With more than 350 restaurants in Japan, it’s safe to assume that when it comes to the Japanese BBQ, grill-at-your-table dining concept, Yakiniku King rules the roost like no other. It’s regarded as Japan’s No. 1 Yakiniku chain, and it makes its first-ever overseas international debut at the SM Mall of Asia. The Monogatari Corporation is behind such food brands as Yakiniku King and Niku Niku Oh! Kome, and it’s great to find that they now see the Philippines as a new market to expand into.
A typical Yakiniku King private room.
The more than 200-seater establishment, with four private rooms that each sit 10 to 12 persons, formally opened for business August 26; and from what I hear, there’s been a mad rush to experience Yakiniku King and enjoy the quality and fun associated with dining here.
Mia and Emelda Teng welcomes you to Yakiniku King.
The signature Yakiniku King BBQ experience means extensive course selections, and all one has to do is choose from the three-tiered set pricing system. The Select Grill set offers the customer 59 items to choose from, and you’re basically on an eat-all-you-can basis within a time period from when you sit down and start ordering on the tablet device found at your table.
Dining enjoyment.
There is a King Grill set, slightly more expensive than the Select Grill, and it affords you 100 items to choose from. The top-of-the-line set would be the Royal Grill set with 110 items that include Wagyu cuts of beef. There are beef, chicken, pork, seafood, vegetables, sides, and desserts that one can choose from for each set.
The Royal Grilling.
I got to try the Royal Grill set, and the beef options available included Thick Cut Loin, Grilled Shabu Shabu, Thick Cut Beef Tongue, and three variations of the Premium Kalbi. There was Premium Kalbi (Salt), Premium Kalbi with Wasabi Soy Sauce, and Premium Kalbi (Spicy Miso). All were yummy!
Vegetables and beef.
Children under 3 feet in height are free of charge. You have an order time limit of 90 minutes, and there are no leftovers or takeouts allowed. It’s enjoyable, communal dining, and with our love for family outings and big gatherings, I can foresee how popular Yakiniku King will be and that there will soon be a demand for branches in other SM Supermalls.