Pan-Asian hotspot in Eldon Square, Newcastle – why Umai Mi is worth visiting

By Ania Askwith

• Instagram

---

Your friends might love this too – share it!

• Facebook
• X
• Threads

Umai Mi, Intu Eldon Square, Unit 13, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7AP

---

About Umai Mi

The name Umai Mi comes from the Japanese words umai (delicious) and mi (taste), a phrase that dates back to the early 1900s. It describes the ‘fifth taste’ – that irresistibly savoury, moreish flavour that goes beyond sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. It’s a deep, complex taste that keeps you coming back for more, from mushrooms to seafood, dry-aged meats, cheeses, and fermented products. It actually is my favourite flavour of all, and probably why Asian cuisine is my happy food!

Umai Mi in Eldon Square embraces this authentic umami concept, offering a modern take on pan-Asian cuisine. We have visited this place many times and have sampled some gorgeous dishes.

Our menu highlights at Umai Mi Eldon Square

• Prawn tom yum soup – It is served quite mild, so I often add spicy oil for a bit of an extra kick. It’s super flavourful on its own, but if you’re into spicy flavours, the oil is a great addition.

• Prawn tiger roll – A beautiful sushi roll that comes in 4 or 8 pieces, like their other sushi rolls. It is my favourite one; they always strike a perfect balance of those ingredients, making every little roll such a delightful morsel!

• Korean fried chicken – A classic; it comes perfectly seasoned, great for sharing as a side or for one person as a small plate.

• Crispy beef – I need to say: WOW! They absolutely nail this dish here! So moreish and the flavours just make you want to finish the whole portion, even though it is huge! Another great sharer.

• Sweet and sour chicken – You smell this dish before it arrives at your table. It is stunning. The depth of flavour is something else. It is quite a popular dish overall, but you need to try it here to really appreciate what the best version of this dish tastes like.

• Stir fry squid rolls – So I am a little obsessed with this dish. I am a seafood superfan, so I appreciate all kinds of seafood dishes and have tried many all over the world, but you rarely get squid cooked this beautifully! It was absolute perfection. The veggies were a great complement to the squid and really made the flavour and the delicate texture of the squid shine through. And there was so much of it on the plate, I never expected such a huge portion. It is one of my favourite dishes I have had in a long time. I used to get noodle soups most times when we visited in the past (which are lovely), but now I’ve tried this, it will be my go-to order when we come back (which we will, as we never seem to stay away from the place!).

• Jasmine rice – A lovely side to the squid dish, super flavoursome on its own and the texture was lovely too.

Desserts at Umai Mi Eldon Square

We didn’t go in thinking we’d be having desserts, but when I saw the menu, I knew we couldn’t not try them. We went for:

• Steamed custard baos – What a lovely flavour and texture combo. So hearty and moreish. If you like baos, this dessert is a must-try.

• Premium black sesame, premium matcha green tea, mango sorbet trio – So this was a huge surprise of the night. We absolutely loved the trio; they were all such strong flavours but so smooth at the same time. Needless to say, I had all of the matcha ice cream since it is my favourite thing everrrr. There are other flavours to choose from, but these were stunning.

Drinks at Umai Mi

• Wasabitiny cocktail – This was gorgeous and definitely one of the highlights on their drinks menu. If you like wasabi, or unexpected flavour combos, this is a must-try! I loved it. Absolutely delicious with a bit of lemon zest, just so yum!!

• Orchid twilight softail – If you’re the designated driver, I’d recommend this mocktail. It was fruity and fresh, and the presentation was great – I am stealing the idea of freezing apple slices together to make them look like this. Just beautiful.

Why we love this place

• Perfect location – Right in Eldon Square, making it ideal for a mid-shopping pit stop
• No booking needed – They welcome walk-ins, so there’s no stress if you’re feeling spontaneous
• Speedy service – We’ve never had to wait long, even when it’s busy
• Chic, stylish décor – Dining here feels like an experience. I really like the style, it is modern but elegant.
• Great views – Enjoy the city view while you dine; just make sure to ask for the seat near the back of the restaurant.
• Lovely staff – They always look after you so well and check on you to make sure everything is OK.
• Great opening hours – Whether you’re coming for brunch, lunch, dinner, or a late bite, they’ve got you covered. They’re open Monday – Saturday: 12pm– 10pm & Sunday: 12pm – 9pm

Location

Umai Mi is located at Greys Quarter, Intu Eldon Square, Unit 13, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7AP, with the nearest metro station being Monument Station.

Tips for visiting

• The food comes out when it’s ready, so you may not get all of your dishes all at once. It is a bit like a tapas style service which can be quite fun!

• Ask for the window seat to enjoy your meal with the view of Newcastle

• Walk-ins welcome so no need to book (although if you go during busy times, it is worth making a reservation; we often chance it but when we want to go for a specific time or are meeting people there, we do book)

• Ask for spicy oil if you like a bit of a kick

• Dine-in and takeaway options available

---

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ania | NEWCASTLE blogger and content creator (@ania.askwith)

---