Umi Japanese Fine Dining
1500 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA, 22401
Umi Japanese Fine Dining Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Fredericksburg for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Fredericksburg for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Fredericksburg for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1500 Jefferson Davis Hwy
Fredericksburg, VA, 22401 - Phone (540) 373-3881
- Website https://umisushiva.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Ashley J.
Tuna spoons.... We absolutely LOVE the sushi at Umi, we go pretty often. The Tuma spoons are a must as is the spicy crab salad. Everything is super fresh and done very well!!
(5)Mrs C.
Just need a place to rest and get a light lunch for our long drive. Not authentic. Decor - just ok. I like the logo. Food presentation - not really there. Not sure why this is called 'fine dining'. Ordered seaweed salad and came in a small mound in a regular glass bowl. Service - Ordered a Rainbow roll for my daughter and a Shrimp Tempura roll for myself and both rolls were placed in one plate. The sushi chef might make a mistake but the waitress just gave the plate to my daughter and left. Food - taste is just okay but portion is small. It even charged me $1.75 for a cup of green tea and this is supposed to be a Japanese restaurant! Will not recommended.....
(2)Pat W.
One of our favorite sushi bars....Johnathan and his staff always make sure that you are taken care of and the food is the freshest around.....PERIOD.
(5)Garth H.
Outstanding sushi. Best I have had outside of NYC!!! Great staff and Great food a must see if in Fredericksburg.
(5)Mike K.
The lovely lady that I have been dating decided that we simply must have some sushi, so after a quick perusal of Yelp we decided to try a couple of places in the Fredericksburg area, Umi being one of them. Umi was last on our list of sushi places to try, and while the others were good, Umi is the one we keep going to when we are house sitting for her mom. Umi does not disappoint at all, they serve some of the best sushi I've ever had. The fish is incredibly fresh (we both felt the other sushi spots in the area used fish that wasn't as fresh) and the sushi chefs know their business. We had a hard time deciding what to get looking at the menu on our first visit, ultimately choosing a Sushi & Sashimi deluxe for her, a trio of rolls for me - Wasabi, Dragon and Megan and a couple of rolls for her son, a Superman and a Spider Web roll. The plates that came out were absolutely gorgeous looking, it's nice to see sushi being presented like art as opposed to just coming on a simple wooden tray with a daub of wasabi and a pile of ginger on the corners. Everything tasted as good as it looked. They have a very nice selection of sake, especially welcome to see they had chilled sake as well as hot sake. Always a good sign to see that. Over the course of our visits we have sat at the bar as well as at a table. Both are great experiences, and the sushi chefs are great to chat with either at the bar or from your table if it's not packed. Every recommendation they've given us has been spot on and we've tried sushi and sashimi we likely would not have thought of without the chef's advice. Octopus in particular. Like most sushi places I remember growing up in Hawaii, they have items that aren't on the menu. If you like tuna, ask for the Tuna Spoon appetizer - you'll thank me later.
(5)Lynne K.
This is my go-to sushi joint in FredVegas. Their chicken lettuce wraps are always tasty to start. I seem to always get the Megan roll and Spicy Girl roll (which immediately makes me incredibly embarrassed after I order it because it's such a ludicrous name for an adult to order. It's like ordering an absurdly named drink at a bar with a straight face. "No really, take me seriously." But I digress...) Their sushi is good and the waitstaff is always very nice. My only beef is that the sushi takes a pretty long time and more than once, I seen my sushi sitting at the counter for several minutes before someone actually delivers it to my table. One time it was just sitting there and I had to fight my overwhelming urge to just walk up and take it back to my table myself. Mostly because that would be a bit too uncivilized for my taste. To sum up: food is good, specialty rolls have some ridiculous names, sushi sometimes hangs out all alone for a bit before being delivered to its table.
(4)Kat L.
So we have returned many many times and love this place . .. my favs are the Megan Roll and the crab and cream cheese roll.... my daughter lives the Superman Roll as well as the crab and cream cheese roll!!
(5)Jeff H.
What I ordered: * Pork Shumai - tiny, but delicious * Tuna Spoons - amazing flavors * White Tuna Ceviche - small portion for the price, but expertly crafted. * Shrimp Tempura - Huge portions, not greasy, perfectly battered. * Miso Soup - same all around and delicious * Bento Box C (Salmon Teriyaki & Shrimp) - Fish was crispy out/moist in, dinner box is a lot of food. But, the thing that most impressed me was the Unagi (Eel) Sashimi. I have tried a lot of eel from many places but this was hands down the best. The meat was perfect, with a layer of fat that melted on my tongue immediately. It reminded me of the same taste when you eat a perfectly cooked piece of marbled ribeye. It was a Monday night, at 8pm so a light crowd with immediate seating. I imagine they can be pretty busy but this trip was ideal. The waitresses were on point and left no empty dish on the table for more than a few minutes. Total bill was around $70. I would have passed on the ceviche had I known the portion size, but I have been craving it since a trip to Miami last year.
(5)Fay M.
Great food! Before I was not into sushi...now it's my favorite! Miso soup is awesome also!
(5)Brandi F.
My husband and I had our first date here. Three years later, we were engaged here (the ring was hiding on the beautifully plated dish). When we want date night sushi, this is the only place we go! Sony and Jonathon are amazingly creative. If you only order off of the menu, you are missing out. If you're open to trying new things, ask them to just make you something. They will flex their culinary muscles and present you with something imaginative, delicious, and gorgeous. Their gold standard are the tuna spoons, so that is a must-try. You can go anywhere for a California roll! Let these guys surprise you! Thank you Sony and Jonathon for the last four years!
(5)David J.
Just ok.
(3)C L.
As far as Sushi in Fredericksburg/Stafford, Umi is top notch. I recently tried it after driving by many times. The building looks like it used to be a fast-food place previously, so I was a little standoffish. Inside though it was quite delightful. I have been two times now and its been packed both times, and that was during the middle of the week. I take that as a good sign. The sushi has been fresh and tasty and the service was too notch as well.
(5)Angela W.
We did a very large (14 rolls) to go order last night. Though we didn't dine in, the restaurant looked nice & the staff were all very friendly. Like I said we ordered 14 rolls: Godzilla, Dragon, Summer, Wasabi, Spicy Girl, Morgan, Spider Web, Dynamite, Megan, Untouchable, Spicy Yellow Tail & Scallion, Salmon Skin, Spider All were delicious with exception of the summer roll. Didn't care for that. Hubby didn't care for the Wasabi roll, too much roe. I liked it though. Our favorites were the Spicy Girl, Spider Web & the Untouchable. Definitely a quality sushi place. On par with our home favorite (Matsu Sushi in Centreville).
(5)Dave Y.
I recently dined at Umi on three different occasions during a two week visit to Fredericksburg. I originally heard about Umi through colleagues who highly recommended it. After reading numerous reviews on Yelp, I decided it was worth a visit (or two), and am happy to report that I was not disappointed on any of my visits. From its unassuming, low-key location, Umi doesn't appear to be very remarkable. It's location isn't widely advertised and isn't very overt, being located just off of Route 1, but what it lacks in location and exterior beauty, it more than makes up for with its hospitable staff and superb menu and itamae (sushi chefs). The interior is simple, yet clean and refined, providing a relaxed and mellow mood for your dining experience. Although I dined alone, numerous couples and groups of friends seemed to enjoy the setting. On busy nights, the sushi bar prooved to be a nice place to meet other people and discuss the wide variety of sushi this restaurant offers. The lighting is low, but the table settings are well arranged and the layout is intimate. On all three of my visits, I sat at the sushi bar, and even at 6'2", found I had adequate leg room and a nice view of the sushi prep area. The wait staff speak good English and are very hospitable and friendly. Engaging the itamae will be rewarded with offers to try special dishes and inquiry into what kinds of sushi you enjoy. Now, for the food: Everything I have tried at Umi is fantastic. I have yet to order from the menu, preferring to allow the itamae to prepare my dishes according to their abilities, availability of fish, and with feedback on my personal preferences. During my visits, I interacted with only one itamae, a young man, named "Ace", who has won my heart and stomach. Ace has prepared no fewer than 20 different sushi dishes for me, and all have been exceptional. Ace even introduced me to several new varieties of sashimi and nigiri that I had previously never considered trying, only to learn that each was delicious. I even tried a quail egg and, though unusual to my palette, even it was enjoyable. All of Ace's dishes were good or great, but some of the more memorable pieces include his mixed ceviche, the sushi spoons (a must try at this location), fresh scallops, and his eel and conch nigiri. I really can't say enough good things about Ace's abilities. He does really interesting things with raw seafood. On each visit, I enjoyed 6-8 dishes, along with a bottle of sake (Umi has two or three pages of sake selections on their menu!!!) and also sampled the tempura cheesecake for desert, which is not to be missed. Although, I have enjoyed better sushi dining experiences in more high-profile restaurants in Seattle and D.C., I don't remember exactly when and must admit that Umi is just a special place, especially considering that it is located in a smaller town where one wouldn't expect great sushi. Umi may not be very luxurious, but it is a pleasant place to dine. It doesn't feature world-famous itamae, but those that work there are worthy of respect and they really provide a nice experience for their customers. Pricing is reasonable (my most expensive meal was an 8-dish dinner, including sake and desert), which was just under $100. A person ordering from the menu would expect to pay significantly less. I REALLY like this place and look forward to visiting Umi again as soon as possible. For those preferring a small, intimate dining experience with friendly staff, and really good sushi, Umi will not disappoint. Enjoy!
(4)Andrew B.
Best sushi place I've been too. Crab Rangoon with their special sauce is awesome for Appetizer. I usually get Dynamite Roll and a half order of Shrimp Fried Rice that comes with yum yum sauce.
(5)Jay G.
They know what they are doing here when it comes to preparing Sushi. The product was fresh and creative. I started with the seafood soup - very good, then to the mango salad - also very good, then the tuna spoon. I have never had anything quite like it and words cannot really capture the experience. I should have stopped eating at that point, but I really wanted to know what else they could create. I told the server to have the chef just make what he felt like. I had two more plates that will make me come back. The service was a little slow and the wine was a tad-bit stale. In fairness - I did not ask for a replacement glass. I will recommend coming here and I will be back.
(4)Emily G.
The food is incredible, service was fast and friendly, get the pork fried dumplings as an app they are delicious
(4)Dana Z.
I am not a sushi person. I think I've had it once in my life, and it was when I wanted to try it when my friend ordered it. So this was kind of a first for me. We decided to go on New Years Eve with some friends. We did need reservations not only because of the holiday, but also because the place itself is not that big. So seating is kind of limited. We ordered a bunch of things just to get a big sample and shared. The tuna cocktail appetizer was amazing. I love tuna. And avocado. And spicy sauce. So it was kiiinda perfect. My best friend was told by one of her friends to try the eel sushi roll. We were quite frightened to try it, but we decided to be daring and we gave it a shot. It may have been the unanimous favorite thing at the table. I couldn't help but thinking I was eating Flotsam & Jetsam from The Little Mermaid... I don't live in the area so chances of me returning is very slim, but it gave me a great first impression for sushi. Thanks Umi!
(4)Tameika O.
The food was okay nothing to brag about. The sushi looked good however mine came out after my meal so I didn't get to enjoy as I would have liked. The service was horrible and the wait for the entrees was pretty lengthy.
(3)M F.
Love this place, nicely decorated, personal sushi chefs. We always sit at the sushi bar and somehow end up holding conversations with chefs. They all have great stories to tell, they get to know you, as well as being open to preparing you different type of sushi you might not normal order. I think sitting right in front of the chefs gives it a much better experience for people then being served at a table, esp in this establishment.
(5)Tristan A.
Well, I am from Florida and I must say this is No "Sushi restaurant". I wasn't thoroughly impressed with the menu it wasn't very informative and there wasn't as many options as I am accustomed to. I received my water and there was some nasty stuff inside my glass, so naturally it was sent back. We had a pepper tuna app that was really good. It had a nice spice to it. Unfortunately, I think they forgot about it and it took 20 min to receive. The rolls weren't too bad. We got the spicy girl roll which was pretty tasty and the rainbow roll which I wasn't really impressed with. I love sushi and hope to find a higher end sushi restaurant in Fred!
(3)Ryan H.
Fantastic sushi, and for a good price. The restaurant is nice, and the staff is very helpful. This is one of my favorite places.
(4)Kenneth F.
This is a must try restaurant for anyone who likes Japanese cuisine or good cuisine in general. The service is impeccable and only matched by the quality of the food. The Chefs are professional yet charismatic and have fresh food out as they cook. The Superman roll is a MUST try. I highly recommend sitting at the bar as it gives a closer and more personal experience. It also landed my girlfriend and I a free dish by asking the chefs favorite after our meal. Overall great restaurant. However, they can get busy.
(5)Colby H.
Theres nothing to say bad about this place. The sushi is awesome and the entrees are great! I always get their salad with their house dressing (ginger dressing). It's soooo good! The employees are very freindly and you can sit at the bar and watch them make your rolls. I will keep coming back!
(5)Andrea B.
Stopped here while in Fredericksburg last weekend. It's a cool place, clean! Service was a bit slow but we were not in a rush, just hungry. Husband had the spicy tuna roll and there were no complaints. I had the chicken lettuce wrap and it was really good. We are looking forward to the Umi opening soon in Stafford~
(4)Jaime T.
The food at Umi is every bit as delicious as it is pretty to look at! In addition, the staff is friendly and the service is great, so this is definitely one of the best spots for sushi in Fredericksburg! And don't forget to order the Tuna Spoons!! They're not on the menu but this secret gem is one worth sharing!
(5)Keith B.
Umi is a restaurant that I tried to like. The Yelp reviews were encouraging. The look and scale of the place is inviting. It is clean, small and the decor is tasteful and authentic. The problem that I had with it was with the food. I ordered a Wasabi Roll, Dynamite Roll and Spicy Tuna Roll. I am not sure why Wasabi is in the name of the roll. The flavor was ok, not great, just ok, but lacked any hint of wasabi. The Dynamite Roll was bland and not close to how it was described in the menu. The Spicy Tuna Roll lacked any degree at all of spiciness. It too, was very bland. I may try Umi again, to see if this first time experience was a one off, but this first time was mediocre at best.
(2)Evy J.
Absolutely wonderful service. Everyone was extremely attentive and very friendly despite the place being packed. I love love love sushi and it was just what I needed. Everything was wonderful and the prices were more than fantastic as well. I wish I lived in spotsy because I would absolutely be a regular here. Thank you zoe and melody! You were wonderful!
(5)Derek R.
Overall mediocre; however, great service, but in a irritating atmosphere, average quality food with small portions and prices comparable to better Sushi eateries. Not worth the drive or your money. Not a disaster but definitely will not return. Sashimi: small portions, presentation average, quality below average of the fish. It did not appear super fresh which is a requirement. Rolls. Some were so awfully executed we didn't even know what they were. The saving grace was the Tuna roll which was massive. The salmon roll was not the freshest. Miso Soup: Soup was the standard, like the restaurant......a little below average. Hot Tea: A bag and a cup.....thanks. Keep your bag since you won't get another. Atmosphere: Nice decor but very loud and crowded. Chairs literally butted up next to each other at lunch. Parking: Very good! Access and space is convenient.
(1)Toni E.
I've been here twice now and both times equated to similar experiences. I absolutely love me some sushi, and I like to try anywhere I can. The service here is as expected, the waiters are nice and check up on you often. The seaweed salad, which I always get, is very good here. The rolls are tasty, however there isn't a lot of variety with the special rolls. I've had the untouchable and dynamite rolls. The latter has a little too much sauce on it, and it's pretty thick. The untouchable is probably my favorite, but if you don't like smoke flavor then I would avoid this one. The prices are fair as well. I'm from Pennsylvania, and most of our special rolls are at least $15. Overall, this isn't my first choice in the area, but still worth a try.
(3)Stephen F.
Sashimi and sushi were relatively fresh. Portions were reasonable; bento dinner and lunch boxes are an excellent value. Full dsclosure; I haven't tried any of the chef's special rolls yet. I had the sashimi and girlfriend had one of the vegetarian bento boxes. Vegetarian options are above average for a sushi restaurant; one of the bento dinner boxes is vegetarian and it comes with sweet potato rolls, which are excellent. Service was good, but the restaurant was crowded and servers tended to be pulled in many directions. If you show up without a reservation, you may be out of luck or need to sit at the bar. (We sat at the bar). I prefer Miso, right down the street, as they larger portions, (from what I've tried) fresher / tastier sashimi, a much larger seating area, slightly better service and a larger menu.
(3)Richard H.
We love amazing sushi fans and have been to tons of nice sushi places and this is one of our favorite places! Amazing sushi!
(5)Jen H.
Love going here! Since moving back, I've been looking for a place that has good sushi, this place is where you want to go. No hibachi. I gave this place a 4-star only because the waitresses get a bit annoying and always ask if you're done, even if you've just started. They do it so much, it makes you feel like they're kicking you out...fair warning. Try the Megan or Superman rolls
(4)Jon L.
Umi is an Ocean...and exceptional sushi. Dropped in with mi hijos on a Monday evening. There were three other people and they were at the sushi bar. I was informed by Luna who greeted, seated and offered beverage service that you can't get Jasmine tea, only green...OK, got it. A triple thick menu with lots of choices, I especially like the combo options. It was great to see they had shumai, pork & shrimp appetizers so we orderd one of each. For our main we ordered the roll lovers for 2: two godzilla rolls, two shrimp tempura, two California roll and one spicy tuna. We opted for the lobster miso soup & a salad. In the soup you get little chunks of lobster with the shell still on. Everything was exceptional. The food quality, the flavor and presentation were all what you might expect from a 'fine dining' Japanese restaurant. Not exacttly what I would call 'fine' but def upscale casual. Queenie took great care of us and was very attentive with beverage service and clearing plates. The only reason this doesn't come with an additional star is because of service. After asking for pre-meal tea and Splenda twice from two servers I had to go on a hunt to find it myself. A great find in the 'burg, you all are fortunate to have a restaurant of this caliber. The Sushi chef & staff smiled and wished us a happy holiday as we left. An overall great experience indeed.
(4)Fernando G.
I have to agree with some of the less-positive reviews here. It's Fredericksburg, so you've got to lower your expectations when it comes to "Japanese Fine Dining." Sure, it's Japanese-style and the menu is primarily Japanese food. Having lived in Japan, however, it's a far cry from the quality you'd get there or even at a decent place in DC, NYC, or Seattle. The sushi is acceptable, it's fresh but not particularly flavorful. The miso soup was bland and watered down. The broth in the udon lacked the real depth you hope to taste when paired with thick noodles. It'll do, but for now I'd rather go with the more varied menu at Miso. It's no more authentic, but I find the variety more appealing. As far as a general restaurant, it's quite nice. The decor is appealing, the seating was fairly plentiful, and the service was pretty decent. (I found it humorous that when I pronounce things the Japanese way, the waitress didn't know what I meant.) I'll probably go back, since options are limited in Fredericksburg and for sushi newbies I think the selections are fine -- until you try the real deal at a place such as Maneki in Seattle, that is!
(2)Tia H.
Umi has become my regular sushi spot in Fredericksburg, though when the one in stafford opens I'll be glad not to have to drive! I love it here, I grew up in Japan so I know it's not the most authentic but it's as close as you'll get in VA. The Nobuyaki Udon is the best I've ever had in the states, not perfect but still 5 star in my book. The sashimi is very good too, though I'm more of a roll fan. If you have 15$ to spare and youre looking for a mind blowing roll, try the fansastic roll - tuna, tempura shrimp, avacado, on top of wasabi cream, with spicy crab on top. One of the best things I've ever eaten! The service is usually great and very attentive.
(5)Blanche N.
I wish this place had been better. We love sushi, and we went to a sushi place every week when we lived in New Orleans. Everything was just very average compared to our old favorite. The rolls were also kinda smallish.
(3)Steve S.
I really love sushi...I could probably eat sushi a good, solid 3 days a week...maybe 4 if given the chance (and maybe a second job to pay for it). So when I go out of town I love sneaking off and trying to find a gem of a sushi place. I think I found the Hope Diamond in Fredericksburg, VA. I don't claim to be a connoisseur, but I KNOW fresh sushi when I taste it...and I KNOW delicious when I taste it, and let me tell you...I KNOW I just tasted both! Two of my coworkers and I decided we wanted sushi so I checked out Yelp for some guidance and we snuck off to Umi Japanese Fine Dining after we were done for the day. When we walked through the door we were greeted by a bellowing "Hello, Welcome to Umi!" from behind the sushi bar and the waitresses seated us immediately. Throughout the course of the evening the service was great. My co-workers started with Kirin Ichibans and I went with a house sake (just have to have sake when I'm eating sushi in). I ordered a special roll, some standard sushi pieces (tuna, yellowfin, and snapper), an eel hand roll, and we got this fresh octopus special-sliced really thin with cucumber and a chef's special hot sauce (OMG this octopus was so good I didn't want to finish it). Everything was so fresh and the portions were great...not too much rice, nice pieces of fish, it was honestly a plate full of perfection. My co-workers each got a couple of rolls and some sushi as well and they both agreed-awesomeness that even Poseidon would appreciate!!! I'm down here for two weeks so I guarantee this won't be my only visit to Umi...if you get the chance, and you love sushi, you HAVE to give this place a try. Just writing this review makes me want to go back NOW, and I'm still full!
(5)Louise R.
Everyone in our family loves sushi and Fredericksburg doesn't have a lot of great sushi, but Umi stands out as a star. Service is always friendly, atmosphere is inviting and food is consistently good. As other reviewers have pointed out, they don't have a huge variety of rolls but what they do have is always yummy. The appetizer tuna is delicious. In a nutshell, this place won't knock your socks off but it is reliably good. We'll be back.
(4)Jennifer F.
My favorite sushi in Virginia! Dynamite Roll, Creamy Crab Roll, Morgan Roll and Megan Roll are awesome!
(5)Draper Y.
Well I've heard rave reviews at this place for its great sushi and atmosphere. We get there and ask for water with no lemon...we got a lemon. It's fine no big deal. Then as my fiancé goes to drink her water I stop her because there is a this brown rim in the middle on the inside of it, like it was used for some sort of dairy. I showed the waitress and, grabs it and replaces it but acts like it was an inconvenience. I ordered a appetizer which I think they forgot...there was no line to sit down and we've been here over 30 minutes sitting with no sign of food. This really doesn't even deserve a food review as the service up to now deserves a one star... Sad because I was so excited. I'll give it another try next week!
(1)Larry D.
I took my brother here about a month ago when I was visiting my East coast family. What a pleasant suprise it was! He had never heard of the place before, but he usually gets his sushi up in North Stafford close to where he works. Upon arrival we were seated quickly and our drink orders were taken. We did not order from the bar and did not look at the drink menu. We ordered from the roll portion of the menu. The waitress took the order for the 2 rolls we were going to start with and the chef went to work. 5 minutes later we were greeted by 2 works of art in front of us. I remember I had the Megan Roll ( I put a photo of it on here). Quite a remarkable blend of textures and flavors. The next roud the waitress talked to us to find out what we each liked about the rolls and made recommendations based on that.
(4)Darcy P.
My husband and I are new to Fredericksburg, recent transplants from California. As such, we are used to seeing Japanese restaurants on every other corner, and weren't sure how east coast sushi would stack up. But I am happy to say that this was honestly the best we've ever had! We sat at the sushi bar and were treated to the most unique and wonderful dishes we'd ever experienced, by our chef Jasper. The ambiance was soothing and beautiful, the service attentive and customized, and every single bite absolutely delectable. We will most certainly be back!
(5)Jamie H.
I've been to Umi twice and the overall experience was just okay. The servers are usually very nice but I'm not a huge fan of the actual dining room and compared to other sushi in the area, it's standard fare. A fair fallback if Miso is jam-packed.
(3)Ginger H.
Dropped in while traveling back from the beach. A colleague who lives near here suggested this place. We were pleasantly surprised!! What you get: * Upscale casual setting (fine dining... not so much but its certainly "upscaled") * Great price points for generous portions * Tasty and filling meal * Excellent service * Great parking (not in the city) What you don't get: * Not the "best" sashime but certainly excellent for the location and resources available * Fine dining experience (paper napkins) * Outrageous prices We opted for the Love Boat for Two - 2 excellent rolls, 10 pieces of generous sushi and 15 pieces of really good sashime (suspect not all were fresh but rather flash frozen which is not uncommon) ... all for.... drum roll...... $48! YES, I said, $48!! This place is actually worth a drive down from DC as I have not had much better in the city to be quite frank. I'd say, quite honestly, but I'm always honest... Last- the chef came by and talked with us even though he was extremely busy... nice touch!
(4)Derrick M.
I love sushi and UMI is hands down the goto choice in the tricounty area. Best sushi and the only place that serves only the coldest freshest sushi. No questions. Eat here!!!
(5)Michael H.
For a Japanese dining experience in Fredericksburg, this place is amazing! The sushi tastes fresh and cooked to order. Nothing feels pre-packaged or pre-cooked, and you're sure to have high quality food if you decide to come by and take a seat. The staff is very nice and warm. You can also see the chefs cooking live right in front of you! Plus the location is not inside a shopping center which means it's not hard to find and parking is pretty available (depending on the night or day you go). Why didn't I give five stars? It's simple: the price. For what you pay for, you won't get a big dish of sushi so just make sure to savor every bite you take. For me this is a once-in-a-while stop for a special occasion like a hot date or something. If you can shell the money out though, you definitely won't be disappointed! I highly recommend it.
(4)Wayne E.
Great place, service is spot on and fresh sushi! This is a go to place for me when in town and a favorite of my daughter. Always a great experience and service.
(5)Lee Ann M.
I have eaten sushi all around the country, New York, Hawaii, California, Washington, DC, and this place, hands down, was the best sushi I have ever had. The staff is very attentive (some might say a little too attentive) I had a spicy tuna hand roll, a shrimp tempura roll, and one of their specials the Megan roll. I am not usually a fan of the ginger salad dressing, but they have tastiest I've ever had. Also, the miso soup was delicious. I know I pretty much said it for everything, but this was the best Japanese food I've ever had in the States. I was 100% just after eating the miso soup and salad with ginger dressing. I can't wait to go back again and try some more of their specials!
(5)Megan T.
Limited menu but attentive, friendly staff. I had four different fish-free rolls and they were fine. My avocado might have been slightly over-ripe. My fiancé had a sashimi plater and said the fish was good and fresh tasting.
(4)Jonathon M.
Delicious sushi and tempura. I went with a friend of mine who goes to UMW, for $50 we got a ton of food, got to watch a guy spill a sake bomb, had very nice waitstaff and both enjoyed our meals ( My friend loves food, his stomach is made of iron I assume. ) I had some nigiri and maki (rolls) both were good, the miso soup was great tasting and I enjoyed it very much.
(5)A M.
I'm always happy to eat at Umi. The sushi is delicious, and the presentation is very appetizing as well. Though I normally skip appetizers at most places, I have to indulge here because Umi is one of the few restaurants in the area that makes dumplings that are neither soggy nor fried into rubber. When I'm not in the mood for sushi, the chicken katsu is excellent. The breading is just right and the chicken is tender rather than tough. One note: Don't be deterred by the "upscale" description given by some reviewers. In my experience, Umi is more dressy casual than formal.
(5)Adam N.
Best Japanese in Fredericksburg by far. You can't go wrong with a bento box or any of their meals that include steak.
(5)Caitlin T.
So I'll start by saying I don't eat sushi - but my husband does. He said he'd give the sushi 4 stars, my teriyaki chicken was good and the appetizers were realllly good. It's pretty small so you definitely want to come a little early to avoid a wait. It's a very popular spot in Fred - arguably the best sushi in town, but my husband said miso and umi's sushi are neck in neck. Worth a try, especially if you eat sushi - they have a big big selection of sushi to try.
(4)Jennifer C.
My husband and I came here for lunch today, and everything about it was wonderful! We were seated and greeted promptly. The lunch menu is relatively cheap (around $8 for each entree) and simple (choose any 2 rolls or a bento box), but when it comes to sushi, sometimes simplicity is best. I ordered a salmon roll and a salmon skin and scallions roll. The salmon roll was plain but good, and the salmon skin roll was AMAZING. My husband ordered the eel and avocado roll, which was also absolutely delicious. We also shared a salmon teryaki bento box which came with a california roll (yum!) and pork dumplings (even yummier!). With each entree, you get a choice of side or salad. The salad comes with a ginger dressing that is so good, I could drink it by the bottle! And the miso soup is pretty good too :) Overall, wonderful lunch experience. We will definitely be coming here again.
(5)Mike S.
How can people think this is good food? Ah, you're in Fredericksburg, Virginia, that's why. I'll attempt to keep review as objective as possible. The nabeyaki udon was a bland bowl of of over-cooked noodles drowned in brine, adorned with some (what appeared to be and tasted like) frozen chopped vegetables. Serving the single tempura shrimp and onion ring on a separate plate was a cute, though misguided touch. The soup only became slightly edible after a heavy dose of shichimi. The chirashizushi was a delightfully boring and paltry assortment of fish, most likely fresh from the freezer. Points for arranging the bowl to hide the substantive lack of variety. The teriyaki chicken was (yet another) meager portion, also downing in sauce. Are we noticing a pattern here? Initially, the service was attentive and quick. But as the evening wore on, it rapidly deteriorated. Apparently, they decide for you when your meal is over. We received the bill before the last dish was cleared from the table. After they were shocked to hear we wanted dessert, the waitress had the audacity to correct us. I guess we all misread your menu. An "oops" Ã la Rick Perry, she then caught on and brought us our mochi ice cream. Considering these were prepackaged, I can't comment. But props on nice presentation. Unfortunately, a pretty face doesn't mean a pretty heart, or in this case, meal. It's amusing to see all these reviews touting the "upscale" dining experience. Riiiight. Surprising what things look like when you leave the trailer, eh?
(2)Adrian M.
Best sushi in Fredericksburg. Go once a month at least and lunch special is the best. Great food great service. Love this joint...big plus that it's a short walk from home.
(5)Jonathan H.
The presentation's amazin'; the service is key. Try unagi, tobiko or butterflied ebi. There was uni, tazuna and a tasty chirashi, Paired with kani tempura that was equally yummy. Our chef shares my name but his talent's transcendent. On my left there's a plate, what's left are some remnants.
(5)Brian A.
2nd trip, this time at lunch, great food at great prices. I had the lunch sampler. Wife choose 2 from the choose 2 for lunch section. One was asparagus, I forget the other but she loved it. As we sat there, the chef noticed I liked wasabi. He offered up 2 different types from his private stash. I did not even know there were other types. I liked the one made from the leaves best. Don't use the soy when you do this, it hides the flavor!
(5)Jack F.
You would never expect to find a place this good in an old fast food building on Rte. 1, but it actually looks nice on the inside. I'm used to the teppanyaki places that we have a couple of around here, so this was much different, much more of a focus on the sushi and some different Japanese dishes. Tried the live scallop special, which was really fresh brightened up with some citrus. Was about 11-12 bucks for that but since scallop is really expensive anywhere that isn't much of a surprise. The sushi rolls are solid and are plenty big enough that the scallop and two rolls made for a good meal. They also do have options if you want something not as out there - actually they have really great fried rice, huge portion of chicken fried rice for about 7-8 bucks. Really attentive service too, loved this place overall.
(5)BJ L.
This is a nice lunch time sushi joint. The prices are pretty good, the presentation is nice, and I want sushi more often than I do not. Pretty standard sushi, nothing terrible, and nothing mind-blowing, but most likely worth your time.
(3)Michele G.
I am a former sushi chef, having worked at sushi bars in California and Northern Virginia. This is a real find in Fredericksburg! The fish is fresh. The sushi is very good. Don't waste your time and money at Wegmann's, come here for authentic sushi with generous amounts of fish. Definitely try the sushi & sashimi lunch specials, great deal!
(4)Kelly D.
Good service, great atmosphere. Sit at the sushi bar if possible if having sushi. Lots of interaction with the chefs and they love to create off the menu items for you! Prices are good and fish is always fresh! On weekend nights (and some weeknights) be prepared to wait, but it's worth it!!
(5)Sarah T.
My love for Umi is so vast, I'm not sure how to adequately express it in a Yelp review! I could eat at this place every night, and would give it ten stars if I could. Was recently in Santa Monica and ate a Zagat-rated, supposedly super-popular fancy sushi joint near the pier, and it was nowhere near as good as Umi. Fabulous presentation, great atmosphere, tasty and fresh ingredients, and I love how the chefs are cool enough to customize the rolls for you upon request. My favorites are the awesome spicy CRAB SALAD (a MUST try, don't know a single person I've encouraged to try it who has not become hooked), Superman Roll, Godzilla Roll, and the Sexy Girl (Which is not on the menu but also a must try!). One of the best restaurants in Fredericksburg.
(5)Becca G.
I have literally taken our cooking dinner out and put it in the refrigerator because someone called asking if we wanted to go to Umi. I absolutely LOVE this place! Also, having married into a Japanese family, I can attest to it's culinary authenticity. Big fan of the spicy crab salad (not spicy, but still amazing), and seafood soup. Also, the spider web roll, Godzilla roll, and superman rolls are really great. Chef Jonathan (one of the owners) suggested adding a few slices of cucumber to your sake (hot or cold). Very nice twist.
(5)Kevin W.
After reading the reviews with such high praise my girlfriend and I decided to give Umi a try. We are truly glad we did!! What an incredible find and now a regular stop. Everything we've ever tried has been fresh and delicious. If your looking for an overpriced, trendy, New York style sushi restaurant (Jim U.) you're not gonna find it. It's laid back, comfortable and welcoming. The Sushi Chefs, Sony and Jonathon are great! Not only friendly and engaging, but will even recommend new sushi for you to try based on your level of experience. I've had sushi all around the world. (Asia, Europe and the Americas) This is hands down one of my favorites.
(5)Lynette L.
I swear the building must have housed a Long John Silvers or something in year's past, but don't let that deter you. Green tea tempura ice creammmmmm!!! If a sushi place has green tea tempura ice cream (and it's made correctly and is delicious), they automatically get 1 extra star. As for the rest of the meal, from appetizers to desserts, everything was great, especially considering we're not exactly in the food capital of the country...so I'll take it! I really liked how our sushi was presented. Most restaurants either don't give you the end scraps of the roll or there are those 2 awkwardly-shaped-and-poorly-distributed pieces with each roll that you and your partner play rock-paper-scissors and the loser eats them while the winner gets the normal pieces... Well, at Umi, the chefs stuff extra goodness into those "scraps" and make them look and taste delicious. My husband I were literally fighting each other over food for the first time in our lives. The nigiri was also good. I like when the piece of fish is so big, it takes me like, 3 bites to eat it all. We definitely want to go back...soon...
(5)Launie K.
Umi was referred to me when we moved to Fredericksburg. Everywhere we have lived, we have always had our "sushi place." This is it! It's the only one we've tried since moving here, but it's the only one I need to try! It's got the mom and pop diner atmosphere, with a small sushi bar where the counter would be. Between everyone in our party, we tried about 6 rolls, and they were all so good! The giant sashimi bowl was not worth the $$...so my friend said, but the pricing on the rolls was very reasonable and they are sooooo good!
(5)Danielle G.
My hubby and I are big sushi fans, and Umi is now our first choice! All of the appetizer options we've tried are great, and I love their spicy crab salad. Their house specialty sushi rolls are unique and flavorful, and the prices aren't too bad. We've always had great service that's fast and accurate, even though this place is almost always packed! The only downside to Umi is that the restaurant is pretty small, and sometimes you have to wait a while for a table. But, when you're craving good sushi, it's worth the wait! Yum!
(4)Kimberli W.
I am a regular to Umi's! I definately like this location's food better than the one located in Richmond. The food is always fresh, nicely presented, and the head sushi chef and Jonathan are the best! If you sit at the sushi bar and aren't sure about trying something, talk to them! They will usually make a single serving up so that you can try it!
(5)Sam L.
I always have a tasty time at Umi's. It's a good place for sushi. They don't have many hot entrees. Fairly expensive. Limited seating, so it's always best to call ahead. It gets packed quickly. There's a sushi bar. Which are the most coveted seats in the whole place! (I think those are the best seats)
(4)Jeremy C.
I've been to Umi twice now based on the recommendation I received from a local chef. Both times, the food and service were excellent. The first time I visited, my son and I were seated at the Sushi bar and got watch the chefs prepare a variety of different rolls, sashimi and other dishes. Every plate was carefully created - the chefs put care and attention into a quality dish. The second time I went, I went with a larger group. We had to wait a little for a table, but not too long and we were offered drinks while we waited. Again, the food was beyond reproach. The seafood preparations from their entree menu were excellent as were their Bento boxes. The real treat at Umi is their Sushi. I've had 6 different varieties and all were delightful and very well made. The ingredients were top notch and the crafting was artistic. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite local restaurants!
(5)Amber W.
I came to Umi for lunch on a Friday. Instead of having an entire menu with different soups and salads and things, they had only lunch combos and individual rolls available at that time. I showed up around 1:30 and it was still pretty crowded, but I was seated at the bar with no wait. I ordered the two-roll lunch combo with the philadelphia roll and the spicy white tuna crunch roll. Both were excellent - very fresh. I don't believe the rolls were entire orders, but together they made plenty of food. The combo also came with miso soup, which was the same miso soup you get anywhere. I also got a little tasty salad snack, presumably for sitting at the bar. I also saw the sushi chef making something that looked amazing. I can't remember what it was called but it had mango in it. I'd definitely come back next time I'm in Fredericksburg.
(4)Shawn V.
Hailing from San Diego, I was terrified to try sushi in Fredericksburg. That said, every person I spoke with pointed me in Umi's direction. I was not disappointed after I hate here my second night in town. The staff is phenomenal, the sushi is not 5 star worthy, but how can it be in VA? This place was amazing!
(4)Hanna G.
I stopped at Umi on the way down to Lake Anna, and it was definitely worth it! The sushi was fresh and flavorful. Spicy salmon roll was delicious! My boyfriend had the combination bento box #1 (I think that was the name of it)- it was so good and you get a lot of food with it. The service was excellent as well.
(4)Ryan Q.
This is the second time I've gone here, and I try not to review based on any first impressions. This is a solid restaurant where the staff balances "busy" with "personal attention" quite nicely. Talked for a while with Jonathan (the chef behind the sushi bar tonight) and managed to go off our assorted sushi/sashimi collection into some special creations and on to what I expect to be an excellent omakase next time. Miso soup was nice on a cold night. Sushi was good -- was glad to see some sustainable and local water fishes on the platter both as sashimi and nigiri. The spanish mackerel was new for me, but I liked it a lot. Had a nice sear and a pinch of spice. Give it a shot, be friendly, and tell Jonathan what you like. Then, let him take a chance to surprise you.
(4)Levi H.
If you're looking for sushi in the Fredericksburg area, Umi's is the place for you. The food is excellent and they have a great saki selection. We usually go ~2-3 times a month.
(5)Ben S.
Very good sushi, creative and tasty. In my opinion, Umi has better sushi than Miso down the street. In addition, the atmosphere is casual and inviting -- it feels open with plenty of light. Recommended!
(4)Carly C.
Tried this for lunch today with my mother. I read reviews on it the other day and thought it might be nice. I lived in Las Vegas for a few years, and have eaten sushi from many restaurants there. Some so-so and some knock-your-socks off good. In comparison Umi is only so-so. I tried the spicy scallop roll and spicy salmon roll along with a roll that had shrimp tempura in it and shredded fake crab with spicy sauce mixed in it. My mother had the chicken katsu bento box (I hope that is the right spelling :/). The presentation for all the dishes was pretty much what I expected for the lunch hour. Simple but still elegant. I loved the plates my rolls were served on! The taste was pretty good on everything but just didn't meet anything like in Vegas. Our server(s) were friendly and helpful but after we were served they seemed to forget about us. We actually only got our check because I went over to the sushi bar (that the chef was not at) and our waitress spotted us and came over. Our check was $30 some dollars which isn't that bad, but I guess I've been spoiled by the $20 all-you-can-eat places in Vegas. Food ratings: Chicken Katsu: 3 stars. My mother was pleased with this, but when I tasted the sides that came with it I was unpleasantly surprised. Did they come out of a box? That's what I guessed... Spicy Salmon Roll and Spicy Scallop Roll: 3 stars. Definitely fresh seafood; both were like butter. However, there were panko bread crumbs mixed in the center and the oil flavor killed the flavor the seafood could have probably had. Also they were not even slightly spicy. Last Roll that I forget the name of: 4 stars. This was not bad but anything with eel sauce on it is good in my book. The second sauce on it actually had a slight jalapeno flavor that was kind of nice and different. Over all not bad for a $10 roll.
(3)Bryanne S.
It doesn't get much better than Umi when it comes to fresh, delicious sushi and sashimi. Chef and owner Sony Gao is a visionary, and uses his creative flair to bring sushi to a new dimension. As he gets to know you and your tastes, he will create specialty dishes that will make your mouth water. I personally recommend Tuna Spoons, six soup spoons placed on a plate, and filled with an inverted tuna roll that is both sweet and spicy and crispy and creamy all in one bite. It is a unique and delicious sushi experience. Tako sashimi (octopus) is another favorite. Really, you can't go wrong here. Make friends with Sony and ask him to create - that's what he's good at. Great service, great seating (perfect date night location) and great food make for one surprisingly great restaurant hiding out on the 1, in Fredericksburg!
(5)Dave R.
Best sushi around! Love the spicy tuna, white tuna, and just about everything else I've tried there.
(5)Kelsey W.
From the outside, Umi does not look like it would be delicious. However, once you walk through the door the atmosphere completely changes. Everyone is very friendly, the restaurant is very clean, the prices are very reasonable, and the food is exceptional. My personal favorite is the Creamy Crab roll. But everything I have tried, or my friends have tried, has been delicious. I've been to Miso and that is also good, but there is something about Umi that makes me choose it every time. Don't let the outside distract you, Umi is as good as sushi gets!
(5)Emily R.
I love sushi and decided to leave the wasteland that is Dahlgren, and head to "town" for some dinner. Some searching on Yelp, and 30 miles later, I am at Umi. The place was hopping on a Monday night, which was a good sign. Since I was dining alone, I chose to sit at the bar. Service was prompt, and my hot tea arrived shortly. The 3 sushi chefs were busy filling orders behind the counter, when I heard them converse...in chinese. Well, crap...not another typical chinese run sushi joint, i thought (we Chinese are a critical bunch, especially about other Chinese people). With all the great reviews here, I thought for sure this was an authentic down home sushi bar. Since i had driven 30 miles to get here though, i was going to tough it out. I am a sucker for avocados, so the avocado salad topped with a crab mixture immediately caught my eye. I also got some amaebi, uni, tuna, salmon, and a scallop roll with scallions. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The nigiri came 2 to an order, and the slices were generous. The salmon was buttery, the tuna was a quality cut , the uni creamy and briny, and the amaebi was definitely the best of the evening. 2 large sweet shrimp, nestled upon some shredded carrot and daikon, plated with the freshly fried shrimp heads. I could have eaten several orders. The only gripe I have is with the avocado salad and the scallop roll. I detest those crunchy tempura bits (or whatever they are) that are mixed into rolls. Unfortunately, both the crab mixture in the avocado salad and the scallop roll had them, but were not included in the menu description. It didn't ruin the meal, but made my mouth a little less happy. So, overall it was a good meal. Some standout items, and some that were just average. Prices were decent, large wine and saki offerings, and friendly waitresses. 3.5 stars for the food, and since i have to round up or down here, another .5 stars to my Chinese brothers for making the effort.
(4)Peter and Tami N.
dinner here is great. The prices are VERY reasonable. We had some issues with our service, very long wait times between courses a re-order of our rolls was ignored for nearly an hour before anyone checked on us - they thought it was an already completed order - but the food, and the prices were great. We highly recomend the crab avacado salad and the dumpling soup. I think our favorite roll was the creamy crab roll, but we were not disapointed with anything we ordered - it was all great. A return visit for the lunch menu was not nearly as good. Lunch here was VERY average. We may return for dinner, but I doubt we will return for lunch.
(3)Mara K.
We're very pleased to have found Umi after being sushi fanatics in Philadelphia for many years. No all you can eat or hibachi here, everything is focused on fresh ingredients and artful presentation. While I have not had any of the non-sushi dishes, I can attest that the maki, nagiri and sashimi are very good. When we order the chef takes into consideration our preferences and is always willing to help us pair our meal with the right sake for us (they've got a great selection!) If you want a shrimp thrown at you, this isn't the place. But for a relaxed, intimate atmosphere and good sushi, go to Umi.
(5)Jim U.
This is a difficult review to write, because it is not fair to compare sushi in rural VA to the famous sushi houses in New York. I will try to qualify my pronouncements as much as possible. I arrived at 6:30pm on Friday night, and the restaurant was filled with patrons. Only a spot at the (non sushi) bar was available to me. More than an hour and a half later, it only became busier. This is clearly one of the most popular places in town. It is so great to see such enthusiasm for Japanese food in this small town! I don't want to do anything to discourage that. But with that said, I was not so pleased with my meal. When I used the word omakase, this was not understood at all -- a worrisome sign. So I decided to order the sushi and sashimi deluxe platter with a large bottle of Kirin Ichiban. The platter contained 8 pieces of sushi and 12 pieces of sashimi. Perhaps the numbers are misleading though as the 8 pieces of sushi were really 4 pairs (tuna, salmon, shrimp, and yellowtail). Such boring selections and so limited by the insistence of pairs. Where was the toro? the uni? the flying salmon roe? the kohada? I know, in New York. The shrimp was overcooked. The other selections were okay. They did not melt in the mouth, and they were not as fresh as they could have been. The sashimi was decidedly worse. There was more tuna, more salmon, etc. The sashimi were cut too thick altering the taste and were served too cold also altering the taste. I found the fish to be chewy and difficult to finish (the first time I ever had this problem). I ended up using more of the fake wasabi and soy sauce than I normally would to get through this offering. The shrimp tempura roll was good though. So, go for the rolls! Many people visiting here do just that. I even heard people discuss how they could not contemplate eating raw fish while I was dining here. It's unfortunate because raw fish as it were can be an amazing experience when it is prepared properly. The nigiri are okay, and the sashimi should probably be avoided. If their set menu has such limited options, then I would probably avoid ordering more exotic fare individually. There is not enough demand or skill in execution for these choices to be all that promising. Dinner for one was about $40, and the service was very friendly and attentive. Probably 4 stars for the area, because, believe it or not, far worse sushi can be had here. But I can not properly justify a 4 star rating, because I am just not a fan of this place. It falls well short of what good sushi is.
(3)J H.
Excellent time. Delicious, fresh, and creative in flavor combos and presentation. Had a good time with great food at a decent cost.
(4)Ellen C.
My parents took my husband and myself here when they first opened and we were blown away. We live in Richmond and while the sushi selection here is fabulous I haven't had anything as amazing as Umi. Sonny and Jonathon, the chefs, are brilliant and incredibly friendly. I could eat the crab salad every day for the rest of my life and I HIGHLY recommend the "tuna spoons" which may not be on the menu but are by far the best sushi I've had. Their fish is incredibly fresh and well treated, it's actually rather beautiful. There are definitely nights when I want to drive up to Fredericksburg just for dinner =)
(5)Dave F.
Great sushi experience! I have dedicated much of my eating life to finding great sushi. From San Diego to Virginia Beach, Florida and even Japan. My other favorite is a sushi-boat place in Pacific Beach called Kabuki's. Ok, back to the review. We have eaten there 3 times now. We left ourselves at the mercy of Jonathan (Co-Owner). He selected several great rolls and sashimi with a selection of nigiri sushi that was excellent. Then Jonathan pulled out the stops. He cleaned and prepared a sea urchin (Uni) right in front of us. From a ball of spines to the most flavorful nigiri sushi, in my opinion. After that Jonathan sliced up scallops that were so fresh they still twitched! He crafted that into a sashimi dish that was very flavorful. Last, I think he was starting to show off, he brought out a tuna collar from a blue-fin and made us nigiri from it. Mind blowing. I am very impressed with this restaurant. My wife and I recently moved here and we found this place on Yelp and decided to try it first. We were not expecting great sushi here in VA. What a great surprise! Jonathan and Sony are our sushi guys now.
(5)Hilary H.
Hands down best sushi around. My husband really enjoyed their sushi even after being spoiled in Japan eating authentic sushi everyday. The chicken teriyaki however, was not good. We both didn't even eat it, but they took both orders off our check and even gave us some free sushi to sample. The chef even came to our table to discuss the chicken and apologized that we didn't like it. He also said that if we come in again he would marinate the chicken differently just for us. Excellent sushi and great customer service. We will definitely be back.
(5)Kikirt U.
So, there is a new Japanese restaurant in Fredericksburg located at the old spot of the China Express restaurant and it is called Umi. This restaurant was opened three week ago and I decided today to go check it out, and I was not about to be disappointed. The restaurant is very clean and inviting and the staff courteous and very attentive to your needs. But I was most impressed with the quality and the freshness of the fish. I ordered the tuna and the salmon sushi and the tuna rolls, and I absolutely adored my selection. The salmon was my favorite, the after taste was just incredible and I could taste the natural oil of the fish. I can safely say that, this is by far the best sushi I had in the 'burg to this day. As appetizer, I was served a spicy crab salad which was delicious as well. The chef was very friendly and I had an interesting conversation with him regarding different types of sushi. He even let me tried the white tuna sashimi for free and I loved it. I really love this sushi place and it looks like you can find Umi in many states. If you are in the 'burg then go check this one out, I totally recommend it, and oh yeah the prices are very reasonable.
(5)Joel B.
No better or worse than miso across the street. Good sushi for Fredericksburg.
(4)Susan H.
Unbelievably fresh sushi, especially the yellowtail. What a pleasant surprise to find a classically-trained sushi chef in this area. Coming from Los Angeles, where we have access to many great sushi restaurants, Umi is worth a trip.
(5)Nathan W.
Best in Fred's! I may not know the most about Japanese food, but I dare say I know more than most. And I know what I like. Umi's has great food, the only cons were 1) the rude Chinese waitresses (2 of 3, but there were others, like Lynn, who were terrific! I mention this only beacuse it was unsettling hearing them chat loudly across the dining room in Chinese in a Japanese resturant!) and 2) the fact that they ran out of Uni on my first visit. Now for the pros: very fresh tasting sushi and sashimi. All items in my Chirashi were fresh and flavorful. The Soft Shell Crab appetizer was so-so being a little oily and tasteless, but the Ama-ebi sushi was excellent, with a whisper of lemon and dash of spice added to the fried heads. The Chirashi, although a bit on the smallish side, was excellent. Nine kinds of fish, shrimp, and ikura and fresh shiso! Their ikura, by the way, is the sake-cured type, not the shio (salt)-cured variety. Overall, pretty darn good for Fred's. I'll definitely have to try the lunch specials!
(4)Jasmine C.
First, my disclaimer: I've lived in Los Angeles all my life and just moved here, so if you think it's unfair to compare Japanese restaurants in L.A. to one in Fredericksburg, then this is an unfair review. Also, if you are not Japanese and/or know nothing about Japanese food, there is no need to post an outraged reply/review to my review. This is not a personal attack on anyone, just comments on food. Udon soup: udon soup is not supposed to be salty brine water with some raw carrots floating on top. Pan fried Soba: soba is not supposed to be any old egg noodle drenched in soy sauce. California rolls: Good rolls are made with creamy crab filling. If you are eating a roll and the crab is in the shape of a stick, it is not a good roll. Sushi: sushi was acceptable, but very paltry portions. We discussed at the table whether it was reasonable to expect them to serve decent portions given that the seafood has to travel some insane distance from whatever port all the way to Fredericksburg. The service was excellent. Very friendly and attentive waiters. Unfortunately, a super friendly server bringing me crap food isn't a good dining experience. Still shuddering from the memory of this travesty of a meal, even though it was over 3 months ago.
(1)Roc G.
At a quick glance with the blue roof and white business lettering it looks like it should be a fast food restaurant. While fast food on the outside it's a different experience on the inside. Walking in we were the only people inside at 7pm on a Saturday night so we sat at the sushi bar and reviewed the menu and sushi offerings. Within about 10 minutes all tables were filled and there was a small line forming at the door. We decided on the pork gyoza as an app. The pork filling was light and flavorful. We then selected 2 rolls from the menu and then added random selections of sushi in which they assembled and displayed on a platter making for a great presentation. We ended up having to order more hotategai because it was so fresh and flavorful that we needed to leave with that flavor last. If searching for good sushi in the area this place does it well. ~
(4)Aaron K.
My family and I had a great experience at this restaurant. The fish tasted very fresh, the food was excellent, and very reasonably priced. Our chef, Sony, was able to guide us through the menu, suggesting dishes we might not have tried otherwise, based on our taste preferences. Sony, who was a sushi chef in Tokyo for two years before coming to the States, even created a sushi dish on the spot for us that was delicious, with excellent presentation. This particular dish struck a nice balance between some of the overly elaborate "sushi fusion" that seems to be adapted for the American "supreme pizza" palette, and a more "simplistic" style that allows the flavor of one or two key ingredients to take center stage. (The latter of which I really grew to appreciate when traveling in Japan.) I look forward to returning, and sitting at the bar next time to make it easier to socialize with the chefs, and for them introduce me to some great new tastes.
(5)Carly M.
I have been here a few times for lunch and have always been served with enough time possible to eat and chat and still get back to work in under an hour. I order vegetarian rolls, which have been very good. You can request soy wrappers if you don't like the normal seaweed sushi wrappers. The salad you get is small and typical of Japanese restaurants I've been to. It's still refreshing. This restaurant is always clean and the staff has been good.
(4)Jay J.
Don't let the outside fool you. I've passed this place sooo many times, but finally going inside I was very impressed. Excellent customer service, great prices and good Food!!!!
(4)Julie D.
Don't be fooled by the outside of this restaurant, the inside is AMAZING! Upon first entering, you will see that it is clean, well decorated, and well staffed. The sushi masters didn't mind chatting with us or answering our questions. They even had a nine year old boy with his parents sitting at the bar. We noticed that the sushi preparers took time to explain to him everything they were doing and chatted with him easily. It isn't often that young ones are such adventurous eaters, it was nice to see him welcomed by their chefs. Our waitress was lovely and very attentive. She also knew quite a bit about their food. She had no problem recommending things for us based on what we told her our tastes were. Everything we had was beautifully prepared and delicious. We went home absolutely stuffed. How often can you say that about sushi? I can only recommend that you get there early, as it is a small restaurant and fills up extremely fast! They will prepare carry out for you, but trust me, this is a place you will want to sit down and enjoy your meal in. It is absolutely worth it!
(5)Aaron F.
Good sushi place for Fredericksburg. I recommend it highly, the prices are good, their tempura is average, and the sushi is good. I was very cautious when UMI replaced the old Chinese joint next to the bus station, but it seems like they are thriving - with good reason. The sushi chefs are very amiable, and will help you in identifying certain tastes and ingredients, as well as in menu selection. I don't recall an expansive menu of specialty rolls, however this may be incorrect. Service begins very good, but won't come over to give you a check-courteous but not cognizant.
(4)Kelly K.
I was worried about taking our 4 year old son here, since most Japanese restaurants are painfully quiet, but not this place. There was music playing, and lots of diners inside, so we had no problems. This place has tons of options for vegetarians. We got edamame, veggie dumplings, and fried snap peas with garlic to start. It was all really good (esp. the dumplings). My husband got the Tofu Teriyaki, which comes with miso soup and a salad. He said the dressing was really good. His tofu dish came with lots of tofu, plus white rice, carrots, tiny corn, broccoli, and asparagus. He said it was all awesome. I sampled 4 kinds of veggie rolls: avocado, tempura sweet potato, tempura asparagus, and mushroom & cream cheese. It was all really great, and it was hard to pick my favorite. We got red bean ice cream for dessert. My only gripe is that there was some kind of screw up with my husband's food, and he didn't get his until long after I had finished my sushi. But other than that, it was fantastic, and I can't wait to go back.
(4)Joe S.
This place is one of the best restaurants in the area. I have been here many times and have consistently had excellent sushi. I would recommend the specials always great.
(5)Corrie S.
The best sushi I have ever had! Had the Fredericksburg Roll that was listed as a special and would highly recommend it. Also had the sweet potato tempura roll which was amazing! Great options for vegetarians or people who don't like raw fish. I substituted their pink soy paper for the seaweed wrap since I don't like the taste of seaweed. They also have entrees to choose from (teriyaki meats and pasta dishes that use Udon noodles). Haven't tried them but they looked and smelled delicious. Only problem we had was the long wait to get a table and receive our sushi. That place was packed--it seems to be very popular--a reservation might be a good idea. Also, a friend in our party received his entree after a long wait and it was cold upon arrival. They took it back and gave him a hot dish, no problem. I have to say the sushi was worth the wait!
(5)d k.
Good sushi. My only complaint is that in the some of the rolls the fish was chopped too fine. We ordered entrees and probably wouldn't do it again...but would definitely come back for the sushi.
(4)Shelby W.
Good sushi, kind of slow service. Its a small place and theres usually a line to get a table. The sushi is very good so I would try it again.
(4)A N.
The sushi was really good! I loved the "Spicy Girl" roll!!
(5)Reid N.
I was surprised of the quality of this place. Who knew great Sushi could be found in Fredericksburg, VA? I had the Sushi and Sashimi Deluxe which was very fresh and authentic. I've had Sushi from all over the world and this place is as good as any I've had.
(4)Aviv G.
Nice, clean, local Japanese fair for the area. The sashimi plate had some nice ahi and white tuna. The spicy tuna rolls were not.
(4)Adrienne K.
I've been here twice now. Once with my family, once with my boyfriend. I was more than satisfied both times. The first time I went with my family. My only complaint was there was something a little... stinky near our table. Don't know what it was, they moved us, but we could still sort of smell it. I think that set the tone for my parent's meal, but I let that one slip and wanted to really try the food. The first time I ordered just the Spicy Girl Roll... It was so interesting to look at with the pink outter wrapping where you usually see nori. I also loved the sauces on top. Actually... I enjoyed it so much, that I ordered a second one for dessert. Haha The second time I went was pretty recently with my boyfriend for a date night. We weren't particularly trying to watch our budget so we ordered two appetizers. I got the avocado salad and he got the pork shumai. The avacado salad was really good. Avocado on top of carrots and (I THINK) daikon radish confetti (best way to describe it) with a crab salad with crunchy flakes through it. I was afraid that it was going to be extremely rich and too creamy in texture, but the crunchy flakes added a much needed texture in there and it was quite tasty. I don't eat pork or any meat beyond seafood, but my man loved his shumai. He also ordered the dumpling soup. I do believe it was a chicken broth base, but it smelled so good and looked so good from across the table that I had to steal one slurp. It was very flavorful, though we both noted it had excessive amounts of black pepper in it. He got the teryaki chicken, and once again I ordered the spicy girl roll. He said his was very good, and it looked and smelled good. Mine was great, and in the shape of a pink, 8 pointed star which was nice. However, they left off the sauces this time! And I saw someone else's sushi go by with those sauces on them. I don't know if it was an oversight, or if the chefs pick and choose. I didn't say anything because it was still good, but I've definitely made a mental note for next time I go in.
(3)Brian H.
If you're looking for great sushi in Fredericksburg, this is the place.
(4)William M.
I consider myself a bit of an Asian food snob having traveled all over near, far and SE Asia for years. This place is the real deal. Pork gyoza, small pan fried pork dumplings, were delicate.. Not greasy at all. The avocado salad, topped with a spicy crab mixture was a very pleasant surprise, both in the high end presentation and mix of textures. Delicious! Others have stated that it doesn't meet New York Standards.. sorry but,.. that's because this is authentic as I have actually lived in Japan for a bit. I have been to a number of the "best" NY Japanese restaurants and this place meets their standards.. and more importantly,.. reminds me of being back in Tokyo/Narita area (with some Okinawa time thrown in). Go there, get yourself a Ramune (Japanese marble soda) a nicely chilled green salad with Ginger dressing that is always fresh (or the avocado as mentioned) and kick back knowing you will not be disappointed with anything here. Went there tonight also (20 Feb - 6th time) and sat at the Sushi bar and had a great time speaking with one of the partners, who also spent 2 years studying to be a Sushi chef in Tokyo. very personable in addition to being an excellent Chef. Just another Plus. It's better to sit at the Sushi bar and ask the chef if you can order anything as there are a lot of things NOT on the menu that they will make for you. BTW: Omakase, which was mentioned before and which loosely translates into : "Chef's (In japanese: Itame) choice" is also not widely seen in japan. It is slowly gaining popularity but to think that something which developed based on people perception of Haute cuisine is known everywhere is akin to travelling to several English speaking countries and thinking that same words mean the same thing everywhere.
(5)Chris R.
Went for lunch and was pretty good. Not as good as I was hoping from the reviews but good enough to go back and try for dinner.
(3)choochoo t.
Had the California roll and the Unagi roll. It was good. Seafood soup was nothing special. It had green dumplings in it and didn't have enough seafood. Fiance had chicken fried rice and found it greasy. Service was really quick! We were there on a Saturday for dinner too.
(3)Cristine L.
My husband and I absolutely love the "Chef's Special Rolls" at Umi. They are not traditional sushi but instead are concoctions with unusual (in a good way!) texture and flavor. My favorite is the Superman Roll, which is seaweed-wrapped cream cheese, bits of crunchy tempura, and spicy crab, with a chef's sauce on top. My husband likes the Spider Web Roll, which contains soft shell crab, mango, spicy tuna, roe and a special sauce. On our last visit we met the friendly owner who invited us to sit at the counter next time so he can make unique rolls for us.
(5)S K.
I LOVE Umi! I have ALWAYS enjoyed sushi there. The people there are always friendly-- great little gem of Fredericksburg.
(5)Adele K.
Sony and the staff at UMI did an amazing job tonight of guiding us to, and preparing for us, some interesting, delicious, fresh and authentic delights--grilled yellow tail and tuna spoons to name a few. They were attentive and gracious. We will return again, even though we live an hour away.
(5)