Ah, Metro Manila in the summer!
With the rising temperatures and the ever-present traffic jams, what could possibly make this homebody venture out to Pasay City?
A delicious foodie adventure, of course!
The hassles of travel and traffic jams are worth it when gastronomic delights await you at your destination.
Such was my experience when Hubby and I braved the city’s streets – our first outing sans the little ones – to sample the delights of Uma Uma.
Formerly known as Wu Maru, this Japanese restaurant originated from Fukuoka as a ramen joint-izikaya back in 1953. In 1994, its owner changed its name to Uma Uma and brought its delicious offerings to Singapore, Bangkok and more, recently, the Philippines, being among the first establishments to open at the S Maison in Pasay.
If you’ve never heard of Uma Uma before, let me give you four reasons why you should get more acquainted with it.
1. Ramen eatery leads to a cocktail bar
Don’t be fooled by the fuss-free, open kitchen with a ramen bar and simple seating near the store’s opening; we just took a few more steps to the back and entered a luxurious yet cozy cocktail bar. Here. we ordered some drinks to relax and unwind with as we enjoyed the view of Manila Bay from its floor-to-ceiling windows.
It’s like being in two places at once: stay out front for quick eats or head on to the back for a more leisurely meal.
2.You can take comfort in hot umami-rich ramen
Sure, summer’s bringing in the heat but we definitely won’t say no to Uma Uma’s much lauded Hakata-style MSG-free ramen. Each bowl of goodness is assembled upon order using fresh ingredients, deliciously chewy noodles based on a family recipe and a flavorful pork bone broth that’s been boiled for at least ten hours.
Uma Uma Ramen (Php390). I opted for the classic combination of chasiu, spring onions, black fungus, tamago and just a bit of kick with some spicy miso that made for an umami-filled bowl.
Spicy Chasiu (Php390). Ever so adventurous, Hubby opted for a bowl of spice-marinated chasiu, spring onions, black fungus, leeks, tamago and quite a bit of spicy kick from chili oil.
3. You can mix up your Japanese feast with some delicious bites
Hubby and I were sure glad to see that our options are not limited to Uma Uma’s celebrated ramen bowls. We were able to indulge our craving for other Japanese food faves to complement our ramen bowls. (They can also be enjoyed on their own!)
4. It livens up the city’s food scene
Pasay City is known for its amazing nightlife and vibrant food scene. Uma Uma’s fresh and affordable options surely adds to the myriad of gastronomic possibilities in the area.
After this foodie adventure, I can confidently claim that Uma Uma has made the trek to Pasay worth it!
As you look for ways to make summer in the city more bearable, do check out the outstanding food possibilities that Uma Uma has to offer!
Uma Uma is located at Level 2, S Maison, Marina Way, Mall of Asia Complex, Barangay 76, Zone 10, CBP-IA, Pasay City, open daily for dine-in, take-out and delivery from 10am to 10pm.
For more details, visit its website or follow it on Facebook and Instagram.
Disclosure: Menu items were served at no charge in exchange for honest feedback and to facilitate this feature story.
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