Recently, Umami Kitchen opened its doors at Junction Square, introducing the Albury-Wodonga community to a unique dining experience.
Specialising in Asian-inspired comfort dishes, Umami Kitchen combines traditional flavours with Western cooking techniques to create their own style of food.
Umami Kitchen's menu features crowd favourites like Korean Fried Chicken, Ramen, and what many have called the best matcha in town. Using only ceremonial-grade matcha sourced directly from Kyoto, Japan, the tea is brewed the traditional way, ensuring an authentic experience for matcha lovers.
The driving force behind Umami Kitchen is owner-operator Novita, who brings a wealth of experience and passion to the table. Born and raised in Indonesia, Novita trained in Singapore and Australia, earning qualifications in both commercial cooking and patisserie. Her career spans from working in five-star hotels to small family-owned cafes.
"I love to travel, and I try to recreate all the foods I've learnt and tasted and put my own twist on it and share it with the community," Novita said.
"It's always my dream to have my own place so I can cook and serve a larger variety of foods."
"I enjoy cooking and creating new and different dishes, and Umami Kitchen is perfect for it," said Novita.
For Novita, the most rewarding part of running Umami Kitchen has been the warm reception from the local community.
"Meeting customers and hearing them say how much they enjoy my food is incredibly fulfilling. When people come back and become regulars, it's the best feeling."
Looking ahead, Novita has plans to expand Umami Kitchen's catering services.
"Whether it's a business lunch or a private party, I think it would be great to have Umami Kitchen creations as an option," she says.
Umami Kitchen is quickly becoming a favourite in the Junction Square dining scene. Whether you're in the mood for a comforting bowl of ramen, crispy Korean Fried Chicken, or a perfectly brewed matcha, Umami Kitchen offers a taste of Novita's culinary journey.
