The Evolution Of Umami Burger

Back in 2012 the Anaheim Packing District was still being built and one of the first establishments to open up was Umami Burger. Now I have heard about Umami Burger since they already had a few branches but this was the first time I actually tried it.

The Outside of Umami Burger , taken July 2012 (Blackberry Phone Cam

The first thing I ordered was the Truffle Burger, and I really think I made the right choice. The burger patty itself was tasty on its own, but the truffle cheese and glaze really took it from a tasty burger to a really enjoyable one. The menu itself was pretty decent: burgers, sides, beers on tap, bottled beers and even wine. People come here for the burgers and that alone will be enough.

Menu of Umami Burger , taken July 2012 (Blackberry Phone Cam)

Truffle Burger , taken July 2012 (Blackberry Phone Cam)

For the first couple of years of going to eat at Umami Burger Anaheim, the only complaint I have would be the inability to make a few modifications to the order. I tried to ask for extra truffle aioli for the burger and they said all the ingredients were measured. Same thing for the truffle fries when I asked for truffle cheese. And I did what all people did when they had complaints, yelp about it.

My Review of Umami Burger on Yelp

Over the next few years of coming back to Umami Burger, the food quality remained excellent and of course I didn't think about asking for extra toppings or anything like that simply due to the fact that I remember what they said the last time.

Truffle Royale Fries and Allagash White , Taken March 2013 (Iphone 5 Phone Cam)

Umami Throwback Burger, Sweet Potato Fries and Allagash White , Taken May 2015 (Iphone6 Phone Cam)

Fast forward to 2015, they forgot to put the truffle cheese on the burgers, so I thought to myself: "Now I have the right to ask for the truffle cheese and aioli". Long story short, I went ahead and asked, they not only gave me what I asked for, they told me they give people extra toppings if they ask. Moral lesson: It pays to complain and yelp about it....lol.

Umami Truffle Burger + Extra Truffle Aioli , Taken December 2015 (Iphone 6  Phone Cam)

Umami Truffle Fries with Extra Truffle Aioli on the Side , Taken January 2016 (Iphone6 Phone Cam)

And just a couple of weeks ago the manager noticed that I did not eat the bun of my burger, he told me that I could also order my burger "protein style", to which I replied: "Next time I visit, for sure".

Umami Truffle Burger Protein Style , Taken April 2017 (Iphone7 Phone Cam)

This just shows how small things like these order modifications can really make a big difference in customer satisfaction. Over the  years, Umami Burger has evolved from a burger place nearby that has tasty burgers to one of our favorite restaurants to go to. This post has made me hungry, I guess its time to go to Umami Burger =)

Food Recommendations:
1. Truffle Burger
2. Manly Burger
3. Japanese Style Wings
4. Sweet Potato Fries with Extra Sweet Salt on the side
5. Truffle Fries with Extra Truffle Aioli on the side


UPDATE!!! (June 14 2017)


Just this weekend I stopped by Umami Burger Anaheim and tried the latest offering they had "The Impossible Burger".  It is made with two Impossible Burger patties, caramelized onions, American cheese, miso-mustard, their house spread, pickles, lettuce and tomato. 

The Impossible Burger

It is made entirely from plants, meaning there is no trace of beef in it, which for me is usually a deal breaker. I have tried quite a few veggie burgers and I have never tasted one I really like, because I like beef and for me they don't taste like beef at all. So I am trying this burger just for the sake of trying it.

Impossible Burger with no veggies

So of course I ordered my veggie burger with no veggies...except for the patties. With my first bite I am immediately tempted to shout "IMPOSSIBLE" out loud. The burger really tastes like real, 100% burger beef, but it is not, I really could not believe what I was tasting. The impossible burger really does live it to its name, it is impossibly as close to real beef as close can be, I would order this burger again. 

This update still stays true to the original thought for this entry, Umami Burger continues evolving and may now cater to Vegans with this burger. In the food business evolution and innovation is real important, you may have your core market that patronizes your main product but it is also important to add products and items in your menu that may cater to a different audience which in turn will expand you market.


As of now, the Impossible Burger is available exclusively at these 9 locations in Southern California: Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Santa Monica, Broadway, Arts District, Hollywood, Los Feliz, Pasadena, and Thousand Oaks.



- DINO