I can't say enough good things about this place! We went on Valentine's Day and the line was out the door. There was a kiosk to check in on and you were given a number and told how many tables you had ahead of you. We had 47 tables ahead of us. You had the option to wait in your car for a text or stay in the crowd. It was so hard to move through the crowd that we stayed. We ended up only waiting an hour which is crazy considering how many people were there. While we waiting, an employee with a cart full of bubble teas rolled through and gave us free drinks!
Once we got our table, we were amazed at how long the buffet was. This is a former Golden Corral building so it is quite long. There were way more options than your average buffet and shockingly, despite the huge crowd, they didn't run out of anything! The sushi and sashimi selection was larger than I've ever seen at a buffet and it was very fresh. There were your standard Chinese buffet options, with many things I hadn't seen before like Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, Thai chicken wings and Thai style sweet and sour chicken, lacy dumplings, taro buns, coconut buns, soft shell crab, coconut pineapple rice, shrimp shumai, creme brulee, and so much more! There's an extensive raw bar and cooked seafood as well. There is too much to try in one sitting!
Hot pot is included, but it's not quite like when you go to a hot pot restaurant with the burners built into the table. You get a small pot lit by a small burner. There's a whole section of food items you can select for your hot pot. There's also a ramen bar. We didn't bother to try it because there was already so much to eat.
There is a large variety of bubble teas and other types of teas and drinks and imported beverages that are included for free! They come in smallish cups so you can try many flavors.
It was so good that after going on V-day with my boyfriend, I brought my kids the next day. It was Saturday afternoon during a snow storm and not as busy (but still busy). We didn't have to wait for a table. Food was just as fresh and well-stocked. I was still full from the day before, but my kids loved it! I can't wait to head back. It is an hour away from me and a bit pricey ($34 per adult which is an incredible price for what you get, but more than I like to spend), but...
Read moreSo, to start off, I heard about this place from a post regarding the Bronx location, I didn’t realize there was one in Middletown. Going there, I did have high expectations because of all the good reviews from the other location. When I got there the night of v-day I had a party of 4 and the place was packed but to my surprise we didn’t have to wait and was seated immediately. It was a very nice atmosphere and decor was pretty. But the place was quite messy, food on the floor and the serving area wasn’t maintained. I get it was busy but I feel as with the amount of staff they had they could have tried to keep it a little more cleaner. Also, the seating is very tight so some people may have issues getting to and from your seat. The food here is definitely a hit or miss. A lot of the food was over cooked or under seasoned in comparison to other buffets in the area. The crabs that they offer are cold and they do not cook them for you even if you ask. They were salty and not great quality so I do not recommend. The ox tails were also very undercooked to the point you couldn’t even bite them. The flavor was more of a beef stew taste which threw me off. They do have a large selection but not as much as other reviews made it seem. The largest section was the sushi which they had endless options. I didn’t get the chance to try to see if they were good because I don’t eat it but the presentation was very nice. The hot noodle station also had a few good options. I believe that’s why there’s less options for regular food because they incorporated other stations which may please other customers. On to the service, we got our drinks when we first sat down and at no point during our whole stay did the waiter ever come back and ask us for a refill. So I would say the service wasn’t the greatest. In addition there is a big language barrier so if you ask for something, instead of them getting someone else to help u they just smile and walk away. Overall, for the price $33 per person for dinner I would not return or recommend because the service and experience could have been better. If you’re big on sushi or hot noodles then maybe you’d feel this place is worth it to you. I get this is a new opening but they have got to do better if they want to get...
Read moreI recently had a fantastic experience dining at Umi Middletown, and I can't recommend it enough. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere set the perfect tone for a laid-back but lively dining experience. Our group had a mix of preferences, with some people not eating seafood, but Umi impressed us by offering a diverse menu that accommodated everyone. It was refreshing to know that even with a group with specific dietary restrictions, there was plenty of delicious food to choose from.
Now, let’s talk about the food. I had the coconut shrimp for the first time, and it was incredible. Rather than the typical crunchy exterior you might expect, the coconut shrimp was delightfully creamy, offering a rich and smooth texture that was a true departure from what I’ve had elsewhere. It’s honestly one of the best coconut shrimp I’ve had in a long time—crispy on the outside, but with a creamy, almost velvety inside that elevated the flavor in a way I’ve never experienced before. I can honestly say it was the first time I tasted coconut shrimp like that, and it was a game-changer.
What stood out the most was how Umi manages to provide high-quality food that caters to everyone. Even the non-seafood eaters in our group were thrilled with their meals, which shows how thoughtfully crafted the menu is. Whether you’re in the mood for sushi, grilled meats, or something else entirely, Umi has something that will hit the spot.
The vibe in the restaurant was great too. It's the perfect place to bring your family for a nice dinner, but it also works well for a staff outing or a gathering with friends. The music was another highlight—the selection had me reminiscing with songs I hadn’t heard in a while, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the evening. It’s not too loud, but just the right amount to keep the energy up while still allowing for conversation.
Overall, Umi is a place I’ll definitely be returning to. The combination of delicious food, a great atmosphere, and a welcoming vibe makes it a standout. Whether you’re a seafood lover or not, this place has something for everyone, and the coconut shrimp alone is...
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