Chef Keen Zheng, who originates from New York, has made his mark in Bellevue, impressing locals with his fresh taste. The new restaurant has kept itself busy with many customers, but from the attitude and production of the Umamis staff, and food, they’ve now become one of Bellevue’s newest craved restaurants.

Walking into a calm atmosphere with an uptown vibe, it’s hard to tell that this building used to be a Godfather’s Pizza. It has completely turned the look into a satisfying, modern visual of furniture and decor.

The setup of the restaurant integrates booth, table, and bar seating in front of the sushi chef. It is perfectly embellished to where customers can feel like they’re treating themselves, but not too fancy where they feel bad about wearing sweatpants.

Walking in I was greeted with a warm smile and a friendly welcome. The staff is courteous and demonstrates service with a smile.

The first time coming here, there was a longer wait to be seated than expected. This was made up for, with a complimentary roll,  appetizer, and their multiple expressions of concerns.  They made up for this inconvenience more than what was needed to. It was pleasing to find a staff that cares about the feelings of their customers.

I’m one to visit different sushi places around the metro and and stick to the same sushi rolls every time. This makes it easy to compare. Umami, by far, is the most impressive. Each roll is fresh and carries a unique flavor. Even the simple California roll is prepared with a crunch, and can be easily set apart from other places.

If fresh sushi wasn’t enough, Umami offers original and intricate meals ranging from appetizers  to soup. Each meal is dished artistically, making the dish appealing and even more appetizing.

It’s hard to pass down Umami edamame, a vegetable dish they take delight in. They offer it plain, but suggest to have it served with their creative sauce that is garlic based. This something that should be bought every visit.

Umami is located on 1504 Galvin Rd S in Bellevue. It’s open from 11 a.m.- 9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.