Umami Express

Wow. Didn't expect that. Usually Asian fusion is a bit too sweet and oily for me. I loved both dishes I ordered. I'm a big if bowls and this has been the best bowl for a healthy option. Very fresh ingredients, packed perfect for delivery. Flavors were spot on - not too much sauce, not too little. So I got one tofu dish which was the best damn tofu I had - not fried and not too crispy. And then I got a chicken one which I think was real chicken but maybe picked wrong - I was trying to get the shitaki chicken but really good still - very light and good meat. Spot on. This place and Under the Sun are now my favorite places by a landslide.

I wanted to like the food but unfortunately the flavor that everyone was raving about is not there. The 3 sauces were pretty good though. If anything I recommend the lemon and orange sauce… the bowls are going to need it. I thought I was going to be able to rely on the juices & flavor of the meat and not so much of the sauce. Because the below ratings were so good I even took a chance and paid the extra $17 for additional Wagyu meat. To my surprise the 8oz container wasn’t even filled to the top as advertised and the meat was very dry and lifeless. The advertised picture of the wagyu meat looked juicy. Do not go based off the website’s pictures For the $88 I spent, I don’t recommend and honestly just regret. To be fair, this comment is only for the Long Beach location.

Excellent service! Very kind and courteous team. This is my first time trying this place, by the way. I’m impressed with the freshness and the quality of their ingredients! I ordered two pulled chicken rice bowls, and boy, oh boy! The chicken was VERY fresh and cooked perfectly (not too saucy but JUST juicy enough to pack some flavor). The veggies are impeccable! I am not even exaggerating! The tiny/miniature broccolis and carrots were (steamed?) to perfection (still had that bit of a crunch; still slowly cooked and holds texture). And at the bottom of the bowl you get to meet their well cooked heirloom rice which was absolutely on point! It was light on the belly but perfectly compliments the mix of flavors… AND last but not least: the sauces which you find in the box! I opted for their special Szechuan chili oil and garlic sauce (mind blowing street food flavors!!!) and a side of what tasted/smelled like tahini sauce with a hint of the toasted eggplants of baba ghanoush, but much lighter. Nonetheless, the sauces hit the spot with the pulled chicken, veggies and rice. I would highly recommend to try this spot at least once, and rate it for yourself. Enjoy!