BANZAI: The Great Teppanyaki Theater Experience

BANZAI! Either a war cry or a cheer, it didn’t matter anymore. All at once, did both as I was excited to try this with my game-face on.

Banzai: The Great Teppankayi Theater evokes the feeling of being in the Land of the Rising Sun. Japanese lanterns, dancing geishas, samurai warriors roaming, sumo wrestlers in photos, Japanese greetings by the staff, it was a perfect setting.

banzai the great teppanyaki theater exterior
Lights on for Banzai
banzai the great teppanyaki theater menu
What they offer
The cream of the crop, of course, was the authentic buffet. Everything Japanese was in Banzai!
Interestingly, the 1,200 m2 area was sub-divided into several dining areas with different themes:
  • Dotonbori Area
  • Castle Area
  • Old Japan Area
  • Nautilus Area
  • Sumo Arena
banzai the great teppanyaki theater interior
Japanese lanterns above
banzai the great teppanyaki theater art
Japanese art
banzai the great teppanyaki theater art in chairs
As seen in chairs, too
Not surprisingly, my friends and I were assigned in the Sumo Arena. And just like a sumo, I can just say in jest, “Bring it on!”

The great teppanyaki theater has the ff stations (the major and minor ones):
  • Tempura and Tonkatsu Station
  • Yakitori and Grill Station
  • Gohan, Noodles and Ramen station
  • Takoyaki and Kaniyaki station
  • Pizza Station
  • Roast Station
  • Anti- pasti station
  • Hot station
  • Mongolian BBQ station
  • Sushi, Sashimi and Rolls station
  • Teppanyaki Station
  • Beverage station
  • Dessert station
  • Salad station
As my general rule every buffet, I start with salad. They have several greens, toppings and dressings to choose from. Their mango dressing was good. If it was cold enough, I could’ve mistaken it for my favorite mango shake.

banzai the great teppanyaki theater salad station
Salad station
banzai the great teppanyaki theater dressing salad
Salad dressings
Then went for hot with ramen. Lately, there’s a thing with me and tonkotsu so I chose this as the base. Well, it didn’t taste like the top ramen raves but the toppings was worthy to mention (it has  Naruto)! The chasu serving was thick, too.

banzai the great teppanyaki theater ramen station
Ramen station
banzai the great teppanyaki theater ramen station 1

In the pizza station, I tried Chicken Teriyaki. First time here and it’s good. I love the added mango cubes. Crust was soft and chewy, too. Paired it with their kanikayi (crab meat inside) which was yummy I came back for another. I like it better than the bacon okonomikayki.

banzai the great teppanyaki theater pizza station
Pizza Station
Their tempura and tonkatsu were okay. Better with the sauces, actually as the tonkatsu was oily. The teppanyakis that I tried were flavorful especially the beef misono. But what can get wrong with a misono, anyway?

banzai the great teppanyaki theater tonkatsu
Tonkatsu
Teppanyaki station
banzai the great teppanyaki theater roast station
Roast station

I also love their gyoza. More veggies, more fun.

banzai the great teppanyaki theater gyoza
Gyoza
Hands up to Wagyu Roast Beef in rare, plus its sauce.

banzai the great teppanyaki theater wagyu beef
Wagyu Beef
For their desserts, cakes were so-so but I enjoyed their mango crepe. Topped it with Nestle ice cream in strawberry, vanilla and mango flavors for a sweeter effect. They also had snow cones where flavors can be chosen and mixed, fruit salads and DIY halo-halo. Went back here several times. Favorite station. I just hope that soon they’d have Japanese desserts, too. 

banzai the great teppanyaki theater crepe
Crepe with Nestle ice creams
banzai the great teppanyaki theater dessert
Wood cake? 
banzai the great teppanyaki theater dessert 1
This one is good
banzai the great teppanyaki theater salad
Fruit salad
banzai the great teppanyaki theater halo halo
Halo halo DIY
What I wasn’t able to try were the Filipino dishes, some yakitori in skewers and any sushi.

Sushi station
banzai the great teppanyaki theater mongolian BBQ station
Mongolian BBQ station
banzai the great teppanyaki theater pasta station
Pasta station
Banzai has an entertainment value, too. Apart from the play of the geisha and samurai warriors along the ‘theater’, I had fun watching the chefs skillfully displaying the art of throwing knifes and etc.

banzai the great teppanyaki theater samurai 1

banzai the great teppanyaki theater chef
Chefs' part in the entertainment
Then after there are went aflame for a few seconds. It’s an added fanfare together with the art gallery where Japanese’s love for the arts was showcased.


banzai art gallery
Art gallery
Costumes available :)
It’s almost as expensive as Vikings:The Luxury Buffet where the food variety’s great. But what I think the strengths of Banzai were:

  • Focused theme. Again, I would’ve loved it better if the desserts were Japanese, too. Mochi ice cream, please.
  • The ramen station! I didn’t expect it.
  • Some foods cooked on the spot. Hot!
  • The showcase of Japanese artistry.
Overall, it was a great experience. I truly felt that I was in Japan. And hopefully, so.

Banzai Rates:

  • P699 for Monday to Friday lunch
  • P899 for Monday to Friday dinner
  • P1,088 for Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. 


Click to add a blog post for Banzai on Zomato 
Rating: 4.0


Banzai is located at:

Building J, SM by the Bay,
Seaside Blvd., MOA,
Pasay City

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