Umami: The Fifth Taste

Sweet, savory, sour, and bitter. These are typically our four main tastes. So what the hell is umami you ask? Literally translated from it's Japanese meaning, it is "deliciousness." The obnoxiously arrogant Alton Brown described it as the taste we get when we eat glutamate. It's supposed to be an intense experience that your taste buds will thank you for.When trying to explain this to friend recently, I made the mistake of saying "it's the taste of MSG..." Whoops. Anyway, explaining what umami is is not an easy task. However, if you find yourself craving a burger in Los Angeles, head over to Umami Burger and I'm sure any of the friendly wait staff would gladly explain it to you. The trendy spot where you can sit and muddle in the delicious simplicity of America's most historically famous food arrived on the scene about a year ago if my memory serves me correctly. They quickly expanded and now have 4 locations (Los Feliz, Hollywood, La Brea, and Santa Monica) with a Studio City location in the making. The quick expansion of a place with a culty following reminds me of a certain froyo chain that over-expanded and now has several failing locations closing. Well, thank god for sophisticated palates because Umami Burger will continue to thrive -  I guarantee it.

The interesting thing about Umami Burger is that the menu is so minimal. There are 7 or 8 burgers to choose from, all with a theme. Some are made with beef, some with turkey, one with pork, and then there's my little angel- the Earth Burger. But don't be fooled, it's no whimpy run of the mill veggie burger. It's a patty made of mushroom, edamamde, and beets topped with a white soy aioli, cipollini onions, roasted tomatoes, butter lettuce, and a truffled ricotta all piled on a hearty brioche-type bun. Good god in heaven, this thing is amazing. Get yourself this and a side of sweet potato fries innocently dashed with cinnamon sugar and you're all set. Oh, don't forget to order an Umami ketchup (a housemade variety with truffle oil) and a side of dijon mustard (which if you didn't know is very potent and will clear your sinuses! My lunch dates Sara and Michael and I know this from first hand experience) to dabble your burger in, you wont regret it. I promise you.

The Earth Burger in all it's glory.

Sweet Potato Fries, Michael's Finger, Skinny Fries, Umami Ketchup. 

I also admire Umami's modern, but retro feel. They serve old-time sodas from the time when they were called "pop." You know, the good ones like bubble up and crush in glass bottles. The desserts are another notable thing about Umami. Their support for local businesses is really admirable as they serve ice cream sandwiches from Milk, and other sweet treats from Cake Monkey which serves recreated and gourmet versions of classic junk food like ding dongs and hohos.

So from the bottom of my heart and the pit of my empty tummy, I strongly encourage you to go to and highly recommend that you put Umami at the top of your mental "must try this place" list that you know you have.