Houston • Seafood buffet
Umi Buffet Houston Review: Was the Seafood Dinner Worth It?
I had been thinking about Umi for months before I finally went. Lobster, snow crab legs and a huge buffet sounded exciting, and I arrived early for dinner hoping to avoid the crowd. There were dishes I enjoyed, but the seafood I came for left me disappointed.
Based on my April 2024 video. The $38.99 price below is what dinner cost during that visit; check today’s menu and inclusions before going.
What I tried at Umi seafood buffet
Lobster, Snow Crab Legs and Crawfish
The lobster was tougher than I wanted and did not live up to my expectations. The snow crab legs were a decent size, but they were too salty for my taste. The regular crawfish were impressively large, yet I did not enjoy the flavor enough to get another plate. The drunken crawfish had a better meat texture, but the strong alcohol flavor was not for me.
Oysters and Other Seafood
The oysters were small and a little sandy, so one plate was enough. The salt-and-pepper crab had a nice meat texture but was also too salty for me. The clams, on the other hand, were a pleasant surprise: clean, lightly chewy and flavorful. I also liked the soft, flaky fish and enjoyed the squid more than I expected.
Pork Belly, Chicken and Sides
The pork belly was rich and buttery soft. The General Tso’s chicken had more juicy meat than I expected, though I wanted a crisper outside. The lo mein had a nice firm texture, and the green beans were surprisingly crunchy and well seasoned. These dishes were some of the stronger parts of my meal.
Sushi, Fruit and Tea
I preferred the yellowtail to the salmon, and the scallop was my least favorite of the sushi bites I tried. For dessert, the orange and pineapple were sweet, and I liked the cantaloupe more than the honeydew. I also tried a passion-fruit drink that was not too sweet.
Umi buffet dinner price from my visit
The seafood dinner buffet was $38.99 per person in my April 2024 video. The tea station offered refills during my visit. Check current prices and inclusions before going.
Was it worth it, and what would I order again?
If I were choosing from the dishes I tried, I would go back to the pork belly, clams, fish and green beans. But overall, I did not think this dinner delivered the quality I hoped for at the price. The lobster, snow crab and crawfish were my main reasons for coming, and they did not make me want another round.
Umi Buffet Houston location
Restaurant: Umi Buffet
Address: 11681 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77077
Cuisine: Asian and seafood buffet
Best for: A large buffet selection; see my dish-by-dish impressions before deciding
Use the map to find the restaurant and confirm its hours.
Watch my Umi Buffet visit
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