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Wigent · 11-30-2009, 10:06 PM

Restaurant name: Sakae Sushi
Location: SM Mall of Asia

Reviewers:
Leek83
Shijie
Kinori
Chakumachan
Jam_Kuradoberi
tiramisuaddict
Mami_noodles
Naglalakad
Wigent
Maneki Neko

Compilation and editing: Maneki Neko
Photos: Leek83, Wigent

WHAT WE THINK:
The 3rd serving of the Japinoy.com restaurant review happened at Sakae Sushi at SM Mall of Asia. This restaurant is part of a chain of kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi) that began in Singapore in 1997.

FOOD
tiramisuaddict: I can only say it's good. Just enough to fill one's appetite for sushi (it being a buffet and all). Does not have the oomph in it, though. Sushi don't taste as authentic as one would expect.
Mami_noodles: Although I have no point of comparison yet, I can say that the food is good and filling. Special mention goes to the teriyaki salmon skins aka "tocino".
Jam_Kuradoberi: Since we ordered the Sushi Buffet, we didn't get the chance to taste other meals they serve. It tasted good, just like any other sushi treats served at any Japanese restaurant. The only difference is that they have bigger servings.
Kinori: I loved their sushi! I must have tried almost everything and my favorites are the tamago sushi and California maki. The tuna ones tasted a bit like tuna sandwich -- canned?? Special mention goes to the sake we ordered. The hot sake really warms up your middle -- if you find the restaurant a little cold, this is your best bet.
Wigent: Sushis are placed on small colored plates to indicate the prices. Transparent covers ensure its sanitation while it goes above the conveyor belt. Although we got the all-you-can-eat promo which costs P399, I'll list the separate prices for your information:
-Purple plate: P39
-Yellow plate: P59
-Green plate: P79
-Red plate: P99

Which prompted us to get red plates most of the time to see what so special about that color! However, later on I found out that it's not about the color really, but your personal taste. I mean, you do not force yourself to get the red ones just to get your money's worth. Enjoying your favorites even when the plate price is cheaper is the most important of all. For me the most delicious ones were California Maki, Futomaki, Tuna Mayo Inari and Kanikama. My least favorites were Spicy Salmon Gunkan (because it's too salty for me) and Ebi Fry Cheese Crepe (I just don't like the idea of putting cheese in a sushi). The others were mama (Nihongo for pwede na~).
Naglalakad: The P399 sushi buffet is good for those who want to feast on a variety of sushi. I was able to eat 11 different sushi but the ones that got my attention were the ones that looks like fried lumpia, fresh lumpia, and the one that has an egg-mayo-like topping. The fried-lumpia-like sushi tasted sweet and juicy which may be appealing to those who wanted sweet-tasting sushi. The fresh-lumpia-like sushi was plain but unique; a first for my palate.

The green iced tea seemed to taste like the one I have at home but much sweeter. Still, it's a better tasting green iced tea compared to that of Yoshinoya.

On a general note, the sushi is filling but the taste somehow lacks that personal touch. Perhaps the sushi's taste somewhat degrades while it roams around the store.

PRICE
Chakumachan: The buffet seemed expensive at first glace; P399 is a little too much. But the price already included a bowl of miso soup plus refillable ice tea so it is really quite cheap. However, being a girl, I was not able to maximize the buffet -- LUGI!
Jam_Kuradoberi: It felt like you're paying for the maintenance of the conveyor belts. Which you obviously are. The price is okay though, not bad but not good either.
Wigent: P399 is really reasonable for unlimited sushi, miso soup and bottomless pandan. Triple yummy I should say! However, it was not just my afternoon because I didn't come in with an empty stomach. But the trick here is not to drink too much pandan. You'll get stuffed easily, missing the adventure of feasting on all the sushis that pass by you. Mmm~
Maneki Neko: From the original price of P499, the sushi buffet was repriced lower at P399 -- what a deal! Despite this, I don't think I got my money's worth, because there is no way I could stuff myself with all those sushi marching beside our table. Still, it was alright - I was also paying for the novelty of dining in a kaiten-zushi, after all.

AMBIANCE
Mami_noodles: The ambiance is inviting enough, with clean surroundings and soft music. It is a fine place for a business or personal meeting.
Kinori: I love their music -- it's relaxing. It makes me feel as if I'm inside a coffee shop (only, I'm downing sake instead of coffee!).
Leek83: I wish they had more Japanese songs, especially instrumental music. The layout of the restaurant was OK enough, but can be improved.
tiramisuaddict: I love the restaurant - it really felt different being inside a kaiten-zushi. However, I agree that they need to improve their music playlist. I was the first to arrive at the restaurant, and the same songs were playing over and over. They even have Korean songs! Korean songs in a Japanese restaurant, can you believe that? Haha.
Jam_Kuradoberi: The conveyor belts changed the ambiance of the restaurant. I haven't eaten in a place where they serve sushi on a conveyor belt prior to this review. We got what we wanted easily, so there's no problem with that. We sat beside the belts (strategic!), but there are some tables placed far from it making me think that the seating arrangements need a bit of improvement.
Maneki Neko: Despite the minimalistic and modern interior, the restaurant feels cozy and inviting. The music was not too loud that it interferes with diners' conversations (although our noise probably interfered with other people's conversations T_T). The place is kept clean all the time; even the washroom is spotless. One thing I always look out for during resto reviews is the cleanliness of the washroom, haha. The place is soooo clean you'll slip on the floor - minus one sushi point for that.

SERVICE
Leek83: Since the food comes to you via conveyor belt, there is nothing much left to do for the staff.
Shijie: They do serve fast, which was very good because we all wanted to dig in right away. But the iced tea refill is rather slow.
Chakumachan: The staff are very attentive yet they do not smile a lot; only few of them smile. It would help lighten the mood of the diners if they see friendly, smiling staff.
Wigent: Considering the staff were patient with our juvenile behavior, I give the service a high rating. We virtually turned the place upside-down. I was half-expecting the mall guards to kick us out. My special thanks also goes to the staff who patiently named all the sushis I took a picture with. Well-informed and trained staff deserves a round of applause. Yehey!
Mami_Noodles: Except for a minor misunderstanding with the billing, the service was quite exemplary.
Jam_Kuradoberi: You serve yourself. Obviously, there are only four instances in which you will have to interact with the staff. I'll enumerate them for reference: 1. Arriving, 2. Placing an order 3. Receiving an order and 4. The dreaded bill. Except for the slight blunder on our billing, I don't have any reason to complain.

Our rating (out of 10)
Food: 7
Price: 7
Ambiance: 8
Service: 7
Average rating
7 sushi rolls out of 10

Restaurant information
Sakae Sushi is located Unit 2145-2146 of the main mall of SM Mall of Asia. Telephone: 556-0150. A second branch is located at The Fort, Crescent West Park Global City, Taguig (Telephone: 843-4891). The sushi buffet is available for the entire day for only P399.
Website: www.sakaesushi.com.sg

11-30-2009, 10:06 PM	#20
Wigent System Administrator Status: System Administrator Daimyo Join Date: May 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 5,243 Japis: 61,986 My Mood:	Re: Sakae Sushi Restaurant name: Sakae Sushi Location: SM Mall of Asia Reviewers: Leek83 Shijie Kinori Chakumachan Jam_Kuradoberi tiramisuaddict Mami_noodles Naglalakad Wigent Maneki Neko Compilation and editing: Maneki Neko Photos: Leek83, Wigent WHAT WE THINK: The 3rd serving of the Japinoy.com restaurant review happened at Sakae Sushi at SM Mall of Asia. This restaurant is part of a chain of kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi) that began in Singapore in 1997. FOOD tiramisuaddict: I can only say it's good. Just enough to fill one's appetite for sushi (it being a buffet and all). Does not have the oomph in it, though. Sushi don't taste as authentic as one would expect. Mami_noodles: Although I have no point of comparison yet, I can say that the food is good and filling. Special mention goes to the teriyaki salmon skins aka "tocino". Jam_Kuradoberi: Since we ordered the Sushi Buffet, we didn't get the chance to taste other meals they serve. It tasted good, just like any other sushi treats served at any Japanese restaurant. The only difference is that they have bigger servings. Kinori: I loved their sushi! I must have tried almost everything and my favorites are the tamago sushi and California maki. The tuna ones tasted a bit like tuna sandwich -- canned?? Special mention goes to the sake we ordered. The hot sake really warms up your middle -- if you find the restaurant a little cold, this is your best bet. Wigent: Sushis are placed on small colored plates to indicate the prices. Transparent covers ensure its sanitation while it goes above the conveyor belt. Although we got the all-you-can-eat promo which costs P399, I'll list the separate prices for your information: -Purple plate: P39 -Yellow plate: P59 -Green plate: P79 -Red plate: P99 Which prompted us to get red plates most of the time to see what so special about that color! However, later on I found out that it's not about the color really, but your personal taste. I mean, you do not force yourself to get the red ones just to get your money's worth. Enjoying your favorites even when the plate price is cheaper is the most important of all. For me the most delicious ones were California Maki, Futomaki, Tuna Mayo Inari and Kanikama. My least favorites were Spicy Salmon Gunkan (because it's too salty for me) and Ebi Fry Cheese Crepe (I just don't like the idea of putting cheese in a sushi). The others were mama (Nihongo for pwede na~). Naglalakad: The P399 sushi buffet is good for those who want to feast on a variety of sushi. I was able to eat 11 different sushi but the ones that got my attention were the ones that looks like fried lumpia, fresh lumpia, and the one that has an egg-mayo-like topping. The fried-lumpia-like sushi tasted sweet and juicy which may be appealing to those who wanted sweet-tasting sushi. The fresh-lumpia-like sushi was plain but unique; a first for my palate. The green iced tea seemed to taste like the one I have at home but much sweeter. Still, it's a better tasting green iced tea compared to that of Yoshinoya. On a general note, the sushi is filling but the taste somehow lacks that personal touch. Perhaps the sushi's taste somewhat degrades while it roams around the store. PRICE Chakumachan: The buffet seemed expensive at first glace; P399 is a little too much. But the price already included a bowl of miso soup plus refillable ice tea so it is really quite cheap. However, being a girl, I was not able to maximize the buffet -- LUGI! Jam_Kuradoberi: It felt like you're paying for the maintenance of the conveyor belts. Which you obviously are. The price is okay though, not bad but not good either. Wigent: P399 is really reasonable for unlimited sushi, miso soup and bottomless pandan. Triple yummy I should say! However, it was not just my afternoon because I didn't come in with an empty stomach. But the trick here is not to drink too much pandan. You'll get stuffed easily, missing the adventure of feasting on all the sushis that pass by you. Mmm~ Maneki Neko: From the original price of P499, the sushi buffet was repriced lower at P399 -- what a deal! Despite this, I don't think I got my money's worth, because there is no way I could stuff myself with all those sushi marching beside our table. Still, it was alright - I was also paying for the novelty of dining in a kaiten-zushi, after all. AMBIANCE Mami_noodles: The ambiance is inviting enough, with clean surroundings and soft music. It is a fine place for a business or personal meeting. Kinori: I love their music -- it's relaxing. It makes me feel as if I'm inside a coffee shop (only, I'm downing sake instead of coffee!). Leek83: I wish they had more Japanese songs, especially instrumental music. The layout of the restaurant was OK enough, but can be improved. tiramisuaddict: I love the restaurant - it really felt different being inside a kaiten-zushi. However, I agree that they need to improve their music playlist. I was the first to arrive at the restaurant, and the same songs were playing over and over. They even have Korean songs! Korean songs in a Japanese restaurant, can you believe that? Haha. Jam_Kuradoberi: The conveyor belts changed the ambiance of the restaurant. I haven't eaten in a place where they serve sushi on a conveyor belt prior to this review. We got what we wanted easily, so there's no problem with that. We sat beside the belts (strategic!), but there are some tables placed far from it making me think that the seating arrangements need a bit of improvement. Maneki Neko: Despite the minimalistic and modern interior, the restaurant feels cozy and inviting. The music was not too loud that it interferes with diners' conversations (although our noise probably interfered with other people's conversations T_T). The place is kept clean all the time; even the washroom is spotless. One thing I always look out for during resto reviews is the cleanliness of the washroom, haha. The place is soooo clean you'll slip on the floor - minus one sushi point for that. SERVICE Leek83: Since the food comes to you via conveyor belt, there is nothing much left to do for the staff. Shijie: They do serve fast, which was very good because we all wanted to dig in right away. But the iced tea refill is rather slow. Chakumachan: The staff are very attentive yet they do not smile a lot; only few of them smile. It would help lighten the mood of the diners if they see friendly, smiling staff. Wigent: Considering the staff were patient with our juvenile behavior, I give the service a high rating. We virtually turned the place upside-down. I was half-expecting the mall guards to kick us out. My special thanks also goes to the staff who patiently named all the sushis I took a picture with. Well-informed and trained staff deserves a round of applause. Yehey! Mami_Noodles: Except for a minor misunderstanding with the billing, the service was quite exemplary. Jam_Kuradoberi: You serve yourself. Obviously, there are only four instances in which you will have to interact with the staff. I'll enumerate them for reference: 1. Arriving, 2. Placing an order 3. Receiving an order and 4. The dreaded bill. Except for the slight blunder on our billing, I don't have any reason to complain. Our rating (out of 10) Food: 7 Price: 7 Ambiance: 8 Service: 7 Average rating 7 sushi rolls out of 10 Restaurant information Sakae Sushi is located Unit 2145-2146 of the main mall of SM Mall of Asia. Telephone: 556-0150. A second branch is located at The Fort, Crescent West Park Global City, Taguig (Telephone: 843-4891). The sushi buffet is available for the entire day for only P399. Website: www.sakaesushi.com.sg __________________ Cosplay- and anime-related events have a new home! They are now in Cosplay>Events subforum. Visit me! We would like to remind the rule on posting "off-topics" in a thread. Kindly see what the thread is for then decide whether what you're going to post is relevant or not. Domo. Last edited by Wigent; 11-30-2009 at 10:10 PM..