Los Angeles-based hamburger restaurant Umami Burger® will open its first Japanese location in the fall/winter of 2016.

Umami Burger focuses on umami, the fifth taste proposed by Japanese scientists, and serves hamburgers cooked using methods that maximize the umami flavor of each ingredient. Since opening its first location in Los Angeles in 2009, Umami Burger has expanded to 24 locations in five states in the six years since. Its popularity in the United States has led to its selection as "Best Burger of the Year 2010" by the American edition of GQ and one of "17 Most Influential Burgers of All Time" by Time magazine.

The restaurant's hamburgers are made with umami-rich ingredients such as beef, cheese, tomatoes, and mushrooms, using techniques such as roasting and steaming to maximize the flavor of the ingredients. The beef is seasoned with our original "UMAMMI Master Sauce" and "UMAMMI Dust," made from a blend of kelp, soy sauce, hoisin (hoisin) and dried mushrooms to bring out its umami. The patties are made with American brand beef, and the buns are made with plenty of umami-rich milk.

We also offer a wide variety of side dishes. In addition to salads like "Caesar Salad" and "Beet Salad," we offer a wide variety of appetizers to enjoy with alcohol, including seasoned fries, onion rings, and fried chicken wings. For dessert, we also offer "Ice Sliders," ice cream sandwiched between small, crispy buns. Each store in Japan plans to offer limited-edition burgers, utilizing local specialties, with the aim of developing stores that are rooted in the local community.

As for drinks, we offer a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, including original cocktails, craft beers, and wines that pair well with burgers, as well as craft beers and special cocktails exclusive to each store. Soft drinks include lemonade, iced tea, and Real Sugar Pepsi and Real Sugar Mountain Dew, which are sweetened only with sugar.