This is Russell Yu, the bossman at Uma Uma Ramen, feeling just a little bit frustrated
that it is taking longer than expected for his restaurant to open in Manila.
He has been ready and excited since 2015.
Exactly two months ago, we flew to Singapore with the agenda of trying out every single
item on the menu of the ramenya-izakaya that originated from Fukuoka, Japan.
I kid you not. This was just one-eighth of all the dishes we ate during our visits to
Uma Uma's Forum Shopping Mall and Millenia Walk branches.
Uma Uma has been making ramen for over 60 years and prides itself for using only natural
ingredients. The broth is a result of boiling pork bones for hours and hours, with no shortcuts,
and most importantly, with NO MSG. Every bowl is 100% pure and natural umami!
Russell's favorite is the signature Uma Uma Ramen with tender slices of chasiu,
spring onions, black fungus, and egg in a spicy miso broth.
I love mentaiko on anything and was delighted to see Mentaiko Ramen on the menu.
A generous scoop of the fish roe sat on top of chasiu, egg, spring onions and seaweed strips.
Garlic Ramen with chasiu, white onions, black garlic, egg, bean sprouts and fried shallots.
Did you know that black garlic is all the rage now in countries like Taiwan, Japan and Korea?
It has twice the antioxidant properties of white garlic and is proven to lower cholesterol and
prevent cancer. So happy that Uma Uma is making this available to Manila. We not only
get a tasty bowl of ramen, but also a nutritious and immune system-boosting one, too.
My favorite had to be the Tan Tan Men. A mix of Chinese and Japanese
flavors, every bite transported me back to my growing up years in Taiwan.
Guess who finished it all :D
Witnesses to my crime: Cassandra, Cheryl, Lani, Andrew, ZY, Anton, and Russell
People watching their carbs (not me, obviously!) will be happy to know that Uma Uma
also specialises in yakitori. Here is Chef Satoshi Nakamura doing his magic on the grill.
Chicken Skin
Pork Belly
Chicken Thigh
Shiitake Mushrooms
For the rice lovers:
Chasiu Don with Onsen Egg - another culprit to the severe food coma I suffered that day
Salmon Don
Spicy Tuna Don
Fast forward 60 days, I am seated in front of a smiling Russell because his very first
Philippines branch is finally opening!
Uma Uma is located in S Maison Conrad, Manila's newest lifestyle and dining destination
And look who's here, too. Satoshi-san and his team of Japanese chefs flew in
many weeks ago to prepare for the special occasion.
To celebrate, I had tasty little One-Bite Gyozas
Chicken Karaage with the perfect crunch
And the crowd favorite, Mazesoba, which is really the perfect choice in this sweltering heat!
Dry noodles with chasiu bits, bamboo shoots, spring onions, leeks, sesame seeds, onsen egg.
I like it especially with an extra drizzling of chili oil.
An extra bowl of 100% MSG-free tonkotsu broth to wash all that down.
Along with Uma Uma, Russell brings to Manila his whisky and cocktail bar Horse's Mouth
It was love at first sip with my Kopi & Kaya cocktail, a brilliant concoction of Ketel One
vodka chilled over ice with coffee and sugar, topped with hot kaya foam. Truly Singapore and
truly me! To this day I dream about that heavenly coconut jam foam and look forward to that
moment when my lips can be reunited with the sweet and creamy goodness here in Manila.
Good news is, Horse's Mouth craftsman Johan Fong is in town playing around with our
local ingredients. Russell mentioned something about green mangoes and bagoong.
So exciting!!!
Horse's Mouth Manila, where you can have your ramen AND your cocktails
The opening menu
The vavavoom view!!!
Yes to ramen with clear blue skies
And cocktails with the most amazing Manila sunset
Uma Uma and Horse's Mouth Manila open on June 15, 2016.
Uma Uma: Level 2, S Maison Conrad, Seaside Boulevard corner Coral Way, Pasay City
Uma Uma Website
Uma Uma Facebook Page
Uma Uma Instagram