UCHI DIFC

UCHI DIFC

DIFC

Restaurant Open now 04 298 5044

UCHI DIFC is a compact Japanese restaurant in DIFC with an intimate, modern setting. Reviews point to carefully presented sushi and sashimi, creative cocktails such as the Bloody Wasabi, and a business-lunch menu for daytime dining.

Reputation Score
4.8
★★★★★
446 ratings
5★
92%
4★
3%
3★
1%
2★
1%
1★
3%

Source: Google Maps

The Good Stuff

Showing 2 of 8
01

Fresh sashimi

Sashimi is repeatedly praised for its freshness, with one reviewer calling it among the freshest they had tried in Dubai.

02

Tableside wasabi

Fresh wasabi is grated tableside, adding a distinctive touch to the sushi experience.

Let's go!

What to Eat at UCHI DIFC

Foods and drinks mentioned in reviews of UCHI DIFC, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.

Food 5

  1. Sashimi Net +4
    “The menu at UCHI is a delightful fusion of traditional Japanese cuisine with a modern twist, offering an array of dishes that are as visually stunning as they are delicious. Whether you're craving sushi, sashimi, or hot dishes like their exquisite Wagyu beef, each bite is a testament to the chef's mastery of flavors and ingredients.”
  2. Wagyu gyoza Net +3
    “Highlights I’d highly recommend are the prawn tempura, spinach salad, wagyu gyoza, crispy shrimp maki, tenderloin, and the mushroom rice.”
  3. Lobster soba Net +2
    “For the main course I ordered lobster with soba noodles. very tasty, in the best traditions of Japan!”
  4. Spicy tuna Net +2
    “3. **Spicy Tuna (8/10):** Served with Kimchi Granita, Dry Miso, and Confit Myoga, this dish stood out with a unique style and mild spiciness, different from other spicy tuna rolls.”
  5. Spinach salad Net +2
    “Other two starters (wagyu gyoza and spinach salad) were decent.”
Honorable mentions (30)
  1. 7-Course tasting menu Net +1
    “Highly recommend the 7-course tasting menu - close your eyes and lose yourself in the sublime tastes, textures and sense of wellbeing.”
  2. Akami Net +1
    “- Akami (8.5/10): Very good.”
  3. Australian wagyu sando Net +1
    “The Lobster Soba and Australian Wagyu Sando with homemade tonkatsu were both standout dishes.”
  4. Bloody wasabi Net +1
    “The cocktails were outstanding; especially the Bloody Wasabi, which was incredible.”
  5. Cigar mousse Net +1
    “Loved all the selections crispy rice, Wagyu sando medium rare & the cigar mousse but it was too sweet for me but I enjoyed it !”
  6. Crispy beef appetizer Net +1
    “I had an amazing experience at Uchi, starting with a crispy beef appetizer and delicious Wagyu gyoza.”
  7. Crispy rice Net +1
    “Loved all the selections crispy rice, Wagyu sando medium rare & the cigar mousse but it was too sweet for me but I enjoyed it !”
  8. Crispy shrimp maki Net +1
    “Highlights I’d highly recommend are the prawn tempura, spinach salad, wagyu gyoza, crispy shrimp maki, tenderloin, and the mushroom rice.”
  9. Konbu baked seabass Net +1
    “Delectable Konbu baked seabass.”
  10. Lobster mains Net +1
    “Sushi, sashimi, lobster mains, and wagyuu selection all was beyond my expectations.”
  11. Maitake mushroom tempura Net +1
    “I was impressed by how delicious all the Japanese food here! I especially liked the Maitake mushroom tempura!”
  12. Miso soup Net +1
    “I enjoyed my fav miso soup, edamame as a starter, and continued with black cod as main, for dessert delicious mochi.”
  13. Mochi Net +1
    “I enjoyed my fav miso soup, edamame as a starter, and continued with black cod as main, for dessert delicious mochi.”
  14. Mushroom rice Net +1
    “Highlights I’d highly recommend are the prawn tempura, spinach salad, wagyu gyoza, crispy shrimp maki, tenderloin, and the mushroom rice.”
  15. Mushroom truffle starter Net +1
    “And over to the food, the mushroom truffle starter is wow ,”
  16. Otoro Net +1
    “- Otoro (9/10): Excellent and melt-in-your-mouth.”
  17. Poached black cod Net +1
    “The poached black cod was exceptional—perfectly cooked and easily the best I’ve ever had.”
  18. Prawn tempura Net +1
    “Highlights I’d highly recommend are the prawn tempura, spinach salad, wagyu gyoza, crispy shrimp maki, tenderloin, and the mushroom rice.”
  19. Salmon Net +1
    “The salmon was melt-in-your-mouth fresh, and their signature dishes left me speechless.”
  20. Salmon nigiri Net +1
    “- Salmon (6.5/10): Good but had connective tissue.”
  21. Shishito peppers Net +1
    “2. **Shishito Peppers (7.5/10):** Tempura-style with Mizuna, Barley, Wagyu, and Pepper Relish. A well-balanced dish, featuring fried Wagyu pieces that complemented the flavors.”
  22. Special iftar set menu Net +1
    “I had the pleasure of trying both the à la carte menu and their special Iftar set menu—an incredible deal considering the quality and variety of dishes.”
  23. Steak sando Net +1
    “The food is really good though. I loved the steak sando.”
  24. Strawberry cheesecake Net +1
    “8. **Strawberry Cheesecake (9.2/10):** The main highlight of the dinner, with White Strawberry, White Chocolate, Hazelnut, Ricotta, Fromager d'Affinois, and Grape Tuile. Very well balanced, not overly sweet, and a unique approach to contemporizing traditional cheesecake.”
  25. Sushi rolls Net +1
    “From the light, crispy tempura shrimp to the inventive sushi rolls, every plate impresses.”
  26. Tempura shrimp Net +1
    “From the light, crispy tempura shrimp to the inventive sushi rolls, every plate impresses.”
  27. Wagyu sando Net +1
    “The wagyu sando was definitely the highlight—tender and juicy.”
  28. Wagyu sando medium rare Net +1
    “Loved all the selections crispy rice, Wagyu sando medium rare & the cigar mousse but it was too sweet for me but I enjoyed it !”
  29. Yellow tail Net +1
    “5. **Yellow Tail (9/10):** Featuring Mandarin Ponzu Air, Caviar, Jalapeno Relish, Tangerine, and Coriander oil, this was a highlight with a well-balanced and excellent taste.”
  30. Nigiri selection Net 0

    Only neutral feedback

    “4. **Nigiri Selection:** - Sea Bass (6/10): A bit fishy. - Salmon (6.5/10): Good but had connective tissue. - Akami (8.5/10): Very good. - Otoro (9/10): Excellent and melt-in-your-mouth.”

Drinks 5

  1. Uchi gin basil cocktail Net +2
    “The sushi was incredibly fresh and delicious, and the cocktails, especially the Uchi Gin Basil and Uchi Martini, were fantastic.”
  2. 0% Alcohol gin basil Net +1
    “Great food and especially 0% alcohol gin basil, well done.”
  3. Espresso martini Net +1
    “The Espresso Martini was outstanding—perfectly balanced and a delightful complement to the meal.”
  4. Uchi martini Net +1
    “The sushi was incredibly fresh and delicious, and the cocktails, especially the Uchi Gin Basil and Uchi Martini, were fantastic.”
  5. Whiskey sour Net +1
    “Special thanks to Jeany, the barista, for crafting a Uchi Gin Basil cocktail and Whiskey Sour that beautifully complemented the seafood.”
What to Avoid (4)

Food 4

  1. Gyoza Net −1
    “6. **Gyoza (6.5/10):** A5 Slow Cooked Wagyu with Tarragon, Rice Crisp, Pickled Kohlrabi, Snow Peas, and Kombu Oil. Below average due to the taste of the beef.”
  2. Hokkaido scallops Net −1
    “Especially the hokkaido scallops: 2 small overcooked scallops for 100 aed+.”
  3. Mocktails Net −1
    “I dont drink alcohol o i had the juices etc - mocktails were a bit toooo sweet as for my taste; crowd was cool; dj as well; enjoyed my time”
  4. Sea bass Net −1
    “- Sea Bass (6/10): A bit fishy.”

Tips for a Better Visit

Showing 2 of 4
1

Confirm hours. Check lunch availability before going: one guest found it closed at 1PM on two July visits despite the listed timing.

2

Check total. Ask for the all-in business-lunch cost before ordering; one review says 22% was added for service charges, VAT and DIFC fees.

Plan the visit

Practical details

Al Mustaqbal St
Zaa'beel Second - DIFC, Dubai
04 298 5044
Mon12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Tue12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Wed12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Thu12:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Fri12:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Sat12:00 PM – 2:00 AM
Sun12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Get directions

Common Concerns

Showing 2 of 5

High pricing

One dinner for two came to 1,230 AED excluding drinks, with the reviewer finding the food poor value compared with nearby options.

Service delays

A review describes incomplete orders, dishes needing repeated follow-up and the bill being requested three times.

Customer-reported prices

These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.

99 AED

business lunch

“I came for business lunch, which was advertised to be 99 AED”
Google review · August 2025

1,230 aed

dinner for two excluding drinks

“I am disappointed regarding value for money, excluding drinks: 1,230 aed for two”
Google review · July 2026

140 aed

business lunch for two starters and a main

“Went there for the business lunch (140 aed for two starters and a main) and it was impeccable”
Google review · October 2023
DXB
LOCAL

The Bottom Line

UCHI DIFC is a small Japanese restaurant built around sushi, sashimi and contemporary hot dishes rather than a quick, casual meal. Reviews repeatedly highlight the fresh sashimi, tableside grated wasabi and beautifully presented plates. The wagyu sando, poached black cod, lobster soba and inventive maki are among the clearest dish recommendations, while cocktails such as the Bloody Wasabi and Uchi Gin Basil give the drinks list a strong identity.

The compact room is generally described as cosy, intimate and stylish, making it a natural choice for a date night, business lunch or catch-up. Music is part of the experience: some diners enjoyed the DJ and conversation-friendly soundtrack, but another visit was spoiled by loud singing, shouting and regulars changing songs. It is worth checking the atmosphere if you are planning a special occasion.

Value is the main caution. A business lunch was advertised at 99 AED, but one review says service charges, VAT and DIFC fees added 22%; another reported 1,230 AED for two excluding drinks. Lunch hours should also be confirmed before setting out, as a reviewer found the restaurant closed at 1PM twice.

Valet parking for three hours was mentioned in one lunch review.

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