WHERE TO EAT IN BGC?
I have a soft spot when it comes to Japanese cuisine. That's why when a chance to eat at a Japanese restaurant in BGC came, I made sure to set aside one whole afternoon even if it meant unpaid hours of work. I have visited lots of Japanese restaurants that originated in Tokyo here in Manila. This time it is not the case. Bari-Uma Ramen is the newest Japanese restaurant along Serendra. It is from Hiroshima. Deep inside, I wanna confirm if there’s distinct difference in terms of taste comparing a Japanese restaurant from Tokyo to a Japanese restaurant in Hiroshima.
Bari Uma Ramen is located along the way leading to Bonifacio High Street from Market Market mall. Actually, just a few minutes walk from Market Market. You'll have to keep looking to the left side because it is quite hidden. However, it is not hard to miss because it's the only one of its kind in this side. There's one in the other side but I tell you, the price difference of the two are far. I would definitely suggest choosing Ramen Bari-Uma, the taste is very authentic for a very reasonable price.
I have a soft spot when it comes to Japanese cuisine. That's why when a chance to eat at a Japanese restaurant in BGC came, I made sure to set aside one whole afternoon even if it meant unpaid hours of work. I have visited lots of Japanese restaurants that originated in Tokyo here in Manila. This time it is not the case. Bari-Uma Ramen is the newest Japanese restaurant along Serendra. It is from Hiroshima. Deep inside, I wanna confirm if there’s distinct difference in terms of taste comparing a Japanese restaurant from Tokyo to a Japanese restaurant in Hiroshima.
Bari Uma Ramen is located along the way leading to Bonifacio High Street from Market Market mall. Actually, just a few minutes walk from Market Market. You'll have to keep looking to the left side because it is quite hidden. However, it is not hard to miss because it's the only one of its kind in this side. There's one in the other side but I tell you, the price difference of the two are far. I would definitely suggest choosing Ramen Bari-Uma, the taste is very authentic for a very reasonable price.
My first impression when I went there is that it is quite small in seating capacity but I love that they have outdoor seats. The indoor seats are also big enough to sit comfortably either as a group or you come there to dine alone. It is no big deal. I and my American boyfriend are foodies - we literally eat in good restaurants 3-4 times a week. This is also one of the reasons why I wanted to check this restaurant hoping that I will invite him over lunch or dinner. He's a picky eater. His standards are way higher so I hope to add one more good dining spot in BGC for him. We have visited dozens already - we do not want to stop looking for new restaurants in BGC.
Bari means "super" and Uma means "tasty" in Japanese language. The way I understood it, Bari Uma Ramen in BGC would like to be known for its creamy, strong soup particularly in their ramen dishes. Also, the noodles they use aren't the typical ones but it is thicker and heavier. The facade of this restaurant was carefully designed according to its mother restaurant in Hiroshima established in 2003. They even invited Japanese chefs from Hiroshima's Bari-Uma Ramen to make sure the standards is the same in every way possible.
Bari-Uma Ramen's menu
I love it when a restaurant's menu do not let me guess forever how a certain dish looks like. Bari Uma Ramen's menu is glossy and colorful. It is not hard to pick anything you like.
First, we were served two plates of gyoza (spicy and regular). Yes, I have eaten gyoza many times but this one tasted and looked different. I can really taste the meat. The spicy gyoza is the one I like because I love everything that's spicy. It also look different because on top of it there's a cover that's crunchy when you bite it. You need to rip it off first to see the pieces of gyoza below.
Gyoza (spicy, teriyaki & age-mayo) Php 200 5 pieces Php 380 10 pieces
I learned that Japanese people love to eat gyoza (wonton wrappers stuffed with pork and veggies), karaage (deep fried chicken), yakitori (meat skewers) paired with a bottle of sake. That's why Bari-Uma Ramen also serves a variety of sake. While I do not drink sake so much (I religiously drink a glass of wine every other night), I will gladly settle for their house blend iced tea. I am no fan of anything made of sugar and powdered form of drinks. This one from Bari-Uma Ramen is not overly sweet and there's a bit of sourness reminding me I am drinking one that's healthier!
Gyoza (spicy, teriyaki & age-mayo) Php 200 5 pieces Php 380 10 pieces
Bottle of sake Php 400 - 1,500
House blend tea Php 80
Next served to us is a range of clay pots, Bari-Uma Ramen's versions of rice bowls. The bowls of chiasu (braised pork) and karaage (fried chicken) are enough to fill your stomach. What I do not like about rice bowls in other restaurants is that rice occupies 90%. The meat and veggies are so little you're not gonna enjoy it. In Bari Uma Ramen BGC, it is not. I can just eat the rice because it is already mixed well with bits of meat and veggies.
What's eating in a Japanese restaurant without a bowl of ramen? Here are the bowls of ramen you can enjoy here
- Karatama uma ramen is pork flavored shoyu spicy soup with grilled thick cut chiasu, seasoned bamboo shoots, spring onions and flavored egg
- Chasu uma ramen is pork flavored shoyu soup with grilled thick-cut of chasu, seasoned bamboo shoots and spring onions
- Noritama uma ramen is pork flavored shoyu soup with grilled thick-cut chiasu, seaweed, seasoned bamboo shoots, spring onions and flavored egg
- Shoyu uma ramen is pork flavored shoyu light soup with grilled thick-cut chiasu, seasoned bamboo shoots and spring onions
- Mazesoba is the ramen without soup. It is offered seasonally usually during summer because the weather is warmer. Mazesoba is a bowl of noodle made of lots of toppings of different veggies, rich vegetable umami sauce and creamy poached eggs
- Karatama uma ramen is pork flavored shoyu spicy soup with grilled thick cut chiasu, seasoned bamboo shoots, spring onions and flavored egg
- Chasu uma ramen is pork flavored shoyu soup with grilled thick-cut of chasu, seasoned bamboo shoots and spring onions
- Noritama uma ramen is pork flavored shoyu soup with grilled thick-cut chiasu, seaweed, seasoned bamboo shoots, spring onions and flavored egg
- Shoyu uma ramen is pork flavored shoyu light soup with grilled thick-cut chiasu, seasoned bamboo shoots and spring onions
- Mazesoba is the ramen without soup. It is offered seasonally usually during summer because the weather is warmer. Mazesoba is a bowl of noodle made of lots of toppings of different veggies, rich vegetable umami sauce and creamy poached eggs
Mazesoba Php 390
Mazesoba with 3 pieces of gyoza Php 480
Mazesoba with 2 pieces of chicken yakitori Php 470
Mazesoba with 2 pieces of karaage Php 470
Noritama uma ramen Php 420
Karatama uma ramen Php 380
Ajitama uma ramen Php 380
Shoyu uma ramen Php 320
Japanese clay pot rice Chiasu Php 230
Japanese clay pot rice karaage Php 250
Noritama uma ramen Php 420
Karatama uma ramen Php 380
Ajitama uma ramen Php 380
Shoyu uma ramen Php 320
Japanese clay pot rice Chiasu Php 230
Japanese clay pot rice karaage Php 250
I personally like Karatama uma ramen because it is spicy. The soup is really rich with flavor that even just sipping it, I'll still think it is pork indeed. It compliments the pork's taste. Love it! Noritama uma is the best-seller I was told because of its additional ingredient which is seaweed. Shoyu uma ramen is good for those who do not feel well because the soup is lighter in the stomach. A bowl of ramen in Bari-Uma for me is a big serving. It is good for two persons whose eating standard is medium. Clay pots are great for those who cannot survive eating meals without rice. It's way, way better than other a la carte meals that cost the same price in other nearby restaurants!
Going back to the question, what's the difference of the taste between a Japanese resto from Tokyo between a Japanese resto from Hiroshima? Well, it is a harder question to answer given the fact I just visited one restaurant so far however judging from the ramen bowls we ate - the ones from Hiroshima offer thicker, tastier taste soup broth. Next mission: I should spend a few times more checking out a few more Japanese restaurants in Manila hailing from Hiroshima.
Bari-Uma Ramen BGC address: Ground floor Serendra, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Barangay Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Taguig Bari-Uma Ramen BGC Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/bariumaramenph/
Bari-Uma Ramen BGC contact number: 0906 336 0930
Bari-Uma Ramen BGC official website: www.bariuma.asia
Bari-Uma Ramen BGC opening hours: 11 am - 11 pm
Going back to the question, what's the difference of the taste between a Japanese resto from Tokyo between a Japanese resto from Hiroshima? Well, it is a harder question to answer given the fact I just visited one restaurant so far however judging from the ramen bowls we ate - the ones from Hiroshima offer thicker, tastier taste soup broth. Next mission: I should spend a few times more checking out a few more Japanese restaurants in Manila hailing from Hiroshima.
Bari-Uma Ramen BGC address: Ground floor Serendra, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City, Barangay Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Taguig Bari-Uma Ramen BGC Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/bariumaramenph/
Bari-Uma Ramen BGC contact number: 0906 336 0930
Bari-Uma Ramen BGC official website: www.bariuma.asia
Bari-Uma Ramen BGC opening hours: 11 am - 11 pm
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