Once again I enjoyed my visit to UMi as I met my cousins there for dinner. It was about 18 of us…read moreand we all enjoyed the crabs the most. The salt and pepper and the snow crabs were to die for. Service were great as we were seated right away after I told her how many of us would be attending.

I went to Umis craving seafood on vacation. I was a bit disappointed with the restaurant especially…read moresince going in I had high hopes. I have been to other Umis locations and love it. The sushi didn't taste fresh and the meat dishes lacked flavor. They advertise free teas but were out of every flavor but one. Their desserts were limited and the area was messy. There were empty trays that weren't picked up and replaced. The reason I give it 3 star is because of the dinner price being very reasonable

Ordered take out for dinner. Easy online ordering process. The food was ready when we arrived…read more I ordered California rolls and shrimp fried rice; both were delicious. Overall a great and quick experience.

Many reviews say to look past the rundown exterior. OK…read more Also had to walk through the empty parking lot and the jumbled entry way. Looks like this place has not really gotten used to the idea that people dine out post-pandemic. The wife used the restroom, and that almost caused her to want to leave. A filthy restroom is not normally a sign of good eats... But the other reviewers said get past it, so we did. We were seated quickly. Mostly because we were the only ones there, and the server was friendly and attentive. We ordered a bottle of Gekkeikan Sake, which was priced well, and had some Karaage to start. The sake was delicious, but not so the Karaage. I'm not sure what part of the chicken it came from, but it wasn't the meat part. Ass skin I'm guessing. Served with something akin to oyster sauce for some reason. We also had a couple of rolls, which wasn't easy. There were over 50 to choose from. But really, just dozen or so ingredients served 50 different ways. We ordered the J-G Roll (Lobster tempura with avocado inside, all tuna on top with caviar). Not sure it was lobster... texture was more like shrimp. And more of their signature oyster sauce on top to overload the sweetness factor. Also had the Nikki-Yuki Roll (Spicy salmon inside, tuna, salmon and avocado on top with caviar), which was nice. Not special, but nice. Still, the fish on both rolls really lacked the appropriate taste and character. It was more reminiscent of fast food/chain sushi. Now, on the upside... we didn't get sick, so that was good (extra star for no food poisoning)... but we probably won't be back soon.

From my personal experience, the place was good. Service was…read moremeh. I don't blame them, the place was packed with people. The food was alright, lots of options to choose from. (Free Lobster if you post their restaurant on any social). The ambience was pretty chill. Bathroom needed a little maintenance as there was water over the floor.

Our party was perfectly happy to pay the 12% service fee automatically added to our bill,…read moreespecially given the note stating that additional tipping was not expected. However, our server explicitly pressured us to leave an additional tip. When we initially declined based on your stated policy, her demeanor changed significantly, and she made our family feel highly uncomfortable until an additional tip was provided. ​When a restaurant implements a service fee and communicates that further tipping is unnecessary, guests trust that policy. Being pressured to pay on top of that fee creates a stressful environment and contradicts your business model. If additional tipping is actually expected, it would be much clearer to remove the mandatory fee and leave gratuity entirely to the guest's discretion. ​We enjoyed the food, but the behavior of the staff at the end of the night left a very poor impression. I hope this feedback helps ensure greater consistency in how your tipping policy is handled moving forward.

I don't recommend this place. I think the prices are excessively ridiculous for the quality of the…read morefood especially on weekends. A buffet that even the tip is included in the total price. As if tips were mandatory. For two people almost 100. Dollars a total scam. I would never go back to a place like this where everyone puts their hands in the food and on top of that they charge you as if it were an à la carte restaurant. I only ate several things because not everything is food that you know to pay such an exaggerated price. On top of that, the workers see you all the time, it even bothers them if you serve yourself a large amount as if you were not going to pay it and they are almost on top of you so that you go ahead as soon as they see you choosing the dessert and on your table is the bill.

Came here with high hopes but that was quickly dashed…read more Let's do the positive reviews. Variety is good and I like the ramen station. Servers were all nice but they change real quick if you dont tip at the end of the meal. ( we will get back to this.) Now for the bad. The food is regular Chinese buffet food. Not bad not great . With that said charging $50 per person for the dinner on a weekend is insane. (If I'm paying that I want a Fogo de Chao. ) Not only is it that per person than they charge a % for a tip that goes to the servers and cooks. There are signs posted at every table so you cant miss it. Now if you dont tip extra the server will tell you you read the sign wrong. We gave her an extra $20 just so we could leave in peace. Not worth the price . Would not be back.

I think this is pretty good value here, and variety is very wide, which I can appreciate as being…read moregood flexibility for a group that might have different preferences. That said, with a bunch of different options, it does seem they don't go too deep in any particular direction, as opposed to other spots, which can be good or bad. I thought the sushi selection was pretty good, and it tasted fine (I went back for seconds!). The hot pot selection was good as well, and it tasted good with the mala broth I got. I got a few of the hot selections as well, which I appreciated - fried plantains and barbecue pork, to name a few. I also got their honeydew bubble tea, which was not bad, and some dessert items at the end - cheesecake was on point. You do end up with quite a lot of plates and such on the table, so it was key to have the server come around often to clear things out. I did find it super helpful to speak with the server in Mandarin - she was extra friendly once I started doing that!

This is a new location in a strip mall not far from Philly airport…read more Went for lunch and though the doors open at 11am, all the items were setup closer to 11:25am, so if you are in a rush, plan accordingly. The lunch buffet selection is expansive but not as much as dinner (if you want steamed snow crab or steak). They had myriad options including sushi, sashimi, cocktail peeled shrimp, salt and pepper head-on shrimp (one of my favorites if you like to get your hands into it and not afraid to devein the shrimp yourself), lightly fried snow crabs (another favorite), seafood (shrimp, clams, mussels) in a sichuan sauce (fantastic sauce), pork belly, ribs, wings, salmon, noodles, rice, hot pot and ramen. Some items like the baked scallops in their shell had more imitation crab meat and a few bay scallops but they also had items you don't find at typical buffets like Iceland Whelks, Baby Octopus, etc. Some of the items were better than the $100 buffets at Las Vegas but for only $21.95. A wide variety of mini boba, flavored iced teas, etc were also included. The sleepers were the American Chinese items like chicken with broccoli, beef with broccoli, walnut shrimp, etc. I loved the braised greens (collards?) which were slightly sweet with a garlicy finish, the green beans and the perfectly cooked (not too mushy) chunks of fresh broccoli. The only item that seemed to be a bit dry was the roasted leg of lamb, but it could just be that day, because another review raved about it. So this is not the place if you are looking for high-end omakase or a chef's tasting menu, but I was pleasantly surprised at the variety and taste of the buffet and the value. They were very good about refilling the wide range of items as soon as the container got to about half its quantity. So the next time you are at the Philly airport, take the 10-minute drive and try out this place as the antidote to the mini bag of pretzels you get on the flight. Dessert selection is OK and in line with an Asian buffet, but they also have fresh fruit. You can also get a to-go box by weight, I believe. Will be back as now I don't mind giving someone a ride to the airport if I can squeeze in a visit to Umi.

Good place to grab some sushi, snow crabs, hot Chinese buffet, bubble tea, and even a personal hot…read morepot. For 27.99, you can enjoy portioned out sashimi or hand rolls, bubble tea prepared as part of the buffet, snowcrab legs always overflowing along with oysters and clams. If that isn't your fancy, you can enjoy the hot pot items in the frig with selections like the fish balls, thin slices of frozen meats, or veggies simmering in the hot broth for your table side hot pot. The all you can eat buffet has its staples like fried rice and different meats like galbi and teriyaki meats, but if you are feeling adventurous, try the abalone and seafoods cook and raw. This stop in Dover right before the Ballys Casino is the easiest way for you to fill up before you enjoy some slots, explore the rest of Dover and end the day after checking out DE Pride over at Legislative Hall and Green.

Disgusting!!!! I…read moredon't usually eat at buffets, but my wife wanted to give this one a try. Unfortunately, it was a very disappointing experience. The presentation of the food was poor, and the quality wasn't much better. There weren't many choices, although maybe that was because we went during lunch. What really bothered me was seeing a customer who didn't wash his hands, which was extremely concerning from a cleanliness standpoint. Overall, it was not worth a penny in my opinion. Keep driving--don't even slow down. You'd be better off going to McDonald's.

If I give a 1 star review it was hard earned. Dined on a…read moreWednesday and was moderately busy. I had many concerns. The Freehold Location is (plainly said) Horrible! And here's why... Food selection was not replenished in the entire time we were there. Some appeared that it might have been holding since lunchtime. Temperature of the food once removed from under the heating lamps was room temperature. Soups near the Hibachi section had film over the top which shows it has sat untouched for a while. One of the 3 was not at temperature and may have been unplugged. No attendees to the food stations or cleaning. The Hibachi station remained unmanned for most of the stay and had a scarce supply of foods anyway; no sauces in sight for the chef. The flavor of the food I did have was extremely bland, dry and I have had better from many strip mall take out locations. I can continue to write more but if you've read this far, I'm sure you're getting my point. They also have the nerve to add a 12% SERVICE CHARGE to your bill. The service is nothing short of people walking around with an empty look on their faces. Avoid this place and go elsewhere or order take out instead.

Umi is a tough sell if you're going strictly for sushi. For a sushi buffet, the nigiri selection…read moreand overall quality are pretty underwhelming. The sashimi presentation is also a miss, served in small individual aluminum containers instead of laid out on a shared platter. It feels inefficient and less appetizing than grabbing fresh cuts with tongs. That said, the Chinese food side is actually solid. The BBQ squid stands out as one of the better items, while the ribs were disappointing, too fatty and drenched in sauce. I skipped the hot pot since the meats in the fridge didn't look particularly fresh or appealing. Compared to other locations, the East Brunswick spot seems to do a better job with both quality and keeping the sushi stocked. Drinks are another weak point. The bubble teas are overly sweet and not very good, though kids will probably enjoy them. I'd come back for some of the Chinese dishes and a few sushi pieces, but overall it feels overpriced for what you get.

Umi Hotpot & Seafood Buffet - The Staff Deserves Their Own Buffet…read more Let me start with this: the staff at Umi Hotpot & Seafood Buffet may be some of the friendliest buffet staff I've encountered in a long time. From the moment we walked in until the moment we left, everybody was warm, pleasant, and genuinely welcoming. And when you're dealing with a buffet, where folks are coming in hungry and ready to get their money's worth, that says a lot. Food Quality & Taste The food was decent. Mom really enjoyed the baked crab dish. I'm really surprised because she normally hates imitation crab. So for her to say she liked it, it had to be good. The lamb was a little tough for her, so she didn't finish her piece. I actually liked the flavor, though, so apparently the lamb and I were on better terms than Mom and the lamb were. Overall, there were plenty of choices, and while nothing had me yelling, "Somebody come taste this!" the food was respectable for a buffet. Value for the Price The regular adult price was just under $45, and seniors receive a 10% discount. I don't know the children's pricing, so check before you go. There's also a nice little surprise when you get the bill: signs on the tables explain that a service charge is already included and shared among the staff, so there's no need to tip. Your server will happily accept anything extra if you choose to give it, but you're not demanded to. Which is refreshing since, tips are expected even at a kiosk. The tipping culture is way out of control. Just not here. For the amount of variety available, I think the price is reasonable, especially for families with different tastes. Cleanliness The buffet area was nice and clean, which is especially important when you're dealing with an all-you-can-eat setup. I didn't have any concerns about the cleanliness of the food area. Customer Service This is where Umi really shines. Everybody was friendly. Not just the person who seated us. Not just our server. Everybody. From walking in to walking out, we were greeted with warmth and kindness. That can make an average food experience feel considerably better. Wait Time & Convenience The experience was smooth, and the buffet setup makes it easy to get what you want without waiting around for every course. And let's be honest--when you're hungry, the ability to walk over and get another plate instead of waiting for someone to bring it is a beautiful thing. Presentation & Atmosphere Umi has a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. I noticed quite a few families coming in, and it made perfect sense. You can have one kid eating pizza and chicken nuggets while another person is getting short ribs and lobster. Everybody wins! It's a great setup for families because nobody has to agree on what they're eating. And if you've ever tried taking a family out to eat where everybody wants something different, you already know that's basically a miracle. Red Flags or Warnings I wouldn't call these red flags, but a few things to keep in mind: - The food didn't wow me, so don't walk in expecting a life-changing culinary experience. - The lamb I tried was a little tough, although I enjoyed the flavor. - Children's pricing wasn't something I confirmed, so check before you go. - A service charge is already included, so don't feel obligated to add another tip unless you want to. Overall Umi Hotpot & Seafood Buffet is one of those places where the experience may actually be better than the food. The food was decent, the selection gives everybody something to enjoy, the buffet area was clean, and the staff was genuinely wonderful. I wasn't wowed enough to make Umi part of my regular rotation, but I also wouldn't tell anyone not to go. Try it for yourself. Especially if you're looking for somewhere the whole family can find something they like without somebody complaining about the menu. My stamp on this place is... "Family Friendly." ‍‍‍

Took my mother for her birthday. The server kept bringing her lobster. She had a great time!read more

Insanely Delicious Crab Sticks and Wonderful Staff!…read more Umi Seafood in Reading Terminal Market was an absolute standout during our Philadelphia food adventures! My wife and I stopped by to try their deep-fried crab sticks, and these things were insanely delicious! The crab sticks were perfectly sweet and flaky, and the tempura batter was excellent. It had that fantastic crispy texture that made every bite so satisfying without overpowering the delicious seafood flavour. Sometimes a simple dish can really impress you, and these crab sticks did exactly that! We also absolutely loved the staff. Everyone was so nice and welcoming, which made the experience even better. Great food is one thing, but friendly people who make you feel welcome always leave a lasting impression. We still can't stop thinking about how awesome this place was! Those crab sticks made a huge impression on us, and Umi Seafood is definitely somewhere we'd happily return to next time we're in Philadelphia. If you're exploring Reading Terminal Market, do yourself a favour and give Umi Seafood a try! We highly recommend the deep-fried crab sticks. They're worth seeking out, and we can't wait to go back! For more food, travel, brewery, hockey, hotel, and destination reviews, check out our YouTube channel A&M Roam and follow along with Angela and Mike as we travel, eat, drink, hike, catch games, and goof around!

Nice and friendly staff, beautiful display of food but I did not enjoy the fried flounder. The…read moretaste reminded me of processed fish sticks and dry tasting. I liked the dipping sauce that came with it but the fish was not good enough for me to finish so I wasted $16 on lunch. I did eat the potatoes. They were fine and I don't eat Cole slaw so I can't speak to theirs.

Food was very fresh I did not find anything not top notch. Even oysters and clams which I have…read morefound to be sketchy at most buffets. Were fresh and tasty. Do not skip on the soups all were REALLY GOOD. Soups alone were worth the cost, but add lobster, all kinds of crabs, I must have eaten a pound of soft shell crabs alone. Bubble drinks which are extra if taking to go are free with dine in, those and the juice drinks make it an even better experience. Gets crowded think about going at slightly off main times to avoid larger crowding. But even on a Friday or Saturday nights lines move fast, staff refill the buffet often and generously. CANNOT RECOMMEND IT HIGH ENOUGH!!!

Outstanding! How can you beat unlimited lobster claws in butter? Ribs? Cocktail shrimp? Clams on…read morethe shell? Sushi AND sashimi? It's an amazing place. The weekday lunchtime pricing is phenomenal!