Umami, a loanword from the Japanese meaning “pleasant savory taste,” is now considered to be one of the five basic tastes together with sweet, sour, bitter and salty. The food I sampled at Umami Asian Bistro was anything but basic, though. The commonly understood meaning of umami in the culinary world is “deliciousness” and this restaurant did not disappoint.
Umami Asian Bisto’s menu focuses on sushi, but there are plenty of Japanese, Chinese and Thai-inspired dishes that would please the non-sushi-loving diner. Some familiar items on the menu include Pad Thai, Peking Duck, Red or Green Curry, Lo Mein, General Tso’s Chicken, Fried Rice, Korean BBQ Beef and many vegetarian and steamed items.
My dining partner and I both got the Sushi Bar Lunch, which included a house salad or miso soup. The house salad was mixed greens with a ginger dressing, with crisp apples on top of the greens that added just the right amount of tartness and crunch. While the salad was covered with an overabundance of the ginger dressing, it didn’t matter because I couldn’t get enough of it. I would have loved a piece of bread to scoop up the remaining dressing – it was that good!
I had two rolls (of six pieces each) – the spicy salmon and the tempura shrimp. The rolls were beautiful on the plate and included plenty of wasabi and fresh ginger. It was clear that the shrimp tempura was freshly made because the shrimp was crisp and hadn’t become soggy like some pre-made sushi that I have eaten. The spicy salmon was not overly aggressive in terms of spiciness, it was perfect.
Umani Asian Bistro is a B.Y.O.B. which helps keep it an affordable dining option in the Exton area. There is a Pennsylvania Wine and Spirits store in the same shopping center inside the Giant Supermarket for any last minute wine and spirits needs.
Find Umami Asian Bistro at 150 Eagleview Boulevard in the Lionville Shopping Center in Exton, PA. You may also reach them by phone at (610)594-1510. Spy the menu by clicking here or “like” their Facebook page by clicking here.
Ronna is a Mom, President of the West Chester Beer Ladies and the self-proclaimed Chester County Beer Goddess. The West Chester Beer Ladies meet every 6 to 8 weeks at local establishments to socialize while tasting and learning about beer. More information can be found on WC Beer Ladies site, on Facebook or on Twitter.
