Umami by Han — Restaurant in Maastricht

Disclaimer: it would be worth MAYBE 2 stars, but I want to make you aware of the significant issue of this establishment.

All the following comments are related to the public reputation, awards, and reviews emphasizing a pristine experience at this restaurant, apparently justifying the outrageous prices.

First (impression): you enter the restaurant and have an impression of a Mensa/cafeteria (loud, bright and chaotic) after entering through the door covered with 'achievement' labels of Michelin etc... Don't fall for these labels!

Second (ambiance): being able to choose the seat, although having reserved a table for a week seemed unorganized and unprofessional. The choice lies between the entrance room, which looks like a medical practice, and the main dining room looking like a shisha bar or a neon mini golf course.

Third (decor): the tables are undecorated (maybe one candle) with no table cloth but plain tables, like at a fast food location.

Fourth (service): The waiters are all nice but far from professional. There is a strong feeling of obedience, instead of discipline, of the waiters; causing a Moreover, the tables won't be cleaned nor is there any bread, or any other snacks provided, which would be appropriate for a welcoming evening.

Fourth (food): Here lies my main point, the food provided is qualitatively and taste-wise disproportionally bad, considering the reputation and price, and a disgrace for any valuable gourmand guide like the Michelin. The plates which were supposed to be warm ended up on the table cold. Creating a 'social dining' (as they call it) and not being able to prepare multiple meals simultaneously to create a proper warm meal goes against any reasonable rational of dinning.

It simply tastes like food that comes from a, moderate or even low-class, buffet or from a canteen.

The ONLY thing making this place interesting from an external point of view is how the food is presented. But any food, even a burger, wherever, can be presented nicely if desired.

Definitely not to recommend, not for the price, quality, ambiance and service.

I'm not affiliated with any restaurants, but definitely safe your time and money and spend it more wisely in e.g. Harry's.

Underlying...

A most agreeable surprise over lunch. A short stroll from Maastricht’s railway station – hardly the setting where one expects culinary finesse – Umami presents itself as a most agreeable surprise. Initial doubts arise, as they often do in such liminal spaces: too close to the commuters, too near the noise. Yet, upon entering, one finds a room of quiet confidence — understated, composed, and tastefully restrained.

The kitchen practises a modern Asian fusion, mercifully free of the gimmickry that so often mars the genre. Here, flavours are precise, textures assured, and presentation refreshingly uncluttered. The sea bass ceviche is clean and deftly balanced; coconut prawns offer a pleasing harmony of crispness and gentle sweetness; while the tuna tartare speaks in elegant simplicity. Only the lemon- shellfish fails to quite keep pace — competent, though lacking the sparkle of its companions.

Prices are moderate, the cooking confident, and the experience altogether civilised — a combination that makes Umami well worth a detour, or indeed a deliberate pause between trains.

Verdict: A discreet and well-judged establishment that reminds one how satisfying it can be when culinary ambition meets...

For those who are not familiar with the concept of social dining, it is basically that you order a number of smaller dishes, which you share between you, the same way as food is traditionally served in many Asian countries.

The food was of outstanding quality qua presentation and taste. One should not be fooled by the first impression that the dishes are rather small, as the quantity of the dishes served makes up for this – be rest assured, you will not leave Umami feeling hungry!

I can wholeheartedly recommend Umami to those who look for an excellent fine dining experience in a nice atmosphere that is just that little bit different, with super friendly, efficient and...