Umami is the fifth taste. Salty, sour, sweet, bitter, and umami. Umami is savory. Umami, for me, is that craving that sends me after salty but salty does not satisfy, then to sweet but sweet does not satisfy. When no other flavor meets my desire I’ll find something, often involving rice vinegar or miso or perfectly cooked meat, which will satisfy in just a few bites.
Biwa is the place to go for late night umami cravings. Small plates of amazing and delicious food. A wide variety of Japanese drinks. Hard to find at the corner of SE 9th & Ash the landing leads to a narrow staircase down into a pleasantly lit little room. Quirky staff, foodie food, obsessive attention to alcohol, the hardest part is to choose the right combination of perfect flavors. Or maybe just get the shochu flight which comes with tiny little mushroom slices, Chinese celery, pieces of radish, all soaked in some sort of rice vinegar goodness.
On top of the great food and atmosphere Biwa also has done an admirable job branding themselves with beautiful business cards as well as a really nice web site. It’s the whole deal. Expect beautiful people sightings. This is solid location for a hot date and some people have figured it out.
If you’re in the area and can find it get a single small plate and a cup of tea or a shot of shochu. If you’re looking for a place to take a date that is impressive without trying too hard this is it. Highly recommend.