Sambo Kojin is possibly one of the best restaurants around Metro Manila, offering delicious unlimited authentic Yakiniku (Japanese grill) and Korean barbecue. The restaurant prides itself on its smokeless grills that allow diners to enjoy the experience of cooking their choice of meats and vegetables without the smoke that is typically released by barbecue grills.
Sambo Kojin: delicious unlimited Yakiniku and Korean barbecue
Our Sambo Kojin experience
We had the chance to try Sambo Kojin recently when my brother-in-law celebrated his birthday at the buffet restaurant’s West Avenue outlet.
We had a reservation for late afternoon and arrived at the venue a few minutes before Sambo Kojin opened. There were already a good number of diners waiting at the lobby for the evening buffet.
We had a reservation for late afternoon and arrived at the venue a few minutes before Sambo Kojin opened. There were already a good number of diners waiting at the lobby for the evening buffet.
Food at Sambo Kojin
When we had settled at our table, I did a quick scan of the food on offer, a habit that I practice in all buffet restaurants, especially those that I visit for the first time.
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| Roast beef |
As can be expected, I started with the carving station and got slices of Gyunuki Rosuto, which is really just a huge chunk of roast beef. I chose peppercorn sauce for this serving.
The meat was tender, juicy, and flavorful. It was so soft, it easily yielded to my fork. I liked this so much that I helped myself to a second serving of the roast beef.
The meat was tender, juicy, and flavorful. It was so soft, it easily yielded to my fork. I liked this so much that I helped myself to a second serving of the roast beef.
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| Carving station |
I also got a few pieces of Buta Hara Rosuto which is like lechon belly. The server recommended liver sauce which I gladly heeded. The sauce was perfect with roast pork. Aside from this, the skin was perfectly crunchy and salty; I could not ask for anything else.
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| Korean fried chicken |
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| Omelet |
I also sampled some of the offerings from the Korean section, most notably the omelet and the fried kimchi dumplings. The omelet was a little dry but nonetheless flavorful.
The dumplings were also not extraordinary but enjoyable to eat because of the crunch of the wrapper. Moreover, the dumplings had generous fillings of kimchi which was very flavorful.
The dumplings were also not extraordinary but enjoyable to eat because of the crunch of the wrapper. Moreover, the dumplings had generous fillings of kimchi which was very flavorful.
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| Fried kimchi dumplings |
I also got several sashimi and maki pieces from the Japanese section and noted the freshness of the ingredients used.
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| Maki station |
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| Tempura station |
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| Yakitori station |
Our experience at Sambo Kojin would not be complete without trying the Korean barbecue section. There are various choices of marinated meat slices and unlimited shrimp.
We helped ourselves to several platefuls of shrimps, which we quickly put over the grill. The meats were only lightly-seasoned, perhaps because Sambo Kojin gives diners the flexibility to season their food to their liking. There are sauces and spices available on the table that you can use for flavoring your grilled meats and seafood.
We helped ourselves to several platefuls of shrimps, which we quickly put over the grill. The meats were only lightly-seasoned, perhaps because Sambo Kojin gives diners the flexibility to season their food to their liking. There are sauces and spices available on the table that you can use for flavoring your grilled meats and seafood.
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| Katsu |
To cap our meal, we went for ice cream and cake at the dessert section. There are several choices of cakes and pastries on display.
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| Dessert station |
Our verdict
We completely enjoyed our Sambo Kojin experience. It offers one of the best buffet meals in Metro Manila. Sambo Kojin's unlimited food choices truly make celebrations more festive.
Credit cards and senior citizen discount cards are accepted at Sambo Kojin. Table reservation is required.
Sambo Kojin Branches
Sambo Kojin has branches in the following locations. You may also call the indicated telephone number if you need to make a reservation.
SM Megamall
Third Floor, Mega Atrium, SM Megamall, Ortigas, Mandaluyong City
Telephone numbers: +63286961292, +639989971290, and +639177056037
SM Southmall
Food Street, Upper Ground Floor, SM Southmall, Alabang-Zapote Road, Almanza, Las Piñas City
Telephone numbers: +63285117843 and +63285117853
Libis
Eastwood Citywalk 1, Libis, Quezon City Telephone numbers: +63284210145 and +63284210146
West Avenue
15 West Avenue, Del Monte, Quezon City Telephone numbers: +63283728846 and +63289212873
SM City Fairview
Lower Ground Floor, Atrium Annex Building, SM City Fairview, Novaliches, Quezon City
Telephone numbers: +63289215172 and +63289215175
SM City North Edsa
Second Floor, North Towers, SM City North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City
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Holy. Moly. That looks amazing! You had me at "unlimited". I would love to try out that restaurant.
I miss Yakiniku and Korean barbecue! And I really miss unlimited buffets! The roast beef looks so good! Actually, everything on your photos look yum! Even the omelet! I must try those Kimchi Dumplings! And yes, I love tempura!
I miss Yakiniku and Korean barbecue! And I really miss unlimited buffets! The roast beef looks so good! Actually, everything on your photos look yum! Even the omelet! I must try those Kimchi Dumplings! And yes, I love tempura!
Wow, they are truly my fav types of food and all of them looked so delicious. Surely I will stop at one of the restaurants to try when traveling there and have them on my series of food blogging.
Smokeless grills are a great idea. This whole restaurant experience looks great.
Tempura and dumplings are my guilty pleasure. I love them. Can't wait for lockdown to end and the situation to get better, I haven't eaten out in such a long time.
This is my son's favorite restaurant. He and his girlfriend are always at the SM North Edsa branch. I haven't been there myself, though. Hopefully when it is okay for me and my husband to venture out of the house, we'll dine there too.
This post made me so hungry! I love Korean food and there are not many places to get it where I live.
Everything looked so good -- especially the dessert station. Sadly, my doctor does not want me visiting buffets any more since the transplant! This would be a un nce to visit if I could! Thanks for sharing!
Ohh dear, I miss eating out especially in buffets like this! Scrolling while reading this makes me really hungry and craving for foods! I wish I could also eat out soon!
I miss Sambo Kojin! Haven't eaten here for years! I hope buffet restaurants will open soon!