Bari Uma The Perfect Ramen @Jaya Shopping Centre Petaling Jaya

A new star has been flown in from the land of rising sun. Yes, it's none other than Japan's ramen specialist, Bari-Uma which incidentally means "Super Tasty" in Japanese. 

At a recent food review at newly opened Bari-Uma Ramen @Jaya Shopping Centre PJ, I had a great time tasting of their specialty ramen noodles, rice dishes and appetizers, which the restaurant takes pride in.

     

The Company Motto

Bari-Uma is the first and only one in Malaysia, opened in Jaya Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya, in May this year. With 40 existing outlets across Japan under the Bari Uma brand, and international location in Singapore, Bari-Uma Malaysia's flagship outlet has a exquisite facade.

With 22 years of history in Japan, Bari-Uma promises to bring the real taste of ramen to the people of Malaysia.
   

Front Entrance 

Irasshaimase! The workers address you as you walk in. You are immediately transported into a little Japan where everything reflects a homely Japanese mood. Bari-Uma's decor reflects its Japanese heritage. You cannot escape the sight of a distinctively traditional-designed Japanese restaurant as you step in.

Japanese calligraphy, the white and red Noren, a traditional fabric divider greets customers. The kitchen, which is positioned at the left corner of the entrance, has a glass panel which gives you full view of the food preparation.  
  

A Bari-Uma large poster of its signature dish adorns the wall at the private family seating and spacious dining tables makes it a perfect venue for family or company meals.  

Pleasant and Spacious Dining Setting

The open kitchen concept allows customers to see the meticulous food preparation

Noodles-Making Machine  

Owner Aldred Yaw, who runs Bari-Uma told us that these homemade ramen noodles are freshly made in-house, so we can be assured of its freshness. What's unique about Bari-Uma is that customers are give a choice of different texture of noodles to choose from starting from firm, original to soft. Aldred emphasises that, "the noodles and broth are distinctive and this is the main difference among the other regular Ramen outlets."

Slurp-worthy: Savoury Strands of Ramen In Tonkotsu Soup

Menu for Ramen Dishes  

Menu for Starters/Appetizers, Desserts & Rice Dishes 

Drinks Menu

Chef's Recommendation: Noritama-Uma 

( RM 29 )

For a taste of what Bari-Uma has to offer, we were served the house special, which is noodles medium in size, are served with ajitama (flavoured eggs), bamboo shoots, dried seaweeds, springs onion plus the signature Chashu, thick-cut flamed pork belly. The Tonkotsu (pork flavoured shoyu soup), a gorgeous thick broth is ultimately the best ramen to start with. 

The Bari Uma's ajitama (flavoured eggs) was probably the best that I've ever tasted from all the ramen shops I have been to. Well marinated and full of flavour, you can taste it in the egg white alone. The whites and yolks are cooked to perfection, not to watery nor too hard. Notice the shiny glistering perfect soft boiled egg that had a melt-in-your-mouth texture.  

Slurp-worthy:  Pork flavoured shoyu soup with glorious thick-cut flamed Chashu together with the ajitama and seaweeds make the perfect Noritama-Uma. 

Freshly Grilled Thick-cut Flamed Chashu

A Close-Shot picture of Chashu for your eyes only

Aldred said: "The pork are specially sourced and imported from Spain. Pork belly are used as the fat is said to make the meat more juicy". With meat, I habitually trim off all the fat. But for chashu, I ate my pork loin as it should be eaten - fat and all.

It was absolutely tasty and I liked it more than anything else that night. The fat seemed to make the meat moister and as I savoured the meat, I was reminded of sinking teeth into my favourite Hakka char yuk (dried version of deep-fried five spiced pork) cooked by my late mum.

Spicy Delight: Kara-Uma

( RM 26 )

The next ramen is the Kara-Uma, pork flavoured shoyu spicy soup with thick-cut chashu. It may be the cousin to laksa as it was slightly spicy, but the broth and noodles have their Japanese touch.

The pork broth has a spicy taste and was served with Bari Uma's signature Chashu, thick-cut flamed pork belly, bamboo shoots and spring onions.

Head Chef Eden at the Grilling Station 

Sizzling Delights: Yakitori 

Yakitori Combo Set 

( RM 13.90 for 5 sticks )

Yakitori is basically grilled skewered meat marinated with a sweet Teriyaki-like sauce. A very popular appetizer which you never fail to find in any Japanese restaurant. This combo set consists of five kinds of Yakitori served with tare sauce such as Negima (Chicken thigh & leeks), Butanegima ( Pork thigh & leeks), Tori-niku (Chicken thigh), Sasami (Chicken breast) and Butabara (Pork Belly).   

I prefer the pork yakitori to the chicken yakitori as the pork was juicier and tender as compared to the poultry yakitori. 

Gyoza

( RM 11 for 5 )

The Gyoza which simply means pan fry dumpling makes an excellent starter. Made from minced pork, these tasty little dumplings are prefect side dish to many meal. The skin was light and chewy with meaty stuffing, I really enjoyed eating this and can't help going a third piece that night.    

Negi Mayo Gyoza

( RM 12 for 5 )

Next, the Negi Mayo Gyoza, which is similar to the plain gyoza but came with toppings of chopped spring onion, spicy sauce and mayonnaise for added flavour.

Ishiyaki Chaofan Chashu

( RM 14.90 )

If you want rice, the Ishiyaki Chaofan Chashu is this glorious Japanese steamed rice with chopped chashu and scrambled eggs topped with spring onion served on hot stone bowl. You just mix it all together while it still hot to get a richer flavour. I was bowled over by this simple rice dish. It was a gratifying one-dish meal if you're really hungry.

  

According to Aldred, most customers are office workers crowd rakes up the numbers on weekdays. The menu may not be extensive but it suits ramen lovers just fine. For now, he has his hands full with this outlet which is not only popular among the locals but also Japanese expatriates who love the ramen served here and give their thumbs up for that.

So if you are looking for quality premium Japanese cuisine in a great and cozy environment, Bari-Uma makes a worthy choice. It would surely give your taste buds a delicious tingle, so pick up those chopsticks and slurp your way into delicious goodness with Bari-Uma! 

Watch Our Video Review on Youtube 

Bari-Uma Ramen

Jaya Shopping Centre

L3-11, Level 3

Jalan Semangat

46100 Petaling Jaya.

Tel: 7932 2958

(Non-Halal)

Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday (10am - 10pm)

Website: bariuma

Facebook: facebook.com/bariuma.my 

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