Sambo Kojin at SM Megamall is one of the newest restaurants to join the band of foodie places in the area that offers eat-all-you-can feast. Known as the sister company of the famous buffet restaurant in Manila Dads Ultimate Buffet, Sambo Kojin offers unlimited Japanese Yakiniku and Korean Barbecue alongside other Japanese and Korean Dishes.
Their newest branch in SM Megamall is said to be their biggest branch yet.
Although it was my first time to visit Sambo Kojin at SM Megamall, the concept isn't really foreign to me as I have experience dining at their EDSA and Eastwood branch. Other Sambo Kojin branches are located at West Avenue and SM Southmall.
Sambo Kojin SM Megamall features a wide and contemporary design that can house several groups partaking of the buffet. Every table is equipped with smokeless yakiniku grill where diners an cook their choice of meats, seafood, and veggies from the buffet spread.
Also readily available on the table are various sauces perfect as accompaniment for the food and grilled goodies. Special sauces includes Teriyaki Sauce, Ponzu Sauce, Sambo Kojin Sauce, and Takumi Sauce among others. When guests are already seated, unlimited servings of banchan will be given as well.
Grill feast at Sambo Kojin is one for the books and personally, although I have few favorite buffet restaurants that I frequent, Sambo Kojin always has a special place in my heart. If you're a big meat eater like myself, you would know why.
Wide Variety of Sushi and Sashimi Choices
Variety of sushi, sashimi, and rolls have always been part of the majority of buffet restaurants we have here in Manila. Being a concept with main focus on Japanese and Korean dishes, it is only expected that these little bites of gratifying dish will be part of the spread.
There are countless variety of sushi rolls on the buffet spread and everything is carefully prepared by the very able chefs of Sambo Kojin. If you are familiar with the impressive selections of sushi, sashimi, and rolls at Dad's Ultimate Buffet, you can also expect that at Sambo Kojin.
Delectable Korean Cuisine and Japanese Specialties
By merging two culture to showcase wide variety of dishes, Sambo Kojin prided itself with its authentic Korean cuisine and Japanese specialties. This is a great feat of the restaurant since if diners were too hungry to wait for their grilled food, they could already feast on ready made dishes on the buffet spread.
I honestly cannot count how may the dishes were when we visited, but I manage to take down notes of my favorite dishes I have tried (aside of course from the Japanese Yakiniku and Korean Barbecue).
One of my favorites among the Korean dishes was the Galbi Jim or Beef Stew. I am a sucker for tender beef in tomato sauce, hence, this one was a sure winner for me. a tad spicy but it only to the point I can tolerate.
Other Korean dishes I have tried and liked were the Chap Chae (Korean Glass Noodles with Vegetables) and Maeun Dalg Jim (Spicy Fried Chicken). Japanese speciaties which I have tried on the other hand were the Yakiudon (Japanese Noodle with Vegetable) and the Aradaki (Simmered Salmon).
There is also a section that features different kinds of tempura which is perfect for tempura-loving foodies. Choices include Ebi Tempura, Nasu Tempura, Kisu Tempura, and Kani Tempura.
Right beside the tempura section is the one that features different flavors of Korean Fried Chicken, and the other section features different kinds of Katsu. Katsu choices include Shake Katsu, Menchi Katsu, Rosu Katsu, Tori Katsu, Tori Menchi Katsu, and Sakana Katsu.
I was not able to try everything but I was happy with the choices that filled my plate. The Shake Katsu or the Salmon Katsu for instance satisfied my cravings for good fried salmon. If you know how this dish was priced at some known katsu restaurant, this alone would made you realize that the amount you are paying at Sambo Kojin is really really worth it.
Just like the salmon, Rosu Katsu is also exorbitantly priced at other restaurants, but at Sambo Kojin, you can have an unlimited amount of it and enjoy other dishes as well. The quality is not really that far, if I may add.
I also feasted on some good ol' Korean Fried Chicken. I am crazy with the original variant but the spicy ones aren't that bad either.
There were also different kinds of dumplings for everyone to enjoy. I particulary like the gyoza which has a whole shrimp inside with its tail peeking the gyoza wrapper.
Udon Suki and Sukiyaki as well as different Hot Pot selections are all available for diners to enjoy. You just have to choose at the counter, then the chefs and food attendants will gladly assist you and even deliver your choice of bowl on your table.
There is Yakitori section as well for those who does not want to grill their own food. But feel free to check out the selections and have some over your table to enjoy grilling them your own.
Bulgogi Rice Bowl was also one of the selections I enjoyed immensely. I rarely eat rice during buffet to give way to different variants and food choices I want to enjoy. Yet, when at Sambo Kojin, I always make an exemption for this rice bowl.
If you are crazy about Takoyaki, and is always burning a whole in your pocket when indulging on those Takoyaki kiosks usually found inside malls, you will find delight in Sambo Kojin's Takoyaki station. Unlimited Takoyaki, baby. You can have as much as you want.
Premium U.S. Beef, Other Meats, and Seafood
Now for my favorite part. If you are crazy about meat (read: Yedy) and finds pleasure in grilling them, Sambo Kojin is definitely a place for you. I tell you, aside from the delightful Korean and Japanese Dishes, the main reason why I keep on coming back to Sambo Kojin is their meat selections.
Needless to say, my favorite station is the one manned by these friendly chefs shown on photo below; the meat station.
Sambo Kojin prided itself with great selections of U.S. Beef, Pork, Chicken, Seafood, and Vegetables. All meat are sliced thinly making them easy to grill and eat.
There are also different yakitori or goodies on stick selections for a yakitori feast at the comfort of your own table. Signature dish of Sambo Kojin includes Foil Yaki items like Prawns in Garlic which are neatly tucked in a foil.
All the selections are well seasoned and prepared to suit diners palates. If you fancy something (reasonable, of course) which are not included on the serving trays, you can always ask and the chefs will always gladly accommodate it based on the availability of the items.
I have tried variety of these selection but I got some favorites which earned a repeat appearance on my plate and on the yakiniku grill. This includes the plain marbled beef, marbled beef in teriyaki sauce, marbled beef in miso garlic butter, and marbled beef with pepper and salt.
The tender beef in red spicy sauce was also a delight as well as the tender beef in teriyaki sauce. For the skewered ones I prefer the salmon and the pork belly variant.
Desserts were also impressive in terms of quantity and variety of selections. The taste and flavors are okay. I guess I still have not find the very item which will make me really happy. I however consider their beer and matcha ice cream impressive.
As mentioned, Sambo Kojjin is one of those buffet restaurants that keeps me coming back for more. I love the meat selections for the smokeless grill and the cooked items on the buffet spread are also impressive. Although I am not fan of their desserts, there's always impressive ice cream flavors available which I can indulge in.
Sambo Kojin SM Megamall Rates, Promos, and Discounts
RATES
Adults:
Monday to Friday LUNCH - Php649
Monday to Friday DINNER - Php749
Saturday, Sunday, & Holidays Lunch and Dinner Php749
Children:
4 ft. to 4'6" - Php330
3 ft. and below 4 ft. - Php280
Below 3 ft. - Free
Senior Citizen:
70 years old and above - 50% off the Adult Price
Monday to Friday DINNER - Php749
Saturday, Sunday, & Holidays Lunch and Dinner Php749
Children:
4 ft. to 4'6" - Php330
3 ft. and below 4 ft. - Php280
Below 3 ft. - Free
Senior Citizen:
70 years old and above - 50% off the Adult Price
PROMOS AND DISCOUNTS
Beat The Clock
Pay only Php545 for lunch and Php649 for dinner when you finish your feast before 12:15PM for lunch and 7PM for dinner.
Frequent Diner Card
The cardholder will be entitled to one (1) Free Welcome Back buffet upon presentation of card with ten (10) validated dine-ins on his next visit.
Senior Citizen
Aged 60 to 69 gets 20% discount. aged 70 and above gets 50% discount.
One Free Buffet for Group of 6 Diners
A group of six diners (with 5 full paying adult guests) gets one free buffet upon presentation of promo card or flyer.
Free Birthday Buffet
Actual birthday - should be accompanied with 1 full paying adult
3 Days Before and After Birthday - should be accompanied by 2 full paying adults
Beat The Clock
Pay only Php545 for lunch and Php649 for dinner when you finish your feast before 12:15PM for lunch and 7PM for dinner.
Frequent Diner Card
The cardholder will be entitled to one (1) Free Welcome Back buffet upon presentation of card with ten (10) validated dine-ins on his next visit.
Senior Citizen
Aged 60 to 69 gets 20% discount. aged 70 and above gets 50% discount.
One Free Buffet for Group of 6 Diners
A group of six diners (with 5 full paying adult guests) gets one free buffet upon presentation of promo card or flyer.
Free Birthday Buffet
Actual birthday - should be accompanied with 1 full paying adult
3 Days Before and After Birthday - should be accompanied by 2 full paying adults
Sambo Kojin SM Megamall
Level 3 Atrium
SM Megamall
Contact Nos.: (02) 696-1291 to 93
Website: sambokojin.com
Facebook: /SamboKojin
Instagram: @SamboKojin
Level 3 Atrium
SM Megamall
Contact Nos.: (02) 696-1291 to 93
Website: sambokojin.com
Facebook: /SamboKojin
Instagram: @SamboKojin