The food was not worth the price at all. Either very bland or overly salty but no actual flavor. I've had better packaged instant ramen. Server was very nice and attentive, but things, including the servingware, were dirty. Would never suggest this place unless I hate the person asking for a suggestion.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 5
William First
Value proposition just isn't there anymore for Umami. Better ramen can be had elsewhere in Madison with lower prices, equivalent atmosphere and friendlier servers. It's not bad, it's just been left behind by other restaurants doing more to make you want to come back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
B D
Literally ran out of RICE!! Bad service, been trying to here for months and it was really a big let down.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Jinho Jang
really good food and really quick turnaround time!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ben Hamilton
I love ramen. I love ramen way too much, as a matter of fact. After my go-to ramen place near campus went out of business, I was distraught. I've tried several other places, only to be entirely underwhelmed. However, my friend and I tried Umami yesterday, and I can say with certainty that it was some of the best ramen I have had. The noodles are made in-house, and it absolutely tastes like it (in the best way possible). Our server Sidney (apologies if that isn't how it is spelled) was the sweetest ever, and had plenty of suggestions for us. The ramen is a dollar or two more expensive than typical restaurant ramen, however, for the amount of meat they put in each bowl it is well worth it.My complaints are limited and greatly outweighed by the positive experience, but the only critiques I have are:- The bamboo in the ramen was a little bit too crunchy- Not a big fan of the extra charge for some spiciness, but it was pretty yummy- The N/A drinks are tasty, but not super worth the price for the amount you getThank you so much for a fantastic experience! Looking forward to coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emily McLain
We had beef skewers, pork buns, ramen and pork belly rice bowl and everything was 10/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tonkotsu Ramen, Beef Buns
Kristen Parr
It was such a cute place! Our server was so sweet & the food was really good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Bill Raddatz
Very good Tonkotsu. My only complaints are we receive only half of a soft-boiled egg, and the other half comes with a charge, and for spicy broth, there’s an additional charge, too.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tonksho Ramen
Kasey McKinney
Pork buns, biscuits and gravy, gyoza, and ramen are to die for. One of my favorite spots to get food in Madison! We are so happy the location is back open for our favorite Asian dishes. We always get the OG pork buns and some ramen to split.
I had the opportunity to have dinner at this place with my co-workers, the place is really nice, the music is also perfect and the food is very very very good. I'll definitely go back next time with my family. The only thing is a little small.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Arsenal Gunners
Having lived in Japan before, the "ramen" they used is actually Chinese thin egg noodles. The dumplings were frozen (not freshly made) and you can taste the difference between freshly made vs frozen. Tonkotsu and the shoyu based soup is the exactly the same taste (and not even Tonkotsu based). My bowl did not even get a spoon with it. We only had water and the waitress never even came to refill when it's empty. Atmosphere is nice with your typical modernized American taste.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
Keri Ferguson
Small spot, perfect for romancing. Good drink selection and at least one VEGAN choice per menu column. Bao's have milk, so not there. We had the Brussels sprouts with garlic crack (THE best), vegan dumplings (great), and vegan ramen with bamboo (!) and added a garlic chili bomb (really good). It was a cold magical night that filled our hearts and bellies. Thank you for having well-thought our VEGAN dishes! Loved it. We will be back!Parking: Small lot, mostly street
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan
Stevie Crutcher
My friend and I went to happy hour at umami and were blown away by the menu choices for food and drinks! This may very well be the best hidden happy hour in Madison. The special is half off a selection of hot appetizers and half off specialty sale martinis, wine, and Japanese beers if I remember correctly. We ordered one of each appetizer and it only ran us a little over $20 and with drinks and tip spent just a hair over $40 for two people. Everything was delicious, but the tempura shrimp, Brussels sprouts, and wings were my favorite! I do not remember the name of the martini I had, but it contained guava and was absolutely fabulous. I have also been during regular dining hours and enjoyed the pork belly buns and poke bowls, and my boyfriend devoured his ramen. Umami is a must if you're in the Willy street area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pork Belly Buns
Sam
Amazing food and staff!! Small and a bit loud when busy. Also, you Need to make reservations Early in the week for the weekend!!!!Also, LOVE their other restaurant, Tavernakaya!!!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tonkotsu Ramen, Spring Roll, Vegan Dumplings
The food was not worth the price at all. Either very bland or overly salty but no actual flavor. I've had better packaged instant ramen. Server was very nice and attentive, but things, including the servingware, were dirty. Would never suggest this place unless I hate the person asking for a suggestion.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 5
Value proposition just isn't there anymore for Umami. Better ramen can be had elsewhere in Madison with lower prices, equivalent atmosphere and friendlier servers. It's not bad, it's just been left behind by other restaurants doing more to make you want to come back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Literally ran out of RICE!! Bad service, been trying to here for months and it was really a big let down.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
really good food and really quick turnaround time!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love ramen. I love ramen way too much, as a matter of fact. After my go-to ramen place near campus went out of business, I was distraught. I've tried several other places, only to be entirely underwhelmed. However, my friend and I tried Umami yesterday, and I can say with certainty that it was some of the best ramen I have had. The noodles are made in-house, and it absolutely tastes like it (in the best way possible). Our server Sidney (apologies if that isn't how it is spelled) was the sweetest ever, and had plenty of suggestions for us. The ramen is a dollar or two more expensive than typical restaurant ramen, however, for the amount of meat they put in each bowl it is well worth it.My complaints are limited and greatly outweighed by the positive experience, but the only critiques I have are:- The bamboo in the ramen was a little bit too crunchy- Not a big fan of the extra charge for some spiciness, but it was pretty yummy- The N/A drinks are tasty, but not super worth the price for the amount you getThank you so much for a fantastic experience! Looking forward to coming back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had beef skewers, pork buns, ramen and pork belly rice bowl and everything was 10/10.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Tonkotsu Ramen, Beef Buns
It was such a cute place! Our server was so sweet & the food was really good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very good Tonkotsu. My only complaints are we receive only half of a soft-boiled egg, and the other half comes with a charge, and for spicy broth, there’s an additional charge, too.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tonksho Ramen
Pork buns, biscuits and gravy, gyoza, and ramen are to die for. One of my favorite spots to get food in Madison! We are so happy the location is back open for our favorite Asian dishes. We always get the OG pork buns and some ramen to split.
Great atmosphere, food, and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tonkotsu Ramen
Restaurantji Recommends
I had the opportunity to have dinner at this place with my co-workers, the place is really nice, the music is also perfect and the food is very very very good. I'll definitely go back next time with my family. The only thing is a little small.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Having lived in Japan before, the "ramen" they used is actually Chinese thin egg noodles. The dumplings were frozen (not freshly made) and you can taste the difference between freshly made vs frozen. Tonkotsu and the shoyu based soup is the exactly the same taste (and not even Tonkotsu based). My bowl did not even get a spoon with it. We only had water and the waitress never even came to refill when it's empty. Atmosphere is nice with your typical modernized American taste.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 2
Small spot, perfect for romancing. Good drink selection and at least one VEGAN choice per menu column. Bao's have milk, so not there. We had the Brussels sprouts with garlic crack (THE best), vegan dumplings (great), and vegan ramen with bamboo (!) and added a garlic chili bomb (really good). It was a cold magical night that filled our hearts and bellies. Thank you for having well-thought our VEGAN dishes! Loved it. We will be back!Parking: Small lot, mostly street
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegan
My friend and I went to happy hour at umami and were blown away by the menu choices for food and drinks! This may very well be the best hidden happy hour in Madison. The special is half off a selection of hot appetizers and half off specialty sale martinis, wine, and Japanese beers if I remember correctly. We ordered one of each appetizer and it only ran us a little over $20 and with drinks and tip spent just a hair over $40 for two people. Everything was delicious, but the tempura shrimp, Brussels sprouts, and wings were my favorite! I do not remember the name of the martini I had, but it contained guava and was absolutely fabulous. I have also been during regular dining hours and enjoyed the pork belly buns and poke bowls, and my boyfriend devoured his ramen. Umami is a must if you're in the Willy street area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pork Belly Buns
Amazing food and staff!! Small and a bit loud when busy. Also, you Need to make reservations Early in the week for the weekend!!!!Also, LOVE their other restaurant, Tavernakaya!!!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tonkotsu Ramen, Spring Roll, Vegan Dumplings