BANZAI, MOA by the bay
It is the Land of the Rising Sun on a plate, 'as long as you can eat plates. in fact. It is everything authentic. It is everything Japanese.
Banzai, the great Teppanyaki Theater is the newest buffet restaurant to hit Mall of Asia by the bay. It is a great addition to the earlier buffet crazes, Vikings and Buffet 101. Banzai is a lot more cheaper, and a bit easier to navigate more than the other competitors.
Dubbed as the biggest of its kind in the world, with a floor area of 1,200 square meters and 500 seating capacity, Banzai is the newest addition to actor and chef Marvin Agustin's line of restaurants. The erstwhile child actor and Jolina Magdangal's former love interest is now etching his name as one of the country's successful restauranteurs. His string of more than 40 restos includes Marciano's, Cafe Ten Titas, John and Yoko, Oyster Boy, and Sumo Sam to name a few. Not bad for a young lad who grew up without the guidance of his father and who at 16, waited tables at Tia Maria's until he got a scholarship from his bosses that saw him through culinary school.
Banzai, co-owned by Agustin's friend Ricky Laudico is a class of its own. Agustin and his partners left nothing to chance, even transporting to the country three Japanese master chefs to stamp the authenticity of the place.
Chef Hiroshi Isikawa lords over the Teppanyaki section, Chef Norimasa Masuda is the master of the sushi counter while Chef Kiminori Iwabuchi is in charge of the ramen station
Japanese foodies are in for a great dining experience with Banzai's wide array of choices at the teppanyaki, sushi and sashimi, pizza, noodles and ramen, tempura and tonkatsu, pasta, roast, dessert and drinks station. An experience that is made more memorable by the restaurant's lanterns brought in from Japan, the fun photo station, the artworks, the ninja and geisha district murals, and just the serenity of the place.
The price is very affordable. Way below the other buffet restaurants' price tag. But don't get too excited putting anything on your plate that you can't eat. Leftovers wiould easily cost you over P1,000 per person.
Hail to the likes of Agustin who never stop dreaming and making things happen. The ones who believe in good food and making it accessible to food lovers or just plain curious eaters.
Long live. Banzai!
Domo Arigato.
the drinks station
lanterns are flown in from Japan
of geisha's and other artworks
The master chefs. bearers of good taste
shushis and sashimis
for starters
roast to perfection
japan! japan!
Marvin Agustin, making things happen
biyahera's turn-a-sumo-wrestlin'
'authentic values are those by which a life can live,
which can form a people that produces
great thoughts and deeds'
-Allan Bloom
