Yakiniku King
Japanese No. 1 BBQ Restaurant! Yakiniku King 焼肉きんぐ
Level 1, North Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia
10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Yakiniku King 焼肉きんぐ Philippines
@yakiniku_king_ph
🥩🍖 No reservations
Yakiniku King, Japan’s No. 1 yakiniku BBQ grill restaurant, is now open in Manila! Known for its all-you-can-eat yakiniku sets featuring premium meats, seafood, and sides at great value, you can choose from the Select Grill (₱1,099), King Grill Set (₱1,299), or the Royal Grill Set (₱1,599) which includes Wagyu premium cuts. We tried the Royal Grill Set with Chef Tatung—and I even had the privilege of having my yakiniku grilled by Mr. Simpol himself.
Here’s what we think and what we recommend:
YAKINIKU KING MANILA
Yakiniku King—Japan’s top yakiniku chain operated by Monogatari Corporation (the group behind Niku Niku Oh!! Kome)—has opened its first international branch at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay. Guests can enjoy a 90-minute smokeless-grill buffet with three course options: Select (59 items), King (100 items), and Royal (110 premium items).
The experience is elevated with smokeless tabletop grills and a convenient “Table Order Style” dining concept, all set against sleek modern Japanese interiors that can accommodate up to 200 guests, including three private dining rooms. I especially love the yakiniku tables by the mural, which add the perfect Japanese vibe.
Up front, there are family-style round tables equipped with built-in exhausts, so you leave smelling less smoky after your meal. The round tables also make for a warm, communal dining experience—perfect for sharing yakiniku with family or close friends.
Yakiniku King
Japanese No. 1 BBQ Restaurant! Yakiniku King 焼肉きんぐ
Level 1, North Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia
10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Yakiniku King 焼肉きんぐ Philippines
@yakiniku_king_ph
🥩🍖 No reservations
YAKINIKU MEATS
Everyone at the table must choose the same set, with 90 minutes to dine. No takeout, and leftovers will be charged. Order as much as you like—best in batches—and finish before reordering. Kids under 3 feet eat free. Everything’s included except alcoholic drinks like beer.
The main drawback here is the slow tablet system—since the menu is extensive, you’ll waste time swiping and scrolling. It’s best to check the table order menu in advance so you already know what to order.
It’s best to order in three batches—appetizers, main meats, then dessert. Portions are small, usually good for one, but can be shared by 2–3 if you just want a tasting, almost degustation-style. The experience is even better if you have a designated cook—and extra special if it’s a real chef.
THICK CUT LOIN SALT SAUCE
I love the thick-cut slices of loin, and you can check out the Rosu menu if you prefer steak-like cuts. They even provide scissors so you can cut the meat into pieces after grilling.
Most of the meats come either with BBQ sauce or simply seasoned with salt—both are good.
KING KALBI IN BBQ SAUCE
The King Galbi comes in a belt-like cut with thin slits, allowing it to cook evenly and making it easy to portion.
FLOWER CUT RIB EYE IN BBQ SAUCE
The Rib Eye with a flower cut is easier to grill and more manageable to eat, with a good balance of meat and fat. Most of the cuts are flavorful enough on their own, no sauce needed.
FLOWER CUT RIB EYE IN GARLIC BUTTER SAUCE
Some cuts are served with garlic butter sauce or soy with wasabi for added spice and flavor.
SUKIYAKI STYLE KALBI WITH EGG
This quickly became one of our favorites—it’s thin, grills fast, and you can enjoy as much as you like. It also made for the perfect final order, a satisfying finish to our yakiniku feast.
PREMIUM KALBI
It’s best to go for the premium Wagyu cuts and savor a true quality eat-all-you-can experience, with meats served upon order and enjoyed hot off the grill.
OTHER MEATS
GRILLED SALMON
The salmon is also excellent—served with butter and best enjoyed as much as you like.
GRILLED CHICKEN SKEWER
There are plenty of chicken options—you can go for the fried karaage or grill your own chicken yakitori. Still, it’s best to focus on the beef and pork, and enjoy chicken more as an appetizer.
HARAMI? Harami is a flavorful yakiniku cut from the cow’s diaphragm muscle, technically classified as offal but prized for its steak-like texture and rich taste.
Not for me—I found it tough to chew and not worth the stomach space.
MARINATED HARAMI IN A POT
If you do want to try it, go for the marinated harami served in a pot—it’s more flavorful that way.
APPETIZERS
CAESAR SALAD
t’s a good idea to start with a salad, and the Caesar pairs well with the grilled meats.
KALBI SOUP & SEAWEED AND EGG SOUP
The Kalbi soup is spicy enough to boost your appetite or refresh your palate between meats, while the seaweed and egg in the dashi add a nice umami kick—great as a starter.
STONED COOKED BIBIMBAP
You can get plain Japanese rice, but the stone bowl Bibimbap makes a great pairing with the yakiniku meats.
KIMCHI
Just add extra kimchi for an extra kick of spice.
TAKOYAKI
The takoyaki is a kid-friendly choice and makes a hearty appetizer, topped with katsuobushi.
KING SPECIAL SAUCE and SWEET SOY SAUCE
I love their sauces—just add a touch of wasabi to elevate the grilled meats.
DESSERT
CHOCOLATE SOFT SERVE
STRAWBERRY SOFT SERVE
BROWN SUGAR TOFU PUDDING
SHIRATAMA ANKO PARFAIT‘
Desserts come in small portions, perfect for tasting and variety. The soft serve was just okay, but I especially enjoyed the parfait and taho.
MANGO TOFU PUDDING
COFFEE JELLY
STRAWBERRY TOFU PUDDING
HONEY BUTTER TOAST ICE CREAM
Skip the butter toast. Since there’s no coffee on the menu, the coffee jelly will do.
FINAL THOUGHTS
We love Yakiniku King! 🍖🔥 Their eat-all-you-can is leveled up with premium Wagyu cuts—plus you control the grilling pace. Start with Caesar salad, soup, and stone bowl Bibimbap, then go for the thick-cut loin, King Kalbi, flower-cut ribeye, sukiyaki-style meats, and grilled salmon. Whether BBQ or salt, the meats are so good you won’t need sauce. Skip the harami, beef tongue, and chicken—focus on the premium cuts! Desserts are just okay, but mix and match for variety. ⏱️ 90 minutes is more than enough to feast. Budget ₱1,599/head + beer.
Congratulations on an awesome yakiniku concept! 👏 Great value—better than some of the overpriced premium samgyupsal spots—and perfect for bonding over quality meats. This is now our favorite eat-all-you-can yakiniku, and we’ll definitely be back with the family.
Yakiniku King
Japanese No. 1 BBQ Restaurant! Yakiniku King 焼肉きんぐ
Level 1, North Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia
10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Yakiniku King 焼肉きんぐ Philippines
@yakiniku_king_ph
🥩🍖 No reservations
Live an Awesome Life with Christ,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: This article was written entirely by a human—reflecting my own biases, opinions, and insights—with grammar and clarity checked using AI assistance. I joined Chef Tatung for a cameo in his vlog to experience Yakiniku King.
P.S. There’s plenty of space and the meats are served quickly—the only downside is the slow tablet ordering system.
