The search for the best buffet in the Metro - Yakimix, Vikings and Buffet 101

Filipinos love food. And as years go by, our passion for food has evolved. We actually have unsolicited adaptation of international cuisines in our taste buds. I want to share my dining experiences from the most popular buffet restaurants in the Philippines. If you are a little confused where to eat, I hope this post will be of help.

Yakimix All-you-can-eat Buffet 
Greenbelt 3

3/F Greenbelt 3, Esperanza St.Ayala Center, Makati(02) 475-5153 to 54(02) 964-9931, (0917) 880-9980

Mon- Fri Lunch 520Php (Drinks included)
Mon-Fri Dinner 620Php  75Php bottomless drinks
Sat and Sun and Holidays Lunch/Dinner 660Php  75Php bottomless drinks

I haven't experienced eating in this Restaurant until my very close friend invited me for dinner. We actually wanted to celebrate a good news and that date was a mini baby shower :)

When we arrived at Yakimix Greenbelt, we had her name listed for reservation. We grab some smoothies in a different place while waiting. (But I think that's a bad idea for someone who really wanted to eat a LOT.)

Being a Japanese food lover, I headed to the area first and pick different kinds of maki and sushi. I skipped the soup :)
They have a variety of Japanese, Chinese, Italian and Filipino food. And everything tasted good! :)

There is a fresh meat/seafood area. Wherein you can get raw (half-cooked) meat, mushroom and seafood. Each table has a grille so you can enjoy cooking your foods in the comfort of your own table.

Here is a closer look to our food choices. Drinks are not included in the buffet rate. (during that time)                  

 Half-full half-conscious while munching the last batch of food we got. The cooks, servers and staff were very friendly too. A server actually volunteered to get this shot.

The chandelier matches the fancy-looking plates and the food warmers  A staff approached me and said that taking pictures is not allowed. You can only take a shot of your food when it's on your table. Well, at least I captured this before knowing it.

 All-in-all, My buffet experience here is very good. And if only we skipped the smoothies, I would have had eaten more.

For a complete set of menu you can check on this site: http://www.munchpunch.com/yakimix-greenbelt-3/menu

You can contact them for inquiries but not for reservation. I believe you cannot get a reservation through phone so if in case you plan to have a dinner at Yakimix, You might want to be a little earlier so you can put your name on their list. And take note: If your name is called and you are not actually there, they will proceed calling the next person and you need to have your name to be listed again because they will definitely skip if you didn't arrived on time.



Vikings Luxury Buffet MOA
Bldg B, By the Bay, Seaside Blvd. SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City
846-3888, 846-4888, 846-5888

Mon-Fri Lunch 688Php +5% service charge = 722.40Php (with drinks)
Mon-Fri Dinner 888Php = 5% service charge = 932.40Php (with drinks)
Sat, Sun and holidays Lunch/Dinner 1,088Php + 5% service charge = 1,142.40Php (with drinks)

It was a rainy Tuesday afternoon, when my sister told us that she had a reservation at Vikings MOA. Who am I to decline the invitation? :) I skipped breakfast that day, so eating in buffet is a nice idea.

Here is a variety of food I got from the buffet. I like how they presented the sushis and makis. It was placed in a viking ship-like food platter. 

They also offer unlimited drinks - coffee, tea or draft beer.

It was after our last plate when we learned that we can order a hot pot from the server (our own choice of ingredients). So when the hotpot arrived, we were too full but we still managed to consume it all since our dad won't allow us to leave with foods on the table.

The Vikings buffet was great. Indeed, it was a luxurious experience. The chandeliers are so beautiful and the ambiance inside the restaurant is also nice.

Buffet 101 MOA
Bldg K, Seaside Blvd, SM Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City
556-2888
buffet101pasay@gmail.com

Robinsons Magnolia
961-2291

Mon-Fri Lunch 699Php (with drinks)
Mon-Fri Dinner 950Php (with drinks)
Sat Lunch 799Php (with drinks)
Sat Dinner/Sun Lunch/Sun Dinner/Holiday 1,050Php (with drinks)

My brother was the one who made the reservation. It was a Friday, and he was surprised that there are lots of reservation made that dinner time. It took 2 hours before his name was called. We were just around MOA area so he informed us to get there when it's ready.

Since there are lots of guests. Many people were patiently waiting at the couches placed outside the restaurant. I find it generous on their part when I learned that they offer drinks to guests in the waiting area. 

What I cannot forget in their menu is the hot soup with pastry bread. It's so delicious that I tried it twice :)

They also serve different kind of japanese treats - loads of different makis and sushis. 

For desert, there are different kind of cheesecake which I really like. Plus, You can actually order a crepe of your choice. 

They also offer unlimited draft beer and fruit juices.

Wine is also served along the buffet area.

I had a great experience except for the coffee. They only have one coffee maker and during that time it was a bit nonfunctional. 

Their reservation on lunch is 11-11:30 am while on dinner is 5:30-6:00pm. They have a grace period of 15 minutes and if you didn't arrived on time, they will let the next name on list to get your slot. But just like what happened to us, we knew we will be late since it was raining so hard. We called them about us being a little late and they gave us consideration.

To see a complete set of menu, visit this site: http://foodalphabet.blogspot.com/2011/12/buffet-101-dine-in-5-star-luxury.html


In choosing the best buffet in the metro, you need to consider 4 pointers:

1. Budget - The price per head is a bit pricey because of the food choices you can get to eat. And I suggest you need to try them all to get your money's worth. You need to be a great eater to enjoy this kind of buffet.

2. Variety of food  -  You will enjoy this kind of buffet if you love international cuisines. (If you are really into Pinoy cuisine, I recommend you trying cabalen,, kamay kainan or the like kind of buffet restaurant)

3. Time - Remember, dining in a buffet restaurant requires a reservation and a time allotment. So, I suggest you have to spare a "special" time to enjoy the buffet.

4. Ambiance - Not all the buffet restaurants are nice-looking. There's nothing like dining in an elegant and  well-presented place. It may be crowded due to popularity, but the way they showcase their restaurant is the way they like to showcase their food. Make some internet image search if you still have time.

Happy Eating! :)