Yanagi - Midas Hotel & Casino

Duoeaters

2.0

Poor quality of foodSushi bar not too much to choose from. Not tasty at all. Beef tepanyaki is toughNot too much selection of food. They really need to taste their food and add more selction. Really bad quality thats all. Sushi bar is very disappointing since this is a japanese restaurant.

Damla B.

3.0

*Update November 26, 2017They need to pass on the correct quality of service to their younger staff. MIKKO you need to address the entire table, acknowledge the people present, and ask if they need anything. That’s what genuine service is. We are paying for that quality of service.After the shocking discovery I had the previous week, as I spent my cheatday peak meal at Niu and discovered its management sold out to the sugar-addicted crowd, I simply couldn't stomach feeding on starch-extender-induced and sugary sweetness overload on every dish again, more so because it sent me too far back on my ketone levels. Tbh, I tasted sweetness even on my protein, outside of the for-grilling meat section and the saving grace of the experience, ironically, the ice cream section of Niu. At least the flavors of the cold goodies were authentic to the ingredients on the labels and not simply generically sweet.And so my desire through the work week was overwhelming. My palate wanted a reprieve from the sugary assault it took. I wanted something authentically true to the taste and I wanted quality for a reasonable price. Niu can be pricey on Sunday lunch buffets after all. Enter Yanagi. It was my 2nd time coming here and with the 50% off promo I managed to scour, I was not doubting that I had quite the bargain. Yanagi, as it is branded, is a Japanese restaurant. I was actually surprised that it wasn't as full as the first time I visited, but it was ironically a good indicator for me as well, because I knew most people didn't see the bargain if all they wanted was a sack of sugar in their mouths.Yanagi is the Japanese restaurant of Midas Hotel. And do I even have to convince anyone how authentic and high in quality its dishes are if it is literally beside the Japanese Embassy?I'll clear the clutter first and recommend that you not pass up the chance to get some grilled steak. The steak is presented as cutlets as what I think Japanese steak has always been served. I don't necessarily think it's Kobe or Angus beef, but the preparation has resulted in tender and juicy beef cutlets, tastier with the butter gravy that came with it, but even as stand alone food without the condiment, you are not shortchanging your taste buds.While it's easy to say that it's the staff members' job to serve with a smile, nothing is as enticing in dining as the eager disposition and presence to serve and oblige. The servers emanate an aura of confident Filipino "kusa" or initiative to keep the engagement rolling. If I could give a service tip to everyone, I would, but that does run counter to my intent to get my dining bargain at 50% off the buffet price. Did I mention the manager was hands-on at serving everyone at the floor as well? And it's not like I said I was going to review them, but the overall experience prompted me to do so.The place was quaint and modest. The ambience was calm, the music soothing, and the dining experience well paced. No one was rushing, but the service was reasonably brisk and attentive.The selection is not as large, but the dishes are prepared and presented well. There are a few general categories split among tables, the appetizers, the salads, the sushi and sashimi, the sukiyaki and takoyaki, the grilling station, the pre-cooked food, and the dessert table.For protein source, there are the pre-cooked dishes and the grilling station. The pre-cooked dishes weren't much, but the beef curry and the salmon head were the most prominent to feed on. The beef was extra succulent and flavorful. As for the grilling station, they had 4 types of meat, squid, salmon, chicken, and the wonderful beef cutlets. I noticed that they somehow rationed the servings. You don't take the grilled items. Along with the tempuras, grilled items are served by the attendants if you ask (and I'm sure as a buffet, they'd serve you as much as you want), but the pleasantness and the niceness of every server made me feel embarrassed to ask for more than what would be labeled as disgustful hogging.Just so I can reiterate it, the flavors were perfect. You can taste the variety of seasonings, spices, and ingredients. Anyone looking for sweetness and starch are better off bingeing on a bag or two of sugar and a bottle of corn syrup (hehe).There were plenty of appetizers and there was cold soba to taste. These were mostly to engage the taste buds, but I would label these as carbohydrates-y, so one is better off in pacing with these lest you want to feel full immediately.The salad section had unique items to offer. There's the Yanagi salad or some wakame salad, thematically Japanese and no cop-out generic salads.The sashimi were the best sources of protein readily available without having to request people to bring some to you. I tasted them without lime/calamansi and just a tinge of wasabi. I thought they tasted fresh. The slices were thick and generous and I had a selection of salmon (smooth milky after taste), tuna, squid with small fish eggs (?), and mackerel (tasty tangy). I felt that the sushi were less generous with the protein as the thickness of the rice rolls was more prominent than the actual ingredients. The spiced shrimp sushis are worth trying.The sukiyaki was great, definitely not too sweet. There's still a hint of sweetness, but the taste of the other ingredients weren't overpowered. The takoyaki also didn't feel heavy after I ate about 3 (yes, that was my max as they are still carbs, but you can get as much as you want). The taste relies mostly on the powder topping and sauces.The desserts weren't as varied as other buffet places, but the coffee jelly, the red beans, and a few pastries were good at allowing me to taste a variety of flavors. There were fruit slices, but I didn't get any.The desserts were perfect, definitely true to the ingredients and not like eating bags of sugar. Be aware that they keep ice cream at the back for serving, but as in any buffet, you can ask as much as you want. Four Japanese themed flavors in Green Tea, Wasabi, Red Bean, and Black Sesame will keep you wanting for more.The one downer is the speed of replenishment. They weren't as proactive in bringing out the next batch when they ran out, but they obliged when I asked for more.I was given a survey form and it was odd that they also asked for my feedback on the beverages, which weren't really present. I don't think they had those to offer, fyi, but I wouldn't have drunk juices anyway, unless they were yogurt or house green tea (but again there were none). I just had plain water, and I didn't really drink much.Yanagi should definitely be on your list when you want some exquisite Japanese flavors in your mouth. Just remember...beside the Japanese Embassy. That has to account for something!

Caballero Edmar

4.0

Visited January 20, 2018Went there at 5:45 pm for their 6pm dinner opening. Me and my family are the first customers. The place was nice, clean. The food was superb. The staff are very friendly. Not a fan of Japanese food but i'll make an exception. Around 7pm people started comin in. Foreigners and locals. The place is kinda pricey but it's worth it. Will defintely come back fosho.

DESIREE UY

5.0

Yanagi is love! We celebrated Mother’s Day here and my family loved it. Despite the limited spread, they have most of my favorites. I skipped the salads and went straight to the appetizers. Failed to take a photo because I was overjoyed to have unlimited edamame! After that, I went to the sashimi and sushi bar. I liked the tempura-like sushi and had my favorite tuna sashimi. On to the next station, I had some sukiyaki. I’m never a fan of sweet dishes, but theirs had good beefy broth and nicely cooked thin beef slices. You can have it customized as you wish.The highlight - TEPPANYAKI STATION! I went back 5 or 6 times because of the beef and squid teppan. The chefs din a great job in making sure they don’t overcook it. Each bite was super delicious.It was surely a gastro party in my tummy as our servers continuously brought shrimp tempura and beef teppanyaki in our table. Best service, I tell you! They are attentive and polite. Also very quick to attend to our needs.Before I forget, dessert of course! Their ice cream is definitely a must try. I had black sesame and green tea. The sweet beans with mochi on top was pretty good too.I’ll definitely go back here :) Make sure to check MetroDeal because they offer discounts up to 50% off.

Sheila Andreina

4.0

They have only few choices of food but the quality was really good. I love their steak and squid! They will cook it on the spot. Well, they also have their ice cream (not displayed) but you have to ask it from the waiter.

Dayang

5.0

Yanagi is definitely one of the most underrated Japanese buffet restaurants out there. I think I’ve been here 3 times and have never been disappointed. Not once! They have a good selection of sushi, sashimi, teppanyaki, and even tempura. Even their ice cream flavors are delightful! My family loves eating here for birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions. Their staff is very kind and attentive and food is delicious. 10/10!

Jeihanm

4.0

I love Yanagi's contemporary interior design. The dining halls are big and dim-lit. It has that inviting, modern restaurant vibe with a good view of the hotel lobby down below.Yanagi Japanese Restaurant's modest buffet spread offer an assortment of hot and cold dishes that made my seafoods and meat enjoyment even better.  They have maki sushi rolls,  nigiri zush, sashimi, tepanyaki, udon and sukiyaki.  Sushi lovers will love the authentic aburi rolls that Yanagi provides.  Ebi Tempura  are prepared and served per table request.Their salad station shines the spotlight on traditional salad greens, seaweed, potato and jelly fish salad. They offer Kaki Papaya Yaki, which is a whole new way to enjoy oysters!  Yanagi takes the Japanese oysters  one notch higher by fusing  the contrasting flavors of the sweet papaya and salty notes of the oysters  together under torch! Its special  aburi sauce makes this fusion-inspired creation even more delectable!On top of fresh fruits and creme brulee, you get to choose from wasabi, black sesame, red bean and green tea ice cream for desert.

Krisna Flaviano

5.0

I liked the buffet here, because they will serve you freshly cooked beef or pork. I liked the tepanyaki beef, tempura and the sukiyaki here. The food selection was just enough, not so many and not so few. The ambiance and the servers there was also nice.

Nomadlife

3.0

yanagi is a good solid japanese buffet! priced just right. they serve the complete package for japanese food including sushi, tempura, terikayi, etc.

Firqha Andjani

4.0

If you haven't already noticed from my previous posts, Japanese cuisine is my favorite. A full Japanese buffet at a hotel is an exciting idea for me. Hotel buffets often go for above a thousand bucks. But thanks to an online voucher, we were able to get a Japanese buffet at Midas Hotel for Php995. Me and my officemates had this for lunch. Yes, buffet lunch on a mid-week office day.