OC Restaurant Quest: Umami Japanese and Korean Cuisine in Lyon Township
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 25, 2024)
Lyon Township, MI – Every once in a while I find a restaurant that I continue craving long after it’s first graced my lips, and Umami Japanese and Korean Cuisine in Lyon Township is one such place.
Most people think of four tastes – sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. But there is another – umami – that refers to the flavor that comes from glutamic acid – it is most similar to savory, the sense of a flavor being emboldened by seasonings like soy sauce or fish sauce, and is prominent in meats and parmsean cheese. And it’s the featured superpower of the items I tried there.
Umami’s website itself explains their name as a Japanese term meaning “the essence of deliciousness.”
I ordered a nice selection of items for carryout. My favorite was the Bento Box made with Gyoza, and four pieces of California Roll. salad, rice, and beef teriyaki that even thinking of it now makes the corners of my mouth tingle with the memory of that enticing flavor. I loved the long thin slices of onions, and the way the veggies were just the right texture. The sprinkles of sesame seeds were also a nice touch.
I wanted to showcase some more of the sushi too, so I ordered the Chicken Tempura Roll and the Cucumber and Avocado Roll. I was impressed with the freshness of the ingredients and the care in preparation.
The menu includes Korean favorites like Bulgogi, Spicy Ramen, and Stone Bowl Bibimbap. Under the section for Japanese Cuisine includes several types of Udon noodle dishes, as well as Pork and Chicken Katsu.
There are also a number of sushi rolls. The Caterpillar Roll is made with Eel and Cucumber w/ Teriyaki sauce and Avocado on top. The O.G. Kensington Roll is made with Crabstick, Avocado, Cucumber w/ Spicy mayo, Sriracha, Spicy Crab Salad, and Jalapeño on top. There is even a roll that shares the name of my favorite fast food place. The White Castle Roll is made with Shrimp Tempura, Asparagus and Avocado w/ Crab Salad and Onion Sauce on top .
Umami is located at 30472 Milford Road in the New Hudson area of Lyon Township. Dine in or order online. The website is https://www.umamimichigan.com/.
Oakland County Times is on a QUEST to enjoy every local restaurant in Oakland County. This long-term project is a labor of love, supported by our friends at White Castle. White Castle is a family-owned company that is proud to be one of only 20 large employers to make the Fortune Best Places to work list in 2022. With steam-grilled sliders, crispy golden french fries, fantastic slides like onion chips or fried clams, and the best chocolate shakes, White Castle is a by far our top choice for a fast food meal. Check out their website at www.WhiteCastle.com.
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