Uma Uma Izakaya Restaurant & Bar @ Millenia Walk

It has been a while since I last visited Millenia Walk and I was surprised that the building management managed to create a Japanese Food Street from the defunct Koufu foodcourt on level two. The whole place has been knocked down, opened up, created into a Japanese food street housing a few new Japanese F&B establishments. Uma Uma Izakaya Restaurant & Bar is one of these Japanese restaurants nestled in the new wing, featuring Bincho-grilled Yakitori and Kushikatsu, with cocktails and drinks by Horse's Mouth and Hakata-styled ramen from Uma Uma Ramen.

Eihire 4/5

We started with Eihire ($8) which is actually Stingray Fins. The texture is some what like bak kwa with a nice hint of sweetness. This light bite is perfect to go with a glass of beer.

Mecabbage (Brussels Sprouts) 4.5/5

Another bar bites on the menu that I enjoyed a lot is the Mecabbage or Brussels Sprouts ($10). It was lightly fried to a thin crisp while still retaining its crunchiness. Dressed in a savoury soy based sauce, I could not stop myself from going back for more of it. Unknowingly, I finished the whole plate all by myself.

Chicken Skin 3.5/5 and Chicken Thigh 4/5

From the Yakitori menu, we ordered a few skewers such as the Chicken Thigh ($2), Chicken Skin ($2), Pork Belly ($2), Chicken Softbone ($2) and Shitake Mushroom ($3) to try. Except for the chicken skin, I realized that the rest of the ingredients are lightly seasoned without marination to allow the appreciation of the natural flavour and smokiness. On the other hand, the crispiness of the chicken skin with its sweet sauce can be quite addictive.

Butabara (Pork Belly) 3.5/5 and Nankotsu (Chicken Softbone) 3/5

Shitake Mushroom 4/5

Popular with the Japanese, the chicken softbone is something new to the local. It is actually quite plain in taste. It is more of the enjoyment of biting into the crunchy soft bone. To my surprise, my favourite of all is the shitake mushroom. Maybe that is why t is a dollar more than the rest of the skewers.

Pork Loin 4/5, Prawn 3.5/5 and Scallops 3/5

From the Kushikatsu menu, we tried the breaded and fried Pork Loin ($4), Prawn ($2) and Scallops ($5). Besides the light batter, the tartar sauce is the other reason for the delectable skewers.

Gyoza 4/5

From the sides menu, the Gyoza ($8) which may look sort of mini but the ratio of the dumpling skin to filling is just right, allowing the appreciation of the juiciness to the fullest.

Uma Uma Ramen 4.2/5

I am not a big ramen fan but I also have eaten a fair share of ramen around the island. However, when I tried Uma Uma Ramen ($14), I realized my taste buds and brains needed some time to register the new taste. It is different from the rest of the ramen I have eaten. While the pork ribs broth formed the base, it seems that the focus is on the soy sauce that give it the unique flavour which is not overly salty, rich and oily. Accompanied with chasiu, spring onions, black fungus, spicy miso and egg, this is a delicious bowl of light ramen which I enjoyed.

Mazesoba 3.5/5

Another unique creation at Uma Uma is the Mazesoba ($14) which comes with spring onions, bamboo shoots, leeks, chilli oil and onsen egg. This is a dry style ramen which I doubt I have not seen it being served elsewhere. It is quite a good creation but felt some what short, missing some meaty textures to lift the overall enjoyment.

Bushi Tonkotsu Ramen 4.2/5

For a rich and robust bowl of ramen, the Bushi Tonkotsu Ramen ($16) will be a good choice. The bowl of slurping goodness comes with chasiu, bonito flakes, diced onions, red ginger, lime and egg. If you are a fan of okaka, you will enjoy the aroma that filled the whole bowl of delicious broth.

Besides the delicious ramen,  Bincho-grilled yakitori and kushikatsu, Uma Uma Izakaya Restaurant & Bar also has an extension drink list featuring Sakes chosen from small and private breweries in Japan, classic cocktails, premium Whiskeys and beers. In short, the new Uma Uma outlet at Millenia Walk is a three in one concept under one roof by the Iki Concepts group.


Uma Uma Restaurant & Bar
Millenia Walk
9 Raffles Boulevard
#02-06
Singapore 039596
Tel: +65 68370827
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 12midnight
Sun: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit A or B. Walk to level two of Millenia Walk. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Tiffin Room @ Raffles Hotel Singapore

Christmas is coming, and each hotelier has its own way of celebrating this joyous occasion with its guests. If you would like to experience a cross cultural Christmas experience, dining at Tiffin Room at our iconic Raffles hotel this year may be a good option. For this festive month of December, Chef de Cuisine Kuldeep Negi has created a special buffet menu for lunch and dinner featuring some of the restaurant’s North Indian signatures.

Red Snapper 3.5/5, Spinach 3.5/5, Butter Chicken 3/5, Murgh Dum Biryani 4/5

Seldom that I will head straight to the mains instead of the starters, but I was magnetised by the array of curries and the golden bryani rice. I started off with a bit of each – fish curry, meat, greens, rice and yogurt. The Basmati Rice says a lot about quality. Perfectly cooked, each grain was close, yet separated from one another at the same time. Perhaps it is the rose water that it has been cooked it, it embedded a fragrance which elevates the overall taste of the basmati rice. The Red Snapper curry was milder than I imagined it would be, and relatively light on the palette. That discarded my worry of leaving this place ‘heavier’ than I should be. I particularly like the Spinach. It wasn’t oily, compared to what I have tried elsewhere. Despite being mashed, it still tasted ‘green’!.

There is also a vegetarian section, which is just as tasty as its counterpart. Apart from the Spinach, you should also try the Dal Makhani, a curry made with Black Lentils Cooked Overnight with Tomatoes, Butter and Cream. I saw quite a few going back for a few more servings.

Palak Ki Tikki 4/5

From their vegetarian section, don't miss out their deep-fried Spinach Patties. It has a very enjoyable chewy texture and robust flavour.

Roasted Stuffed Christmas Turkey 3.8/5

A Christmas spread wont be completed without live carving stations. Tonight the stars were the Roasted Stuffed Christmas Turkey and Glazed Christmas Ham. The turkey meat was juicy and tender. Its stuffing was served at the side. I had my fair share of roasted butternut and brussels sprouts, which were great accompaniments to the meat.

Keema Mattar 3.8/5

In between we had 2 Pass Around Dishes. I quite like the sweetness in the minced Lamb Curry, and eating it with the piping hot naan was comforting.

Khumb-e-Malai 3.8/5

The Grilled Mushroom filled with Cheese, Onion, Garlic and Cream Cheese was very juicy, something that I didn’t expect coming from Indian cuisine.

Tummy half filled, I visited the cold section. That was when I spotted an array of colourful chutneys. I have always love Indian Chutneys. Sweet and tangy, they complement savoury dishes really well. I tried a couple of them as I went for my second round of mains. I so regretted not taking them in my first round!

Bread and Butter Pudding with Brandy 4/5 

For desserts, I was quite impressed with its western desserts. I love its mini Bread and Butter Pudding with Brandy. The brandy sauce was so yummy that I almost drown my pudding in it. I adores its homemade Rum and Raisin ice cream. It was infused with cardamom, and hence it has a more complex flavour. It tastes as delicious as it smells.

Wines from India is also available if you would like to make it a real complete experience. Simple spread but the flavours are robust and intense enough to satiate my appetite. With its antiquated and charming surrounding, it does set everyone in the mood for Christmas!

North Indian Curry Buffet Lunch & Dinner with Live Festive Carving Station
Date: 1 December to 24 December 2015
Price
Lunch: $65++ per Adult, $35++ per Child
Dinner: $75++ per Adult, $40++ per Child

Photograph and written by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Tiffin Room
Raffles Hotel Singapore
1 Beach Road
Singapore 189673
Tel: +65 64121190
Facebook
Website
Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW Line, NS Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Lunch: 12pm - 2pm
Dinner: 7pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Cut through Raffles City Shopping Centre. Walk to Bras Basah Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk to Beach Road. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]