Maum (restaurant)

Maum

Company type	Private
Industry	Restaurant
Founded	2018
Defunct	2020
Headquarters	Palo Alto, California , United States
Products	Korean fine dining, seasonal tasting menu

Maum was a Korean fine dining establishment situated in Palo Alto, California. Initially operating as a private dining space, it officially opened its doors in 2018. The restaurant received a prestigious Michelin star before closing its operations in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Restaurant

The name Maum translates to "heart and soul" or "from the heart" in Korean. Positioned on University Avenue in downtown Palo Alto, the restaurant specialized in a seasonal tasting menu that showcased Korean culinary traditions. Guests were accommodated at a single communal table with seating for up to sixteen individuals. The kitchen was led by husband-and-wife chefs Michael and Meichih Kim, representing Korean American and Taiwanese American backgrounds respectively. The wine program was initially managed by the married duo Rebecca Fineman and Chris Gaither, with Jose Maria-Aguirre later taking over as wine director. Korean vegetables were sourced from a small farm located nearby in Los Altos Hills.

The interior design of the dining space was minimalist, crafted by Lundberg Design, featuring exposed concrete walls, pivoting fir wood panels that complemented the communal table, and accents of handcrafted pottery.

Described by the Michelin Guide as an "impossibly chic supper club-turned-nightly dinner party," Maum received praise from a San Francisco Chronicle critic who regarded it as "a love letter to Los Angeles' Koreatown and Korean cuisine at large," highlighting how the dishes served as poetic connections between kindred culinary cultures.

History

Maum originated as a private dining concept launched by Brian Koo, a Korean American venture capitalist, and his wife Grace during the summer of 2017. Having grown up in Los Angeles' Koreatown, Koo recognized an absence of authentic Korean dining experiences after relocating to San Francisco. Motivated by encouragement from acquaintances, Maum transitioned into a public restaurant in July 2018. Although initially planned for a former Apple Store site on University Avenue, the project was scaled back following the denial of a rooftop terrace permit.

In June 2019, Maum attained a Michelin star, marking an important achievement within the competitive Bay Area restaurant scene.

When COVID-19 restrictions took effect in 2020, Maum experimented briefly with takeout and outdoor delivery options; however, their communal dining concept proved incompatible with social distancing measures. By June 2020, the Kims announced permanent closure of the restaurant and shifted focus toward launching a retail Korean food store offering farm boxes and prepared dishes. Later that year, they introduced Maum Kitchen, an online platform retailing Korean and other Asian specialty products. Financial difficulties led to the departure of the chef couple by August. The retail venture ceased operations by September; subsequently, the Kims opened a casual dining spot within a Los Altos food hall and later established a fine dining venue in Menlo Park in 2025.

See also

• List of defunct restaurants of the United States
• List of Korean restaurants
• List of Michelin starred restaurants in San Francisco Bay Area

External links

• Official website (archived March 1, 2020)