Umi — Restaurant in La Union

📍UMI Japanese Restaurant

Fairly new Japanese restaurant along San Juan, they’re still on soft opening but the place is operating BAU. Place is elegantly built with glass walls, has sufficient parking and pet-friendly! Here are some things we tried :

➡️ Gyudon - you can call my husband a Gyudon expert as it’s the only thing he orders in Japanese restaurants and this was definitely tasted ‘authentic’

➡️ Cold Cha Soba - this was a refreshing soba dish! I enjoyed the roasted sesame sauce and vegetables.

➡️ Salmon Togarashi - spicy salmon sashimi with flakes on top sitting on what looked like a molo wrapper. I ate it like how you would each nachos and wow, this blew me away. Sprinkled some lemon and it was perfection!

➡️ Gyoza - the flavors were good but the actual structure of the gyoza needs more work. Tried picking it up with chopsticks and it fell apart. The sauce was bomb though

💵 P400-600 / pax 🚗 Parking available 🐶 Pets welcome, al fresco dining only 💳 Cash and Gcash available as payment 🏯 M86G+98C, San Juan, La Union

#wheretoeatinLaUnion #LaUnionEats...

We had an unforgettable dinner at Umi, a true gem in Japanese cuisine! Our meal was exceptional, with each dish surpassing expectations.

Exceptional Cuisine

Ebi Tempura: Crispy, succulent, and flavorful, with a delicate batter. Gyudon (x2): Tender, juicy beef, rich broth, and perfectly cooked rice. Beef Teppanyaki Steak: Cooked to perfection, with a savory sauce and tender texture. Chicken Teriyaki (x2): One of the best we've ever had! Glazed to perfection, moist, and full of flavor.

Outstanding Service and Ambiance

Warm Hospitality: Friendly, attentive staff ensured a pleasant experience. Cozy Atmosphere: Elegant decor, soothing ambiance, and intimate seating.

Overall Experience

Umi exceeded our expectations! Impeccable service, exquisite cuisine, and a welcoming environment make it a must-visit destination for Japanese food enthusiasts.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Recommended for

Special occasions Foodies Intimate gatherings Business dinners

Will we...

The food was mediocre—I expected more from this restaurant. As a restaurateur working in a Japanese restaurant, I found most of the dishes to be a miss. The karaage was more like fried chicken skin street food, the yakisoba was over-seasoned, and the miso soup was only warm, not hot. The salad was underwhelming, while the ramen and tempura were just okay. Some of the yakitori had more of a Filipino-style taste rather than authentic Japanese flavors.

Service-wise, all the food was served at the same time instead of by course, which took away from the dining experience. We also had to ask for a service spoon when the food was brought to the table, as the staff didn’t seem to observe the situation before serving. While the food and service aimed for a Japanese style, it didn’t quite hit the mark.

On the positive side, the staff were friendly and nice. However, I wouldn’t recommend this restaurant. They also don’t accept card payments, which is something to note. There’s definitely a lot of room for...