Umami Burger in Costa Mesa

Welcome Umami Burger in Costa Mesa!

Umami is a Japanese term used to describe the 5th flavor taste: sweet, sour, salty, bitter and umami – also known as savory.  The name Umami Burger delivers all these flavor tastes.  I’ll go on record, boldly, the burgers have more flavor than any other burger joint out there. That includes In-N-Out and Five Guys. That’s my story.  I’m sticking to it.

The burger menu is ridiculously marvelous. They also serves drinkies; beer and wine. They even have burger to beer pairings.  Love that. Just remember it’s a gourmet burger with gourmet prices. $10 a Burger. But you know what, the price meets the food. And aren’t you worth it?

Umami Burger in Costa Mesa is petite in terms of square footage. The eating area consists of a few small tables, one long table in the middle, a few high tops along the window, and bar seating. This means it gets busy and crowded fast. Our group of 10 arrived at 5:20pm on a Friday and was able to take the single large table in the middle. Within 15 minutes there was a line out the door. We made it in the nick of time. It’s a loud sensory place, maybe turn down the music a touch.  Oh yes, parking is hectic, so bring your patience and willingness to park and hoof it. But please don’t let that turn you away. Want to check it out friends? I brought my camera. You are in for a treat.

Burger and Beer/Wine selections. This beer was the Allagash White, doggone good. Very Blue Moon-ish. I ordered the Bridlewood chardonnay which was par excellence.

For an Umami Burger cool Asian vibe, pressed disposable bamboo is your china. It just feels green and right.

Which brings us to the Umami condiment dipping sauces. Everyone in the posse had a personal favorite. Be careful of the Diablo Sauce, it’s habanero based. Hottsie Totsie.

Tempura Onion Rings; thickly cut, light, crispy, oily (which is a good thing) and delicious.

Sweet potatoes fries. Perfectly cut, fried and seasoned.

Thin Fries, same as the sweet potatoes fries, but more of it. By the way, you can also order truffle fries, which aren’t on the menu. Secret menu items for people in the know. Consider yourself an insider now.

Be careful with that Diablo Sauce. A little goes A LONG LONG WAY. A sweating moustache will develop if you go too hardy. I’ve seen this with my very own eyes.

This is unique, the Umami brioche bun is branded with a U. They say it makes them taste better. I tend to agree.

Here is the Classic Umami Burger. Shiitake mushrooms, caramelized onions, roasted tomato, parmesan crisp (you heard me correctly) and Umami ketchup. A memorable and delectable meal.

Those parmesan crisps are the magic in the Umami burger. Can I get a bucket of these to go?

Onward. Here is the Truffle Burger. House made truffle cheese with a truffle glaze.  So well-balanced. Just the precise amount of truffle earthliness for simple ooey, gooey deliciousness. It was cooked medium rare. Yes. You decide your doneness.

The Manly Burger. DH handled it before I could snap a pic. Please see the indention. It has beer cheddar cheese, smoked salt onion strings, and bacon lardoons. A bold Umami choice. Heart break hotel in every sense of the word.

Which brings us to the Cali Burger. Butter lettuce, slow roasted tomatoes, house spread, house-made American cheese and caramelized onions. This one was inhaled in less than 2 minutes by a 6 year old. A 6 year old. Should have caught it on video for a modern day “That’s Incredible”. I believe I just aged myself. Should have said, it would have gone YouTube viral.

Don’t get your fingers too close to this lil guy if you see him at Umami. He means serious business.

My next trip, the Port Stilton Burger and Greenbird are on the radar. Who would like to go half-sies? The service is also Umami fantastic.

For the bottom line:

Pro – FOOD and DRINK

Con – parking and wait time.

Umami burger is currently located at the front of The CAMP near Milk+Honey and Outer Limits in Costa Mesa. Just off Bristol near Habana and Old Vines restaurants. Umami Burger also plans to open two more restaurants in Anaheim and Laguna Beach. Don’t you just love Southern California?

Umami Burger for President!

See you there friends,