Ok guys, I know this place has been open for a while now but I popped in today to see what they’re serving up for lunch and HOLY COW this place rocks!!!
It’s like 20 bucks for lunch but the value there is absolutely insane… the first “authentic” Chinese buffet I’ve been to, they have stone crab at lunch, sushi and actual sashimi. Hot pot at the table. Ramen.
The Chinese stuff is really special, most of the dishes they have are things you have never seen at an American Chinese restaurant. There was even a drunken crawfish dish with a sign for minors to not consume!!
Have been here twice on weekend days, so dinner all day. The sushi and sashimi is okay (Raku in Cherry Hill is much better for sushi and sashimi - rolls are made to order and they have more varieties of fish), but I like that they have snow crab, stone crab, and lobster at dinner. I skip the American Chinese hot food and get things like duck and frog legs that are not offered on most buffets. The bubble teas are weird because the bubbles are very small, but it is nice that drinks are included. We had the hot pot last time and I was pleasantly surprised - they have a wide variety of items for it. The service is attentive and they keep the buffet areas clean. Hopefully they can keep up the service and quality since any buffet that has been in that location tends to go downhill over time. Umi is my new favorite place to overeat!
Even though I’m not posting much I did see when Elizabeth @esjro bumped this up. I’ll admit, I miss my local Chinese Buffet in Eatontown NJ. Yes, the place was older, and the food was average at best, but just something about them I’ve always loved. (peel n eat shrimp!!)
So yesterday my son and I took the trip up to try this place under its latest incarnation. Place is beautiful and clean inside, they did a nice job of re-decorating etc. The sushi selection was pretty impressive as was the selection of hot foods. All in all, it certainly scratched the buffet itch we had.
My only negative remark will be: $ 84. for 2? When did the Chinese Buffet top $40pp? Once realizing the price, I think I would rather go several other places at that price point vs. this, or any Chinese Buffet. Part of the enjoyment of Buffets are the perceived savings of the AYCE. I think the business model has lost the affordability appeal. (note, for a Monday night it didn’t seem like the price point was hurting them)
I didn’t take any pics. The food was good, the Sushi selection was impressive, though mostly good from what I sampled. The only real “issues” I had were these.
No Chinese hot mustard which I really enjoy.
Their cocktail sauce for the peel and eat shrimp was weak.
Otherwise, it was very good. Above average overall, especially for cleanliness and variety.
Sounds like you gotta bring your own horseradish next time! Oh wait, you could have just added some wasabi to the cocktail sauce, it’s the same thing! I bet some doctored wasabi would have scratched that mustard itch too.
Yes, this. I love a cheap buffet too (especially the Flaming Grill or whatever it is called next to the Manville movie theater) but I eat differently and places like Umi or Raku. At Umi I don’t eat the hot Americanized Chinese dishes at all - I get sushi and sashimi, hot pot, and seafood. Umi has snow crab, split dungeness, stone crab claws, and lobster and I feel like I get my money’s worth by sticking to those items.
Speaking of pricey AYCE - we went to Chongqing Wharf in Edison last week. It is $58 a person but they were offering a lobster or sea cucumber per table, and the regular menu has snow crab, 4 or 5 types of prawns, mulitple beef selections… it was really, REALLY good!
Thanks to you and Joon for mentioning prices–Umi doesn’t list them on their web page (wonder why?) and it saved having to stop by just to check when we ate at Popeye’s today. For gourmets or gourmands, it may be worth it, but not for us.
(Actually, AYCE is rarely worth it for us these days; age has decreased both our capacity and our appetite.)
) and it saved having to stop by just to check when we ate at Popeye’s today. For gourmets or gourmands, it may be worth it, but not for us.
