All the Sushi, Seafood, and Japanese Favorites You Can Eat at This Indiana Buffet

I still remember the first time someone told me about an all-you-can-eat sushi and seafood buffet on the northeast side of Indianapolis. I was skeptical because buffets and fresh fish don’t always go hand in hand.

But Umi Sushi & Seafood Buffet proved me wrong in the best way possible. Walking through those doors feels like stepping into a seafood lover’s dream where crab legs, sushi rolls, hot pot stations, and ramen bowls all live under one roof.

The space is bright, modern, and surprisingly massive, with enough variety to make even the pickiest eaters in your group happy.

Whether you’re craving traditional Japanese dishes or just want to pile your plate high with shrimp and lobster, this place delivers on both quality and quantity without breaking the bank.

Endless Sushi Variety That Stays Fresh All Day

Sushi at a buffet can be risky business, but Umi takes it seriously. Fresh fish gets sliced right in front of you by skilled chefs who know their way around a sashimi knife.

The sushi bar stretches longer than you’d expect, loaded with everything from classic California rolls to more adventurous options topped with fish eggs and spicy mayo.

What really sets this apart is the customization station. You can add your own garnishes, extra wasabi, pickled ginger, or even build your own combinations from the components section.

The rice stays perfectly sticky, not crunchy or dried out like some buffets let happen. Regulars know to hit the sushi section early and often because the variety keeps rotating throughout your meal.

You’ll find salmon, tuna, yellowtail, and other premium cuts that taste like they were prepared moments ago. The presentation alone makes you want to grab your phone for photos.

For anyone who considers sushi a main event rather than a side dish, this buffet turns into an absolute playground. At around thirty dollars per person, you could easily eat your money’s worth in sushi alone before even touching the hot food stations.

Hot Pot Station That Lets You Cook Your Own Adventure

Ever wanted to play chef while someone else does the dishes? The hot pot station at Umi gives you exactly that chance.

You grab a bowl, load it with your choice of raw ingredients like thinly sliced meats, fresh vegetables, noodles, and seafood, then hand it to the staff who cook it in rich, bubbling broth right there.

The broth options include savory miso and other Asian-style bases that add serious flavor to whatever you throw in. Some folks create elaborate combinations with pork belly, mushrooms, bok choy, and udon noodles.

Others keep it simple with shrimp and greens. There’s no wrong way to build your bowl, which makes it fun for kids and adventurous eaters alike.

What makes this station special is the freshness of the ingredients. Everything looks crisp and colorful, not wilted or sad like some buffet vegetables can get.

The staff works quickly, so you’re not waiting forever for your custom creation. It’s comfort food that warms you from the inside out, especially on a chilly Indiana evening.

Plus, watching your meal get cooked adds a little entertainment value to the dining experience that you don’t get from just grabbing pre-made plates.

Crab Legs and Lobster That Make You Feel Fancy

Let’s be honest, crab legs are the reason most people walk through the door. Umi doesn’t disappoint on this front, keeping the crab leg station stocked throughout service.

These aren’t tiny, sad little claws either; you’ll find decent-sized snow crab legs that crack open easily to reveal sweet, tender meat.

The lobster situation is handled uniquely to ensure freshness. Rather than sitting on a buffet line, UMI Hotpot Sushi & Seafood Buffet often features a dinner special where a free lobster tail and Angus steak are served directly to adult diners as a “Surf & Turf” addition to their meal.

The meat comes out buttery and perfectly cooked, providing a premium experience that sets it apart from standard buffets.

Reviewers consistently mention the crab and lobster as highlights, with many noting that the variety justifies the higher price point. While lunch starts at $21.99, dinner and weekend rates are typically $36.99 per adult.

Located near Castleton Square Mall at In Indianapolis, IN 46250, you could easily make a day of shopping and seafood feasting without driving all over town.

Ramen Station That Rivals Stand-Alone Ramen Shops

Ramen has become Indianapolis’s latest food obsession, and Umi jumped on board with their own customizable ramen station. You pick your noodles, choose your broth, then pile on toppings like soft-boiled eggs, green onions, bamboo shoots, and various proteins.

The result is a steaming bowl of comfort that you designed yourself.

The miso broth gets mentioned frequently in reviews as a standout, rich and savory without being too salty. Some diners wish the tonkotsu was available more consistently, but the options they do offer hit the spot.

The noodles cook up perfectly chewy, not mushy, which shows attention to detail that buffets sometimes skip.

What surprises people is how good the ramen tastes compared to dedicated ramen restaurants around town. You’re not sacrificing quality for the buffet format here.

Kids love building their own bowls, and adults appreciate being able to try different combinations without committing to one giant serving. On a cold Midwestern night, a hot bowl of ramen alongside your sushi and crab legs feels like the ultimate dining win.

It’s this kind of variety that keeps families coming back, especially those with picky eaters who can find something they actually want to eat.

Dim Sum and Asian Small Plates You’ll Want to Try Everything

Beyond the sushi and seafood, Umi surprises guests with an impressive dim sum selection. Steamed buns, dumplings, spring rolls, and pot stickers line the buffet, giving you a taste of traditional Chinese small plates without needing to visit Chinatown.

The variety means you can sample six different items without filling up too quickly.

Some standouts include the pork belly buns, which get rave reviews for their tender meat and soft, pillowy bread. The dumplings come in several varieties, from shrimp to pork to vegetable options for those avoiding meat.

Everything tastes freshly steamed, not dried out or reheated multiple times. The spring rolls stay crispy on the outside while remaining juicy inside, which is harder to achieve than it sounds.

For adventurous eaters, there’s even chicken feet and oxtail, traditional items you won’t find at your average American buffet. These additions show Umi’s commitment to authentic Asian cuisine, not just Americanized versions.

If you’ve never tried dim sum before, this buffet offers a low-risk way to experiment. Grab one of everything, see what you like, then go back for seconds of your favorites.

The Castleton area has plenty of Asian markets and restaurants, but Umi brings it all together under one roof for easy exploration.

Spacious Modern Atmosphere Perfect for Large Groups

The moment you walk into Umi, the sheer size of the place catches your attention. This isn’t some cramped buffet where you’re bumping elbows with strangers.

The dining room spreads out with plenty of space between tables, modern lighting fixtures, and colorful decor that feels upscale for a buffet setting. The bright atmosphere makes it easy to see what you’re eating, which matters more than you’d think.

Families love bringing large groups here because the restaurant can accommodate parties of ten or more without making you feel squished. One reviewer mentioned bringing a party of nine and only waiting twenty-five minutes on a busy night, which is impressive.

The tables are clearly numbered, making it easy for servers to find you even in the large space.

Cleanliness gets mentioned frequently in reviews, with most people noting how well the staff keeps up with clearing plates and wiping down surfaces. The modern design feels more like a contemporary Asian restaurant than a typical buffet warehouse.

Located just off Interstate 69 near Castleton, it’s easy to find and has plenty of parking. After your meal, you could walk over to Topgolf at 9201 E 96th St, Indianapolis, IN 46250, or catch a movie at the nearby AMC Castleton Square 14 theater at 6020 E 82nd St for a full evening of entertainment.

Unbeatable Value That Makes Seconds and Thirds Feel Right

Let’s talk money because that’s what makes buffets appealing in the first place. At around thirty dollars for dinner and twenty for lunch, Umi delivers serious bang for your buck.

When you consider that two sushi rolls at a regular restaurant can cost twenty dollars alone, the value proposition becomes crystal clear. Add in crab legs, lobster, hot pot, ramen, and dim sum, and you’re looking at a meal that would easily top sixty or seventy dollars anywhere else.

The automatic twelve percent service charge bothers some people, but it ensures servers get compensated fairly even when dealing with large groups who might otherwise undertip. All drinks including sodas and boba tea come included in your price, which eliminates those annoying add-on charges that sneak up on you.

Kids under six eat free, and older children pay based on age, making it family-friendly for those watching their budget.

Some reviewers mention the price has increased recently, but inflation has hit every restaurant. Compared to other dining options in the Castleton area, Umi still offers tremendous variety for the cost.

You could visit Ruth’s Chris Steak House down the road and spend a hundred dollars per person, or come here and try twenty different dishes for a third of that price. The choice seems obvious for anyone who values variety and volume.