Initially, Umi Seafood & Sushi Buffet had placed “coming soon” signage in the location, and although the windows were covered, there seemed to be limited additional activity. Subsequently, another restaurant, Raku AYCE Sushi and Japanese Buffet, posted its own “coming soon” signs at 1471 Rockville Pike in Rockville.
The situation became more intricate as Umi, the original restaurant with signage, scheduled a hearing with Montgomery County’s Alcoholic Beverage Services (ABS) on Thursday, January 1st, at 11 am. Attempts to reach out to Umi for clarification have not been successful. There is speculation that both Umi and Raku may belong to the same restaurant group, as signage for Raku is still present at the location.
Raku, unrelated to the Raku with two locations in Bethesda, already has existing restaurants in New York and New Jersey that opened in 2022. They describe themselves as the most popular Japanese restaurant in New York, with plans for a new establishment in Rockville. However, an exact opening timeframe is not yet available.
According to Raku AYCE Sushi Buffet, the founder is a passionate Japanese cuisine enthusiast who, inspired by his global travels to sample different delicacies and experience diverse cultures, decided to open a restaurant to share his passion. Raku Buffet’s mission is to offer consumers the opportunity to “eat everything, affordability!” and continues to uphold the founder’s vision as the No. 1 most popular Japanese restaurant in the United States.
