Ramen favourites
The chilli garlic ramen is repeatedly praised for its flavour, texture and rich broth.
Umami
Dubai Festival City
Umami is a Japanese restaurant in Dubai Festival City, with ramen at the centre of many customers’ recommendations. The chilli garlic ramen, chicken gyoza and teriyaki chicken don are useful starting points, while the welcoming service makes it comfortable for a casual meal.
Reputation Score
4.8
★★★★★
276 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Friendly service
Customers consistently describe the team as welcoming, attentive and accommodating throughout the meal.
Quick orders
One customer received a hot order in 8–10 minutes, making it practical for a quick food-court meal.
Regular recognition
A returning customer said the team remembered their bento box order and upsize Pepsi without being prompted.
Generous portions
The teriyaki chicken don was described as flavourful with a generous portion of chicken and rice.
Clean setting
A detailed review praised the clean presentation and well-organized restaurant, including during busy hours.
What to Eat at Umami How we choose these items We use AI to find praise and criticism of specific foods and drinks in a selection of Google reviews. For Umami, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. The score is positive reviews minus negative reviews. For example, two positive reviews and one negative review give +1. Each review counts once per item; neutral comments do not change the score. A zero score is not a positive recommendation. “Only neutral feedback” means there are no positive or negative votes. “Mixed feedback” means equal numbers of positive and negative votes. The quotes are examples of what people said, not every comment we counted. We use different reviews where we can. We normally show up to 10 foods and 5 drinks with non-negative scores. Items with the same score stay together. If a tied group would go past the limit, that group and the lower non-negative scores go into Honorable mentions. If an overflowing positive top tie would leave the list empty, we show up to 10 items from that tie and keep the rest in Honorable mentions. Foods and drinks with a negative score are under What to Avoid. Use this as a guide to what reviewers liked, not a guarantee that you will like it too.
These items at Umami got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 3
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Ramen Net +7
“Staffs are very accommodating special thanks to Wai for recommending excellent food, ordered 4 ramen and it was so yum! Will comeback and recommend this restaurant🍜”
Positive 7Negative 0Neutral 1
Review excerpts
“Staffs are very accommodating special thanks to Wai for recommending excellent food, ordered 4 ramen and it was so yum! Will comeback and recommend this restaurant🍜”February 2026
“Forever my favorite Ramen in UAE. Thanks Mary and Sir Jules. 😋🍜”April 2026
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Garlic chilli ramen Net +3
“Food was really tasty... the texture and the taste of the chilli Garlic ramen and the fried vegetable was just amazing.”
Positive 3Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Food was really tasty... the texture and the taste of the chilli Garlic ramen and the fried vegetable was just amazing.”May 2026
“The staff were kind and approachable. The chilli garlic ramen is my favourite. I'll definitely come again.”May 2026
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Truffle ramen Net +2
“The truffle ramen is fantastic. I have it every other day. But sushi is horrible. Reah I’ is the best staff you must give her a raise.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The truffle ramen is fantastic. I have it every other day. But sushi is horrible. Reah I’ is the best staff you must give her a raise.”July 2026
“Umami is favorite all time. This time I tried new flavors Truffle ramen , it’s so good and worth to try. Thanks to Wai oo assisting us for choosing the right package”January 2026
Honorable mentions (8)
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Beef gyoza Net +1
“I had a good experience dining in umami dfc .the garlic chilli ramen taste is really nice and also beef gyoza that's more than what I expect and also customer service is really nice warmly welcome and sweet smile especially ms.wai oo and rhea”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had a good experience dining in umami dfc .the garlic chilli ramen taste is really nice and also beef gyoza that's more than what I expect and also customer service is really nice warmly welcome and sweet smile especially ms.wai oo and rhea”February 2026
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Bento box Net +1
“I always love coming back here! Aside from the delicious bento box I always order, the staff make the experience even better. I don’t even need to say my order anymore, as soon as I walk in, they greet me with a smile and say, “Hi ma’am, bento box with upsize Pepsi, right?” How amazing is that? It’s rare to find a place where staff genuinely remember their regulars.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I always love coming back here! Aside from the delicious bento box I always order, the staff make the experience even better. I don’t even need to say my order anymore, as soon as I walk in, they greet me with a smile and say, “Hi ma’am, bento box with upsize Pepsi, right?” How amazing is that? It’s rare to find a place where staff genuinely remember their regulars.”June 2025
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Chicken gyoza Net +1
“The service is beyond 5 stars, especially Reah - very detailed and friendly. If you want something that feels close to home, chicken gyoza and ramen never goes wrong.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The service is beyond 5 stars, especially Reah - very detailed and friendly. If you want something that feels close to home, chicken gyoza and ramen never goes wrong.”July 2026
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Dynamite maki Net +1
“We ordered Maki, I'm shocked, no taste.., the salmon maki was a fail, only the dynamite maki was ok..the other Makis was not tasty, and I dont recomand.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered Maki, I'm shocked, no taste.., the salmon maki was a fail, only the dynamite maki was ok..the other Makis was not tasty, and I dont recomand.”January 2026
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Garlic chicken Net +1
“If you're looking for an unforgettable bowl of ramen, the Garlic Chicken is the one. The rich, garlicky broth is unbelievably addictive, and the chicken is simply outstanding”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“If you're looking for an unforgettable bowl of ramen, the Garlic Chicken is the one. The rich, garlicky broth is unbelievably addictive, and the chicken is simply outstanding”October 2025
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Shrimp tempura sushi Net +1
“The shrimp tempura sushi is absolutely the best! We love the taste—crispy, fresh, and full of flavor. Highly recommended!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The shrimp tempura sushi is absolutely the best! We love the taste—crispy, fresh, and full of flavor. Highly recommended!”June 2025
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Teriyaki beef Net +1
“The teriyaki beef and the ramen are to die for. Super healthy and super yummy in my tummy!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The teriyaki beef and the ramen are to die for. Super healthy and super yummy in my tummy!”July 2026
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Teriyaki chicken don Net +1
“I recently visited the Umami Restaurant branch at Dubai Festival City, and it was a great experience. The restaurant specializes in Japanese cuisine, and I ordered their teriyaki chicken Don. The dish was flavorful, and the teriyaki sauce was perfectly balanced, complementing the chicken and rice. The portion size was generous, making it a satisfying meal. Overall, the dish was excellent, earning a high rating of 8/10.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I recently visited the Umami Restaurant branch at Dubai Festival City, and it was a great experience. The restaurant specializes in Japanese cuisine, and I ordered their teriyaki chicken Don. The dish was flavorful, and the teriyaki sauce was perfectly balanced, complementing the chicken and rice. The portion size was generous, making it a satisfying meal. Overall, the dish was excellent, earning a high rating of 8/10.”May 2023
What to Avoid (5)
Food 5
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Beef raman Net −1
“Was shocked when I requested for Beef Raman and after I drink the soup like two tea spoons I was shocked when I noticed a dark single long hair. They tried to give me new one but I wasn’t able to drink it coz the hair was in my head. I am sorry to say I was really disappointed big time. My last ever try and i will make sure this will not go easy.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Was shocked when I requested for Beef Raman and after I drink the soup like two tea spoons I was shocked when I noticed a dark single long hair. They tried to give me new one but I wasn’t able to drink it coz the hair was in my head. I am sorry to say I was really disappointed big time. My last ever try and i will make sure this will not go easy.”October 2025
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Maki Net −1
“We ordered Maki, I'm shocked, no taste.., the salmon maki was a fail, only the dynamite maki was ok..the other Makis was not tasty, and I dont recomand.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We ordered Maki, I'm shocked, no taste.., the salmon maki was a fail, only the dynamite maki was ok..the other Makis was not tasty, and I dont recomand.”January 2026
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Salmon maki Net −1
“We ordered Maki, I'm shocked, no taste.., the salmon maki was a fail, only the dynamite maki was ok..the other Makis was not tasty, and I dont recomand.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We ordered Maki, I'm shocked, no taste.., the salmon maki was a fail, only the dynamite maki was ok..the other Makis was not tasty, and I dont recomand.”January 2026
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Spaghetti Net −1
“The staff are nice but the quality of food is just so bad, it's like colored water with spaghetti, and exactly 2 pieces of meat for not a cheap price compared to Dubai prices, what is japanese about this meal! Nothing”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The staff are nice but the quality of food is just so bad, it's like colored water with spaghetti, and exactly 2 pieces of meat for not a cheap price compared to Dubai prices, what is japanese about this meal! Nothing”May 2026
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Tempura Net −1
“Tempura only tastes like fat, not any single other taste. I could not finish it.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Tempura only tastes like fat, not any single other taste. I could not finish it.”August 2023
Tips for a Better Visit
Try ramen. For a first order, consider the chilli garlic ramen; several reviews single it out, and one calls it a favourite.
Explore truffle. If you want a less conventional ramen choice, the truffle ramen was described as worth trying.
Ask guidance. If you are unsure what to order, ask the team for a ramen recommendation; one customer received helpful menu guidance.
Check sushi. Sushi experiences vary sharply, so consider checking the specific roll before ordering a large selection.
Quick meals. For a shorter meal, the restaurant may suit food-court timing: one customer received their order within 8–10 minutes.
Plan the visit
Practical details
Dubai Festival City Mall Skywalk Food Court Level 2
Al Kheeran - Dubai Festival City, Dubai
| Mon | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Tue | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Wed | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Thu | 10:00 AM – 12:00 AM |
| Fri | 10:00 AM – 1:00 AM |
| Sat | 10:00 AM – 1:00 AM |
| Sun | 10:00 AM – 1:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Uneven sushi
Sushi feedback is mixed: one customer found the salmon and other maki lacking flavour, while another called the sushi horrible.
Food quality
One customer described a ramen as watery, with only two pieces of meat, and considered it expensive for the portion.
Hair complaint
A customer found a long dark hair in a beef ramen and said the replacement did not restore their appetite.
Poor tempura
An older review said the tempura tasted mainly of fat and the salmon was dry and smoky.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Umami is a Japanese restaurant in Dubai Festival City where ramen is the clearest draw. The chilli garlic ramen gets repeated praise for its taste and noodle texture, while the garlic chicken version is noted for its rich, garlicky broth. Truffle ramen is another popular variation, and chicken gyoza, beef gyoza and teriyaki chicken don give first-time diners alternatives beyond noodles.
Service is a major part of the experience. Reviews describe the staff as friendly, quick and accommodating, with one regular saying the team remembers a bento box order with an upsize Pepsi. Another customer received a hot meal in 8–10 minutes, so it can work well for a relatively quick food-court dinner.
The setting has also been described as cozy, positive, clean and well organized, including during busy hours. There are some reasons to order selectively. Sushi feedback is inconsistent: shrimp tempura sushi was called crispy and fresh, but another diner found most maki, including salmon maki, bland.
One customer reported a hair in beef ramen, while an older review criticized oily tempura and dry, smoky salmon. Prices are described as affordable or fair in some reviews, but no verified dish price is provided.