Decadent delicacies from the sea, soaring to fresh heights in KL's new destination for sushi, sashimi and more: With a 52nd-floor cityscape view from Imperial Lexis Kuala Lumpur, UMI Japanese Restaurant is a dazzling delight for fans of distinctive dining experiences.
Watch the sun set over the Petronas Twin Towers and KL Tower while savouring the sweetest fish, crustaceans and molluscs in sumptuous styles, spanning the Shiromi Sakana Carpaccio to Kaisen Hokkai Nabe to Karatsuki Hotate Kai Aburi Yaki.
UMI's ceiling-height glass walls promise an unparalleled panorama of KL as golden hour gives way to glittering cosmopolitan night lights, visible from throughout the spacious dining hall to the sleek private room.
UMI - which means 'sea' in Japanese - offers a comprehensive a la carte menu that expertly embraces the touchstones of Japanese gastronomy, from tempura to teppanyaki.
Basking in a naturally soft glow before twilight, UMI serves dinner from Tuesdays to Sundays; it's a vibrant venue in the city centre for a romantic rendezvous and memorable celebrations.
For intimate milestones, a private room comfortably accommodates about 18 to 30 guests with ease, with a minimum spend of RM5,000.
Catch a glimpse of the kitchen brigade calmly at work, led by head chef Danny, whose 28 years of professional experience in Japanese cuisine includes stints in Fukuoka, Japan, as well as in Britain and China.
For a spectacular starter, sample the Shiromi Sakana Carpaccio (RM118), a medley of the chef's selected sashimi that represents the pinnacle of the season, brightened with the lively tang of a yuzu citrus dressing, aromatically balanced with earthy garlic oil, buoyed by briny caviar for a zesty synergy of both sea and land.
Smooth, thick slices of raw seafood, pure and pristine, take centre stage in the Kyuten Mori Sashimi (RM458), showcasing nine varieties of the ocean's opulence. Presently, patrons might relish possibilities from delicately subtle karei (flounder) to lusciously marbled otoro (tuna belly), rounded out with botan ebi, tako, salmon belly, hamachi, ikura, hotate and uni for an exuberant exploration of the finest international catch.
The Lobster Roll (RM238) emerges strikingly, a majestic maki plumply stuffed with deep-fried lobster meat, fleshy, firm and full-bodied, exquisitely elevated above conventional shrimp sushi rolls.
The Spider Roll (RM78) surfaces in a web of intrigue, tantalising our taste buds with the crackly crunch of soft-shell crab, blanketed in bonito flakes and roe for a mouthwatering maki, bursting with taste and texture.
UMI's specialities comprise the classic and the contemporary.
For a colourfully fun fusion of Japanese, Korean and Latin American flavours, try the Tako Kimchi with Mango and Tomato Salsa (RM42), perking up the palate with juicy baby octopus marinated with gently spicy kimchi, tossed with edible flowers and herbs, evoking an underwater garden, harmoniously blending the bouncy bite of baby octopus with a nectarous harvest of tropical fruits and vegetables.
On rainy evenings, seek shelter from the storm with UMI's soulful, steamy Kaisen Hokkai Nabe (RM158), a spicy miso hotpot brimming with the deep umami of assorted seafood, such as prime zuwaigani snow crab, clams, mussels and salmon, restoring the spirit and nourishing the body with time-honoured cooking traditions.
Fire and flair: For tempting theatrics at the table, the Karatsuki Hotate Kai Aburi Yaki (RM88) is set aflame when served to reveal gorgeously grilled Hokkaido scallops, garnished with caviar, ikura and edamame, with a soothing smokiness to enhance the scallops' succulence.
Finish with the Chef's Special Fruit Platter (RM168, served with a rich house-churned coconut ice cream). It's a thoughtful ensemble of fruits cultivated from across Asia, carved out in captivating fashion for a remarkable runway of melon, mango, grapes, guava, apple and pear, possibly KL's most visually inspiring fruit platter!
UMI Japanese Restaurant
52nd Floor, Imperial Lexis Kuala Lumpur,
15, Jalan Kia Peng, 50450 Kuala Lumpur.
Open Tuesdays-Sundays, 6pm-11pm.
Closed Mondays.
For bookings & enquiries:
+603-2177-1188 / +6010-784-0176
eat@imperiallexiskl.com (Email)Booking table link: letsumai.com/widget/umi-imperial-lexis
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