Reviews The Umi

An excellent find in Balham. Food - taste and presentation is faultless; you can tell that the chef, who also owns the restaurant, really puts his heart into his dishes. The ambience is great for a family meal or a date - I've been three times, and although it's far from where I live, I cannot find anywhere else that serves better Japanese food than the Umi. The freshness and quality of the ingredients used cannot be beaten; it does aim to be of a higher quality restaurant than the usual chains.

Ordered (via Deliveroo) from the Umi many, many times over the last few years and it never disappoints. The sushi is always fresh and tasty, the bento boxes are generally good value and the few Korean items they have on the menu are great. This time I ordered the spicy Korean chicken and really enjoyed - wish I had bought two portions! It is a little expensive but in line with the area and definitely high enough quality to warrant it.

Nice little place with decent fresh fish. Crunchy spicy tuna roll was nice, lightly breaded and stuffed with tuna! At lunchtime, the Chicken Kara Age Bento for a tenner was tasty! Owner very friendly and accommodating!

Went today and had the best tasting £10 lunch special deal i can remember. Really excellent value. We have been a few times in the evening too (for sushi) and found it to be exceptional. We need more restaurants like this where the food comes first. Go.

The Umi My favorit japanese and korean spot on Balham-London. Authentic,delicious and always fresh. Good portions. Price match the quality. Thank you very much chefs for another great lunch- very tasty indeed! Lots of love!

Had late dinner there, we were only 2 in the restaurant, to be honest food deserves 5 ⭐️, But service wasnt good at all. It might be us, but each restaurant in London offers tab water or when you sat down or at least staff ask for it. But not this place. Food arrives much faster than 2(only in the menu)cocktails.Again, good service means drinks first-food after. It was opposite… Cocktails we have ordered we returned back as they were literally BLAND… Felt like a sugary water… sorry, for the price PLUS Service Charge you cant serve it saying its your way to do cocktails, anyways… cocktails were swapped for the glasses of wine with no extra charge! Soy pot in our table was empty, barely filled my ramekin with soy… so I took from other table, was the same, As I said, restaurant was empty…Drinks menu were really dirty, sticky and full of stains… its not a big deal to wipe it off … but , unfortunately, not every staff treat their work place as own one! Jake and another waitress just stayed at the bar in their phones…so we always needed to catch attention … and we have never been asked How was our food and is everything ok? Ignore… So I refused to pay Service Charge, but shame, cuz food is delicious!!! I would put 2⭐️, but As I am part of hospitality business- Im not gonna do it. I wish management to get a right people to run this gem properly! Thanks

I had a dinner yesterday with my girl friend. We were really enjoyed food :) Dishes are so nice and sashimi are so fresh. All staffs are very kind. So amazing restaurant. Even more 5⭐️.