Umai - Newham

This restaurant is a great spot to enjoy delicious Japanese cuisine at a reasonable price with quick service. It is conveniently located on the ground floor, ri... read more This restaurant is a great spot to enjoy delicious Japanese cuisine at a reasonable price with quick service. It is conveniently located on the ground floor, right across from the waitress station and next to the exit. However, it can get a bit chilly and busy, especially when the exit doors are constantly opening and closing during the winter months.

After passing by this restaurant several times and resisting the temptation to indulge in the delicious Japanese sweets and snacks displayed in the window, I fi... read more After passing by this restaurant several times and resisting the temptation to indulge in the delicious Japanese sweets and snacks displayed in the window, I finally convinced my sushi-loving friend Federica De Dominicis to join me at umai! This charming little convenience store offers a variety of items, from tofu and rice to popin chef candy boxes, Japanese china adorned with cute kitties, freshly made sushi, and hot food. Since discovering this hidden gem, we have returned multiple times, with me always opting for the fresh and tasty sashimi. The quality of the fish used is evident, as the tuna and salmon practically melt in your mouth. The seating area is small but efficient, the staff is friendly, and the prices are reasonable. I can already see myself becoming a regular at Umai.

This cozy restaurant offers a delectable variety of Japanese dishes in a setting reminiscent of the family restaurants I frequented while living in Osaka. From... read more This cozy restaurant offers a delectable variety of Japanese dishes in a setting reminiscent of the family restaurants I frequented while living in Osaka. From sushi to tempura, soba to curry, each dish is expertly prepared and retains the authentic flavors I love. Customers also have the option to purchase ingredients to recreate these dishes at home, with a wide selection available. The atmosphere is truly genuine, evoking nostalgia for those far from home or who have visited Japan before. The staff is efficient, polite, and accommodating, even with unique requests. Prices are reasonable considering the generous portions and high quality of food. Definitely worth multiple visits!

I keep hoping things change but no……. Completely overpriced. They serve the ramen in a cardboard pot that’s too high to use chopsticks properly. The char sui is... read more I keep hoping things change but no……. Completely overpriced. They serve the ramen in a cardboard pot that’s too high to use chopsticks properly. The char sui is sub par. The amount you get is so much less than if you got a proper ramen bowl yet they want to charge you £13! It’s a rip off. AVOID.

I used to enjoy dining at this restaurant, but something has changed. It seems like they may have been impacted by Covid. The quality has seriously declined, wi... read more I used to enjoy dining at this restaurant, but something has changed. It seems like they may have been impacted by Covid. The quality has seriously declined, with missing items from our order, bland noodles, and tough asparagus. The guyoza, a traditional Japanese dish, was awful. There were no Japanese natives working there, and there was a lot of unnecessary waste. The prices have gone up significantly, and the once busy weekend tables are now empty by 7pm. It's not surprising. Overall, it's not worth the visit or the money. I don't think we will be returning anytime soon. It's a shame.