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    Umai Omakase

    4.4 (139 reviews)
    ModerateSushi Bars, Japanese
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Order Umai Omakase Takeout or Delivery

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    Omakaze 1st flight
    Rebecca B.

    Amazing Omakaze! We had dinner here on a Thursday night & it did not disappoint. We had miso soup, truffle edamame, tempura shrimp, 12 piece Omakaze and some à la carte items. Everything was super fresh and delish! Highly recommend & will definitely be back.

    Wagyui
    Karina A.

    Got the 18 piece omakase the selection is so good and fresh. I love the uni, it's the freshest and most buttery and tender uni I've ever eaten. I also really did like the fatty tuna seared, that was so delicious it was melting in my south. Also the service was so fast so you're never waiting too much in between rolls. Also it was not that busy when we came in which is nice so it was quiet.

    Andrew C.

    My friend had lost our yearly bet on baseball so he was on the hook for dinner. In the only right fashion, I decided to pick an Omakase for the occasion. Umai Omakase is not off the main road so I really hadn't known about it other than the recommendation of a friend. The space inside the actual restaurant is fairly small but had a comfortable atmosphere. The chef we had for the occasion was friendly and pleasant. He had a few attempts at humor that didn't always hit but I appreciated the effort. The food itself was fresh and delicious. I thought the variety of the fish and dishes was well-thought-out. For the duration of the 18 piece meal, I never felt overly full and thought the pacing was great. Omakase is not something you'll get all the time (my bank account wouldn't survive) but I thought the experience here was top notch. The next time I win a bet or just want to have a nice sushi experience, I wouldn't hesitate to come back to Umai Omakase.

    Shari A.

    Finally! A high quality sushi place which specializes in omakase. Cannot believe it took me this long to get to this Essex county gem. I guess I had lost faith that there could actually be great sushi in NJ. (Admittedly I generally go to the city for my omakase fix) The chef restauranteur was there the entire time overseeing it all. We loved our seats closer to the chalk board, this spot allows you to see all the prep going into the creation of each piece. We opted for the 18 piece omakase for $150 which I thought was a fair price. The fish quality, cuts and presentation were spot on. We had only 1 piece, the hamachi which was so so. But everything else was delish. The wagyu was delish, they had the seasonal goldeneye snapper which was also lovely. They do a few cool unique preparations for the last three pieces. One is tuna with a raw quail egg topped with uni. It's a pretty amazing decadent bite. The sushi rice is yummy too. We learned by speaking with the chef/owner that this location will be converting to an all omakase place with a standard 15piece omakase which will include a handroll and dessert. This is I being done as they prepare to open a new concept place called Fat Buddha with 150 seats down the way in Caldwell. I am going to continue to patron this little hole in the wall omakase place. It is so exciting to have a spot like this less than 15 minutes from my home. No tunnel, no parking fees and no hassle of going to the city. Well done Umai. A total winner.

    Marvin S.

    Tucked away off the main road in a tiny little complex sits Umai Sushi & Steakhouse. The restaurant itself is very cozy inside to the point that I'd recommend doing a reservation prior. After hearing lots of good things from friends and coworkers alike, I decided to venture out and try the Omakase menu. The menu consisted of either 12 pieces for $85 and 18 pieces for $150 along with some A La Carte offerings on the side. I opted to do the 18 piece omakase, and safe to say it did not disappoint at all. The fish was very fresh and each piece of nigiri was crafted to perfection while still maintaining their respective and distinct individual flavor profiles. I definitely had some personal favorites excluding the heavy hitters like the wagyu and the toro/otoro. . I had an 830pm reservation and, I believe ended around 10pm ish . So please set aside a couple of hours if you're planning on going . It was the most delicious 2 hours I've had doing NJ omakases to date . Thank you chef and I will definitely be coming back !

    Umai Sushi Big Special Roll and Spicy Crispy Crunch Special Roll
    Marilen R.

    My new favorite sushi place in NJ! I was very impressed by the freshness and quality of the fish. You know it's a legit sushi place when they have toro and uni on the menu. For apps, I recommend the toro tartare, yellowtail jalapeño, and kani salad. They also gave edamame on the house. We had the following rolls which were all excellent: - Umai Sushi Big Special Roll - Spicy Crispy Crunch Special Roll -Alaska roll I have also returned and had the omakase. The pieces were excellent! Chefs kiss* The place is small with a few tables and bar seating, so reservation is necessary. Modern ambiance with techno/ambient music playing in the background. Place is run by a family and they are efficient. Highly recommend.

    Jocelyn L.

    After hearing a lot about this place, we finally decided to try it. We did the 18 course omakase. I really wanted to like this place and the fish was fresh, however, some of the flavor combinations did not sit with me. I almost would have preferred the fish to be served as is without the extra toppings/flavors added since the fresh fish alone speaks for itself. I really wanted to like this place since we've been looking for a good local sushi restaurant. It was an experience but I wouldn't go back.

    I was looking for a high quality Omakese sushi experience without having to travel into New York City. After doing some research, I came across Umai Omakase. If you are a fan of sushi, this establishment has to be on your bucket list to visit. We did the 18 piece Omakase experience, and it was absolutely exceptional- every piece meticulously crafted using the highest quality fish flown in from Japan daily. This experience gives you the opportunity to try rate fish not often found in conventional sushi establishments. I early anticipate my next visit.

    Van V.

    Very interesting to see so many five star reviews, with most focused on omakase. This place is nearby so we thought we'd start by trying some rolls, both a basic tuna roll and a few of their specialty rolls. They were all good, not more outstanding than our favorite spot in Montclair but as good. Nicely done interior for this little spot. Guess I will have to try the 12 piece omakase soon to see if I agree if the chef's choices warrant it or not. Great for Verona to have this place, and in the same strip as our wonderful Empanada Lady. Will this become an outstanding international food court for Verona? We could use a really good Indian, French bistro, and ramen! Very good sushi already!

    Elizabeth L.

    Fantastic addition to the community. In a county that's pretty densely populated with so many "sushi" options, this one is by far a stand out spot without being pretentious. We kicked things off with the soft shell crab appetizer which was a crispy delight and I have had my fair share of soft shell crab. I would highly recommend the Omakase option (12, 18 or 22 pieces) each piece was not just fresh but you could taste every single delicate texture and flavor each held its own down to the warm perfectly cooked and seasoned grains of rice. We opted for the 12 piece; it's hard to say my favorites but if I had to pick: Himachi, Aji, Toro, Wagyu. Every single piece was like a new gift and that's not an exaggeration. Allen (hope I spelled that right) is a great example of identifying a passion and sticking to it no matter what stage in life that might be. I really didn't take pics because I was too busy enjoying every single bite. What a treat and I cannot wait to come back! Staff: Friendly, and thoughtful Space: bar seating, high tops and about 5-6 tables that could fit between 2-6. Parking lot or street parking

    Soho Special Roll

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    Excellent food and service. Place is clean. Chefs went out of their way for our birthday party

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Umai Omakase

    How many pieces is the omakase here and what's is the price point?

    12 pc is $85. 18pc. $150 Fish is flown in from Japan every day. Best sushi in NJ

    It seems like the restaurant is closed. Are they on summer vacation or something?

    Reopening 9/6

    Can we byob here?

    Yes it's byob.

    View All 4 Questions

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    I've had this spot saved in my bookmarks for so long, I'm so excited I finally got to come here!!…read moreReservations are easy and they allow cancellations for at least 4 hours before without a fee. But who cares about that right? Let's get to the food. Everything on the menu sounded and looked delicious but we were most intrigued by the kaisendon and the hitsumabushi. The Mentaiko spaghetti as well -- which was unlike any other Mentaiko spaghetti I've had before ! Everything was so delicious, fresh, and full of umami. Our favorite dish was definitely the hitsumabushi, which you can enjoy 4 different ways. Staff are all so kind and sweet and explains everything to you thoroughly. 10/10 recommend and 10/10 will come back!

    Came here to celebrate my birthday with family. Giving this a 4.5 and looking forward to coming…read moreback again! Really liked the mushroom salad. It had lots of lotus chips and greens...delicious! We also got the assorted tempura which was good - the dipping was came out very warm - so it was a nice addition on a windy cold day. The sabazushi was a bit too fishy for me. We tried both the Eel and the wagyu bowl sets between 4 people. I liked the wagyu more than the eel but mixing it was a bit rough. I'd recommend mixing the egg yolk with the rice and then adding the wagyu pieces back in. The service was well timed for our food and things came 1 after another. Unfortunately, they sold out of the matcha mochi the day we went so we opted for the mango parfait instead. It tasted ok but I would have rather had the mochi instead.

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    MM by Morimoto - Kushiage app with Bonsai Bloom drink

    MM by Morimoto

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    The space is beautiful! I felt like I was in Vegas and not in Montclair NJ. There is a parking…read morestructure right across from the restaurant and it's also located steps away from Bloomfield Ave and the center of montclair. We visited for the start of their brunch menu and everything was absolutely excellent. Great service! And oh the food -- the stand outs were definitely the sushi, particularly anything that had the A5 wagyu. The hot bibimbap like A5 Wagyu was incredible! The lobster roll was a little too heavy on the mayo. If you like onions the miso French onion soup was delicious. But honestly could not go wrong with any of thing in their menu.

    Finally was able to get around to trying Chef Morimoto's New Jersey venture. On arrival, We did…read morehave a reservation and we were seated immediately upon arrival. The Space: gorgeous space inside. Very modern looking, clean and inviting space. Service: excellent service, from the front of house, to our server, to all the other staff, everyone was attentive and knew the dishes inside and out. Drinks: I had the Tokyo smoke, which was a solid Smokey whiskey sour, was very delicious. My wife had the sake verra matcha, which she also loved it was like a refreshing take on an espresso martini with matcha instead. Would definitely recommend. Food: Toro tartare - small starter, excellent taste, the dashi it was sitting in was very delicious, really enjoyed the crunch with the caviar. Overall solid dish Surf and turf roll: really delicious roll, they blowtorch the roll in front of you. Has so much flavor and the meat just melts in your mouth. Main dish: my wife and I opted for the special Which was a marinated coulotte cut of beef, cooked to perfection, was the perfect mix of sweet and savory, the pickled ginger and wasabi added such a great element to the dish. Sides: if my mother made broccoli like this, I probably would not have been so picky growing up, would absolutely recommend. And I cannot say enough about the 100 layer potato gratin, must try. Dessert: we tried the tiramisu, unfortunately I think this is skippable. Not enough coffee flavor, just have had better. Overall great experience, it is definitely on the expensive side, the food and service were great, cannot say that I would do the tiramisu again though. Otherwise, would recommend for a special event or special dinner for sure!

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    Nami Nori - Vegan Temaki

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    4.4(162 reviews)
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    Nami Nori in Montclair was such a great experience from start to finish. Walking in, the ambience…read moreimmediately stood out, the space has a picturesque Japanese aesthetic that feels both modern and calming. It's the kind of place that feels thoughtfully designed without trying too hard. Our waiter was incredibly welcoming and friendly, which set a great tone for the meal. For drinks, we ordered the Raspberry Moon and a matcha latte. Both were colorful, well-presented, and really tasty, a nice way to start the meal. The food itself was an experience. We ordered the temaki set and got to learn how to assemble our own hand rolls, which made the meal interactive and fun. The sushi arrived in a beautiful presentation and everything tasted fresh and high quality. Overall, it was a memorable dining experience with great service, creative drinks, and delicious food. Definitely a spot worth checking out in Montclair.

    Hand roll heaven! I booked this spot for a weekday birthday dinner for my friend for 7 people (5…read moreadults + my two kids, 9 and 11) on OpenTable. The reservation required a credit card but I was able to mention a birthday. We were seated right away at a nice window table with a bench, which made it easy to fit everyone. We ordered a bunch of small plates and not a single miss: Tuna Crudo -- fresh, simple, and kid-approved Japanese Potato Salad with Ikura -- lightly creamy with a salty, briny pop Asari Clam Soup -- loaded with clams, miso; buttery and comforting Furikake Cottage Fries -- hot, round crispy ridges with a ketchup-y dip, very snackable for everyone Spicy Tuna Dip -- gone in about 60 seconds For the temaki (hand rolls), they recommend 5 per person. They do something a little different and honestly pretty fun. The fillings come out on flat sticks in a wooden holder (kinda like a taco stand), and you get boxes of nori (seaweed sheets) on the side. You slide the filling onto the seaweed yourself and eat it right away, so everything stays nice and crisp. It's a little DIY, but in a good way. While they offer 3 Temaki preselected sets, you can also order a la carte. I went with the Signature Set (tuna poke, XO scallop, coconut shrimp, salmon serrano, cucumber black sesame) and was really happy with it. We also got also got 2 sets of California rolls for the girls. My brother's Everything Bagel hand roll was a fun surprise. It tasted just like one. We finished with the Lemon Curd Churros- fresh, hot, and crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. The curd was a little on the firm side, but still good. Everyone left full and delighted. NOTES/TIPS: **BYOB, Wheelchair-accessible. Clean bathrooms. Modern vibes. **Entire menu is gluten-free **Vegan options available if you ask, plus a strong plant-based roll selection **Plan for ~5 hand rolls per person (including the kids) **Several parking decks a block or two away

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    Wabi Sabi

    Wabi Sabi

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    Wabi Sabi by far is one of the best sushi restaurants in New Jersey!…read more As a restaurant owner myself, I know how much work goes on behind the scenes to create a great dining experience -- and this sushi spot is doing it right. The fish was incredibly fresh, the rolls were well balanced, and everything came out looking as good as it tasted. What stood out to me most was the consistency and attention to detail. The staff was friendly, service flowed smoothly, and the atmosphere made it easy to relax and enjoy the meal. It's always nice to support places that clearly care about their craft. If you love good sushi, this restaurant is absolutely worth a visit. I'm already looking forward to coming back.

    If you are a true sushi purist, you know that the best experiences often hide behind the most…read moreunassuming storefronts. This place is the definition of a hidden gem--a masterclass in traditional sushi sitting quietly on a culinary wasteland of a street. The commitment to quality here is staggering. This isn't your standard neighborhood joint slinging spicy mayo rolls; the seafood here boasts absolute freshness, with rare fish flown in weekly directly from Japan. You will find cuts here that are nearly impossible to source at standard sushi restaurants, elevating the experience to something you'd typically only find at an exclusive omakase counter. Let's talk about the tuna. The vast majority of sushi spots try to pass off cheap, frozen yellowfin as a premium offering. Not here. They source incredibly high-quality Spanish Bluefin--the exact same caliber of fish utilized by Michelin-starred establishments. What truly sets them apart is their ability to offer the complete trinity of bluefin cuts: the deep, ruby-red lean akami, the perfectly marbled chu-toro, and the rich, melt-in-your-mouth o-toro. The menu reads like a love letter to the ocean. Finding high-grade yellowtail belly can be a challenge, but here, it is a staple of exceptional quality. For those with an adventurous and educated palate, the chefs regularly feature incredibly hard-to-find selections like itoyori (golden threadfin bream), mejina (opaleye), and a luxuriously rich fatty bonito. The uni deserves its own paragraph. Sea urchin can be a gamble at lesser restaurants, but here it is pristine. On any given night, you might be lucky enough to find both creamy California uni and the briny, delicate Hokkaido uni available for side-by-side comparison. Another testament to their traditional approach and culinary respect is how they utilize the week's fresh catch to craft a warm, incredibly tasty fish head soup. It is a deeply comforting, umami-rich broth that extracts every ounce of flavor from the premium seafood they bring in, showcasing a level of authenticity you rarely see anymore. While the menu does offer French-inspired dishes and various hot kitchen items, let me be clear: you are here for the sushi. The hot food isn't bad by any means, but if you truly want a culinary experience, do not waste precious stomach space on it. You are here for the raw fish. The singular exception to this rule is the pork gyoza--they are remarkably juicy and absolutely worth the order. Do not skip dessert. In many sushi restaurants, desserts are an afterthought, but here they are top-notch and entirely homemade. The Japanese flan is impossibly silky and decadent. However, the true star is the crème brûlée cheesecake--it is remarkably smooth, slicing effortlessly at the touch of a fork, with a deeply satisfying flavor profile that entirely avoids being overly sweet. I have to address the elephant in the neighborhood: this place absolutely destroys Morimoto down the street. Morimoto has become a tourist trap resting on a recognizable name, employing inexperienced chefs to cater to the sheep-like masses who prioritize a flashy dining room over authentic taste. If you actually understand and respect true sushi, you skip the theatrical nonsense down the street and come here. Let's also be brutally honest about the price point: excellence comes at a premium. This is an uncompromising, high-end culinary experience, and the bill reflects the quality of ingredients flown in from Japan. If you are a bargain hunter, looking for cheap eats, or aren't willing to pay for top-tier craftsmanship, save your time and look elsewhere. This establishment is for serious diners who understand the value of good sushi and aren't just looking for a good enough "AYCE" experience.

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    Umai Omakase - sushi - Updated May 2026

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