Grab a couple of pints and some tasty kushiyaki skewers with your mates at this quick, casual Izakaya joint
So you’ve had about four pints and you’ve come to the unfortunate realisation that the bar’s kitchen is closed. You stumble out and, much to your disdain, the only place still open at this hour is a fast food joint. If you’ve been in that position before, spare yourself the horrors of junk food and acquaint yourself with Izakaya-style dining at Uma Uma Restaurant & Bar.
Nestled along the up-and-coming Japanese Food Street at Millenia Walk is where you’ll find this unassuming little establishment. A step in, and you’ll be quite taken aback by the bar’s size. It’s cramped and mostly dominated by a massive bar counter with all manner of Japanese liquors on display. As exciting as our options were, we settled for an ice-cold beer while waiting for our first set of Izakaya dishes.
A few sips later, a trio of plates came out and we were presented with some classic Izakaya offerings, as well as some downright oddities! The two familiar dishes were skewers of grilled chicken thigh ($2) and tsukune (chicken balls) that came slathered in a rich, albeit salty teriyaki sauce. The meat was tender, juicy and had good hint of smoke. While a tad bit salty for our tastes, it was nothing a cold beer couldn’t cut through. The third dish, nankotsu ($2), was a strange one: several pieces of lightly seasoned soft chicken bone. It was chewy, crunchy and quite an interesting accompaniment to a few pints of beer. While not something we’d order again in a hurry, the dish is quite popular with the establishment’s Japanese clientele.
Up next was a selection of deep fried dishes; skewers of breaded scallops ($5) and prawns ($2) that were a delightful shade of golden brown. Although deep-fried, the skewers weren’t dripping in oil or covered in soggy batter. The crust was light, crisp and paired remarkably well with Uma Uma’s homemade tartar sauce (seriously guys, bottle this stuff and sell it!).
If you have a mighty hunger that won’t be staved off by a couple of Izakaya plates, you’re in luck! Uma Uma’s Izakaya branch borrows six ramen dishes from its sister outlet (Uma Uma Ramen) that will quell even the heartiest of post-beer munchies. Want some spice? Opt for the dry Mazesoba ramen ($14) that packs a surprising amount of heat. If you’d rather go easy on your stomach after all that alcoholic indulgence, the classic Uma Uma Ramen ($14) is a soothing option that will leave you feeling warm and satisfied.
While Izakaya establishments precariously toe the line between bar and restaurant, Uma Uma definitely doesn’t skimp on its food offerings. If you’re looking for a quick, casual place to grab an after-work pint with friends, this laid-back Japanese joint has got you covered for both dinner and drinks. Say goodbye to late-night junk food binges!
Uma Uma Restaurant & Bar, 9 Raffles Boulevard #02-06, Millenia Walk, Singapore 039596. p. 6837 0827. Open Mon-Sat 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30pm-12am, Sun 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30pm-12am.