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UMA UMA Philippines is a ramen franchise from Iki Concepts of Singapore of the Fukuoka Ramen Shop, “Wu Maru”. It was established in 1953 and was renamed to “Uma Uma” in 1994. The name is a play on the word that means tasty or with a lot of umami.
The flagship store in Manila is an Izakaya-Ramenya concept, offering affordable ramen, yakitori, and signature cocktails. Its claim to fame in Singapore is their “naturally rich in umami and 100% MSG-free” ramen!
We tried the branches in Singapore and the preview here in Manila. Here’s what to expect at Uma Uma Philippines…
UMA UMA PHILIPPINES
Level 2, S Maison Marina Way (Mall below Conrad Manila)
Operating Hours: 11.00am to 10.00pm, The Bar opens 4.00pm to 1.00am.
Website: http://umaumaramen.com/
Instagram: @umaumaph
Uma Uma is one of the pioneering shops opening at the second floor of S Maison Marina where Conrad Manila is located.
The ramen shop has a casual wood appeal with red highlights. It has a seating capacity of around 40 pax.
You have to walk through the ramen shop to reach The Bar area…
…with a beautiful vantage point of the Manila sunset.
You can go out to smoke with a nice view of the MOA eye with Manila Bay as backdrop.
Uma Uma runs the popular Horse’s Mouth in Singapore and is integrating their bar concept with Uma Uma Philippines.
Johan of Horse’s Mouth prepared a refreshing but strong cocktail with Vodka, Triple Sec, Peach Liquor, Elderflower, and Grape Fruit Juice.
Forest Berry Fizz. White Rum, Lemon Juice, Forest Berry Tea, Egg Yolk, and Lemonade.
One of the signature cocktail drinks in Manila if you like something refreshing. It’s sure to delight any lady while waiting.
Check out the Uma Uma Opening Menu: Delicious Bites and Lunch Sets | Signature Ramen | Cocktails
DELICIOUS BITES
One-Bite Gyoza (P140)
Mini gyoza designed for eating in just one bite, especially for women so as not to ruin their lipstick. The gyoza is tasty but sticks together.
Mentaiko Dashi Maki Tamago (P180)
For a light start, order this Japanese scrambled egg with mayo and fish roe.
Chicken Karaage (160)
Their karaage has a nice crunchy skin and juicy meat. But the flavor needs to penetrate through the meat.
YAKITORI
Chicken Thigh
For something healthy, order the chicken thigh skewers to start and pair with beer.
Tori Tama (Chicken Skin)
I love the chicken skin yakitori in Singapore, with crispy grilled skin tightly skewered on a stick.
Butabara (Pork Belly)
This one has a good meat-to-fat ratio. Drizzle some lemon to cut through the fattiness.
RAMEN
Mazesoba with Chasiu (P390). Spring onion, bamboo shoots, chilli oil, bean sprouts, sesame seeds, and onsen egg.
This is my favorite! A unique dish to Uma Uma, it’s a dry ramen using yellow, fat Sapporo noodles.
You mix it all together with the egg, and the resulting flavor is absorbed well by the noodles.
Uma Uma Ramen (P360). Chasiu, spring onions, black fungus, spicy miso, egg.
I like the brothy flavor of the signature basic ramen, and it’s tastier than the ones in Singapore.
The rich broth is made from pork bones infused with konbu (dried sea kelp) flavors through hours of slow cooking over high heat.
They use locally produce the thin Hakata-style ramen noodles for the ramen.
Garlic Ramen (P360). Chasiu, garlic, garlic oil, white onion, bean sprouts, fried shoots, egg.
For garlic lovers, this is the ramen to order for that strong garlicky punch. Just make sure to freshen your breath afterwards.
Love the super tender chasiu with a good level of fat that also absorbs the flavor of garlic well.
The Mazesoba tops our list. We also liked the Uma Uma ramen more than the garlic version.
Hope they bring in their signature Tan Tan Mien and the seasonal White Truffle Ramen!
I love these second wave ramen shops opening in Manila that offer affordable, good quality ramen and a combination of other Japanese ideas like this Izakaya-Ramenya concept from Uma Uma Philippines.
Our favorites are the Mazesoba, the Uma Uma Ramen, and the Tan Tan Mien (in Singapore). I recommend starting with the yakitori and their signature cocktails at The Bar. Budget about P500/head.
This is a great place to visit when you are attending events in SMX or MOA Arena. It’s also the best place to enjoy cocktails while watching the Manila Bay sunset.
Congratulations to Russell Yu for the successful opening of Uma Uma in the Philippines!
UMA UMA PHILIPPINES
Level 2, S Maison Marina Way (Mall below Conrad Manila)
Operating Hours: 11.00am to 10.00pm, The Bar opens 4.00pm to 1.00am.
Website: http://umaumaramen.com/
Instagram: @umaumaph
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosure: Our soft opening preview was courtesy of our friend, Russell Yu. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. You can enter via the Coral Way entrance where Starbucks is located, in front of Microtel Inn.
nice….. will definitely eat there… tabetai…. 😉