Umami Burger Truck:

David took me to Santa Monica one Sunday to check out the Umami Burger truck. Umami Burger is the new “hip” burger in Los Angeles. A lot of the reviews and press you read about Umami use the word “hipster” with a very negative connotation. Charlie took me a few weeks before the shoot to Umami and there was nothing “hipster” about the experience. In fact, if you met the owner you would get more of a frat/jock vibe from company.

Umami stands for the fifth taste. I can’t really explain it, and as the owner would tell you himself, go to their website and read about it here. The burgers are cooked over a wok flame, which gives them a real charred outside and keeps it moist inside. They were only serving the SoCal Burger on this day, which comes with butter lettuce, oven dried tomato spread, house made american cheese, and caramelized onions. The burger was cooked to a perfect medium rare. Everything about the burger was executed perfectly but it was a little sweet for my tastes. I prefer the Manly Burger or the Triple Pork Burger.

Umami Burger is not the type of place you go when you are craving a burger. You go there because you are craving Umami Burger. They have created their own lane in the best hamburger frenzy. I wouldn’t compare them to anyone else in the best burger category. Will they unseat In-N-Out as the king of Los Angeles burgers? I seriously doubt it, however I wouldn’t be surprised if they make a name for themselves outside of California.