UMMI: A Love Letter to Lebanese Hospitality, Written in Flavour
Along the tranquil banks of Robertson Quay, where the river slows and the city exhales, UMMI Lebanese Dining unfolds as an intimate expression of memory, heritage, and generosity. This is not merely a place to dine, but a space to linger — where time softens, conversation deepens, and the act of sharing a meal becomes quietly ceremonial. At UMMI, Lebanese hospitality is not performed; it is lived.
The name UMMI, meaning “mother” in Arabic, anchors the restaurant’s philosophy in tenderness and abundance. It evokes the scent of spices blooming in warm oil, the comfort of a table always set for one more, and the unspoken understanding that food is an act of love. Every detail reflects this ethos — from halal-certified ingredients chosen with care, to dishes designed for sharing, to a service style that feels intuitive rather than formal. UMMI presents a vision of modern Lebanese fine dining in Singapore that is deeply emotional, effortlessly gracious, and profoundly human.
Guiding this vision is Chef Ali Assaf, whose culinary sensibility is shaped by Baalbek, a city where ancient history and daily life coexist in quiet harmony. Raised in a household where recipes were passed down by instinct rather than instruction, his earliest lessons came from watching his grandmother and mother cook with patience and purpose. His professional journey — through esteemed kitchens in Beirut and under the mentorship of Michelin-starred Chef Greg Malouf — refined his technique, yet never diluted his reverence for tradition. At UMMI, his cuisine speaks softly, but with remarkable depth.
Silky Hummus with Lentil (V)
Organic chickpeas with tahini and lemon dressing
The Silky Hummus with Lentil arrives with an understated elegance that belies its emotional power. Whipped to a near-weightless consistency, the hummus glides across the palate, its creaminess drawn from organic chickpeas and finely balanced tahini, lifted by the brightness of fresh lemon. It is soothing, generous, and deeply comforting.
The addition of lentils introduces a quiet complexity — a gentle earthiness that grounds the dish and lends it dimension. Rather than competing, the elements converse, creating a rhythm that feels both familiar and newly considered. Each bite recalls the intimacy of home cooking, refined through restraint rather than embellishment.
This is Lebanese mezze at its most poetic, reminding diners that luxury need not be loud. Sometimes, it whispers.
UMMI Muhammara (V, N, GF)
Roasted sweet red capsicum and chillies blended with organic walnuts, topped with pomegranate
The UMMI Muhammara is lush, aromatic, and irresistibly indulgent — a dish that radiates warmth from the moment it is set down. Roasted red capsicum and chillies are slow-coaxed into sweetness, their smoky intensity folded into organic walnuts to create a spread of remarkable depth and sensuality.
Silken yet textured, the muhammara unfolds in layers: sweetness first, then heat, then a lingering nuttiness that coats the palate. The final flourish of pomegranate brings brightness and tension, each jewel-like burst cutting through the richness with jewelled precision.
This is a dish that captures the soul of the Levant — generous, vibrant, and emotionally resonant — elevated through careful technique and an unwavering respect for tradition.
Rolled Chicken Muskhan (GF)
Slow-cooked chicken with sumac rolled in Lebanese pastry, with melted onions and aromatic spices
UMMI’s Rolled Chicken Muskhan is an ode to slow cooking and patient craftsmanship. The chicken, tender from hours of gentle heat, is perfumed with sumac and warm spices, then wrapped delicately in Lebanese pastry that offers just the faintest resistance before giving way.
Melted onions seep into every fold, lending sweetness and depth, while the citrus lift of sumac keeps the dish poised and balanced. The experience is deeply comforting, yet undeniably refined — the kind of dish that invites quiet appreciation rather than immediate applause.
It is here that Chef Ali’s storytelling is most intimate, transforming a rustic, beloved dish into a graceful centrepiece that feels both nostalgic and quietly luxurious.
Grilled Octopus Provençal
Grilled octopus served with smoky muhammara and dehydrated green onions
The Grilled Octopus Provençal arrives as a study in contrast and control. Lightly charred, the octopus retains an exquisite tenderness, its natural sweetness enhanced by the smokiness of the grill rather than overshadowed by it.
Paired with a deeply flavoured muhammara and accented with dehydrated green onions, the dish balances land and sea with elegant restraint. The smokiness, sweetness, and gentle acidity move in harmony, leaving a lingering impression that feels polished and assured.
This is modern Lebanese cuisine in conversation with the Mediterranean — confident, cosmopolitan, and thoughtfully composed.
Skewered Prime Wagyu Beef (D, GF)
Chargrilled wagyu beef rump (marble score 4-5) served with freekah, onions and house-dried tomatoes
The Skewered Prime Wagyu Beef is indulgence rendered with discipline. Chargrilled to accentuate its natural marbling, the wagyu is succulent and richly flavoured, its depth unfolding slowly with each bite rather than overwhelming the senses.
Freekah, nutty and aromatic, provides a grounding counterpoint, while slow-cooked onions and house-dried tomatoes introduce sweetness and gentle acidity. Together, the components form a composition that feels intentional and complete, allowing the quality of the ingredients to speak without interruption.
This is a dish that embodies UMMI’s quiet confidence — luxurious without excess, powerful without bravado.
Suggested Wine Pairing: Aurora Village Red 2020
Cabernet Franc – Batroun, Lebanon
The Aurora Village Red 2020 offers a lyrical expression of Lebanon’s ancient winemaking lineage. Notes of dark berries and subtle herbs unfold over supple tannins, creating a wine that is both structured and graceful.
Its balance and freshness make it a natural companion to UMMI’s spice-laced dishes, enhancing rather than competing. Each sip deepens the sense of place, extending the journey beyond the plate and into the landscape itself.
To drink Lebanese wine at UMMI is to complete the circle — a quiet affirmation of cultural continuity and pride.
Mastic Ice Cream
The Mastic Ice Cream closes the meal with a whisper rather than a crescendo. Infused with mastic resin, its aroma is delicately floral, evoking pine and resin with an almost ethereal clarity.
Creamy yet light, the ice cream melts slowly, leaving a clean, lingering finish that refreshes the palate and calms the senses. It is a dessert that invites stillness — a moment to pause before returning to the world beyond the table.
Lebanese Coffee
Lebanese coffee at UMMI is served not as an afterthought, but as a final gesture of hospitality. Dark, aromatic, and unapologetically intense, it awakens the senses while encouraging conversation to linger.
It is the punctuation mark at the end of a beautifully written meal — small in size, but immense in meaning.
A Home Away From Home
UMMI Lebanese Dining is a place shaped by memory, care, and a deep respect for the rituals of hospitality. With halal-certified ingredients, a menu guided by heritage, and a spirit that favours generosity over spectacle, it offers one of Singapore’s most evocative Lebanese dining experiences.
Here, guests are not merely welcomed — they are held. And long after the last plate is cleared, the feeling remains.
UMMI Lebanese Dining
1 Nanson Rd, InterContinental Singapore Robertson Quay by IHG Singapore 238909
Tel: 85117501
