+ Umami Burger

Long before arriving, I had wanted to try Umami Burger to see if it really did live up to the hype. And following the opening of the most recent location at Fred Segal, sooner or later I would get my way.


Umami takes its cue from the Japanese concept of the fifth taste that we experience (loosely "savouriness"), making a distinction in particular to saltiness by a more meatier, brothier sensation (in the way a mushroom can be). That said, the burgers themselves were pretty heavy on the salt. They were super tasty nonetheless and I'm already keen to go back for more.


I had the Earth burger - a mushroom and edamame patty with a white soy and truffle aioli, caramelised onions and lettuce.


Benj chose the Hatch, which is meant to have 6 types of chillis but none of them were very spicy at all, but again deliciously greasy anyway. Tempura onion rings made a nice companion.

Update 26/06/10: We ended up at Umami again for a well-earnt calorie-laden lunch following our Temescal Canyon Loop hike.


I had the triple pork burger, which was tasty but disappointing to find the three porks combined in a patty.


Whilst Ben's classic Umami burger looked plain but was well tasty for all its simplicity.



Umami Burger @ Fred Segal, cnr of 5th and Broadway, Santa Monica.