Ume Burger Restaurant Barangaroo
By Lisa Nguyen | Published 12 November 2022
Does this spot match the hype?
TL; DR | Summary
Sitting on the wharf at Barangaroo, this burger joint specialises in Japanese-style burgers, offering a range of creative dishes that will satisfy your Japanese food cravings. I highly recommend pairing their tasty burgers with the house-made sodas. The strawberry vanilla soda is my personal favourite! So, if you love burgers and enjoy Japanese-Western fusion flavours, consider a visit to Ume Burger!
Ume burger Review
Ume Burger's menu features an intriguing range of dishes to sample, from their signature Ume Burger with house-made wagyu mince sauce to the Menchi Burger with handmade pork katsu and Fish Katsu Burger with hand crumbed fish fillet.
The burgers are cooked perfectly with top-notch ingredients. However, nothing stood out as being extraordinarily unique or different from any other burger I've eaten before.
What makes Ume stand out is their house-made sodas. They're absolutely divine! I'd definitely recommend ordering a soda to accompany your meal.
So, if you're looking for slightly different burgers from a classic fast food shop, grab a soda and give Ume a try.
The Food & Service At A Japanese Burger Joint
Unlike other fast food chains, the service at Ume is superb. The counter staff are very welcoming and can answer any question you have about the menu.
As expected, your meal will arrive quickly, which is great if you're on your lunch break and need a quick bite.
Each burger combines the classic fast food dish with traditional Japanese ingredients, giving you a fun fusion of flavours. It's rare to find a burger joint that does ebi (prawn) and katsu burgers.
Whilst the burgers taste like the Japanese dish equivalent, e.g. karaage and katsu, they do an excellent job in making it taste like an actual burger.
In addition to the burgers, the house-made soda is a must-try! The strawberry vanilla flavour is soothing and refreshing, and it's the perfect drink to accompany your burger meal.
There's also a good selection of sides, including fries, onion rings, fried chicken and renkon crisps.
Ume Burger
Signature Beef Pattie, Wagyu Mince Sauce, Truss Tomato, Onion, Mayo & American Cheese.
With a beef patty and wagyu mince sauce, it's a beef explosion! The patty provides a good base for the burger with the sauce providing a blast of flavour.
This burger is for those who enjoy a hearty beef burger with a Japanese twist, but expect nothing outstanding.
Classic Cheeseburger
Signature Beef Pattie, Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Rice Vinegar Pickles and Ume’s Special Sauce.
The Classic Cheeseburger is very similar to the signature Ume Burger, except it has Ume's special sauce rather than the wagyu mince sauce.
So, if you're not a fan of the wagyu mince sauce or you're after a simpler burger, then this is a good option.
The cheese provides a nice creamy flavour that compliments the patty well. It's a classic cheeseburger with a Japanese flair.
Bonus, you can made it a double by adding a patty for an extra $5.
Fish Katsu Burger
Hand Crumbed Fish Fillet, Japanese Tartare Sauce, Iceberg Lettuce & Cheese.
With a crispy katsu batter and a juicy fish fillet on the inside, this fish burger has it all! The Japanese tartare sauce is a great addition, giving the burger a slight tang.
This is one of my favourite burgers from the menu, and I would order it again.
Menchi Katsu Burger
Handmade Pork Katsu, Mild Mustard, Tonkatsu Sauce, Mayo, Spanish Onion & Shredded Cabbage.
If you love pork or are a fan of pork katsu, this burger is for you.
The katsu is cooked to a crisp perfection and the shredded cabbage gives the burger a fresh crunch. With the mustard and tonkatsu sauce, the burger has a variety of flavours to keep you interested with each bite.
Ebi Burger
Prawn Katsu, Japanese Tartare Sauce & Cabbage.
The Ebi Burger isn't featured on their online menu, so it may only be available at certain times, but it is by far the best burger on the menu.
It has a giant prawn katsu patty that is both crispy and juicy. While it's surprisingly large, it's the perfect amount of prawns for a burger.
Additionally, the sauce and cabbage compliment the prawns well, making it a top recommended burger.
House-made Sodas
What sets Ume apart are their house-made sodas that you won't find anywhere else.
In particular, the strawberry soda's unique flavour profile is a top recommendation. It consists of house-made strawberry puree and vanilla. It's not too sweet and has a light vanilla aftertaste that is refreshing against the fruitiness of the strawberry.
The next best is the yuzu soda. It's light, refreshing, and robust with citrusy yuzu flavour. If you prefer your sodas tart and sour, this is the perfect beverage for you.
These sodas are a more natural alternative to the ultra sugary soft drinks often found at fast food restaurants, and pair well with the burgers.
I honestly bought a box of these sodas and physically carried them home. Be innovative and order online, as the whole menu is available online and in-store.
Soda Flavours:
- Strawberry and Vanilla
- Apple and Ginger
- Japanese Plum
- Yuzu Brown Sugar
- Passionfruit Ginger
Chips & Onion Rings Combo
Chips & Onion Rings With Umami Seasoning.
These onion rings are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a hint of onion flavour. They're not too greasy or salty, making them a decent side.
Koji Fried Chicken (Karaage Chicken)
Japanese Fried Chicken With Mayo.
You can't go wrong with karaage chicken, and Ume's version is no exception. The chicken is tender and juicy on the inside, with a crispy coating that's not too thick.
Eat it as a tasty side or have it on its own, it's that good!
If you're wanting the full experience, order the Karaage Burger: Japanese Fried Chicken, cheese, lettuce, onion, Ume spicy sauce, and tonkatsu sauce.
Renkon Crisps
Renkon Crisps With Seaweed Salt.
Unfortunately, the crisps were a miss. They were stale and not as crispy as they should be. This might be due to the packaging process, but worth noting anyway.
Umami Seasoning
If you love to cook at home and want to naturally enhance your flavours, consider purchasing the umami seasoning.
It adds flavour depth to your food without adding MSG. So, if you want the secret hack to make your food ultra tasty, make sure you pick up the umami seasoning.
RECOMMENDED
- House-made sodas, in particular, strawberry and vanilla
- Japanese inspired burgers hard to find elsewhere
- Umami seasoning for home cooking
Final Thoughts
Ume Burger is an excellent spot for a casual lunch or dinner featuring quick Japanese food, fun drinks, and a non-MSG hack. I would definitely revisit and hope the Ebi Burger is a regular on the menu.
Where To Find Ume Burger Barangaroo
Address
Hours
- Monday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
- Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM
- Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 4:30 – 9:00 PM
- Thursday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 4:30 – 9:00 PM
- Friday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 4:30 – 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 4:30 – 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 4:30 – 9:00 PM
Website
Phone
+61 481 951 920
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