Umi Hot Pot Sushi & Seafood Buffet — Restaurant in Philadelphia

My first time ever eating here. A friend said it looked like a nice clean place to eat, which cleanliness is very important to me. The restroom could be a little bit more cleaner and smell better. Me and my friend specifically told the hostess that it was our first time here and she barely spoke English to help us understand more about how all you can eat buffet works. You would think since it’s only been opened for 5 months, that the buffet should have been explained to us so that there would have been no confusion. We only saw on the hostess stand about the different prices for adults and children. The hostess only said one price of $21.00 ea. for the buffet. She did not explain that there are lunch prices different from dinner prices. We had already sat down and ate after the fact. The only time I realized that the buffet prices were two different prices is when I went up to serve myself snow crab legs. The hostess came up to me and said dinner only and pointed to the buffet sign in front of the food which said dinner only. I screenshot these photos as well. I said this is why we came to this buffet is to eat the ALL YOU CAN EAT buffet food. They should have explained this to first time customers that walked in. The snow crab legs were cold and not in a hot buttery sauce, when I cracked the snow crabs legs it was squirting water out from the inside, since it was sitting over top of crushed ice. The beef was chewing. The General TSO Chicken was mushy. The only meats I really liked was the pork belly. The meats could be a lot better as far as texture and more cooked. The dessert cakes was hard as a rock. The only dessert that was very good was the cheesecake. The scallops with cheese was delicious. The yellow rice could have a bit more veggies in it. I’ve have better Asian buffets to be honest. So the hostess called the Manager which you would have thought the Manager would be onsite at a new restaurant. We had to talk to the manager on the phone. Poor customer service for going back and forth with the manager trying to say we can pay for the dinner price. We said no bc we had the impression that we can eat all you can eat regardless. The manager said she will take 10% off the bill! Seriously 3.00 and some change. Then after debating for 15 to 20 minutes with our food at our table getting cold. Then our nice server had to explain to the manager what we were trying to say. Then the Manager said ok 20% of. That works. What happened to Customer Service and Customers are always right. I’ve been in customer service for over 40 years. If this restaurant doesn’t be more specific about their different prices and not give good customer service. This restaurant will not stay in business too long. Sad to say! You should never make a new customer feel like it’s their fault especially since it’s their first time ever eating there! I love their music however it should be a mixture of English music as well, since most customers are English. Also, on their website it does not specify paying different prices for Lunch and dinner. Prices need to...

My experience was horrible. As soon as we step food in there we were greeted by one of the waitresses. They tried to put us in this in this overcrowded room, I requested that they seat us elsewhere. Once we were seated the waitress came to get our drinks, no problem. We got our food the waitress came back to ask was everything ok. 5 minutes later came back to remove my scraps although I wasn’t even done. My husband and I couldn’t even have a conversation because these to waitresses would not let up on us. They watched us from across the room and hawk eyed each plate. I really don’t like being bothered while dining because I don’t want anyone talking over my food. Ok, I understand clearing the table but wait until I get up to leave for another plate or something. They asked me about 12 times. It was very overwhelming I couldn’t even enjoy my visit. The food is very bland and the buffet is actually small compared to what they advertise. They cut the oxtails paper thin and they were unseasoned as well. They were gatekeeping the whole lobsters. I had to wait over 10 minutes plus to get a lobster. I feel like for all you can eat for 38.99 I shouldn’t have to wait for lobster and that they should be piled sky high to accommodate everyone, not bringing out 10 at a time. I felt like the waitresses was pressing me for a tip. They wouldn’t leave my table.I will never return to this business or any of the other...

I've been to the Umi in Deptford, NJ when it first opened. too hyped up and too long of a wait. after a while, it became watered down and lacking in quality. so when I was craving snow crabs and crawfishes, this Umi came up w good/better reviews. I decided to try it out since it wasn't located too far and not in a high traffic area like the mall

plenty of parking and since we went at noon, the place was very open to explore the food freely without fighting for crab legs. I enjoyed the spacious seatings and CLEANED, too. food were in abundance. no shortage of waiting for refills.

now - as w all buffets, you have your hits & misses. while I enjoyed 80% of the food...here's my opinion on what was subpar: crawfishes were small and hard to pull. the fried plantains were not fried plantains but mashed bananas and rolled in some type of mozzarella cheese/dough that was fried like it. just cooked the damn plantains normally! last: the lobsters. they looked appealing but tasted old/matured. no real bite or bounce when eating. almost like overcooked shrimp that tasted dry

other than those 2, I'd be back. enjoyed my time and the service. no pictures since we were all busy eating. definitely appreciate the both hot &...