Holy cow that was incredible. The seafood paella changed my LIFE! From this day forward my life will be divided in two: pre Umai Umai Seafood Paella and the rest of my life. Sunshine and roses everyday on out boys. I've seen God.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Julianne Naples
Pretty disappointed in our take out order. Sushi had very minimal flavor and did not taste fresh. Also roll sizes are below standard. Overall would not recommend for pick up, wasn’t worth the price, might be better in person but experience doesn’t encourage me to try.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
Melissa Bensley (Mel)
so impressed with this place! brussel sprouts were probably the best i've ever had, so many textures and so delicious. the scallop carpaccio was amazing and such high quality fish; i've tried raw scallop at a few other nice places in the city and didn't like the taste but it was soo good here. and the miso soup was loaded with tofu! overall such good quality for the price, and we love a byob!
Quaint BYOB spot. Enjoyed the miso soup and sushi rolls that were reasonably priced.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Katherine M
This space is so beautiful and intimate at night. We went on a Tuesday night and it was quiet and relaxing. The food was amazing, fresh, and creative! The staff was so kind and pleasant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sushi
Mauricio F Ahumada
I went to Umai Umai 2 weeks ago. This place was the greatest sushi place in Philly until they opened their second location. Everything changed here: sushi rolls are not as tasty as they were and size was reduced significantly. In addition, there is a permanent rush feeling to order, eat, pay and leave. I remember this place being the perfect spot for a nice date and a great meal. In my opinion those times are almost over. It's BYOB still and that's nice, but I wouldn't be surprised if they terminate it soon though.
Vegetarian options: n.a
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
Larry Imhoff
The seafood paella was spectacular. My only complaint -- it was three lunches of food! Seafood to the bottom of the huge bowl. I also had the udon soup with tempura veggies -- delicious! My wife had the shrimp pad thai which she loved. Our server was delightful, attentive but not overly so. The room is nice, not over the top, simple. Only downside -- parking!!! We found it searching for "thai" on google maps -- not really thai as most of the menu is sushi and rolls. Nonetheless, highly recommend
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jake Berger
Very intimate space but food and service was great
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
İrem çağla Uztürk
oo cute date place but the porsions are super small we are steal hungary
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Kraswald Ravherra
Calamari salad & Poseidon roll are not to be missed, pleasant & intimate experience.
I used to go to Umai Umai all the time over the past 3 years, but haven't gone in a long time. It was my favorite sushi spot in the city because it was inexpensive, the food was great, and the menu was creative. I went again the other day and was really disappointed by the chance. The food did not taste very good, and the sushi pieces were cut in the thinnest slices (shinkflation?). I was really bummed because I really loved this spot and it used to be my go-to, but I am hesitant to go again after this experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Martha Gandley
My son’s brought me here for my birthday. The food was excellent! service was great. The price was good as well. I will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Peter Barnard
Nice place for sushi with a welcome option for gluten free soy sauce (if requested).
Nothing fancy and limited menu, but everyone was happy with the result.
Will visit again but remember to bring my own wine.
Dietary restrictions: Gluten free soy available by request.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Nigiri Twelve Cuts, Sushi
Anthony Young
I've been going to Umai Umai over the years, but it seems to have gone really down hill recently. The restaurant used to be one of my favorite sushi spots in the city. The restaurant was always clean, the menu was extensive, and above all, the food was always delicious. My last visit to the restaurant was very disappointing. The place, unfortunately, looks like it has not been kept up with. The floors need to be painted, the place needs cleaning, and the tables were sticky as if they had not been deep cleaned in some time (kind of what you would get a pub). There was a curtain to the kitchen that was hung over the top of the curtain rod, so you could see all of the fryers while you were eating. There used to be SO much to choose from on the menu, and now you get a very tiny, limited menu. I was so turned off by the actual restaurant itself, it was hard to enjoy the food. I did ask the waiter if the restaurant had changed hands, because I was so surprised by what I was seeing, and he did say that over the pandemic, it did. I could have guessed that just by walking past! Unfortunately, I can't say I will be back :(
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
Marie Antoinette
It's obvious that Umai Umai is under new ownership. When this restaurant first opened approximately 10 to 15 years ago, we went at least 3 times a month. The owners were meticulous and you can always count on the freshest food, fish. They had an extensive menu with many items to choose from. That is definitely not the case now. This is the 3rd time I have been to this location since the pandemic, the 3rd time I made reservations, and the 3rd time my name was not on the reservation list when I arrived for dinner. When I gave my name the server said well I have an "Alexa" on the list, I said well that's not my name. I proceeded to tell him this was the 3rd time this has happened to me. At this point a table which was not cleared yet was quickly wiped down, and I was directed to sit there. In the darkest corner of the restaurant. The restaurant space looks dreary and "worn out" and the menus were falling apart. I had to use the flashlight on my phone to read the limited menu. Once my friends arrived we all agreed that this is probably going to turn out to be a bad idea if we stay and eat, but we gave it a shot. First we started with gyoza, which came out dark and burnt, (not how gyoza is prepared or should look) we all looked at it and at each other thought... this is disgusting, we were not about to attempt tasting it. We asked the waitress to take it away, and we explained why. We were told that's how gyoza looks. NO WAY, we told her that. Oyster shots - just okay. Not as satisfying as I remembered them to be. I guess the ingredients were not too fresh. My friend ordered Miso soup and said it tasted like dish water, so he didn't eat it. Sushi and Unagi served, another disappointment, the unagi was overdone, too much "sauce" on top, which overpowered the eel. The sushi was boring, no pop, no explosion of flavor I waited to experience, I guessed that was also due to the lack of freshness of the fish or maybe the sushi chef, (which by the way was not dressed as a sushi chef). PAD TAI - was the only dish that was decent and served very hot. We ate some of that, but what we enjoyed most of all was the Sake and Sapporo beer that we brought with us. Bathroom - was dirty, run down and disgusting. Our table had a view of the kitchen, once my friends who were facing the kitchen saw that and one of the workers in the kitchen, they were DONE. That was it, we had to get out of there and couldn't do it fast enough. In closing, I will never ever go back to what was one of the best sushi spots in the city ever again, and you definitely won't ever find me at their new location in Queens Village. NO THANKS! My advice is to stay away from Umai Umai especially the dirty run down location at 22nd Street, unless you are a novice at eating sushi and you could care less about the atmosphere and you have no idea about eating sushi, good sushi, then by all means knock yourself out!
Holy cow that was incredible. The seafood paella changed my LIFE! From this day forward my life will be divided in two: pre Umai Umai Seafood Paella and the rest of my life. Sunshine and roses everyday on out boys. I've seen God.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pretty disappointed in our take out order. Sushi had very minimal flavor and did not taste fresh. Also roll sizes are below standard. Overall would not recommend for pick up, wasn’t worth the price, might be better in person but experience doesn’t encourage me to try.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 3
so impressed with this place! brussel sprouts were probably the best i've ever had, so many textures and so delicious. the scallop carpaccio was amazing and such high quality fish; i've tried raw scallop at a few other nice places in the city and didn't like the taste but it was soo good here. and the miso soup was loaded with tofu! overall such good quality for the price, and we love a byob!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crispy Brussels Sprouts, Scallop Carpaccio
Quaint BYOB spot. Enjoyed the miso soup and sushi rolls that were reasonably priced.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This space is so beautiful and intimate at night. We went on a Tuesday night and it was quiet and relaxing. The food was amazing, fresh, and creative! The staff was so kind and pleasant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sushi
I went to Umai Umai 2 weeks ago. This place was the greatest sushi place in Philly until they opened their second location. Everything changed here: sushi rolls are not as tasty as they were and size was reduced significantly. In addition, there is a permanent rush feeling to order, eat, pay and leave. I remember this place being the perfect spot for a nice date and a great meal. In my opinion those times are almost over. It's BYOB still and that's nice, but I wouldn't be surprised if they terminate it soon though.
Vegetarian options: n.a
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 3
The seafood paella was spectacular. My only complaint -- it was three lunches of food! Seafood to the bottom of the huge bowl. I also had the udon soup with tempura veggies -- delicious! My wife had the shrimp pad thai which she loved. Our server was delightful, attentive but not overly so. The room is nice, not over the top, simple.
Only downside -- parking!!!
We found it searching for "thai" on google maps -- not really thai as most of the menu is sushi and rolls. Nonetheless, highly recommend
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very intimate space but food and service was great
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
oo cute date place but the porsions are super small we are steal hungary
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Calamari salad & Poseidon roll are not to be missed, pleasant & intimate experience.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tuna, Sushi
Restaurantji Recommends
I used to go to Umai Umai all the time over the past 3 years, but haven't gone in a long time. It was my favorite sushi spot in the city because it was inexpensive, the food was great, and the menu was creative. I went again the other day and was really disappointed by the chance. The food did not taste very good, and the sushi pieces were cut in the thinnest slices (shinkflation?). I was really bummed because I really loved this spot and it used to be my go-to, but I am hesitant to go again after this experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
My son’s brought me here for my birthday. The food was excellent! service was great. The price was good as well. I will definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice place for sushi with a welcome option for gluten free soy sauce (if requested).
Nothing fancy and limited menu, but everyone was happy with the result.
Will visit again but remember to bring my own wine.
Dietary restrictions: Gluten free soy available by request.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Nigiri Twelve Cuts, Sushi
I've been going to Umai Umai over the years, but it seems to have gone really down hill recently. The restaurant used to be one of my favorite sushi spots in the city. The restaurant was always clean, the menu was extensive, and above all, the food was always delicious. My last visit to the restaurant was very disappointing. The place, unfortunately, looks like it has not been kept up with. The floors need to be painted, the place needs cleaning, and the tables were sticky as if they had not been deep cleaned in some time (kind of what you would get a pub). There was a curtain to the kitchen that was hung over the top of the curtain rod, so you could see all of the fryers while you were eating. There used to be SO much to choose from on the menu, and now you get a very tiny, limited menu. I was so turned off by the actual restaurant itself, it was hard to enjoy the food. I did ask the waiter if the restaurant had changed hands, because I was so surprised by what I was seeing, and he did say that over the pandemic, it did. I could have guessed that just by walking past! Unfortunately, I can't say I will be back :(
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 3
It's obvious that Umai Umai is under new ownership. When this restaurant first opened approximately 10 to 15 years ago, we went at least 3 times a month. The owners were meticulous and you can always count on the freshest food, fish. They had an extensive menu with many items to choose from.
That is definitely not the case now.
This is the 3rd time I have been to this location since the pandemic, the 3rd time I made reservations, and the 3rd time my name was not on the reservation list when I arrived for dinner. When I gave my name the server said well I have an "Alexa" on the list, I said well that's not my name. I proceeded to tell him this was the 3rd time this has happened to me. At this point a table which was not cleared yet was quickly wiped down, and I was directed to sit there. In the darkest corner of the restaurant. The restaurant space looks dreary and "worn out" and the menus were falling apart. I had to use the flashlight on my phone to read the limited menu.
Once my friends arrived we all agreed that this is probably going to turn out to be a bad idea if we stay and eat, but we gave it a shot. First we started with gyoza, which came out dark and burnt, (not how gyoza is prepared or should look) we all looked at it and at each other thought... this is disgusting, we were not about to attempt tasting it. We asked the waitress to take it away, and we explained why. We were told that's how gyoza looks. NO WAY, we told her that.
Oyster shots - just okay. Not as satisfying as I remembered them to be. I guess the ingredients were not too fresh.
My friend ordered Miso soup and said it tasted like dish water, so he didn't eat it. Sushi and Unagi served, another disappointment, the unagi was overdone, too much "sauce" on top, which overpowered the eel. The sushi was boring, no pop, no explosion of flavor I waited to experience, I guessed that was also due to the lack of freshness of the fish or maybe the sushi chef, (which by the way was not dressed as a sushi chef). PAD TAI - was the only dish that was decent and served very hot. We ate some of that, but what we enjoyed most of all was the Sake and Sapporo beer that we brought with us.
Bathroom - was dirty, run down and disgusting. Our table had a view of the kitchen, once my friends who were facing the kitchen saw that and one of the workers in the kitchen, they were DONE. That was it, we had to get out of there and couldn't do it fast enough.
In closing, I will never ever go back to what was one of the best sushi spots in the city ever again, and you definitely won't ever find me at their new location in Queens Village. NO THANKS!
My advice is to stay away from Umai Umai especially the dirty run down location at 22nd Street, unless you are a novice at eating sushi and you could care less about the atmosphere and you have no idea about eating sushi, good sushi, then by all means knock yourself out!
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 2
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