Umi AYCE Sushi - Lakewood — Restaurant in Lakewood

Didn't know a new Sushi joint had opened up here so I decided to give it a try. I don't normally frequent AYCE Sushi restaurants because they typically serve low quality fish and I prefer quality of quantity. But I figured it couldn't be that bad, could it?

To start I ordered a Miso soup and yellowtail/albacore/salmon carpaccio. The miso soup was too salty for my liking so I sent it back. I started my carpaccio trio with the Yellowtail (my favorite fish) and it just lacked flavor... all I could taste was the sauce). I then tried the albacore and this is when I started to worry. The first albacore piece had a slight funky taste, nothing crazy so I proceeded to eat the 2nd piece. Big mistake. I don't know what was up with the 2nd piece but it was so bad that it left a horrible taste in my mouth that I couldn't get rid of. I had to eat a bunch of ginger (which I rarely even touch) and finish my beer to get rid of it.

Next course was a riceless salmon roll (crabmeat wrapped in salmon with a little masago sprinkled on top). The salmon had a very fishy smell/taste to it. Blue fin tuna nigiri... was closer to the belly so I had high hopes for it. No flavor. Yellowtail nigiri, belly, same thing... little to no flavor. Mackerel nigiri (always last) was really good!!!! I ordered 2 more pieces. I also got a black dragon roll with no shrimp tempura... basically a California roll with eel on top. This was also pretty good.

Lastly, I had a yellowtail collar. Quite possibly the thickest collar I've ever been served. Little to no flavor as well 😪

Sadly, this was my first and last time I visit this place. I don't understand why everyone else is giving them a 4-5 star rating. I give them 2.5 stars (rounded it up to 3).

Maybe I'm just a bit of a sushi snob? Idk, but that albacore almost made me want to ask for my check... and I would have if it wasn't for the fact that I had already placed my second round...

Did AYCE and the sushi guys took their sweet time making our orders or maybe forgot. Place wasn't busy at all. Took an hour to do a 1st order. Sat there waiting for our last plate to arrive and wouldn't allow us to order more until that last plate of sushi arrived. Server needs more experience. Always communicate with your guest. Don't hope they are unaware of a mistake. Own the mistake and correct it. It's worse if we know there was a mistake and you are trying to dance around it. Check on your patrons often please btw.

The crab meat tasted salty and weird. Normally I love crab meat but this was weird. And they really pack it in the sushi too. Probably some cheap stuff. Pay the extra $5 per person for another sushi place. Gratuity was auto included but I know california laws don't allow that. I never not tip but boy was I really thinking about it.

Worst AYCE...

Umi AYCE Sushi is a welcome upgrade from what used to be Joe’s. The sushi was fresh and flavorful, and I especially enjoyed the rice-less rolls—they were a nice touch. The appetizers were great, and the limited-per-person items were definitely worth it. Service was friendly and quick, with dishes coming out in good time. Overall, a solid spot for all-you-can-eat sushi that I’d happily come back to.

My only 4⭐ gripe is with the old teppanyaki tables that were converted into marble slabs. They feel out of place and a bit awkward to sit around. It would look a lot cleaner with regular tables, but I understand it’s probably more cost-effective to keep them as-is for now. Still, a great...