Pretty good omakase, 12 vs 18 piece have significant price difference, but last 6 pieces are very exquisite, and definitely improved while experience.

Amazing. Absolutely amazing. We love sushi, but this place blew us away. I was not expecting the quality of food that we experienced. It was just that--an experience. Apart from being amazingly fresh, they also just seemed to have great pairings. Garlic, ginger, citron, all sorts of things which were added in just the right amounts to add and elevate the piece, but not overpower the simplicity and freshness. Really, really awesome. Worth a trip!!

By far the best sushi you'll get around here without traveling to the city. The owner is hilarious and the atmosphere is quite comfortable.

We just love the food, atmosphere and experience! Allen and staff are very attentive, kind and friendly each and every time!

Decor is a bit weird but this is legit the best omakase I have had since O Ya in Boston and / or Omakase in Japan. I will say I wish there were some pieces that were more simple / less “gussied up” (with jalapeño etc), but the fish itself is amazing and the seasoning of the rice is 10/10. New favorite.

Hands down best omakase in NJ! Probably better than anyplace in NYC too!

Food was delicious! Host was very accommodating and their Omakase selection was to die for! Thanks Umai for an amazing night. See you soon!

If you like amazing food, make a reservation, bring a bottle of sake and sit back and enjoy the experience. One of the top restaurant in NJ.

+1

Excellent food and service. Top quality of omakase! Came back several times!

+6

Amazing experience, everything we ate was delicious, the chef was excellent and the owner is such a nice guy, who will explain everything to you with a bit of personal flare. We will definitely be back again.

Without a doubt the best sushi restaurant in the area. The quality here is truly unmatched. Also, super cool vibe. Our absolutely favorite sushi place!

My partner and I noticed how close this omakase was and we decided to give it a try. We loved it! The owner gave us a generous taste of their uni and it was amazing. It’s going to be our go to place for high quality sushi.

We were 4 people and had the corner of the sushi bar which made it easy to converse. We had the 18 piece Omakase and each piece was a treat. I would definitely return.

The omekase was spectacular. The fish quality is best in class. My only two issues were the 18 piece option was a little too much, wish it was 16. Also really didn’t like tuna with garlic. Aside from this was great. We will back!

This place was phenomenal! I went solo and did the 12 course omakase, such a cool experience. Each bite was delicious and meticulously curated. The staff were attentive, kind, and the owner was very personable with a calm energy about him. I will definitely go back again!

Wonderful fresh sushi. Glad we have a place like this nearby. I get that authentic sushi is meant to be eaten by hand but please please invest in higher quality chopsticks. Got a splinter from it and that makes me sad. It put a damper on an otherwise fancy experience.

Loved it! Sat at the sushi bar for omakase. From the moment we entered, we felt welcomed by the staff. Every piece of the 12-piece omakase was delicious and we each added 2 more of our favorite pieces at the end. The Akima and Seared Toro were two of our favorites. We also ordered sake from the provided sake delivery menu. Can’t wait to go back!

Omakase! You can either go to your standard sushi place with “soup or salad” or something new, unique and interesting. 🤯

+3

Snuck out one month postpartum for my husband’s birthday and had some of the best sashimi and sushi we’ve had in a while. Cozy ambiance, genuinely kind staff, and an all-around great experience. They even brought out a little dessert, which was such a sweet birthday surprise.

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.

I’ve been searching for a nearby omakase spot for a while, and this place is definitely a treat. I’ll be coming back for sure. They now have a more extensive menu of sushi rolls, which wasn’t available when I dined. The sushi chef was extremely knowledgeable and answered all my questions. Overall, it was a fantastic experience—the fish was incredibly fresh, and I believe the price is totally worth it. I’ll definitely be back soon!

This place is a must try! It is a small restaurant maybe 4 4- seat tables, 3 high top 2 seaters and the omakase counter area which seats maybe 14. Beautiful cozy setting. Food was AMAZING. We had ● Hamachi crudo - seriously close your eyes and enjoy it. So good! ● Crispy Rice flight (x2!) Waygu was my sister's favorite Eel was my favorite Salmon was delicious Tuna was delicious Scallop while still good was our least favorite. ● Spicy Crispy Crunch Roll yummy! ● Nikko Roll delicious! But we liked the other Roll just a little more. It's BYO! Always great.

One of the best sushi spots in NJ, better than many in the city. Happy we could find such Gem. They use quality rice which is well flavored and handle the fish well. The rolls are decent but the Nigiri is what you really want to go for here!

Omakase 18 pieces is a must try journey. Every piece is meticulously curated. No extra soy sauce is needed on the side. The rice is deliciously seasoned. Love the Caviar fist bump and the Edamame with truffle. Everything is Umai (delicious)!!!!

This restaurant is bar none the best sushi spot in north jersey. Truly deserves a Michelin star. The sushi is flown in from Japan and literally melts in your mouth no teeth required 😂. I've been here more than five times already and never ever disappointed. The steak surprisingly was also phenomenal and arrived with the perfect sides. The sushi rolls are also good but tbh the sushi over rice is my absolute favorite. Allen the owner is truly a talented chef and doesn't mess around. He takes what he does very seriously and deserves recognition. The only negative is the place is too good, is always busy and i can never get a reservation 😂. Jokes aside the food is an experience and you leave here content.

Fantastic experience here at Umai Sushi and Steak house. First of all the location is super unassuming. It’s hidden in a tiny shopping strip with decent parking. The chefs and owners are friendly and wonderful. The food was absolutely phenomenal. The fish is so fresh and everything is curated to perfection. We did the 18 piece omakase and it was awesome. Started off with some edamame and sparkling water and then just dove into the experience. Now for my standard COVID comments as of February 2023. It’s pretty common now I guess but no one wore masks. The location is not huge and sitting at the bar could get crowded. I will say that I felt completely fine throughout the whole dinner and had no issues. Other than the bar, the seating is nicely distanced if you have any concerns.

that was my first visit and everything was amazing!!! I want to come back again for sushi:) staffs were very kind and careful. I highly recommend here👍🏻👍🏻

Food is superior. Quick and nice staff. Atmosphere/decor could use a helping hand.

The food was really amazing.Evreything came out to our table really fast. And all the food was perfect definitely will come back again !

The Omakase was excellent, the best we've experienced in NJ. The website says the fish is flown in daily from Japan, and it sure tasted better than the fish from any other local sushi place. The service was also great. The place is small, nice, but nothing fancy -- so don't expect much along those lines. It is expensive, but worth the treat, in my opinion. Highly recommended

A delicious and one of a kind experience dining here. We tried the 18 piece omakase and it was great and very filling!

Excellent experience! The food was phenomenal and the staff, extremely attentive. I did the 18 piece and went solo, booked last minute reservation as I was craving sushi but wanted the omakase experience close to home. I was a bit disappointed in the Big Mac because the beef was too chewy to swallow but still this place is highly recommend!

First time here, and wow! Now, I don't need to go into NYC for fresh sashimi/sushi. When I get my craving for authentic opulent quality raw fish, I'll come here where it's much closer to home! Yes, it's not cheap, but you get what you pay for, and it's totally worth it for me.

Rebecca Barbacci

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.

Gabby Cordeiro

Snuck out one month postpartum for my husband’s birthday and had some of the best sashimi and sushi we’ve had in a while. Cozy ambiance, genuinely kind staff, and an all-around great experience. They even brought out a little dessert, which was such a sweet birthday surprise.

Tiana Pinto

I’ve been searching for a nearby omakase spot for a while, and this place is definitely a treat. I’ll be coming back for sure. They now have a more extensive menu of sushi rolls, which wasn’t available when I dined. The sushi chef was extremely knowledgeable and answered all my questions. Overall, it was a fantastic experience—the fish was incredibly fresh, and I believe the price is totally worth it. I’ll definitely be back soon!

Gracie G

This place is a must try! It is a small restaurant maybe 4 4- seat tables, 3 high top 2 seaters and the omakase counter area which seats maybe 14. Beautiful cozy setting. Food was AMAZING. We had ● Hamachi crudo - seriously close your eyes and enjoy it. So good! ● Crispy Rice flight (x2!) Waygu was my sister's favorite Eel was my favorite Salmon was delicious Tuna was delicious Scallop while still good was our least favorite. ● Spicy Crispy Crunch Roll yummy! ● Nikko Roll delicious! But we liked the other Roll just a little more. It's BYO! Always great.

Victor C

One of the best sushi spots in NJ, better than many in the city. Happy we could find such Gem. They use quality rice which is well flavored and handle the fish well. The rolls are decent but the Nigiri is what you really want to go for here!

Ant

Food is superior. Quick and nice staff. Atmosphere/decor could use a helping hand.

Lucas Puleo

The food was really amazing.Evreything came out to our table really fast. And all the food was perfect definitely will come back again !

Sharon Li

Omakase 18 pieces is a must try journey. Every piece is meticulously curated. No extra soy sauce is needed on the side. The rice is deliciously seasoned. Love the Caviar fist bump and the Edamame with truffle. Everything is Umai (delicious)!!!!

Kesha “BougieMoodyFoodie” Moore

Excellent experience! The food was phenomenal and the staff, extremely attentive. I did the 18 piece and went solo, booked last minute reservation as I was craving sushi but wanted the omakase experience close to home. I was a bit disappointed in the Big Mac because the beef was too chewy to swallow but still this place is highly recommend!

Joseph S

This restaurant is bar none the best sushi spot in north jersey. Truly deserves a Michelin star. The sushi is flown in from Japan and literally melts in your mouth no teeth required 😂. I've been here more than five times already and never ever disappointed. The steak surprisingly was also phenomenal and arrived with the perfect sides. The sushi rolls are also good but tbh the sushi over rice is my absolute favorite. Allen the owner is truly a talented chef and doesn't mess around. He takes what he does very seriously and deserves recognition. The only negative is the place is too good, is always busy and i can never get a reservation 😂. Jokes aside the food is an experience and you leave here content.

Christine L

Fantastic experience here at Umai Sushi and Steak house. First of all the location is super unassuming. It’s hidden in a tiny shopping strip with decent parking. The chefs and owners are friendly and wonderful. The food was absolutely phenomenal. The fish is so fresh and everything is curated to perfection. We did the 18 piece omakase and it was awesome. Started off with some edamame and sparkling water and then just dove into the experience. Now for my standard COVID comments as of February 2023. It’s pretty common now I guess but no one wore masks. The location is not huge and sitting at the bar could get crowded. I will say that I felt completely fine throughout the whole dinner and had no issues. Other than the bar, the seating is nicely distanced if you have any concerns.

MIN JUNG JO (MJ)

that was my first visit and everything was amazing!!! I want to come back again for sushi:) staffs were very kind and careful. I highly recommend here👍🏻👍🏻

PSGrimm

The Omakase was excellent, the best we've experienced in NJ. The website says the fish is flown in daily from Japan, and it sure tasted better than the fish from any other local sushi place. The service was also great. The place is small, nice, but nothing fancy -- so don't expect much along those lines. It is expensive, but worth the treat, in my opinion. Highly recommended

Alicia Giok-Halim

A delicious and one of a kind experience dining here. We tried the 18 piece omakase and it was great and very filling!

Lily E W

First time here, and wow! Now, I don't need to go into NYC for fresh sashimi/sushi. When I get my craving for authentic opulent quality raw fish, I'll come here where it's much closer to home! Yes, it's not cheap, but you get what you pay for, and it's totally worth it for me.

Karina Almeda

I had the omakase here 12 course specifically. The omakase was so good that I wanted to do more and upgrade to the 18 course. My favorite was the toro, wagyu and seared salmon belly! I would most definitely recommend going here because the service and quality of the fish was super fresh and melted in your mouth. I am definitely coming back here for the 18 course. Also to note I tried their special rolls and that was massive. So most defines coming back to try the other sushi rolls.

dragon wukong

Local Omakase with pub music, interesting combination. Food is fresh, some of them fly from Japan on the same day. We ordered $75 per person omakase with 12 different sushi. It took us 2 hours to finish at dinner. Actually 4 stars for quality and an extra star for encouragement in Verona area, as 1st omakase cuisine, keep it on!

My fiancé and I always feel so welcomed when we come here. The vibes are trendy but cozy and comfortable. It’s a smaller space so they really pay attention to each table. Staff is friendly and caring. Quality is top notch and so delicious with their fish being flown in every day from Japan. It’s our favorite place!

UMAI OMAKASE is hands down the freshest, most flavorful omakase experience in the state! The owner’s passion shines through in every bite, you can tell the owner truly cares about his craft and his guests. The entire team goes above and beyond to make sure every visit is special and unforgettable. I’ve been here three times now, and it just keeps getting better. We try to come every few months, but honestly, if it were closer, I’d probably be there every week. There’s also a beautiful story behind the business and the owner. You can feel that pride and dedication in everything they do. If you love sushi, great hospitality, and supporting people who genuinely love what they do — this place is a must. 🍣🔥 thank you as always! See you soon!

Andrea Lim

My fiancé and I always feel so welcomed when we come here. The vibes are trendy but cozy and comfortable. It’s a smaller space so they really pay attention to each table. Staff is friendly and caring. Quality is top notch and so delicious with their fish being flown in every day from Japan. It’s our favorite place!

alex grave de peralta

UMAI OMAKASE is hands down the freshest, most flavorful omakase experience in the state! The owner’s passion shines through in every bite, you can tell the owner truly cares about his craft and his guests. The entire team goes above and beyond to make sure every visit is special and unforgettable. I’ve been here three times now, and it just keeps getting better. We try to come every few months, but honestly, if it were closer, I’d probably be there every week. There’s also a beautiful story behind the business and the owner. You can feel that pride and dedication in everything they do. If you love sushi, great hospitality, and supporting people who genuinely love what they do — this place is a must. 🍣🔥 thank you as always! See you soon!

Highly recommend the omakase. The style of sushi is more fusion than your neighborhood sushi restaurant.

Was taken here because I love getting omakase on my birthdays. We requested 18 course omakase right from the beginning but were seated at a high top table even though we reserved for bar. We wondered how they were going to do this as 90% of omakase places I’ve been to were seated at the bar with pieces being prepared one by one. They gave us 6 pieces at a time with the waiter, not the chefs, stating what each fish was. First 6 came out in 10 min, the next 6 came out after half an hour, and the last 6 came out immediately upon finishing our second batch. The pacing was very odd but I guess it was busy for a weeknight. The sushi was fantastic. Every piece was truly delicious. The atmosphere felt like a was in a club with tequila bottles lined up against the window and changing colored lights. Not my thing but unconventional and maybe some people dig that. Sushi was delicious but not my favorite omakase experience.

Phoebe D.

Was taken here because I love getting omakase on my birthdays. We requested 18 course omakase right from the beginning but were seated at a high top table even though we reserved for bar. We wondered how they were going to do this as 90% of omakase places I’ve been to were seated at the bar with pieces being prepared one by one. They gave us 6 pieces at a time with the waiter, not the chefs, stating what each fish was. First 6 came out in 10 min, the next 6 came out after half an hour, and the last 6 came out immediately upon finishing our second batch. The pacing was very odd but I guess it was busy for a weeknight. The sushi was fantastic. Every piece was truly delicious. The atmosphere felt like a was in a club with tequila bottles lined up against the window and changing colored lights. Not my thing but unconventional and maybe some people dig that. Sushi was delicious but not my favorite omakase experience.

The sushi here is very good, however, for the price, you can do much better. For example, Sugarfish in NYC is significantly less $ for their omakase and better overall... and it's a no-tipping restaurant. If this was half the price, I think the value would be outstanding and I would probably give it 5 stars.

A funky, small place decorated with ceramic tequila bottles has half a dozen tables and a sushi bar reserved for expensive omakase sittings. BYOB but no wine glasses and water served via Poland Spring plastic bottle. Appetizers of teri eggplant and "Grand Buddha" salad were excellent. Omakase, traditionally chosen daily by the chef, is from a fixed menu of sushi. Sushi was OK but advertised toppings of Ossetra Caviar, Foie Gras, and shaved Black Truffle were missing from our servings of Omakase. An expensive meal that I don't view as a good value.

I was really excited to try this place, but I left disappointed. When a restaurant advertises an omakase experience and mentions fish flown in from Japan every 24 hours, it creates a very specific expectation. Unfortunately, what we received didn’t match that. One server was responsible for the entire counter, so we didn’t get to see each piece prepared or hear any explanation about what we were eating. Even putting the “private chef” aspect aside, the sushi itself simply didn’t taste like ultra-fresh, flown-in product. It was fine, but it tasted like what you could get at many regular sushi spots. At truly high-end omakase restaurants like Sushi Kai, in Ft. Lee, the difference in freshness and texture is obvious — the fish is delicate, clean, and almost buttery. That contrast is what made this meal feel so underwhelming. Given the way this experience is marketed, I expected something special. Sadly, it didn’t deliver, and I wouldn’t return.