Harumama, a playful addition to Carrollton’s dining scene, is bringing charm, comfort and a dash of creativity to Asian cuisine. The family-owned restaurant, located on W. Frankford Road, marks the first Texas location for the brand. Its signature? Steamed character buns that are (almost) too cute to eat.
“At the end of the day, we want our buns to feel special, like something you’ll remember long after your visit,” says Jenny Pyo, Harumama’s founder. “Whether you're a kid or just a kid at heart, we hope each bun brings a bit of joy and a whole lot of fun to your day.”
The name Harumama comes from two words — “Haru,” meaning “day” in Korean, and “mama,” representing the nurturing care of homemade food. This combination perfectly captures what the restaurant is all about: meals made with heart, served with a smile, and always full of surprises.
What sets Harumama apart?
The star of the show? The character buns. These adorable creations have become a viral sensation across North Texas. What started with a pig, chicken and panda has grown into more than 30 rotating characters, including unicorns, bunnies and seasonal favorites.
“Creating these buns took us almost a year,” says Pyo. “Simple, sweet faces that made people smile the moment they saw them.”
Each bun is not just a cute design, but a delicious treat filled with flavors like ground pork with caramelized onion, Nutella and even ube. The buns are soft, flavorful and designed to surprise and delight.
“Perfecting each bun is still a journey,” she says. “Every new character takes weeks of testing, refining the details, adjusting the flavor and making sure it not only tastes amazing but holds up during steaming, without losing its charm. It’s not always easy, but we believe the extra care shows.”
And with new designs popping up seasonally, there’s always a reason to return and see what’s next. “We want each bun to be a little burst of joy,” says Pyo. “Food should be playful, surprising and full of heart.”
Why Carrollton?
So, why Carrollton? Pyo and her team saw the city’s welcoming vibe and growing food scene as the perfect spot to bring their playful, delicious creations to life.
“Carrollton felt like the perfect fit,” Pyo explains. “It’s a vibrant, diverse community with a deep appreciation for food and especially for Asian flavors. There’s a real sense of curiosity and connection here, which matches the spirit of Harumama.”
Expanding, But One Step at a Time
While the Carrollton location is still in its early days, there are already plans to bring Harumama’s character buns and Asian-inspired dishes to more parts of Texas. Cities like Dallas, Frisco and Austin are on the radar, but for now, the focus is on getting the Carrollton spot just right.
“We’re taking our time to make sure we’re deeply connected to the community here,” Pyo says. “Every step we take is about creating something that lasts, and we’re committed to making this first Texas location a true reflection of what Harumama stands for. Once we’re confident that we’ve created a solid foundation here, we’ll be excited to look at other opportunities in Texas.”
A Visit Worth Taking
Whether you’re in the mood for a cozy bowl of ramen or just want to see what all the bun buzz is about, Harumama delivers. It’s sweet. It’s savory. It’s fun. And yes, it’s definitely worth the drive.
What We Tried:
- Character Buns: Pig, chicken, bunny, unicorn and more — each one cuter than the last
- Katsu Curry Ramen: Japanese curry broth with crispy panko-breaded chicken cutlet
- Haru Ramen: Creamy tonkotsu broth with chicken, tofu and a hit of yuzu oil
- Tantan Bibim Noodles: Fresh ramen noodles topped with ground pork, caramelized onions and veggie tempura
Location:
1060 W Frankford Rd Ste 200, Carrollton
We thank Harumama for hosting & treating us!
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