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Restaurant

Umai Kitchen

8/10 Union St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia

Recommended by 11 people

Updated

Find Umai Kitchen

8/10 Union St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 493 516 575
HoursMonday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM Sunday: Closed

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Umai Kitchen

Tucked just off the busy Rundle retail strip on Union Street, Umai Kitchen dishes up deeply comforting Japanese staples at sensible prices. The room stays relaxed and easygoing—ideal for a swift midday bowl or a lingering dinner over gyoza and sake. Regulars gravitate toward the house ramen, built on a rich combination stock of chicken and pork, or the earthy Kuro broth laced with black garlic. Between hearty katsu curries, fresh poke bowls, and crisp chicken karaage, orders land fast and hit the table piping hot.

  • Side-street escape: Tucked on Union Street away from the noisy main drag, offering a quiet, spacious dining room.
  • Signature broths: Specialty ramen broths blending chicken and pork stock, alongside deep, roasted Kuro black garlic broth.
  • Casual comfort classics: Generous portions of chicken katsu curry, bento sets, and gyoza served quickly for easy city lunches.
RestaurantJapaneseRestaurant

What's On at Umai Kitchen

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Diners Choose Umai Kitchen

Discover why diners choose Umai Kitchen for signature ramen, easy city dining, and welcoming group hospitality.

  • Signature Black Garlic & Hybrid Ramen Broths

    Umai Kitchen prepares distinct specialty broths, including signature Kuro black garlic ramen and hybrid stocks that combine chicken and pork for a deep, balanced savoriness.

    The black garlic soup ramen is to die for. I drank all the soup at the end

    Jessie CHEUNG

  • Generous Portions of Japanese Comfort Classics

    Generous bowls and plates—from katsu curry with panko prawns to crisp chicken katsu and fresh poke bowls—provide high-value portions that satisfy hearty appetites.

    The price is affordable and the portions are perfect. It's worth spending money here.

    Cing Tah

  • A Quiet Side-Street Haven in the City Center

    Tucked just off the busy Rundle retail precinct on Union Street, the restaurant provides a peaceful escape from main thoroughfare crowds.

    Located close to the city center in a quiet street, Umai Kitchen propose great diverse Japanese food at an affordable price

    Vincent Girardin

  • Prompt, Dependable Pre-Show and Lunch Service

    Efficient kitchen execution and prompt table service make it dependable for time-sensitive lunch breaks or relaxed pre-theatre meals.

    Before catching a show at the cinema, we stopped at Umai for a later dinner. The service was flawless and the food equally so.

    David Maddison

  • Comfortable Layouts for Group Gatherings

    Spacious table arrangements comfortably accommodate casual get-togethers and group dinners with room to share bento sets and sushi rolls.

    Also good for larger groups (we've gone in a group of 6-7ish) as long as you book.

    James de Bock

  • Attentive Hospitality for Families with Children

    Thoughtful, family-oriented hospitality includes proactive seating accommodations, high chairs, and children's tableware that put parents and kids at ease.

    When my son woke up, she quickly brought over a high chair along with a plastic spoon, fork, and a cup with a straw. It’s the little details like this that make such a big difference and show they really care.

    Giezel Ann Manzano

Signature ramen, curries, and comforting bowls

  • Kuro Ramen

    The black garlic soup ramen is to die for. I drank all the soup at the end

    Jessie CHEUNG

  • Chicken Katsu Curry

    I highly recommend the katsu curry – it's crispy on the outside and juicy on the

    Cing Tah

  • Salmon Poke Bowl

    I had a lovely lunch here and really enjoyed the salmon poke bowl—it was absolutely delicious.

    Sandra Romeo

  • Chicken Karaage Bento

    We ordered the Chicken Karaage Bento, and it was a delicious experience from start to finish.

    Giezel Ann Manzano

Other favorites

Appetizers, sides, and vegetarian plates to complement your meal

  • Takoyaki

    Takoyaki is kind of a dessert for me. I always order it when I go to Japanese restaurant and this Takoyaki didn’t disappoint me.

    Jessie CHEUNG

  • Veggie Gyoza

    The veggie gyoza was so good and I was happy with the portion size.

    Lukah Reid

  • Fried Octopus

    For the appetizer, we ordered the fried octopus. The batter was super crispy and the octopus was perfectly tender and juicy.

    Kolven Chow

  • Nasu Dengaku

    I had (as a shout out to vegetarians) ordered the Nasu Dengaku (eggplant dish). There was no way in hell that I thought that would be the highlight ….. but it was!

    Tanya D

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful service touches and proactive hospitality that elevate every visit

  • Proactive Family Accommodations

    Staff proactively offer families comfortable corner seating and quickly provide a high chair alongside child-sized cutlery and a covered cup with a straw.

  • Instant Utensil Replacement

    When a diner dropped a utensil, floor staff immediately noticed and walked over with a fresh replacement pair without having to be asked.

  • Gracious Order Remediation

    When an order mix-up occurred, staff handled the situation graciously and offered an immediate meal replacement at no extra charge.

  • Engaged Manager Check-Ins

    The manager takes time to check in at tables personally and engage guests in genuine conversation rather than standard polite formalities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the must-order dishes?

The ramen broths are a frequent highlight, particularly the Kuro black garlic ramen and the Aka-Kuro combo featuring a rich chicken and pork combination stock. Other popular orders include the chicken and pork katsu curries, unagi don, poke bowls, and oversized sushi rolls like the lion king or aburi salmon.

How generous are the portion sizes?

Portions across ramen bowls, curry plates, and bento sets are generous and filling. Sushi rolls are notably large—often described as eight hearty pieces that make a substantial meal on their own or when shared.

Should groups book a table in advance?

Yes, the venue accepts reservations, which is recommended for larger groups of 6 to 7 people to ensure everyone can be seated comfortably together.

Are vegetarian options available?

Yes, the restaurant serves vegetarian-friendly dishes, including vegetable gyoza and nasu dengaku (miso eggplant), alongside a selection of vegan-friendly options.

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