Umami Steak and Sushi Bar

Hidden Gem Worth Discovering – Umami Steak & Sushi Bar

A friend was visiting and suggested we try Umami Steak & Sushi Bar—a spot I’d never heard of, surprisingly tucked away in the basement at 7th & Walnut. I must have walked past it countless times without noticing, but I’m glad we gave it a shot. Six of us went in with open minds and left completely impressed.

The verdict: the food was excellent—we’ll definitely be back and happily recommend it to others.

We sampled a wide range of dishes, and here’s what stood out:
• Karaage – crispy and flavorful
• Mini Black Cod – surprisingly good for a small plate
• Grilled Eggplant – another pleasant surprise, deeply savory
• Salmon Tartare – a favorite of the table
• Coconut Shrimp Roll – another favorite, unique and delicious
• Spider Roll – solid, though a bit expected
• Tuna Avocado Roll – more of a basic filler
• Surf & Turf Special – not a fan; lacked cohesion and overpriced at $35
• Koji-Aged Ribeye – incredibly juicy and flavorful
• Koji-Aged NY Strip – tender and delicious, a standout steak
• Pan-Seared Salmon – well-cooked and nicely plated

One of the highlights: when you order steak, the chef brings it tableside and slices it in front of you. Great presentation and service touch. The steaks were served with wasabi mashed potatoes—an unexpectedly perfect pairing.

Final takeaway: Umami is a hidden gem worth checking out. If you enjoy creative sushi and top-quality steak, this spot delivers.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

There aren’t enough words to describe how incredible the food is here. Japan is my favorite country I’ve ever been to and when I say the food here tastes like I’m sitting in the middle of Tokyo, I’m not lying. The sushi chef is extremely talented and kind and the rest of the staff is just as welcoming and delightful. 10/10 highly recommend

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

One of the best omakase experiences in Philadelphia. Rivals any sushi bar in Tokyo. Reasonably priced, hidden gem…take advantage before they inevitably blow up. Better than many of the other more well known omakases in the city that cost twice as much. Truly authentic experience. You feel like you’re right back in Tokyo and the fish is just as fresh. Service was impeccable and incredibly friendly!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The food was not that great for how much it is. The Salmon avocado roll I got was super fishy. I’ve had better california rolls for better price. The kani salad was so small.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 2

Service: 3

We had a fabolous dinner here, the oysters, rib eye, lobster roll and inside out roll were amongst the favourites of the group. The lychee martini was fresh and delicious. Service fast and friendly, volume good so we could have a conversation. Can’t recommend enough!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The A5 wagyu was so amazing. Everything we had was fantastic. The best restaurant we’ve been to in years. Highly recommend. Our server, Alex, was very attentive and made the best recommendations.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

An Unforgettable Culinary Experience — Umami Is a Must-Try in Philly

If you’re looking for a restaurant that delivers both exceptional quality and a memorable dining experience, Umami in Philadelphia should be at the very top of your list. We had an absolutely phenomenal evening here—easily one of the best dining experiences we’ve had in the city, and we dine out often.

What makes Umami so unique is its ability to flawlessly marry two seemingly different worlds: premium steakhouse dining and top-tier sushi craftsmanship. We came in excited, and left completely blown away.

🐟 The Sushi: Fresh, Rare, and Sublime
We started with the rock shrimp appetizer, which had the perfect crunch and a rich, spicy aioli that we couldn’t stop dipping into. The coconut shrimp roll was creative, light, and packed with tropical flavor—balanced just right so it wasn’t overwhelming.

But the stars of the sushi side were the sweet shrimp (amaebi) and toro tuna. Sweet shrimp is rare to find done properly, but here it was fresh, buttery, and elegantly presented. The toro was decadent—exactly what you hope for when ordering high-end fatty tuna. Silky, flavorful, and expertly sliced.

🥩 The Steak: A5 Wagyu Done Right
Next came the A5 Japanese Wagyu, which was in a league of its own. It arrived beautifully marbled and then was charred tableside, adding a theatrical flair and a smoky crisp to the rich, melt-in-your-mouth beef. The attention to detail here was next level—the chef knew exactly how to enhance the natural flavor of the Wagyu without overcomplicating it. It was pure indulgence, and worth every bite.

🌟 Service: Friendly, Professional & Personal
We were lucky to have Alex as our server, and he truly elevated the experience. Alex was genuine, knowledgeable, and made us feel completely welcome from the moment we sat down. He walked us through the menu with real enthusiasm, answered all of our questions without pretension, and made thoughtful suggestions that turned out to be spot on. His timing, attention to detail, and easygoing nature struck the perfect balance between professional and personable. It felt like we were being taken care of by a friend who just happens to know a ton about steak and sushi.

🎯 Atmosphere & Final Thoughts
The ambiance strikes the perfect balance: upscale and polished, but comfortable and welcoming. Great for date nights, celebrations, or even a sophisticated night out with friends.

Umami delivers not just a great meal, but an elevated experience that rivals some of the best restaurants in New York or LA. From the rare and perfectly prepared sushi to the expertly cooked Wagyu, everything we tasted was unforgettable.

We’re already planning our next visit—and bringing friends. This is the kind of restaurant you want to introduce people to. Don’t miss it.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Best experience I've ever had at a restaurant, and I've dined at some of the best restaurants in the world.

The steak and sushi were very delicious and the server was very accommodating for my birthday. Will definitely come again for the omakase

The absolute best. Our server Alex was outstanding. Regardless if you want sushi or steak, this is the place.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Sushi was absolutely delicious!!! This place is a hidden gem.
Drinks (fizzy pear) is amazing. Highly recommended.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The water was very short with my group. We felt very rushed and he often spoke to us before even getting to our table

We had an unforgettable dinner at Umami Sushi & Steak Omakase. The food was truly top-notch — each course thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and bursting with flavor. The progression from the delicate sushi to the rich, perfectly cooked steak was masterfully balanced. Every bite felt special.

What really elevated the evening, though, was the outstanding service from Kenny and Alex. Kenny guided us through each course with warmth and expertise, making sure we understood the nuances of every dish. His passion for the food and attention to detail made the experience even more enjoyable. Alex provided exceptional hospitality throughout the meal — attentive without being intrusive, and always ensuring we were comfortable and cared for.

You can tell this team takes immense pride in creating a memorable dining experience. I would absolutely return and highly recommend requesting Kenny and Alex if you have the chance. They helped make this one of the best omakase meals I’ve ever had.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Ribeye Tataki, Mini Miso Black Cod

Super tasty sushi and great service. I am gluten free and have a couple other food allergies. Shoutout to our waiter, Alex (I think!), who was able to tweak several dishes for me. I felt safe eating here AND enjoyed the food, which can sometimes be a trade off. This is NOT a BYO as some local blogs and articles have mis-tagged as. I did not see any mention of a bar or drinks on OpenTable or their website, so I called ahead. They have a full bar and our cocktails were excellent. I hope in time they add to their wine offerings as it was a bit limited. For our party of two, the tables were spread out just enough that you didn't feel like you were dining with your neighbors. I appreciated that the two-tops were longer, easily accommodating the amount of plates that tend accumulate on the table when dining out for sushi. Everything we had was excellent and it was a great value. Hoping to go back soon for the Omakase!

10/10! We have the Cod and pork buns for the appetizers. The cod was delicious. The shrimp fried rice was great. We had the Wagyu Ramen, Ribeye, and sushi.

Alex was our server, he was nice and really quick. Overall it was a great quality food and you can tell. We left full with a bill of under $250 for 3 people. Definitely recommend.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5