Hidden behind an unassuming wall of old-school manga books in Far East Plaza is Ume Maru, the newest addition to the rising number of hidden bars in Singapore! They are a craft whisky and bespoke cocktail bar drawing inspiration from Jimbocho, Japan, renowned for its vintage bookstores.
This is from the same team behind Ume San 100. Unlike their previous theme of vending machines, they’ve channelled the essence of Jimbocho into their ambiance.
Retro-pop Ambience
The bar is tucked in a corner, disguised behind shelves of manga! We like how they used nostalgic series like Bleach and One Piece.
As soon as we stepped into the bar, we were greeted by ceiling lights resembling books fluttering around the space, which created a mystical ambiance.
The neon lighting atop the liquor wall added a nostalgic touch, enhancing the cozy atmosphere of the dimly lit space.
Ume Maru Menu
Ume Maru boasts a diverse selection of alcoholic drinks, including creative cocktails, each crafted with a unique story behind it. Standouts include the Songbird ($22) and Matxha ($22). Anime enthusiasts will be delighted with their selection of anime-inspired drinks, such as the 5 Great Kage ($24) from Naruto and Cavendish ($24) from One Piece.
They also offer a range of sharing dishes that pair perfectly with your beverage of choice. Options include the Sashimi Platter ($48), Spicy Cheesy Maki ($20), and Kamachi Hama (yellowtail head, $18). For those seeking a heartier meal, main courses like Gyudon Don ($28) and Kitsune Udon ($22) are also available.
Sharing Dishes
The Crudo ($18) featured a mix of salmon, tuna, and scallop in a light, zesty dressing. All the seafood was fresh with a nice bite, complemented by the thin lemon slices on top which added a citrus kick!
The Wagyu Kushi ($24) quickly became a favorite! Each Wagyu beef cube was succulent, with a perfect balance of juiciness and flavour from the soy sauce glaze.
The Truffle Hotplate Maki ($20) featured a truffle tartar sauce, which caught us by surprise at how creamy and savoury it was! The maki itself was crunchy from the cucumber and unagi, plus the fattiness from the aburi salmon, giving it an interesting blend of textures and flavours.
Mains
The Buta Don ($18) is a simple and satisfying dish. The pork slices were crispy and fatty, complemented by the creamy sous vide egg. Mixed with mayo and seaweed, it was tasty enough to have us going back for more.
The Yuzu Soba ($24) caught our attention with its unique twist, setting it apart from traditional soba dishes. Paired with pan-seared hotate scallops, the soba noodles were dense and chewy, thoroughly coated in the sauce. Our only note was that the sauce was a little too salty and got overbearing toward the end!
Kitsune Udon ($22) is their take on the Instagram-famous udon noodles served in a tofu pouch. This surprised us with the dashi-based broth broth, complete with savoury minced pork.
You’ll have to split the tofu pouch open to enjoy the noodles! The udon tasted ordinary, but was quite comforting when combined with the soup.
Drinks
Image Credits: Ume Maru
One of its signature drinks is the Tiffany Sky( $22), available during lunch. It’s a refreshing blend of Sake, Vodka, cucumber, sea salt, and orange liqueur. When we tried it, it was quite cucumber-forward but relatively easy to drink and quite refreshing.
Image Credits: Ume Maru
Another standout is the Light of Nara ($22). It’s inspired by the Shishigami Forest Spirit from the Studio Ghibli’s “Princess Mononoke”. The fruity blend of Muscat Umeshu, Nashi pear umeshu, and persimmon vinegar makes this a good choice for those who like sweet drinks! It also goes down easily with the recognisable notes of umeshu. You can also sample one of their Umeshu ($18) house pours. The one we tried was sweet, smooth and fragrant, very palatable!
Umeshu Bar In Singapore
Ume Maru is good for gatherings, with its unique menu of alcoholic drinks!
@middleclass.sg Another hidden umeshu bar in Orchard! This time behind a wall of old-school manga! #singapore #tiktoksg #sgtiktok #fypsg #sgfoodie ♬ Off The Record (Sped Up) – IVE
Ume Maru
Far East Plaza, #05-26/26A, Singapore 22821
Mon- Sun: 12pm to 2pm|5pm to 11pm
*This article is based on a media-tasting event, but all opinions expressed about the food are entirely our own.
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