Mannum is about to level up its food game with the introduction of a brand-new spot, Umami, serving up Asian fusion in the Riverland and opening this Friday.
Set inside a building known to locals, which was built in the 1860s and deemed the oldest building in Mannum, Umami has set up shop in the historical site that has withstood floods in past years.
Umami will be dishing up both unique and diverse dishes with owner and Head Chef Jake Ramsay saying education in cuisine is at the heart of the menu and the business.
“We are not a stock standard Chinese restaurant per se. You will see some classics make an appearance but with a twist. My aim is to educate the locals and introduce them to so many asian dishes they have never got the joy of tasting yet. Incredible dishes like Pho, is unheard of in our little town, but will be known,” says Jake.
Diners can expect to indulge in the likes of kaffir lime salt and peper squid with wasabi mayo, korean fried wings with gochujang glaze and pickled diakon, as well as cheese burger spring rolls with beef, onion, pickles, and cheese served with a special sauce.
Jake tells us that the restaurants name holds sentimental value to his roots in the hospitality industry.
“The name Umami is sentimental to me, as my first head chef and mentor Soon Young Kwon introduced me to fusion food throughout my apprenticeship. He was an outstanding chef. He was promoted from Sous Chef of Chianti (an award winning restaurant on Hutt St) to their brand new Spanish tapas Bar next door,” says Jake.
“He constructed a very unique fusion of Spanish tapas and Asian cuisine. Furthermore he taught me what Umami means.”
Umami, pronounced u-ma-mi, means “essence of deliciousness” as well as “pleasant savoury taste”. Aptly named, Umami is the fifth sense of taste on your tongue with the taste often described as meaty, savoury deliciousness that deepends flavour.
Jake says that to him, the best food you can enjoy offers a delicate balance of sweet, sour, bitter, salty and of course, Umami, which is what he says Asian food is all about.
Umami is a family businesses, with Jake’s wife Maddison Ramsay and mother-in-law Lisa Ingram banding together and combining their hospitality knowledge to bring Umami to life.
When asked what will set Umami apart from other offerings in Mannum, Jake says they don’t offer a generic or western take on Asian food.
“Being an Asian fusion restaurant means we can cook the best dishes from every country and provide a more diverse menu that should satisfy everyone’s taste buds.”
Umami is located at 7 Randell St, Mannum SA 5238.
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