Zena and Max Koen are the married couple who own Umi. They relocated from Queens to Loyalsock, after visiting a friend who lives in the area.

“We love it here. People are really nice. It’s always quiet and living expenses are way lower,” said Max.

The two met while attending English classes at a community college in Queens. Zena is from China, while Max hails from Russia. The two later married and now have a 4-year-old daughter.

Zena learned from her mother how to handcraft Umi’s authentic dishes, which she referred to as comfort food.

“We serve new food to people who have never tried it before and [I like] see the expression on their faces,” said Zena.

According to Max, Umi literally means “to have rice” but culturally the word is used to describe someone with good fortune.

“The word carries this warm, positive energy. So, when we chose the name Umi, we loved that it hinted at all those ideas of abundance, luck, prosperity and plenty of good food to share. It just felt right for a place built around comforting bowls, handmade dumplings and generous flavors,” said Max.

Max said that they source local ingredients from Tony’s Delicatessen and Fresh Meats and Helmrich’s Seafood, both in Williamsport. For those items not available locally, Max heads to New York’s Japanese district for additional ingredients and supplies.

“We have a small menu because we just started but we are planning to expand our menu in the future,” said Max.

The menu currently includes pork, chicken, tofu and seafood. Dishes include tofu avocado salad, sushi taco, dumplings with vegetarian options and ramen to name a few.

“When people think of noodles, they think of ramen but you also have egg noodles and dumplings,” said Zena.

One of Umi’s most popular dishes is the spicy wonton soup. Pork or chicken along with bok choy, garlic and scallions are wrapped in a wonton and served in a spicy soy vinegar broth.

Zena is particularly proud of her soup dumplings. Rather than sitting in a soup, the dumplings actually contain the soup within themselves. Upon biting into the dumpling, broth pours out from the steamed pork inside.

One unusual menu item is the Japanese soda. The glass bottle contains a glass marble to preserve carbonation.

The mid-sized restaurant got a remodel before opening, which the couple did themselves. The space is minimalist with wood slats covering the walls. Decor is still being added but one wall proclaims with simple graphics, “Sad me + Noodles = Happy Me.” It’s a nod to how Zena and Max characterize the food.

“I feel like it’s comfort food,” she said.

Max added, “UMI Noodles is about sharing delicious food and good fortune with everyone who walks in.”

For the Koens, opening their restaurant has allowed them to get to know their new community through their customers.

“I like to talk to them,” Zena said. “First they are customers. Then they become friends.”

Max completed Zena’s thought, saying, “Then you end up being part of their family.”

For more information about UMI Noodles, visit their website at 317umi.com.