Umai House Fries ($3.95), pictured on the bottom, are served with a spicy chili sauce and roasted seaweed flakes. The Tokyo Signature Hot Dog ($6.95), pictured on top, is dressed with seaweed and sesame.
By: Andrew Dinh
Umai Savory Hot Dogs, a casual restaurant serving gourmet hot dogs, fries, hamburgers, and chicken wings,, recently opened in San Jose at 1158 North Capitol Avenue, right next to boba hotspot Tastea. Umai offers premium sausages and hot dogs served with a variety of Asian-inspired sauces and toppings, like bonito flakes and roasted seaweed.
The restaurant was decorated with contrasting grey and red walls, complemented by dark lighting. I ordered the Tokyo Signature Hot Dog, for $6.95, and Umai House Fries, for $3.95. I did not have to wait very long for the food to come out hot. The Tokyo Signature Hot Dog consisted of an all beef hot dog, topped with caramelized onions, roasted seaweed, teriyaki mayonnaise, and white sesame flakes.The Umai House Fries were regular french fries drizzled with an orange sauce reminiscent of spicy In-N-Out spread.
I thoroughly enjoyed my meal at Umai. The hot dog was remarkably juicy, nestled between a well-toasted bun. Surprisingly, the roasted seaweed on top worked, adding a layer of salty depth to the savory beef. Luckily, the teriyaki sauce did not overpower the rest of the flavors. I also particularly enjoyed the sweet caramelized onions, which perfectly complemented the rest of the hot dog. The fries left something to be desired, though. They were crispy, but did not stand out. The only redeeming quality was the sauce, which packed a punch of heat. Umai offers a variety of hot dog combos which I look forward to trying in the future. I could pass on the fries.
Even if one does not enjoy hot dogs, Umai also offers hamburgers, chicken wings, noodles, and waffles. I recommend this shop for anyone looking for a quick bite. The location is especially convenient if one also craves milk tea, since Tastea is located beside it.