ALREADY WIELDING A REPUTATION AS A MASTER OF FLAVOR DELICACY AND INVENTIVENESS, A SEA BRIGHT CHEF IS BRINGING HIS SPICE TO RED BANK

BY CASSIE GALASETTI PHOTOS BY CHRIS LOUPOS

Known for creative neo-Asian cuisine and artfully plated dishes, Sea Bright favorite Yumi was scheduled at press time to open a second location on September 17, amidst the ever-growing downtown Red Bank culinary scene.

The restaurant first opened its doors on Ocean Avenue in Sea Bright in 2005 under the leadership of chef and coowner Shuenn Yang (seen above), with a menu that offered not just traditional signature rolls, but creative dishes that continue to impress even the most picky of regional foodies.

Yang began his career in the industry at the age of 16 at a Chinese restaurant. As years passed, he gained experience at various sushi bars and other restaurants in New Jersey—in the process teaching himself to cook.

When he decided it was time to open Yumi, Yang ventured across Asia, where he acquired additional knowledge, expertise, ideas, and influences.

“Each year I traveled, everything I saw and ate gave me inspiration when creating the menu for this restaurant,” said Yang, who is now frequently referred to as a master of culinary creativity.

The chef will be offering a slightly different but considerably-sized menu in the Red Bank location, which underwent renovations during the summer. Lunch will be served Monday through Saturday, with dinner served daily. Of particular note are cleverly named sushi rolls paying homage to surrounding Two River towns, like the “Rumson Roll” (spicy tuna, avocado, and King Crab salad with wasabi-sweet soy sauce), “Fair Haven Roll” (salmon, avocado, otoro tartare, Wasabi Kizami wasabi-sweet soy sauce), the “Ocean Ave” (shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, and avocado, in soy paper with spicy kabayaki sauce) and the “Sandy Hook” (spicy tuna and lobster salad in white seaweed with wasabi-pepper Sauce). Customers praise these and other dishes for their focus on delicate favor and assembly artfulness, which requires considerable chef dexterity. Yang likes to describe his painstakingly-plated dishes as “traditional Asian comfort food with a modern twist.”

The menu also offers lunch bento boxes, ramen noodle soups, rice bowls (donburi), and specials that will be listed on the website. Additional selections include the Tuna Sashimi Pizza, Tuna Tacos, and Octopus Carpaccio. Desserts are highlighted by Molten Chocolate Cake, Mochi Ice Cream, and Banana and Chocolate Pouches.

Like the Sea Bright location, Yumi is BYOB, allowing diners the opportunity to match meals with favorite bottles.

Yumi Modern Sushi
9 Broad Street / Red Bank / 732.842.8868
yumirestaurant.com