Umami by Han: A Mixed Culinary Journey in Amsterdam
After hearing glowing reviews about Umami by Han, this restaurant had been on my must-visit list for quite some time. Known for blending Chinese and broader Asian culinary influences, the restaurant offers an exciting concept with its unique dining options. Diners can choose between a set menu or customize their own menu, which makes it ideal for those who want to explore a variety of flavors.
The Concept
At Umami by Han, you’re invited to enjoy multiple small dishes, allowing you to experience a wide range of flavors in one sitting. The structure is simple yet appealing: you choose two dishes per person per course, with the option to add an extra dish between courses. We opted to create our own menu, which resulted in trying an impressive 14 dishes.
The Highs
Some dishes truly stood out, showcasing the creativity and potential of Umami by Han’s fusion cuisine. These were our favorites:
- Ceviche Seabass: A perfectly balanced dish, with flavors that complemented each other beautifully.
- Tuna and Eel: The combination was rich and flavorful, though the tuna itself was served a bit too cold for our liking.
- Umami Duck: A classic dish that lived up to expectations with its succulent meat and great seasoning.
- Crispy Crabby: The texture was delightful, though the addition of smoked salmon felt unnecessary.
- Orange Duck: A standout dish with bold, citrusy notes that elevated the flavors.
- Eggplant Beef: Tender and well-seasoned, this dish was one of the highlights of the evening.
- Truffle Halibut: A well-prepared dish with a surprising spicy kick, adding depth to the truffle-infused fish.
The Lows
While some dishes impressed, others fell short, particularly in flavor or quality:
- Daging Rendang: The structure of the meat was slightly off, and the dish lacked the bold, rich flavors rendang is known for.
- Lemon Fish: As the name suggests, it tasted distinctly of lemon but missed the complexity that spices could have brought.
- Chili Iberico Ribs: While the flavor was good, some pieces were overly dry, detracting from the experience.
- Veal Entrecote: Unfortunately, this dish was a letdown in both flavor and the quality of the meat itself.
The Experience
The restaurant itself is beautifully designed, with a stylish and modern interior that complements the dining concept. Service was quick and efficient, which kept the meal flowing smoothly despite the number of dishes we ordered.
Final Thoughts
While our experience at Umami by Han wasn’t bad, it fell short of the high expectations I had after hearing so many positive reviews. Some dishes delivered in terms of flavor and creativity, but others lacked seasoning or failed to showcase the quality I’d anticipated.
Would I recommend it? Yes, but with tempered expectations. It’s a good spot to try out if you’re curious about the fusion concept and enjoy sampling a variety of dishes. However, for the price and hype, I hoped for a bit more consistency in flavor and quality. Also, there are definitely better restaurants with a similair concept in Amsterdam.
If you decide to visit, I’d suggest focusing on dishes like the Ceviche Seabass, Orange Duck, and Eggplant Beef, which were true standouts..
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Review: 7.5/10
Price / Quality: 7 | Service: 7.5 | Originality: 8 | Freshness: 6 | Choice: 9
