Umi

Special thanks to Lexis Suites Penang for extending this food review invitation.

Umi Japanese Restaurant (海) is one of two full service restaurants in Lexis Suites Penang; the other is Roselle Coffee House. "Umi" means "sea" in Japanese, reflecting the fact that the restaurant places great emphasis on fresh seafood.

Umi presents a family-friendly dining atmosphere with a charming touch of wood. The spacious dining hall can accommodate up to 100 diners at full capacity.

As for patrons who prefer some privacy, Umi has several quaint tatami rooms. Each room can fit around 6 or 7 people. Customers are asked to remove their shoes before entering.

Sakura Set Dinner (RM48.00) is a teishoku- (定食) style meal where diners can choose the main dish: teriyaki chicken or grilled mackerel. The meal also includes tempura, chawanmushi (茶碗蒸し), miso soup (味噌汁), edamame (枝豆) and steamed rice. Sakura Set Dinner is available daily from 6:30pm to 10:00pm.

The teriyaki chicken (照り焼きチキン) is exquisite indeed. The cutlet is grilled with a glaze of soy sauce and mirin (味醂), culminating in savory and sweet flavors. Seasoned scallops (中華ホタテ) and omelette (玉子焼き) are served on the side.

Tempura (天麩羅) comprises of prawns and vegetables coated in light batter. The food items are deep-fried to a scrumptious crisp. Tentsuyu (天つゆ) is the dipping sauce for tempura.

Sashimi Moriawase (刺身盛り合わせ, RM160.00) is meant for sharing among 3 or 4 diners. The chilled platter includes the chef's selection of marine delicacies. Sashimi is customarily eaten with wasabi (山葵).

Today's Sashimi Moriawase consists of salmon (鮭), tuna (鮪), mackerel (鯖), octopus (蛸), oysters (牡蠣), scallops (帆立), surf clams (北寄貝) and salmon roe (イクラ). To give customers the freshest seafood available, the actual seafood items may vary from day to day.

Moving on, Unadon (鰻丼, RM40.00) features a large piece of unagi (freshwater eel) grilled in kabayaki (蒲焼) style. The fillet is served with short-grain Japanese rice, omelette and miso soup.

Green tea (お茶) is served from a traditional Japanese teapot. The teapot is kept warm on a portable stove.

Japanese cuisine places utmost importance in seafood freshness, in which Umi Japanese Restaurant passes with flying colors. The restaurant also excels in taste and presentation.

On weekdays, Umi offers Japanese Semi Buffet Lunch (RM80.00) from 12:00pm to 2:30pm. Customers may select from a list of main dishes, and enjoy free flow of salad, cold cuts and desserts. Come with a partner as the restaurant is offering "Buy 1 Free 1" for this promotion.

As for people who want to enjoy a quality weekend with family and friends, Umi Japanese Restaurant also serves Sunday Buffet Lunch. Prior reservation is highly recommended.

Name: Umi Japanese Restaurant (海)
Address: 28, Jalan Teluk Kumbar, 11920 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-628-2888
Business hours: 12:00pm-2:30pm, 6:30pm-11:00pm
Website: https://www.lexissuitespenang.com/dining/umi-japanese-restaurant
Coordinates: 5.28709 N, 100.23254 E
Directions: From Bayan Lepas, drive along Jalan Teluk Kumbar towards the intersection with Jalan Gertak Sanggul. Lexis Suites Penang is the tall building on the left just before the intersection. Umi Japanese Restaurant is located on the Ground Floor, just next to the lobby atrium. There are parking spaces inside the hotel.