with a more softer texture. The egg yolk provides a small break from the spices and changes the flavor in your mouth. It was a really great combo. The meat was seasoned well and brought even more flavor to the already diverse taste of this dish. I have had kimchi fries before but this one was unique with the sauces and the waffle fries. I would recommend this dish for those who aren't used to Korean food and would like an introduction to the flavor profile. While finding the place was hard and the food was good, the service was acceptable for the amount of people there. All of the seats were filled without any space in between. We were lucky to find a spot after a study group left. This place is a big hit for students. Most of the service here was self service. The beverages and the utensils and sauces were self service. The waiters came by to serve the food, pickup the dishes, and to clean the tables. Those waiters did their job well and quickly. They also were really nice and cared for the customers. Our table had to be cleaned off, so the waiters came to clean it as soon as we sat down. There was also an incident where a glass of water broke, and the waiters came by to pick up the broken glass and gave us some clean rags to clean up the water spill. It was very nice how quick they were for being so full. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Yum. I don't really know what else to say. Food was amazing (bulgogi burrito bowl) and curbside pickup was fast and easy. I will absolutely return here when in town again. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

One my absolute favorite places for morning work sessions and lunch escapes.

Reviewed on Facebook

I've been here a few times, but never been wowed with their food until a trip at the start of March. My friend recommended the Bo's Special, and it is incredible. White rice and spring mix in a bowl, with korean bbq meat of your choice, green onions, and your choice of mandoo (korean dumplings). Optional egg to top the whole magnificent thing off. Wow, are these dumplings amazing. I've also ordered from these folks since the shutdown, and I've since tried a variety of the dumplings - the beef are far and away the best. So incredibly tasty! Bo's Special is the way to go, but grab some beef mandoo as well, you seriously can't get enough of these things.Also have done curbside pickup since COVID, and everything went super smooth. Order online, pay and tip online, and it tells your right on your order confirmation page when it's ready. Call and let them know you're outside, and they'll bring it right out. Or skip and have it delivered through Uber Eats. Great beer and cider selection as well, and wine options. You can get these through their ordering system as well for the time being until they're open again. Well worth your money! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Such a cool place! I came here to see the gardens and grab a bite to eat. They have coffee and beer as well, I'm not sure if it' s a full bar. You walk in and the facility is massive! I ordered at the bar, went in on a saturday around lunch time and they were dead there was a couple other people there. But I think the virus is really scaring a lot of people as it should, but I went in a week or so ago. They have TV's and yes they do play sporting events. There was darts in one of the corners, all you have to do for the darts is give your ID to borrow them. It acts as a place holder. I tried the Bibimbap ($11) and I have to say I have tried Korean food from all over and this was alright the meat was a little dry so I added some of their sauces to add some flavor. They give you a number and you can sit anywhere outside or inside and they will bring it to you. The outside patio/gardens area is beautiful! They have a cool pond with fish inside and overhead string lights. It is a very spacious area. If you want a nice relaxing spot to have lunch and hangout on a nice spring day I would definitely recommend this place! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Love this place! The food is amazing and he atmosphere is really cool!

Reviewed on Facebook

Great spot. Quick, attentive service. Plenty of parking. Huge beer selection on draft and cans. The food can be made with modifications to be vegetarian and even vegan. The Namu Garden in the back was great with plenty of places to sit, plenty of room too. Lots of people were studying and just enjoying the nice weather in the garden area. Would definitely recommend coming here and come back again. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

great place. will be back for sure

Reviewed on Facebook

I love coming to Namu to study--especially the little building they have behind the main one. A latte from here is a great boost to help yourself bemore productive!

Reviewed on Yelp

I really enjoyed the space and that it is dog friendly.  They have an excellent and changing selection of beers and ciders, so there' s lots of things to try.  The food was delicious, but I already knew that, after the experience with their food truck.  I would like more indoor seating that was less communal or high top tables, but that's my only real criticism.  It's truly at its best when it's good weather to sit outside - the garden is beautiful. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Delicious place. Great for a lunch date, study session, or beer with friends. The daily specials are great, the regular menu is great, but if you' re stuck choosing between the two, get the special. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

My favorite is the spicy kimchi bowl and yuzu tea!! It's a good place to be. They have a long wait line at the counter though. But the place is just amazing

Reviewed on Yelp

great location for events! beautiful scenery!

Reviewed on Facebook

Love this place! Food is delicious and the outdoor space is really awesome. Would highly recommend for date nights, big groups, family and friends.

Reviewed on Yelp

This was my first visit to Namu and it was great! The atmosphere is very inviting and laid back. Picnic style tables bring an " everyone is family" kInd of vibe. They have several beers on tap. The menu is short and consist of Korean dishes but will definitely not disappoint!! Orders are placed at the bar. They gave us a number and less than 10 minutes later our food arrived to the table. I ordered the beef bulgogi, japchae and kimchi. The food was delicious and near authentic. If you get a chance to stop in, it will be worth it!! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I've been going to Namu for the past year and a half now. It's pretty awesome. They have a beer hall, coffee shop/restaurant vibe, and outside garden. The food is great. The service is great, and their mobile order food service is awesome too. It's called "chow now". I've used it multiple times because I am usually adding them as a stop along the way to a destination. Fast, efficient, and quality food is all I ask for, and recieve every-time. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Oh Namu, how I love you! I am glad to see you busy. I love your Korean food. I love the space, the art, the vibe! I love coming here to work, starting with coffee and working to lunch. I love you so!I do have some suggestions for you to consider? Could you have table flags that say I will share? Plug-ins are limited and I would often be happy to share, but it would be nice to have a way to convey that without someone having to ask. Also, I love your tofu but it is a bit squishy. Can you allow us to request it well done? Or spicy? I can make it spicy on my own, but it's not the same as a pan fried spicy delicious tofu. Thank you for considering and thank you for everything you do to make the space/place so awesome. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

So glad our friends suggested we meet up there for lunch. Food was amazing from start to finish.  We had the bibimbap with chicken and one of us got a chai latte. Everything was prepared perfectly.  Will definitely stop in again.  We took a quick tour of the outside and I can see where it would be great to sit outside in warmer weather. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Lovely natural indoor and outdoor space, good coffeeshop options and Korean food - a little something for everyone. Definitely recommend walking around to orient yourself the first couple times you go. Plugs go quickly, so recommend grabbing a spot with a plug early if you may need one and happen to find one. The staff are mostly cool and friendly. They charge for refills, etc. Closed on Sundays. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Unique spot to grab a drink and food! Certainly a gem hidden in an odd location!Their food and drinks or good but the atmosphere is what keeps people coming back. Best place to stop after work with co-workers or for a casual date. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Love it! Great environment. I'm so glad they've bought up more of the straw valley space and expanded their service. Food is good, selection of beer is good. Service is great; they'll bring food to your table even if you're out in the garden area. Love love love More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Great food and ambiance. A definitely great choice! They have a wide selection of Asian fusion food, as well as several drinks-coffee, teas and beers! The atmosphere is great for studying, hanging out, or watching games in the beer hall. The outdoor seating is also quite pleasant. You could spend a whole afternoon here! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This place is pretty inside and outside. Make sure you explore the little garden they have. Very calming. The only reason I didn' t give 5 stars because the portion size is TOO Small therefore making it little expensive. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I love Korean food so I was really excited when I first heard about Namu, and I've been there a few times so far. I would say my experience there got increasingly better over time. First time I went there, It was a Friday and It was the opening night for the beer hall so service was incredibly slow and It lasted nearly an hour for us to get our food which was cold at the end. But everyone deserves a second chance! So I went there for the second time. We got the KBBQ quesadilla, spicy pork dumplings and the KBBQ tacos. I would say the meat portion of all the meals were really good. I found dumplings to be a little too oily- but still delicious. I thought quesadillas could use some other vegetables, it was very meat heavy and I had a hard time finishing it. However, I would say the atmosphere for the outdoor seating is probably one of the best you can find in the area. It is very peaceful and beautiful. I would strongly suggest going to Namu on weekdays instead of weekends. It is definitely calmer on weekdays, which I found is the best way to enjoy the zen atmosphere. Also this place is great If you want to grab a coffee and sit on one of the lovely patios to do some work! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

A lovely restaurant and cafe with an insane atmosphere! I've been here twice and have enjoyed both times! I first came in to try their cafe and I wasn't disappointed! I got a matcha latte and thought it was delicious. I also loved how it wasn't too sweet, and you could really taste the quality matcha that they use.The second time I came for their food and while I wasn't as impressed by it, it was still pretty good! I had their bbibimbap and it wasn't bad at all. I'm usually not a massive fan of bbibimbap but they did a pretty solid job. I will say that the flavors weren't as pronounced as I would've liked them to be.BUT the highlight of this place is definitely the atmosphere. From the two different inside seating areas to the INSANE outdoor space, it's such a joy to be able to sit, relax, have fun, or even study here. Will definitely be back for their drinks and atmosphere! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I've only ever been to the beer hall portion, so this review is for that. Love the atmosphere, food, and drink selection. Friendly bartenders . I've tried:- KBBQ Quesadilla: it's a quesadilla, so of course it's good. Nothing too crazy though. Just a slight twist on a classic.- Kimchi Bul-Fries: must try these at least once. Great for sharing and as a snack to pair with beer. - Spicy Edamame: this is fine, not spicy at all, really. I prefer just regular sea salt. - Bulgogi: highly recommend, tons of flavor and very tender- japchae: also recommend, great vermicelli noodlesDon't forget to try the variety of sauces at the sauce station. The bibimbap one is quite good. If you come with a large group, you can get a beer tower. Also, they have darts. Parking can be quite difficult during the weekend, but I've always been able to secure a spot. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Wonderful food and love the patio.

Reviewed on Facebook

Namu is absolutely everything I could ever wish for in a Korean restaurant. The atmosphere is suburb, seriously one of my favorite places to enjoy a chill meal. Let's get to the food, it is all INCREDIBLE AND AUTHENTIC! We drive 45 min just to eat here very often! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Confession: I'm obsessed with Korean food and coffee. So this place and their menu was heaven for me. It has a Cafe, where you can get crafted coffee & tea, as well as chow down on some scrumptious Korean food. They have plenty of tables for you to post up and study, meet with friends or work. They also have an awesome outdoor patio area, complete with bonfire. It's also attached to a Beer Hall, which had a bunch of craft beer on tap. I ordered the Kimchi-bul waffle fries, which were to die for. They were the perfect portion for the price and they delivered it to your table. The tea was yummy as well. The only reason I didn't give 5 stars, was because a lot of the tables were really dirty and not cleaned after someone used them. Other than that, it was great! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Friends recommended Namu to me a year ago, and at the time I couldn't quite imagine that a place this cool would be on a hill above the Wal-Mart off of 15-501. The entrance to the cafe is a little hard to find -- the signage in the parking lot is not very clear and I'm still not sure if there are multiple entrances and parking lots. I've eaten at Namu twice now and have had selections from their Korean menu both times. The japchae is exactly how you want it to be: clean tasting flavors with a balance of sweet, salt, and savory. The only room for improvement is that the japchae's serving size is very small. My favorite dish at Namu is the Korean pancakes; I order mine made with kimchee. So tasty and just enough grease, if you know what I mean. Four (4) pancakes that are each about 4" in diameter make up an order. I could eat a whole pile! Sauces are available in squeeze bottles in the dining area -- get a few little cups and try some! Besides the unclear entrance signage and visual clues, the other thing that is a bit off-putting is that because Namu is a coffee house as well as a restaurant, many tables can be occupied by people working on their laptops for long stretches at a time. It changes and confuses the ambiance a bit, but I'm willing to roll with it.I've ended up at Namu during the colder months and for weekday lunches only so can't speak to the size of crowds on other days and in other seasons. I hope to try their outdoor garden seating in warmer weather and am eager to see what their "beer hall" ends up being like! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Beautiful space for coffee and Korean food. Good place to sit for a while with coffee and laptop

Reviewed on Yelp

They mess up my order but was quick and professional about the mistake. I would say the customer service is on point! I order the Bibmbap and Galbi and wow it was heavenly. I would def go back to this place if I am ever in town again and try other options. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Bibimbap is delicious! Would recommend. Also this is a great little place to work with outlets and good WiFi.

Reviewed on Yelp

Amazing food and I love the laid back open atmosphere and there is always a place to sit!

Reviewed on Yelp

Ambience , beer, and food were on point. Parking was a little tricky. Will most definitely visit again! Pancakes and Mandoo are a must eat item from their menu

Reviewed on Yelp

Lovely spot for both coffee and grub. My matcha latte with Oatly oat milk was a taste of heaven. Exactly what I wanted. The Joe's bowl with white rice, jap chae noodles, lettuce, and spicy pork was really good, though a bit oily. Very flavorful highly recommend the pork. The tofu burrito bowl was ok but skippable and lacking in flavor. There are sauces you can add to taste:  spicy aioli, bibimbap (seemingly gochujang), a soy based bbq sauce, and Joe's spicy sauce. Kimchi is on point. The coffee shop was pretty packed on a dressy Saturday at brunch. It'd be an even nicer spot on a warm sunny day given the lovely patios and outside gardens. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This is one of my favorite spots in Durham. The food is delicious. I especially love the spicy pork dumplings. The coffee is great. Best of all is the atmosphere. They have beautiful gardens in the back. You can't go wrong here - it's a good date night, study spot, or place to chill on the weekend. I only wish they were open on Sundays! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Super cute and nice place for a date :) the food came out very fast. The atmosphere was very open and modern. I ordered the tofu bowl and thought it tasted fine

Reviewed on Yelp

The food is quite good but slightly overpriced. The environment (esp. the decor) is delightful. Nice place for a quick and casual meal with a small group of friends.

Reviewed on Yelp

Namu has been on my list of places to go in the Durham/Chapel Hill area for some time when a friend suggested we have dinner there on a Monday night. It is a little hard to find depending on what gps you use, just know it's adjacent to the shopping center with the Walmart. There's plenty of signage, it's just dark at night. There's not a ton of parking, but if you drive around a little, you'll find something. So they have a few entrances and sections, but you can order at any of them, they ask what area you'll sit in, give you a number and bring your order to you. It's such a big and beautiful place to be. I loved everything about it, especially the food and selection of hot beverages, like the seasonal apple cider chai!! I ordered the Bibimbap with beef, the beef Mandoo (dumplings) and the hot apple cider chai. My friend ordered the Korean Pancakes, Japche and the Yuzu tea. While we waited for our food, since it was still nice out, even though November, we checked out all of the outdoor seating since this was my first visit. It's so beautiful outside, bamboo, lights and water streaming everywhere. Our food came quickly and the presentation was gorgeous. Everything was delicious and flavorful. They have a sauce station with about 5 different special sauces. The food is so good, it doesn't even need sauce, but they are great accompaniments. The main restaurant closes at 9, but they let you know that the beer hall remains open until 10. I can't wait to go back and experience Namu again soon. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

It's been almost a month since I last visited Namu and I'm longing to return. The space is incredibly special, with large open outdoor seating as well as private little corners tucked away from all hustle and bustle. I've tried the delicious matcha latte, which has to be the most gorgeous drink I've ever had, and Joe's Special with spicy pork. I was impressed with the freshness and the way each ingredient complemented the others. I also appreciate that Namu provides several self-serve sauces, some that have a good kick and others that are milder. The price of the bowls is a bit more than I might normally spend on this type of food, but the quality is there and the portions are large - well worth the cost. Service was very friendly. I can't wait to visit the attached beer hall. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I loved my bibimbop. No crispy rice at the bottom but because the space and gardens are so unique, I'm going Zen with 5 stars. Definitely a special place.

Reviewed on Yelp

I love this creative space! Namu is part coffee shop, part Korean bbq lunch/dinner restaurant, part outside stunning garden, part bar and fun space! It's whatever you want it to be! I think the owners were genius in creating such a unique space that's inviting to all types of moods. The food is wonderful - the short rib, dumplings, chicken and bulgogi- all amazing. Coffees are great too if you want to sit and study or chat with friends. I haven't been into their new bar section but it looked full and fun last time I stopped by!I would def check out this creative place, you can go for a variety of hangout moods :) More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I love this place, it's a beautiful spot to hang out with all the choices of places to sit both inside and out. The food is simple and tasty, the service is fast and friendly. I would love a bit more variety in the menu since I go there all the time, but other than that, it's an almost perfect place. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Very cool place very relaxing environment

Reviewed on Facebook