Umami Burger Makes “The impossible” Happen Again
(Gerry Furth-Sides) We’ve had Adam Fleishman’s business card filed almost since Umami burst onto the scene, as a reminder of his personal invite to Umami Burger and an interview. We didn’t realize at the time that this enthusiastic, approachable guy was the owner-creator.
Thank you, Umami Burger’s “Jaden’s Impossible Trio” charity campaign to finally experience not only why his quality food, extraordinary service and inviting restaurant decor catapulted Umami to fame.
Umami’s hospitality extended to a face-off between the Impossible Burger trio (left) and the manly burger Manly Burger of house beer-cheddar cheese, bacon lardons, smoked-salt onion strings, Umami ketchup, mustard spread!
We found the two “just about” equal in taste, texture, and mouthfeel with the impossible burger an entirely satisfactory, sustainable choice.
Newest impossible burgers to try are the Vegan BBQ, Vegan Truffle and Classic Non-Vegan California Style Burger (final names to come).
Artist series collaborations to launch the Impossible Burger nationwide included Jaden’s Impossible Trio in partnership with Jaden Smith in 2017. //localfoodeater.com/cindy-crawfords-new-mexican-inspired-casa-burger-umami-burger-art-series/
The sliders include (left to right) the “impossible slider” patty, caramelized onions, American cheese, miso-mustard, house spread, dill pickles, lettuce, and tomato.
The “Korean BBQ slider” features both gochujang glaze and Korean ketchup (which contains gochujang), as well as caramelized kimchi, sesame aioli, and scallion-cilantro salad. The subtle, smooth kick from the sesame aioli and the kimchi lends distinctive and appealing flavor. The Gochujang (red chili paste) adds more layers, from long-term fermentation in earthenware on an elevated platform.
Smoked onion strings add intrigue to the Japanese inspired “u-bbq slider”. Here, an “impossible patty” is layered with American cheese, Umami BBQ sauce, tempura serranos, smoked onion strings.
Jaden and mom, Jada Pinkett Smith, at the launch.
Umami Burger offers the exclusive Impossible slider trio ($15) through 2017, with $1 from each sale donated to the American Red Cross in support of hurricane relief efforts.
Joe, serving us up individual ” TRIOs”
The Impossible Burger is touted as the world’s only burger that “looks, handles, smells, cooks, and tastes like ground beef from cows – but is made entirely from plants.
Impossible Foods in Redwood City invented and makes the nutritious meat and dairy products — with a much smaller environmental footprint than meat from animals: 95% less land; 74% less water and 87% lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Impossible burgers are made from simple, all-natural ingredients such as wheat, coconut oil, and potatoes.
The team discovered that heme is “the magic ingredient” that makes meat smell, sizzle, bleed, and taste gloriously meaty — yet remains sustainable. Heme is a basic building block of life on Earth, including plants.
Even the condiments and pickles are carefully thought out. For a dissection of an Umami Burger, please see: //www.eater.com/2013/4/18/6450109/anatomy-of-an-icon-the-original-umami-burger
Our satisfying meal was completed with staff favorites, Thin Cut (signature) French Fries and Cheesy Tator Tots. 
Hostess Emma, happily giving us instructions to the door — for the third time!
Congenial manager, Behan Petrossian, offers Jaden’s JUST WATER, available only at The Grove and Japan locations.
Umami Burger, 189 The Grove, Los Angeles, CA 90036, (323) 954-8626. For information and details on locations and hours, please see The Original Umami Burger • Umami Burger
Gerry Furth-Sides 
Barbara Hansen 
Chef-owner Alain Cohen 
Roberta Deen 
Jose Martinez 
Nivedita Basu 