Umi Sushi Bistro
11645 W Broad St, Richmond, VA, 23233
Umi Sushi Bistro Menu
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Address :
11645 W Broad St
Richmond, VA, 23233 - Phone (804) 360-2077
- Website https://www.umisushibistro.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 1:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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deb c.
City quality sushi @ Short Pump prices. Highly recommend Alligator Roll, Sashimi and high end saki. Also woman sushi chef. A prize place in a strip mall of national chains!
(4)Mike B.
Nice place, good service. I am going against the other reviews a little and going 3 stars. I'll give this place another shot and see. The primary reason is the quality of sushi, I was not taken back. So, I'll give it another shot and see if I'm missing something compared to others.
(3)John M.
Had a great lunch there and had plenty of food. It was actually more than I thought it would be. Excellent.
(3)Dean V.
Like sushi-o in midlothian you get lots of atmosphere. Unlike sushi-o, you get great bang for your buck. I highly recommend one of the Lunch boxes. For about $15 I got the Shrimp and veggie tempura box. 2 large shrimp, several different tempura veggies, 4 california rolls, 3 fried scallops, miso soup, a small salad, rice, and green tea served in a very neat little iron kettle. I've had better miso and california rolls but for the quantity of food and excellent presentation I thought this was a steal.
(5)Eric G.
Came here when they first opened and the sushi was definately excellent. The fish extremely fresh and the ebi heads are great. The rolls tasted so freshly prepared and the service was excellent. We sat outside and it was a very nice experience. I also love their steel chopsticks. It is pricey but yes worth it if you can appreciate it, (some can't they just want fat rolls). I assumed it was only this good because of a grand opening, but from what I hear, they get better and better.
(4)Jonas K.
Best sushi in Richmond. All the sushi fish in town is from the same distributer in DC. What makes a difference is how fresh it is when served, and the quality of the rice.. I have little complaint with the freshness of the fish, except for the Uni (I have only had Uni as fresh as in Japan in Japanese owned restaurants in NY and DC). Try the specials presented on the board next to the chef. These are often unusual or seasonal items. The oysters imported from Japan are amazing. As for the rice, there is better quality rice and better seasoned rice, but overall it is better than most Sushi restaurants rice.
(4)L R.
I would say 3 1/2 stars than 4. Yeah I know, I'm deviating from everyone but for some reason, it's just little better than average. I've been on a hunt for a good Japanese restaurant in Richmond and can't really find one. Having tried really good sushi places in Chicago, it's hard to say its fantastic. We had the gozilla roll, spider roll and few others I can't remember the names. The fish is fresh but the combination of all the ingredients and sauces just didn't come together for me. I also think there's too much rice on the roll. A little on the pricey end. Overall, would go again.
(4)Hanel C.
I decided to check this place out after seeing so many good reviews about this place. Turns out my boyfriend and I didn't want sushi so I can't review on that but on the rolls I can. If you want the simple version, read this: the rolls were okay, but I didn't experience anything worthy of a 4-5 star review except maybe the ambiance. The rolls were a tad bit overpriced but I guess that's Short Pump for you, and there was no benefit to getting a special platter of several rolls since those were way more expensive than just getting an individual assortment of rolls. We had the Mango Avocado, Eel cucumber, Rainbow, and Shrimp Tempura rolls. They were okay as far as freshness and taste - nothing spectacular. Also I felt like their miso soup was subpar. What I didn't understand that there were only 3 tables occupied but it seemed to take more than 40 minutes for our rolls to come out.
(3)Ej T.
Great sushi, friendly staff, good service. Since temporarily residing on west end, I tried 5 other sushi joints and this one blew away the others. The Owners name is "Sue" and she is from Taiwan.
(4)Jason C.
The sushi was excellent. The specials of the day were live clam, live scallop, Aji (Japanese mackerel), Uni (sea urchin), and toro. All very yummy and fresh. The Sushi Chef was great to talk to and the service was excellent. I also had miso soup and house salad. I have the say the ginger dressing might have been the best I've had, I got some to go.
(5)Scott H.
Very nice atmosphere. I travel a lot and am always looking for good sushi. When one roll featured wasabi mayo and I mentioned that I wasn't a fan, the sushi chef made up a sample plate of all available sauces for me to try. Now that's service. The sushi was creative and flavorful and the service war top notch.
(5)J C.
Came here during a trip home to Richmond and was quite impressed with the quality of their food (especially for the area, which has become overrun with strip malls and mediocre chain restaurants). The owners obviously take a lot of pride in their food. We ordered a sashimi combo...the pieces were generous and very fresh. We also tried several other dishes, including the crab pagoda which I was also really impressed with. A lot of places tend to make their sauce too sweet and use too much of it, but this dish had the right balance. Their tempura was also very good (something that a lot of places can't seem to do right for whatever reason)--very crisp and not too bland. It's been a couple months so I can't recall exactly what other dishes we had, but overall we were really impressed. It shows when restaurant owners don't cut corners. Hope to go back on our next trip to VA!
(5)Rick B.
Delicious sushi and sashimi, with an elegant presentation. I enjoyed my food, but nearly choked when I got the bill. I would be shocked if Richmond doesn't have tasty sushi at a more reasonable price.
(3)Laura S.
I love this place! The outside/window decor is ADORABLE - I can't wait to sit outside when it gets warmer. The inside is dark and cozy. They have AMAZING mixed drinks, appetizers, and of course SUSHI! I love the mango/avocado roll, the spicy tuna roll, and the crispy tuna roll. They do takeout as well. I love sushi and this is a great place for it in the West End.
(4)Nancy L.
Very pricey for frozen sashimi. Udon was bland. but nice decor & ambiance. Im a sushi fanatic & dont go for the kitschy speciality rolls.
(3)Matt C.
So I head to Umi about three-to-four times per month, as it seems to have about the consistently-best sushi in town. I'm not a fan of the strip shopping center location, but what else should I expect in the Short Pump area?? Most of the time I am with business clients, which makes this join an even funnier place to 'entertain'. Why? It looks like a first-date kinda place for a guy who has spiky hair, listens to horrible 90s-era techno and drives a lowered car of some sort. Oh, and I'm sure the date would have a name like 'Bambi' or 'Krystal'. Seriously - this place is all dark-hued and dimly-lit with odd techno-ish music playing. While if I were judging a book by its cover, I would likely disregard this spot as a serious contender. Luckily, I am not and have not. Their sushi is really, really good. We're talking beautiful, deep purple-colored tuna, gorgeous Toro and impressive specialty rolls. Keep in mind that when it comes to sushi, I am a creature of habit. My order consists of the same things, no matter the location: tuna roll, yellowtail roll and two pieces of tuna sushi. It's my measuring-stick. Umi never fails me. Do I really need to go on about why I like this place? Maybe I do have a thing for mood lighting and Paul Oakenfold, circa 1996.
(4)Angie T.
I have to say that this is probably my favorite sushi join in Richmond. The decor is really nice and modern. I am extremely picky about the way my Sunomono is served and I'm happy to say that theirs was so good that we ate every single piece out of the dish. The prices are a little higher than I would like to pay for but the wait staff is so friendly it's enough to have you coming back for more.
(4)Michelle A.
This place is great for lunch- the service is lightening fast and the fish is fresh. Went in for lunch last week, got out in less than an hour, for around $15. I got 2 rolls and soup... it was one of their specials. It was really dark in the restaurant- the windows were tinted, but also it was just really lit for dinner, in the middle of the day. Other than that, it was great.
(4)Junie W.
This place is better than any sushi restaurant in Vegas. Richmond has no idea what they have with UMI.
(5)Jared G.
I ate here yesterday with my daughters - a straight up bribe to get them to brave the post office for me! The atmosphere is very comfortable and casual. The wait staff very efficient and friendly. We had the spring rolls to start - very hot, crunchy and stuffed with shrimp. The seaweed salad and miso soup were part of the lunch special - both were very good. I had the #2 special - a spicy tuna roll and 4 pieces of sashimi. Everything was fresh and delicious. My daughters had the Maryland crab and crunchy shrimp rolls - both of those were also excellent. 4 out of 5 only because the price was a little high for lunch $58+ for lunch for 3. We will definitely return. J
(4)Natasha K.
I love everything about Umi Bistro! The restauraunt is modern and the decor is nice. The service is great and the sushi is fresh and yummy. I usually have a salmon roll and a vegetable roll, along with miso soup and a salad. Their gyoza is awesome as well so we usually have 1 or 2 orders of those. If you are new to sushi you should try the superman roll, my bf loves it. Best sushi in Richmond! :)
(5)Nick M.
Always great food and service. Been here many times and never had a bad meal. I recommend either the miso soup or the house salad to start. After that go for the spring rolls. I am not too adventurous with sushi and usually stick to either the maryland crab rolls or the crunch tuna rolls. Both of these meals are phenomenal and I'm sure everything else is as well.
(5)Mari M.
Great rolls. Probably the best spicy tuna I have ever had!! However.... Regular nigiri sushi..it is too expensive for the what you get. Ok, I have never seen that small sushi in my life!! (other than all you can eat kind of place). So I will recommend this place if you are a lover of rolls, but don't go there if you are expecting a real sushi experience.
(4)Whitney F.
Best sushi I've found in Richmond! Love the superman roll. They also have a great lunch special. 2 rolls and soup for $10-12 depending on which rolls you pick. Sometimes when they're busy the rolls fall apart. I guess from them rushing. It's always good either way though!
(4)Kristen H.
The best! Pretty pricey, but for a very good reason. The difference in price compared to say, Kabuto, is justified in the difference in taste, freshness, and quality. Skip the basics and go straight for the chef's special rolls. I highly recommend the superman roll (very good!! shrimp tempura with smoked salmon, warm, melty cream cheese and a spicy sauce - tastes sort of bacon-y from the smoked salmon), richmond roll, tokyo roll, spider roll, and double crunchy. don't ask me what's in half of them. I forgot. I go here so much sometimes and we always go in a group and get those as well as a new roll and share it all, so it get's confusing as to what's what after a while. Just order one or two of them and you won't be disappointed! The same family also own Ichiban (the more affordable range, more casual-feeling restaurant), which has about 6 rolls in common with this place and everything else is different. The average rolls here are about $12 - $16 dollars, but they go up to as much as $23. Those 6 have the same prices. The common rolls are just about everything I mentioned besides maybe the superman. BUT anything you see at one restaurant, you can ask them to make at the other with no problems. The prices are the same at both restaurants for identical items as well. Umi just offers more higher end options. By the way, they also have a great photo album menu to let you see what the rolls look like, which is a really great help!
(5)D S.
Good service and food. Spider web, superman, ichiban and shumai are highly recommended.
(4)Mandi B.
Wow! Just wow! I admit, I was a little skeptical that the best sushi I would ever have would be in Richmond, Va, but the sushi that I had at Umi was indeed the BEST most enjoyable sushi I have ever had. And I'm no stranger to sushi. The fish is fresh. The ingredients are quality. And the Richmond Roll (stuffed with shrimp tempura and avocado, and topped with eel, caviar and the chef's special sauce) is absolutely phenomenal. They charge $3 for hot green tea, which is a little excessive IMO, but worth it to be able to pair it with this fantastic sushi. I would drive out of the way to be able to eat at Umi again.
(5)K. L.
We LOVE Umi however, they have cock roaches!! Saw a HUGE one first hand tonight right up at the sushi bar where our delicious sushi is made. I don't know if I will be going back any time soon. I just can't seem to get that image out of my mind!
(3)John K.
I was ready to turn my car around when I saw the tacky blue Christmas lights in front of their restaurant, but we had plans to meet a friend here, so I had to come in. Once inside, it didn't seem that bad. Especially for a sushi restaurant in a strip mall. I remember their bathroom sinks being REALLY cool. I know it's not something you would write in a review, but I really think their sinks were cool. Anyways, I like this Umi Sushi because they had a very good microbrew beer selection. Way beyond your normal Sapporo or Kirin, they sell HItachino beer. Let's just say I was very excited. Although I think their specialty rolls are a little on the pricey side, but the sushi is pretty good overall. I wouldn't mind coming back.
(3)David H.
Wowowowow I had pretty much given up on good sushi in RVA, but decided to try Umi tonight. Wow. tempura is perfect. shrimp delicious. Sashimi deluxe is huge. 20 thick cuts of ultra fresh fish. Plated beautifully. The toro and white tuna were amazing. Their wasabi and pickled ginger are really good too. I left nothing. Prices are a little steep, but honestly the quality is worth it (I'm just upset I couldn't try everything). $36 for 20 pieces of sashimi, $10 for tempura, $3-4 for a piece of sashimi. Rolls were 15-25 I think. Some of the best and freshest sushi I've ever had...and in Short Pump of all places. I'm impressed
(5)Jan M.
Service was really good. Was kinda empty for a Friday night but I got there at 8pm so that could be it. Was really dark inside, but the food and service was really good. Chard by the glass was pretty good too. Have to go back to see if the boozy drinks are strong. Would have given 5 stars but the bar setup was a bit lacking. 4 seats but only 2 were not obstructed by bottles. Sushi bar had plenty of seats.
(4)Cheryl S.
Had lunch here for the first time with a friend. I had the salmon roll and crunchy tuna roll. Both were quite good. The presentation was beautiful! The interior is dark and comfortable. It was surprisingly not too crowded considering it was lunchtime in Short Pump.
(4)Kevin J.
This place is great for visuals. The decor is trendy and the sushi comes out looking picture perfect with the menu. That's however where the fun ends. The rolls themselves are generally overpriced....in the 14 range for spicy tuna filling...which is typically something they buy pre-made. We decided to blow the bank and go for the $25 catapiller-type roll. BBQ eel on top, fish in the middle. The eel was good but again that's something that's pre-made. The fish, as in the other rolls was diced. The temperature of the fish was near frozen. Cold enough to almost hurt your teeth and definitely too cold to taste any flavor. The kicker was the seaweed sheets were too short on all the rolls. This left a gap in the roll which no matter how hard you tried caused the roll to fall apart before you could make it to your mouth. Maybe it was a new chef and they'll be better on other days but the lack of fish variety, price and questionable preparation technique left us wishing we'd gone elsewhere.
(2)Jack F.
Really great, diverse menu with a cool, dark atmosphere. I got the chicken teriyaki, which was very good and a perfectly sized portion. My only complaint is that everything is on the pricey side. Other than that, I'm very happy with my experience, and this has definitely risen to the top of my sushi in Richmond list.
(4)Jen O.
Tried to go there for lunch today, and not only was it closed, it appears to be closed permanently. The front door handle was hanging off and broken! Not sure what happened. This used to be my favorite sushi place and loved the owners. They have another restaurant in town, Ichiban Sushi in GlenEagles shopping center, but don't know whether that one is gone as well.
(1)Traci R.
"Meh, I've experienced better." is spot-on! Service was slow to start. My date and I were seated and then he stepped out for a call so I guess that meant I didn't need service. But once he came back, our waiter was very attentive. The sushi is weird. We ordered a spicy tuna roll, among other things, and it was too saucy and chewy. The ambiance is nice. The sushi is meh. Just go someplace else. I'm sure there are other choices.
(2)Daniel J.
If you go to Sticky Rice or Sushi Box and think their sushi is actually good, don't waste your money eating here. Now, if you REALLY know sushi - definitely give this place a visit. This is the best sushi restaurant in Richmond in terms of freshness and authentic sushi flavors. The sashimi slices are cut thick and is actually fresh and served on bed of ice. The ambience of the restaurant and presentation of the food is beautiful and elegant, and makes for a perfect romantic dinner out or you can take someone important out to dinner. The prices are tad bit more steep than other sushi restaurants but it is well worth it if you enjoy and recognize authentic sushi flavors.
(5)Kara S.
UMI HAS REOPENED!!!!! Whenever I'm in Short Pump, I'm eating Umi Sushi! Umi had closed temporarily, but thankfully has reopened, as I've struggled to find a comparable place in the DC and Richmond area. My favorite roll is the Spicy Girl roll, but to be honest you really can't go wrong. Freshest sushi, and nicest staff. Great to eat in the restaurant, but also a great takeout option as well.
(5)Jaime T.
I was very disappointed. After seeing so many good reviews I was excited to try this place out. The sushi was very well presented, but there was so much pepper on it that it covered the taste of the fish. The pepper topping was on all 5 of the rolls we tried. Furthermore, we bit into bones in 5 of the pieces, all of which had tuna in them. The rolls were all falling apart and the fish was mushy instead of firm. Also took nearly an hour to prepare the rolls. I think this place should be rated at $$$ instead of $$ as well. The menu items were overpriced for the quality. We won't be going back there.
(2)Lohitha D.
Ordered take out for lunch on a weekend. We ordered a Malai Kofta and a Mushroom Broccoli Krahi. The kofta was decent but the Krahi had too much of masala in it. Though they gave us a lot of rice and naan, the actual quantity of the curry was very less. The service was quick though.
(2)Elizabeth M.
The sushi is good, but it is overpriced. I paid $20 (before tip) for two regular rolls (tuna, salmon) and miso soup. It was all very good, but not worth the steep price, especially with all of the other restaurants in the area where I can get the same order for much less.
(3)Yin Z.
Umi has reopened with more choices of fresh and high quality sashimi. This is still by far the one and only place in Richmond for the sashimi goers.
(5)Celine L.
The service was excellent! Our waitresses were sweet, energetic, and observant. The manager even came out to greet us to make sure we were happy. Our meal did not disappoint, which has frequently happened since I moved down from NYC to VA. We got the alligator roll (the eel was super flavorful and the salmon melted in our mouths) and the sashimi plate. I would def recommend this Japanese restaurant!
(5)Jamie D.
2.5 years later and Umi still serves up some of the best sushi in town. My friends and I popped in for lunch a few weekends ago, and our magnificent maki-filled meal prompted me to update my review. It was one of the first "hint of fall weather" days, so we took full advantage of the blissful temps and sat on the patio. This was my first time sitting outside at Umi (probably because the parking lot view isn't much to look at), but I was shocked by how quiet it was! I fully expected Broad St noise to provide a backdrop for the meal, but I could barely hear the street traffic. That was a big bonus for our leisurely lunch. We started with edamame - I never do sushi without it. Then moved onto the fish, which for me included salmon sashimi, an eel and avocado roll, and a spicy salmon roll. I shared the eel with a friend, so no, I didn't eat all of that on my own. I probably could, though... my stomach would just be crying afterwards. The fish was just as fresh as always and the sashimi was perfectly buttery. One of my friends ordered a special roll that was presented in the shape of a flower! It was just gorgeous (see photo), and I'm kicking myself for not remembering what the roll was called. I didn't try it, since I was too consumed by my own tasty rolls, but she seemed to love it. I love the cute little touch of bringing Andes mints along with the check. A nice meal-ender, for sure. Umi never disappoints, which is why I continue to return when I'm out in Short Pump. It's worth it to pay a slightly higher price when the quality is top-notch.
(4)Z B.
At Umi, I started my meal by trying the Green apple sake, which I suspect is not a traditional sake - but it was on sale. Sadly, I found it to be very sweet. It was drinkable but more like a wine cooler or low-alcohol mixed drink than a sake that I was going for. I also ordered salmon and shrimp sushi, the seaweed salad, the spider roll, and volcano roll. The seaweed salad was okay - I've had better. One problem I had with both rolls was that there were rolled as "big" rolls. Although I'm used to seeing the spider roll as an oversize roll, I believe that such a treatment is less typical for the volcano. This made the rolls more difficult to eat. In addition, they fell apart as I tried to eat then with chopsticks, which is a sign of not-well-rolled sushi. The rolls should keep their form. I had to use a fork underneath my roll at one point, and lost bits of it in my soy sauce more than once. The volcano roll was also nowhere near as spicy as I would expect. The wait staff was very friendly, but I thought they could be more attentive (I had to ask for water twice, for instance). I was also disappointed as I asked for recommendations for my second roll - I just had a spider roll at hanami last week - and the waitress was not readily able to suggest anything. The atmosphere was elegant and I think the drink selection was good. The location was excellent. The sushi tasted good, but unfortunately just didn't seem to fit my definition of "very good" or "great."
(3)Tara S.
Its been a long while since the Hubs and I went to Umi. Everything to still delicious and super fresh. We had the shrimp and veggie tempura appetizer, the sushi deluxe and the sashimi deluxe. Everything was so fresh and melt in your mouth. Still my favorite Sushi in RVA
(5)Nina H.
Yummy, yummy, yummy, BUT pricey! This is a special occasion sushi place for sure. The sushi is definitely fresh and the menu is inventive. But it's hard to stop in as a regular with those prices. Ambience is trying to be fancy which is cool, but it may be a little over the top.
(4)Amanda S.
Umi is right next to my house and finally my husband and I went for dinner on a rainy Monday night last week. We both absolutely love sushi and were very excited to finally visit the famed Umi Sushi Bistro. We had the sushi & sashimi deluxe as well as two specialty rolls. I had the Richmond Roll which was easily the best of the two. I'm pretty sure my husband had the Green Dragon roll, which was decent but I liked mine a lot more. There weren't a lot of people in the restaurant because of the rain so we didn't experience the slow service a lot of other yelpers seemed to. The owner of the restaurant was our waitress and she was very friendly and complimented our love of eel. The fish was very high quality and you can tell the restaurant took pride in this. Also the presentation was fabulous. We had banana leaves, orchids, and other flowers featured on our plates which was a very nice touch. The only problem we had was how insanely expensive Umi was compared to most other sushi places (though it goes to say I would put Umi at the highest quality I've experienced in Richmond) and that we had wasabi smeared on some of our sushi. My husband and I really dislike when restaurants do this, even though I understand this is a traditional way of preparing sushi. I don't want to fault them for this but it really isn't to my liking. Just a warning for those who share my opinon.
(3)Lisa G.
Each time I've been to Umi, I wish I'd worn heels or dressed a bit nicer. This place is fantastic for dates, dimly lit, and creates a very artful experience. Unless you are sitting toward the back of the room. Then, not so much. That being said, I feel they are overpriced - especially their lunch specials. but, that's what you get for being across the road from short pump towne center I guess! Pros: Sushi is artful and tastes fresh every time Atmosphere is perfect for dates Friendly service Photo books of sushi - I always find this so helpful! Cons: Overpriced Hard to park during peak hours
(3)Timmy T.
I've driven by this little shopping center multiple times but never saw a store or restaurant that caught my attention. My friend wanted to check it out and since I am always up for venturing to a new Sushi Joint, I was down. The lighting is really dim and can seat maybe about 50 people or so. The menu had a Saturday Lunch "special" but the prices were around $21+ which was not in our budget. They have a pretty extensive selection of chef specialty rolls which were also pretty pricy at about $15-20 range. I decided to get the Shrimp Shumai, Miso Soup and one Eel/Avocado hand roll. The shrimp shumai were very very small.. cooked well and tasted good though. The miso soup was also pretty good and actually less salty than most other places which I liked. My only gripe about the Miso Soup was that my cup was came out only about 2/3 full... It's miso soup, at least give me the full cup of soup! The Eel roll could have one of THE best Eel rolls I can remember getting in RVA. Like Jamie said, it tasted like Buttah! My sushi actually came out a tad bit warmer than usual.. I like my sushi to be room temperature but my roll was warm but it still tasted quite delicious. The rolls really melt in your mouth and it was very flavorful. The prices scare me a little bit, but the next time I get a paycheck I might check out one of their special rolls and see what the hype is about.
(4)Jacob K.
The nigiri. This is some of the first really stand-out selection I've seen in richmond outside of Ichiban. Turns out, Umi is run by the same family. I can't speak for the mains or the maki rolls, unfortunately, as I tend to just order nigiri of chirashi when I'm at Umi. The prices are higher than I'd like, and the quality doesn't quite keep parity with the cost. Ultimately, I'm glad it's in Richmond... But I'll probably visit Ichiban more often.
(4)Giovanni S.
Went last night a Tuesday night and as usual this place is amazing. We have dinner here every time we visit from New York. This place is really comfy with a lounge feel to it. Dim lighting with really cool blue accent lights. Super clean, the staff is accommodating attentive and really nice. The food is always consistently delicious and extremely fresh. We will be back again next time we are visiting. Just an amazing place!
(5)Hyunju U.
I love their food! Service is always great too. Kinda pricey though. I still always have good time here and will continue going to this place. This place has a very nice vibe too!
(4)Xida Z.
I came here with a large group of people. The service was understandably slow. However, every time a dish came out, we were amazed at the presentation, from sushi boats to colorful rolls. The food was delicious though it seemed that many of the dishes have a similar sauce. I was glad that I didn't have to pay for it though, because most of the dishes are expensive. Ambiance 4/5 Food 4/5 Value 2/5
(3)Kate L.
Okay sooo.. food is not fabulous. Portions are abnormally small for a sushi restaurant, rolls weren't effectively rolled, and spicy tuna was mushy (not the flavor burst we had hoped for!) However, the service is great, prompt, and friendly. It has never taken an extended time for me to get my food (and I get pretty hangry about stuff like that!) I've been a few times and I think it may just depend on what you order. The spider roll is always awesome. Sashimi is always not awesome. A staple like the spicy tuna roll should be awesome and...it's. just. not. I'm probably done with Umi.
(2)Heather H.
I've found my new favorite sushi restaurant. Whether you're ordering a hot entree or a cold sushi roll, the flavors and presentation cannot be beat. I mean, there was a giant chive sticking out of my wasabi! I love it! We had amazing service, with beverages refilled frequently (and I drink a LOT so I really appreciated that). Strong recommend.
(5)Angela B.
Soon good!! Best shumai we have had . In short pump just for my birthday weekend . Wanted sushi for lunch and found this place . A little pricey but worth it. I had the Richmond roll and highly recommend it!
(5)Christina C.
I went here for lunch with a friend and really enjoyed the food.... But the dark nightclub-like atmosphere turned me off a bit. I was looking forward to having sushi on a warm and sunny early spring day... And came into this restaurant that felt a bit like a dark cave. The vegetable roll was great though, and the service was good.
(3)Christopher P.
Rolls are a little off in flavor and temperature. Very good sushi though. I'm suspicious the five-star ratings are influenced by the excellent presentation and lack of local alternatives.
(3)Allen S.
Sushi was terrible rolls were falling apart smoked salmon was nothing I had ever seen before had to send back nigiri price was per piece normally price is for two I would never go back sorry but it was a bad sushi experience
(1)Peter J.
Fantastic sushi. Always very fresh tasting. Great variety, including some awesome signature rolls. Attentive waitstaff. Great atmosphere/decor. Never disappoints no matter how many times I go. Even a great place to bring the sushi newbie. Go check it out.
(5)Kimberly C.
I am giving this two stars for atmosphere (very clean and modern) and the miso soup was awesome. However, the sushi was not good. The fish was mushy. Not firm or fresh at all. The spicy tuna roll was drenched in a mayonnaise sauce that compounded the problem. As others noted, service was slow and it was a little pricey. For the price of their two roll lunch combo, you would get three rolls at other places. I would not return.
(2)Becca A.
By far the best sushi in Richmond and the service is very good, too. My husband and I became spoiled after living in LA for several years, and Umi's sushi (not rolls) is the closest we've found to the quality we came to expect. Their menu consists of the usual nigiri and sashimi selections, but they often have off-menu items such as live scallop, sweet shrimp, toro and fresh uni most days. The fish to rice ratio in the nigri is a bit off from what I expect, but the quality and temperature of the rice and fish is always spot on - unlike other places that serve warm rice under room-temperature fish. The sashimi is expertly cut, never too thick or too thin. They also have an extensive selection of rolls and sake, although we tend to stick to nigiri and sashimi. Their service is impeccable, although they seem to be a bit understaffed at times. Everyone is very friendly and knowledgeable, willing to give advice to diners. The food comes out quickly and perfectly timed, even with split orders between the kitchen and bar. The only drawback is the price, but for the quality of the food, I expect to pay a bit more. Unless you can visit LA instead, I highly recommend this establishment.
(4)Ansley O.
The best sushi in Richmond, IMHO. Everytime we go, me and my best friend get the same thing. It's just always THAT good. We split the Angel Roll, choose a second roll ( we swear we get a different one every time, but I'm convinced we always get the Dragon roll), then a piece of salmon, a piece of white tuna, and a piece of eel. That... my friends... is the delight of the century. The sushi pieces are large and delicious and the rolls are just great. My family has known Shu and Alex for a long time, since they owned Ichiban Sushi. If you're around this area, definitely stop in for some amazing sushi. They're wonderful.
(5)Bill P.
Great place! Excellent sushi, great atmosphere and awesome service. It's a little on the pricey side but the prices are justified.
(4)Chris W.
Incredible sushi! Y-UMI I forgot how good sushi can be until I visited UMI Metal chopsticks! And you can buy a pack of 5 sets for $15!
(5)Scott O.
Awesome sushi! I might raise the price level to three $, but for quality sushi, worth it. The misses and I split a variety of rolls and were impressed w/ the quality and craftsmanship that went into each roll. An added plus, the avocado slices in the diff rolls was generous and perfect (non-ripe avocado is a huge sushi turn off in my book). Impressive Japanese wine & beer list beyond the plain sake and ichiban offerings found at most sushi joints. beer lovers, try the "red nest" ale, awesome!!
(5)Holly N.
The plates served are just beautiful here-- the presentation is artistically noteworthy and the sushi is fresh. He doesn't skimp on the fish but at the risk of sounding ridiculous I felt he skimps on the rice. The sushi pieces end up tasting more like sashimi than sushi. We also tried a plum sake which was delicious. Overall we enjoyed our dinner very much, particularly the fresh clams. The service was efficient and fast and we would definitely come back. The place does not totally knock my socks off, but it's a very nice neighborhood sushi place.
(3)Michael L.
I've been around to many sushi places, VA, DC, NYC, Taiwan. I would say in VA the best sushi restaurant is this place Umi Sushi Bistro. If you truly love sushi, you value the flavor of fresh, well prepped fish (nigiri and sashimi) give this place a try. First of all, the rice, it's just as important as the fish. At Umi the rice is not smashed and overcooked. The individual grains are still in tacked soaking up the flavor from the vinegar, sugar, and kombu. It's cooked just right with a slight bite to them like well cooked pasta would. When gripped together by the Chef while making nigiri, the outside of the rice is firm while the inside is loose giving it a very light but flavorful mouth feel. The fish, it's sliced in proper thickness, not too thick, not too thin from sashimi to nigiri. Their Fish has a sheen to them, not dried or ripped. On the nigiri the fish rests of top of the rice with wasabi in-between acting both as bonding element and flavor enhancer. The manner in which the fish and the rice comes together is almost if the fish was draped/wrapped around the top of the rice, making the nigira comes alive. The proportion of the rice and the fish is also very important, a perfect proportion when eaten in 1 bite will combine the fish, rice, soy sauce, and wasabi together in your mouth in harmony. To me preparing sushi or any other cuisines for that matter is a combination of art and science. I believe the head chef at Umi Sushi Bistro understand the nuances of how to handle and prepare sushi properly. They are constantly seeking improvement in all areas, feel free to tell them your opinion if and when you pay them a visit.
(5)Alexis F.
Love Love Love this sushi restaurant! I travel to Richmond frequently and am so thankful I found this place. Best sushi ever!!! Must try the superman and angel rolls. The Oroya white wine is fabulous as well :)
(5)Brandy A.
Very nice atmosphere with cool music and stylish decor. Frequented this spot with coworkers over the last year. If you go during the lunch hour things can get a bit slow meaning you may not be able to get in and out and back to your office within the hour. I believe they have the option to call in your order for takeout as well. Always experienced excellent service. My favorites are the Maryland Crab Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, Shrimp Tempura Roll and the Sweet Potato Roll. There are some other specialty rolls to try as well. Definitely worth the trip out to Short Pump.
(4)Mike L.
Came here for a team lunch for a leaving co-worker. Shared the appetizers, ordered the scallop teriyaki bento. Now, as we were ordering appetizers, the waitress very strongly advocated the calamari, saying that it was 'sushi grade' squid. I thought this was a crock of bull, but we ordered it anyways, along with the gyoza, chicken wrap, and spicy squid salad. Man, was I mistaken. I honestly think the calamari was the best I've ever eaten - it was incredibly tender, and covered in a crisp, yet light tempura batter. The gyoza were juicy and not overly doughy (MUCH better than I've come to expect from a lot of restaurants, where dumplings are usually the weakest link). The squid salad was pretty good as well, although not that spicy. I didn't have any of the chicken wrap, so I can't comment on that. The scallop teriyaki was pretty good, although not really what I expected - they were firmer and more done that I was usual to, but still very good. The miso soup was solid; the rice properly done. The california rolls were mediocre, but I don't really expect much in regards to cali rolls. We finished with complementary bananas tempura with ice cream, which was also great, and nice of them to give us. I was torn between giving Umi a 4 or a 5 - the meal was very satisfying, and I enjoyed everything, but nothing really wowed me - other than the calamari, which really does deserve some sort of local mention. I settled on a 4 because the cali rolls were, as I mentioned, mediocre.
(4)Diana F.
Overpriced sushi in far West End. If you need a lunch special in Short Pump, it's not a terrible choice, but don't venture down Broad for this.
(2)Ross M.
This is the best sushi in the Richmond area. You can stop looking. This is it. The spider roll is excellent. I also recommend the hand wrapped sweet potato rolls. The crab, eel, tuna, salmon - all of it is very fresh. I have eaten here many times and it is always fresh and well prepared. The owner, Japanese, and his wife, Taiwanese, are very passionate about providing high quality food. They use to own Ichiban on Ridgefield Pkwy, but they sold it to the owner's sister. Ichiban is ok, but this place is just the best. I highly recommend Umi!
(5)Quang N.
A favorite of mine and probably the best sushi in Richmond. Most everything is exceptionally fresh, and great quality. Try the uni and the oysters, absolutely fantastic! The speciality rolls are great as well.
(4)Tony H.
Time to update my review and unfortunately, my rating. I'll leave my old review at the bottom if you want compare. I did rate this place 5 star but based on a recent visit it's down to 1. We'll see if they get back up there. Due to my travel and my love of Sushi, I eat at Umi almost every week. I'm there so often the owner knows me well. Normally when I go there, the food and service is top notch. However.... On a recent visit another Sushi chef was working and there was a noticeable difference in the quality of the sushi. On my next visit I told the regular chef that I only wanted him making my sushi. The other guy must have been training because I haven't seen him since. Now comes the nasty park and I really hope the owner reads these and takes notice. My wife and children were in town with me and we decided to meet a friend of ours and his son for dinner. The first bad sign was that they didn't have a children's menu. Next I had to ask two different servers for cutlery, napkins and plates. Next, since they didn't have a kids menu, I asked them if they could cook a bit of beef, rice and some vegetables for my young kids. They basically gave us rice and beef mixed together with with a bean sprouts. Anyone with kids knows no child will eat something like that. To top it off, they charged me $19 for maybe 3oz of meat and some rice. I certainly wouldn't minded paying the $90 bill if I felt we got our money's worth, but the lousy service and the rip off on the kids meal took joy out of it. When I complained to the waitress, I just get the dumb deer in the headlights face. My old review..... "The best sushi you will find in Richmond. The rolls could use a little more artistic flair, but I eat sushi for the taste and not the looks. Not sure what happened to the other person that rated them a 2 start. Perhaps he hit them on a bad night. This place is well worth going too. I also recommend the raw oysters!"
(1)Rachel P.
I love the owner of Umi. She's gets psyched about really quality fish, and I get psyched about quality fish and together we share our love of really awesome fresh fish. She hooks it up with the BEST and freshest toro and uni I have tasted in RVA. Like butta. MMM MMM MMM. Did I mention that it's awesome?
(5)Nathan M.
Disgusting and flavorless frozen tuna. Mushy spicy tuna rolls. Thick and greasy tempura. The miso soup was good. Not worth complete sentences.
(2)charles J.
very good sushi. I love sushi and am merciless in my critiques. Umi is great. I went for the first time shortly after it opened and go back at least twice a month now. The tuna is awesome (I don't know what the hell that other reviewer was talking about. ) regardless of what kind you get. try the yellowtail sashimi. better than the yellowtail I had in NYC and LA. also love the big roll selection. the spider web roll is one of my favorites. This place also has a decent price on Toro when its around. Toro ain't cheap anywhere, but Umi doesn't stick it you on the Toro. Try the toro if they got it. Its expensive but worth it. Real good toro. I have ordered Toro at other places in richmond and sent it back, refusing to pay for it as it was shitty quality and obviously old. Not here. fantastic, fresh as can be, and deliciously fatty as toro should be. EAT THE TORO!!!!! also one of the few places in richmond one can get some truly awesome Ebi (served with the fried heads) Fresh wasabi (none of that horseradish crap here) and delicious sauces. Presentation of the sushi is well done, but not the most artful I have seen. However for a place that gets busy like Umi does it they do a nice presentation. Service is great, except I could;t believe when one of the watiresses told me she didn't eat sushi. Her service is still fantastic, but I would be eating only sushi if i worked at Umi. I tried to convince her to try an Ebi head with me but she really doesn't mess with the raw seafood. go to Umi. it will make you happy.
(4)