Easygoing restaurant whipping up ramen, rice bowls, Japanese curries & sake in a compact space.
Giovanni Minichiello
Tiny tiny spot with some delicious food. Overall food was very good. For apps we ordered the steamed dumplings, cheesy tonkatsu and enjoyed some Thai milk teas. For mains we ordered the tonkatsu ramen and the five spice beef ramen. Majority of the dishes were good. Some would have been better if they were simplified like the cheesy tonkatsu. Believe it or not throwing cheese on everything doesn’t make it better. The flavors were great and didn’t need all that extra cheese. Just my opinion. The five spice beef ramen was good too but the flavors made it something other than ramen. More like a Thai style soup which is fine but just be adventurous when choosing these ramen dishes with a twist. Overall great spot but remember it’s tiny. I mean tiny. Solid 4 stars ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
… moreMary Smilack
Second time here and I have to say it’s probably one of my favorite local spots. While they don’t have as many vegetarian options as I tend to prefer (as someone who doesn’t do spicy food), their Veggies Japanese Curry is just OMG. Absolutely delicious, and some of the best pickled radish I’ve had. I also got a Hojicha milk tea and it was, similarly, one of the best Hojichas I’ve had. Plus the staff is attentive and so kind. Highly recommend.
… moreDyan Stojadinovic
There is absolute magic happening in that kitchen. Easily the best ramen I’ve had outside of Asia. I would make it a weekly tradition to order their tonkotsu ramen if I could. And at that price?! Unreal.
They have outdoor seating but the space for indoor dining is very small, just two tables plus two bar seating areas – one by the window and one right in front of the kitchen. But that only adds to the charm. It genuinely feels like one of those authentic ramen spots you’d stumble upon on a street corner in Tokyo.
Great customer service as well. The lovely lady attending to us was very attentive and polite.
Note that we ordered take out because the place was packed when we arrived. But it only took them 10 minutes to prepare our order (2 ramen bowls, 2 thai milk tea, and a serving of gyoza) and the taste was still bang on even after the drive home. And all for less than 60 bucks!!!
… moreStephanie w
Reston/Herndons best hidden gem!
We’ve had lots of Ramen around the U.S. and Umai hands down has been the best curry ramen I’ve had yet. Food was unbelievably good for a little hole in the wall, servers were quick and curious.
Definitely make this a stop when visiting the area. 10/10 highly recommend.
… moreJacob Ayubi
Umai Ramen & Rice Bowl is an absolute gem! My son and I love ramen, and we were so impressed that we went twice in one week. The restaurant is small but cozy, with a hip, lively vibe and music that gives off that cool, after-hours college party feel. If the weather’s nice, they offer outdoor seating, which was perfect because on our first visit, even though it was a bit cool outside, people still chose to sit outdoors since the inside was packed—and for good reason!
We ordered the same thing both nights because it was just that good. To start, we had the chicken karaage bun, which was crispy, flavorful, and melted in your mouth. My son went for the Five Spice Beef Ramen, and I had the Vegan Spicy Miso Ramen, but I added fried chicken and a whole marinated egg—an unbeatable combo. The portions are huge, but trust me, we didn’t leave a drop behind.
This is the kind of place you’d expect to drive all the way to downtown DC for and make a night out of it—but lucky for us, it’s right here in our backyard. Umai Ramen is a must-try for anyone looking for authentic, flavorful ramen in a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. We’ll definitely be back!
… moreOlivia Loveland
Umai exceeded my expectations!! They had the best pork buns I’ve ever had in my life- everything was made to perfection. We tried the lychee drink and also my new favorite cocktail. The ramen was delicious and I loved the intimate atmosphere! Definitely making this a go to restaurant on my list!
… moreMicha
I’ve been going to this place for several years and don’t know why it’s taken me so long to write a review. This restaurant is absolutely fabulous. It has delicious options on the menu for everyone. I’m vegan, and while their vegan menu isn’t large, it has some great options. The vegan spicy miso ramen is to die for. Their menu doesn’t explicitly say that the ramen bowls have egg noodles standard, so if you’re vegan, you need to make sure to order them with rice noodles instead. Seating is limited, but you don’t usually need a reservation. I’m writing this as the weather starts to warm up and they have some outdoor seating if that’s your thing. Service is always quick and very friendly. Takeout is a great option here if you’re in a hurry. Making this your regular spot is a great idea not only because it’s a local business, but also since their food is delicious! The food isn’t “fast food” cheap, but it’s totally worth it!
… moreRebecca Chu
I enjoyed their curry ramen. Rich, coconut-y, flavored that really complements the ramen. We had a group of 6, and we sat outdoors. Just remember to check your tab, they already included the tip and I accidentally added another 18% on 🙁
… morenikita poddar
Absolutely love this ramen spot! They serve the most amazing ramen and have the sweetest staff — they always welcome us with a smile. I highly recommend the Umai Curry Ramen, Thai Khao Sui, and the Karaage Chicken Bun — my absolute favorites! I once accidentally left my purse at the restaurant, and they kindly kept it safe until I came back for it. Thank you, Umai — you guys are truly wonderful!
… moreRamya Raj
This is my favorite ramen spot! The vegan tomyum ramen is absolutely delicious, with a flavorful broth that has the perfect amount of spice. It’s loaded with veggies and paired with smooth noodles–definitely a standout dish.
I’ve also tried their edamame gyoza, which is tasty on its own but even better when paired with their chili oil.
My husband tried the chicken karaage curry and the spicy miso ramen, and he was most impressed by the crispy chicken, which was perfectly fried and added great texture to the dish.
The place is quite small, with seating for about 20-25 people, so be prepared for a bit of a wait if you go during peak times. I’d recommend opting for to-go orders instead, so you can enjoy your warm food in the comfort of your own home.
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