So, I finally got around to checking out Umiya Sushi Seafood and Grill over in Frisco. Heard a bit about it, you know, the usual chatter, and figured it was time to see for myself. It’s always a bit of a gamble with these sushi places, especially when they tack on “seafood and grill” – makes you wonder if they’re trying to do too much.
Finding the place wasn’t too hard. Pulled up on a weekday evening, thinking it might be quieter. It was, sort of. Not empty, but not buzzing either, which was fine by me. The inside, well, it’s got that modern sushi joint look. Dim lighting, some sleek tables, you know the type. Nothing that screamed “wow,” but clean and decent enough to sit down for a meal.
The menu was pretty big. Lots of rolls, the usual suspects, and then a bunch of their own special creations. And yeah, a fair bit of grilled stuff and other seafood dishes. Sometimes a huge menu is a red flag, like they can’t possibly do everything well. I decided to stick mostly to the sushi side of things to start, ’cause that’s the main draw for me.
Here’s what I ended up trying:
- A couple of classic rolls – a spicy tuna and an eel avocado. Gotta test the basics, right?
- One of their signature rolls – I forget the exact name, something flashy with a bit of everything.
- And just a small order of salmon sashimi, ’cause if the sashimi’s good, that’s a good sign.
The food came out reasonably quick. Presentation was okay, nothing super artistic but neat. Now, the taste. The spicy tuna was, well, spicy tuna. It did the job. The eel avocado was pretty standard too, maybe a bit heavy on the sauce for my liking, but the eel itself was tender enough. That signature roll? It was a mouthful. Lots of flavors going on, some worked, some kinda got lost in the mix. You know how some places just load up a roll with a ton of ingredients and call it special? Kinda felt like that. It wasn’t bad, just not memorable.
The salmon sashimi was the real test for me. And it was… alright. Fresh enough, I think. It didn’t have that super buttery, melt-in-your-mouth quality you get at the really top-notch places, but it wasn’t off-putting or anything. Just, you know, acceptable. For a place with “sushi” and “seafood” in the name, I guess my expectations were a tad higher for that standout freshness.
Service was polite. Our server was around when we needed them, took the order, brought the food, refilled drinks. No complaints there, but no real warmth or engagement either. Just efficient, which is sometimes all you need, I suppose. I didn’t try any of the “grill” items this time around. Maybe that’s where they really shine, who knows? But if you’re leading with “sushi,” that’s gotta be strong.
So, what’s the verdict on Umiya Sushi Seafood and Grill in Frisco? It’s a place. It serves sushi, and seafood, and grilled food. I walked out fed, not disappointed, but not exactly raving either. It’s one of those spots that’s probably fine if you’re in the neighborhood and craving sushi, but I don’t think I’d be making a special trip across town for it. There’s a lot of competition out there, and Umiya, for me, just landed in the “okay” category. Maybe I’ll give their grill menu a shot someday if I’m back in that part of Frisco, just to see what that’s all about. But for sushi, I’ve had better, and I’ve had worse. It just… is.
