Umami comes from two Japanese words: umai – delicious and mi – taste. Considered the fifth flavour, umami transpires in every dish at Umami by Han restaurant in The Hague in the Netherlands. Owned by Han Ji, the acclaimed Chef of Michelin-starred restaurant HanTing Cuisine, Umami by Han will give you an inside taste of its big sister’s cooking at an affordable price. But this is not the only reason you will want to rush to this restaurant after reading this.
Umami, a Distinctive Flavour
Salty. Sour. Bitter. Sweet. You know the four flavours. You have sampled them at a very early age. In 1985, a fifth one was officially recognized as a scientific term to describe the taste of glutamates and nucleotides. Discoved by a Japanese professor, Kikunae Ikeda, Umami has no translation outside of its home country. The word (and meaning) remains itself, umami, in every language. Found in ripe tomatoes, soya sauce, green tea or kombu (a dry algae), you will experience the fifth flavour in the inventive and delicious dishes at Umami by Han.
A Unique Concept
Let’s get social and try Asian tapas. This is the concept of Umami by Han – sharing your meal while venturing on a culinary exploration. I love tapas so the idea of Asian tapas caught my attention. The three-course menu seemed a fun way to taste the diversity of Umami by Han’s cuisine. “Easy” said the waiter: take the order sheet, select two dishes per person for each course, and sample. Well, not so easy afterall. I had a hard time deciding. Everything looked so tempting, but having to choose so many plates wet my appetite.
A Special Culinary Experience
The Chefs at Umami by Han serve a very innovative cuisine, focusing on quality, well-being and high cookery level. The dishes are packed with Asian flavors and an interesting French twist, designed to wake up your tastebuds. And this is exactly what happened. The lamb tartare served with a brown sauce and peanut crisps was on the spot. Loved the duck breast with its orange sauce and carrot purée. The tempura mushrooms in mango gel were so lovely and delicate. Every dish was beautifully presented, binding the five flavours in harmony.
An Original Decor for Each Location
This fusion food restaurant stands on the Buitenhof square, just steps away from the shops and the Binnenhof. Its interior offers a warm and modern atmosphere, perfect for its creative cuisine. White for purity. Orange for originality and joy. And joyful you will feel after spending a meal at Umami by Han. The friendly and knowledgeable staff took great care of us. With a restaurant in Maastricht, Rotterdam, and Eindhoven, each with its own unique decor, you have NO excuse NOT to go.
Umami by Han Restaurant – Buitenhof 46, 2513 AH – The Hague, the Netherlands
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