Umami

Japanese, 523 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G3 7PQ
£43 for gyoza, 2 mains and 2 green teas
February 2025

Brie: Basil, I have to admit, I didn’t think a Japanese restaurant was in your repertoire. I mean, weren’t we supposed to be trying “British gastropub meets hipster farmer’s market” this week?

Basil: That’s rich coming from someone whose entire sushi obsession started with a California roll. Not exactly traditional Japanese cuisine.

Brie: I was 14! It was life-changing, and look at me now - fully qualified to critique nigiri like a pro. Speaking of which, I was impressed with your choice. Umami was such a cozy little spot. Six, maybe seven tables max, and yet it didn’t feel cramped at all.

Basil: True, but let’s talk about the real highlight: the toothpick dispensers. Perfectly engineered. I pressed the button and voilà, one pristine toothpick emerged. If that’s not indicative of attention to detail, I don’t know what is.

Brie: Toothpicks. That’s your highlight? Basil, focus!

Basil: Fine, the food. It was, in a word, excellent. We started with gyoza, which were, well, fine. I blame my Costco-induced gyoza fatigue.

Brie: Oh, come on. They were delicious - crisp on the outside, savory filling inside. A perfect start. Then the chicken teriyaki arrived, and wow. It was everything teriyaki should be but so rarely is: crispy chicken, a rich, glossy sauce clinging to every bite, and fluffy rice that soaked up the sauce like a sponge.

Basil: Agreed. That dish was a masterclass. Every bite balanced perfectly. I think I muttered “yum” at least 17 times, and for me, that’s practically Shakespearean.

Brie: And then we moved on to the sushi bento box, which was the real reason we came in the first place. I’d heard whispers about the freshness of the fish, and they weren’t wrong. The sashimi was melt-in-your-mouth, the nigiri was just the right size, and the California roll - well, let’s just say 14-year-old me would’ve been ecstatic.

Basil: You did contemplate ordering another round. I saw it in your eyes.

Brie: Guilty as charged. But between the gyoza, the chicken teriyaki, and the sushi box, we were more than satisfied. Plus, for £20 per person, including green tea, it was ridiculously good value.

Basil: And the service - polite, swift, and exactly what I’d expect based on my extensive research into Japanese culture.

Brie: Oh, here we go. Basil read Shogun once and now thinks he’s an expert.

Basil: Excuse me, but Captain Blackthorne would have appreciated that sushi just as much as I did.

Brie: Anyway, the only flaw was the wobbly table, but honestly, I barely noticed. The atmosphere was delightful, the food was stellar, and we’ll absolutely be back.

Basil: Final thoughts?

Brie: Fresh sushi, great value, and warm, inviting vibes.

Basil: Plus, those toothpick dispensers.

Brie: …I can’t take you anywhere.

Basil: You’re lucky you married me.

Brie: And you’re lucky I introduced you to sushi.

Basil: Touché. Four stars from me, but only because I reserve five stars for life-altering culinary experiences.

Brie: Fair. It’s a solid five-star repeat visit for me. Basil, book us a table.

Basil: Hai!

Summary in Three Points:

• Fresh, high-quality sushi that lives up to the hype.
• Excellent value for money at £20 per person.
• A cozy, inviting atmosphere that made us forget the dreary Glasgow weather.

Would we go again? Absolutely. Would we recommend it to friends? Only if they don’t take our table.