Umiya Sushi — Restaurant in Corpus Christi

So this review is gonna be a little bit of a roller coaster because while the restaurant does have some high highs. It has very low lows. And no, I’m not talking about the home improvement store. When you first walk in, you are greeted with a very nice welcome, a vibrant ambiance, and a very packed entryway. The hostess who wrote us down on the waitlist was very nice. We informed her that because I was a larger individual. I would need to have a booth and chairs on the other side so I could fit and comfortably. We waited about three minutes before she said our table was ready and with how packed it was, I was very surprised. Unfortunately, as she was walking over, she realized that the table wouldn’t fit me, so we went to the waiting chairs and waited and waited and waited. So much so that an individual who was a very kind individual who was sweeping the floors came by to make sure that we had gotten on the waitlist and that we were going to get our table. We waited for another 15 minutes before getting a table. I was right to request a booth because the chairs were tiny. Not accessible for people that are of larger size. As we sat down, I took in the atmosphere and found that it was very pleasant. The music was not too loud and the lighting was perfect. That, however, is when the low started to reveal themselves. It started when I realized that the cleaning stuff was using nothing but bleach to wash the tables down next to us. I would know that smell anywhere. Our waitress came over and took our drink orders, and everything was fine. The Boba tea was delicious, but the waitresses attitude was very noticeable upon ordering our all you can eat sushi. She was rushing us to order and felt like us ordering was ruining her night. The appetizers were amazing. They were all fried perfectly. The crab Rangoon received high marks, although upon ordering, I received my appetizers and main dish before the rest of the party had any of their food. Seems like the timing was off, and it continued to be off throughout the entire night. Any roll that had avocado in it felt like I was eating guacamole with a bit of sushi. Way too much avocado. Our waitress, her attitude was just really bad the entire night and all honestly she probably could’ve been having a bad day so I won't hold it against her, but I will hold against another waiter is that when I politely asked him for a fork for someone at the table he said no I’m too busy ask your waitress. Now he said this with a very rude tone and not kindly at all. I do understand that he was probably busy, but it’s just about the way you say things to people. Back to the food, the fried cheesecake was hands down the best item on the menu and a must get.

TLDR: good appetizers, good environment, very tiny chairs, rude wait staff, long times, and amazing...

On 01/27/2024 my family and I planned to visit a seafood and brewery in Corpus Christi, but due to unforeseen circumstances, we decided to change our plans and opted for Umiya Sushi instead. It turned out to be a fantastic decision, and we couldn't have been happier with the outcome.

From the moment we walked in, the service was impeccable—attentive, friendly, and truly exceptional. The beautiful ambiance added to the overall enjoyment of our dining experience, creating a perfect setting for a delightful family meal.

We were excited to find out that they had different menu options, either a la carte or all you can eat. One thing to note is if you opted for the all-you-can-eat, they had a policy that leftovers would result in a la carte charges, and they did let you know when you were selecting your choice before you were seated.

My family and I chose to indulge in the all-you-can-eat menu that featured quite an extensive array of delectable choices from soup, salad, appetizers, kitchen appetizers, tempura, fried rice or noodles, udon, hibachi, teriyaki, sushi or sashimi, rolls, specialty rolls, chef’s tempura rolls, and dessert.

Being a family of 4, we ordered from almost all the different options. Everything was AMAZING! Some of the items that stood out for us were the poki bowl, baked New Zealand mussels, crab puffs, tempura shrimp, steak hibachi, salmon and tuna sashimi, yummy roll, fried oyster roll, and the Lexington roll were some of the ones we ordered seconds of. We did try several other items from the menu and ended our meal with fried cheesecake and ice cream.

They allowed you to select 5 options to start with, and then you could order one at a time after, to ensure you were able to eat all that you ordered. Each dish was a masterpiece, impeccably presented, and bursting with incredible flavors. The portions were just right for individual servings. The freshness of the ingredients was evident, making every bite a true delight for our taste buds.

Umiya Sushi truly set the bar high with their combination of great service, a stunning ambiance, and phenomenal food. This is a must-visit for anyone looking for an outstanding sushi experience in the Corpus Christi area!!

Unfortunately, we were all so hungry we forgot to take pictures of all the...

Restaurant Review: Umiya Sushi

I recently dined at Umiya Sushi, and while the food was a highlight, the overall experience left much to be desired due to the poor service.

Let's start with the positives: the sushi was excellent. Each roll was fresh and expertly prepared, with flavors that were both vibrant and well-balanced. The sashimi was melt-in-your-mouth delicious, clearly made from high-quality fish. For those who love traditional sushi, Umiya Sushi does not disappoint on the culinary front.

The atmosphere of the restaurant was decent. The decor was tasteful, providing a relaxed and inviting ambiance. It was a pleasant environment to enjoy a meal, with soft lighting and comfortable seating. However, the atmosphere couldn’t entirely make up for the glaring issues with the service.

Unfortunately, the service was where Umiya Sushi fell short. The staff seemed disorganized and inattentive. Our server was slow to take our orders, and we had to repeatedly ask for basic items like soy sauce and napkins. There were long waits between courses, and when the food finally arrived, it was often brought out in a haphazard manner, with no regard for timing. We know it was Memorial Day, which might explain the subpar service, but the lack of attention and care from the service staff made what could have been an enjoyable dining experience quite frustrating.

In summary, while Umiya Sushi excels in delivering delicious sushi and offers a pleasant dining atmosphere, the poor service significantly detracts from the experience. If the management addresses these service issues, it has the potential to be a top-notch sushi destination. For now, I’d recommend it primarily for takeout or delivery to enjoy their fantastic food without the inconvenience...