It was my dad’s 60th birthday last April 13, Monday, but we planned to celebrate it one day ahead at Maru Korean Restaurant across A. Venue Mall in Makati at dinnertime. Fortuitously, Ms. Raquel Bartolome, Marketing Manager of the Vikings Group, invited me and my family to come and have lunch together with her and other blogger friends on the same day at their newest restaurant: Four Seasons Hotpot City in SM By the Bay, Mall of Asia Complex, near and adjacent to the Vikings Luxury Buffet and Movie Stars Cafe in MOA. I accepted the invitation with much glee, and so we had like a double birthday celebration we will always remember. 🙂
Review of Four Seasons Hotpot City (SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City)
Ambiance: ★★★★★
Four Seasons Hotpot City opened on February 19, 2015. This brand-new addition to the list of buffet restaurants in MOA has it all: suave atmosphere from the clean and artsy interior to the gorgeous food stations, whip-smart service attendants, and a contemporary way of hot pot, steamboat, or “shabu-shabu” dining.
Four Seasons Hotpot City bursts onto the scene with vigor, pushing the envelope with its posh “supermarket-style” ambiance. Diners get to “shop” from the “marketplace” and enjoy casual dining in a large space that can accommodate over 350+ guests.
For bigger groups and private events, there are five function rooms available and each can cater to 10-12 people. I was totally pleased to learn that the dining tables were designed in such a way where everyone has an electric stove top (personal cooker) for hotpot meals with safe buttons to press for cooking or keeping food warm. In effect, everyone has the chance to cook according to individual taste and preference without having to share. 😛
On the other hand, if you are seated in a regular table (outside the function room), expect to find a yin-yang pot where you can have two kinds of soup for two to four people. All in all, the orderliness and coziness of this restaurant earned my vote.
Service: ★★★★★
The speed and efficiency with which the chefs make food and drinks behind the counters was mesmerizing. Like in other Vikings restaurants, the friendly service at Four Seasons Hotpot City is one of the many reasons why I can’t recommend it highly enough.
The personable staff comes at the table and refills soup and water as needed. Knowledgeable service at this elegant special-occasion destination is also a huge plus.
Those who are celebrating their birthdays are presented with a small birthday cake and a birthday candle. 🙂 ♫ Happy birthday, Daddy! ♫
Food: ★★★★★
Ah summer! It’s not the ideal season for gluttony, but here in Four Seasons Hotpot City, indulging in good food that’s clean, fresh, and healthy is quite acceptable without feeling guilty. 😛 While some restaurants do it à la carte, Four Seasons Hotpot City in MOA features an all-you-can-eat steamboat buffet experience where you can feel overwhelmingly thrilled to see and taste a wide spread of food to cook with tongs and eat to your heart’s content.
Four Seasons Hotpot City Steamboat Experience
What I loved most about the experience was having full control in taking exactly what I felt like eating and making it personal. First things first, we were asked to choose a soup base for our hotpot and the level of spiciness. Out of chicken, pork, vegetable, si-but (Chinese herbs), and sinigang, we chose the chicken broth for its subtle flavor and added a few condiments like sate, raw minced garlic, spring onions, chili, and black vinegar from the sauce bar to give it an extra zing.
Not to leave the bowl of stock simmering empty, we visited the Noodles Station where we found different kinds of noodles (squid ink noodles, polonchay noodles, carrot noodles, mushroom noodles, chili noodles, Korean noodles, Hong Kong noodles, sotanghon, etc.) and later, the Balls and Dumplings section. Our eyes were filled with hearts and roses, as we placed almost everything from fish cakes, all sorts of dumplings, and wanton balls into our food tray. 😛
It’s cooking time! We returned to our seats, fueled up our one-hotpot-wonder of ingredients, and let the flavors be infused into the soup. Using the mini stove’s controller to adjust the heat applied to the pot was a breeze.
After a few minutes, the soup was ready to be devoured. I can vouch that everything we tried was great and many of them were interesting. On top of these, we also helped ourselves with food from other stations. 🙂
Appetizers
Big appetites would not mind having a portion of appetizers served here such as salads with dressings, Japanese sushi and sashimi, and cold cuts.
Meat (From the Ranch to Your Table)
The Meat station must be a meat eater’s paradise, as it offers a large variety of nonstop protein with extensive parts and organs of pork, beef, and lamb in an upscale setting. Pig’s kidney, pork tendon, pork lung, pork egg (isaw), and pork large intestine are some of the examples. The items are placed and artfully prepared, so diners can grab them easily. Also making up for a positive dining experience, the different cuts of meat can be asked to be delivered to your table. Hence, there’s no need to stand up a couple of times to get everything you want.
Seafood (From the Sea to Your Table)
Individually plated, a range of seafood was in heavy demand. This includes shrimps, squid, clams, mussels, fish, oyster meat, yellow eel, sharksfin skin, fresh alimasag, baby octopus, sea mantis, talakitok fillet, and more. OMG. The seafoods looked so fresh and we could still taste the seafood sweetness. Nothing beats that.
Vegetables (From the Farm to Your Table)
For those who love vegetables, the Vegetables station is where you’ll find the fun stuff. My dad who’s been a vegetarian since 1981 was hooked into adding different sorts of vegetables to his soup. It was an absolute delight for him to get heaping plates of his favorite vegetables: lettuce, broccoli, kailan, tauge, tomatoes, potatoes, radish, leeks, spinach, celery, Baguio pechay, fried taro, young corn, mushrooms, tangho, choisum, polonchay, Taiwan pechay, chili fingers, Chinese mustard, pumpkin, kangkong, cabbage, fresh sweet corn, watercress, and okra.
Cooked
Aside from shabu-shabu items, cooked dishes were also present in one counter inside Four Seasons Hotpot City. I highly recommend the following: Fried Hongkong Noodle w/ Seafood, Braised Beef Brisket, Steamed Crab w/ Egg White Sauce, Dong Po Pork, Salmon Fillet in Mango Sauce, Egg Foo Yung, and Shrimp Tempura.
Desserts
A good place to have some downtime after digging into the heavy courses, the Desserts Stations has always struck me as a friendly go-to hideout that has no need for elaborate explanation yet continues to strive with its regular stream of patrons. Ice cream, halo-halo, Filipino rice cakes (kakanin), chocolate fountain, panna cotta, and yogurt were worthy tries. It was however the crepe with cherry filling eaten with the avocado ice cream that won me over that time. While each component of the dessert tasted “okay” on their own, I insist that the combination was great when pieced together.
The Bar
The bar serves pretty much everything you can think of—diverse types of ready-made mixed juices, teas, beers, fruit shakes, sodas, and coffee. I ended up choosing Chang Beer to know how Thailand’s number-one selling beer tastes like and ordered wintermelon milk tea with strawberry jelly sinkers. Just for fun, I tried to mix the two together and the result was rather strange. Haha. 
Price for Value: ★★★★☆
Classic steamboat dining with sophistication and substance is how I would describe this newest concept of the Vikings Group. The phenomenal selection of dishes here round out a meal well spent. You get to create your own soup and cook anything you want with all ingredients and bases. So if you’re hankering for an unusual buffet restaurant that serves tasty proponents of food, Four Seasons Hotpot City is right up your alley. While prices are not entirely cheap, the experience is truly worth the splurge. 🙂
| Prices, subject to 5% service charge, are as follows: | Weekday lunch | Weekday dinner/ weekend and holiday lunch and dinner |
| Kids below 3 ft | Free | Free |
| Kids between 3ft and 4ft | PhP 188+ | PhP 288+ |
| Kids between 4ft and 6ft | PhP 288+ | PhP 388+ |
| Adults | PhP 588+ | PhP 788+ |
Operating hours:
Lunch: 11:00AM – 2:30PM
Dinner: 5:30PM – 10:00PM
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
MY dad loves this kind of restos. If only it was closer to us, he would be eating here everyday. The price point is very competitive and since it is also under vikings, you would know they take quality seriously. See you soon dear.
Hey, Jeng! Your dad will love it here. 🙂 Every restaurant managed by the Vikings group is always a hit. Four Seasons Hotpot City is where you discover how natural, wholesome, and delicious fare helps to be your best out there.
The Four Seasons Hotpot City is absolutely amazing and so interesting to me. I’ve never seen a restaurant that big before nor serving those foods. The colorful bakery goodies look so tasty, now I have a sweet tooth that I’ve got to curb before I head to bed. I LOVE all of your photos.
Thanks, Terri. Vikings’ chain of restaurants can be considered legendary here for food enthusiasts. Now that they opened up this restaurant specializing in steamboat dining, a new rising network of health-conscious eaters will feel most welcome.
Your Dad is so lucky to held his birthday there. And you are so privileged to be invited in a wonderful place.
It was an amazing place and a fantastic day, double celebration indeed!
Thanks, Pal. He deserves all the love. 🙂 I recommend this restaurant for you to also try out when you visit Manila soon! 🙂 They have a large variety of vegetarian options and plenty of fresh vegetables that can be mixed with your customized salad!
wow! so spacious naman ng place and the foodies sound appetizing. Punta nga ako riyan. Belated Happy birthday din pala sa dad mo Roch.
Thanks, Papa Leng. 🙂 I know you live far but visiting this newest dining experience in MOA will surely be worth the trip. At Four Seasons Hotpot City, you can make yourself at home. Come as you are. 🙂
Happy Birthday to your dad. They have all the different variety of ingredients for the hot pot. This is something I would enjoy doing.
Thanks, Franc! Yes, the choices seem endless. The Vikings Group has again done a great job in forming a dazzling culinary experience in the Philippines. You will enjoy!
I love Hot pot and for sure I will enjoy that place. I want to taste those colorful noodles and the fresh seafood. I will definitely check out this place when I go to MOA.
Yeah, this place features only the best, sensational products with sea to the table, ranch to table, and farm to the table concepts. Vegetarian, carnivorous, or anything in between? No problem. Four Seasons has got you covered. 🙂
Wow, the setting is super inviting and so is the food! Belated happy birthday to your Dad, it looks like he had a great birthday celebration with the family. He look younger than his age too! I would keep this place in mind the next time we visit.
Thanks, Rose. 🙂 By the way, if you are having someone in your group celebrating his birthday, the same birthday promo applies as in any Vikings restaurant. He can dine in for free as long as accompanied by at least one full-paying adult.
That looks like such a lovely and clean place to eat. The food looks great too. You get to eat in so many lovely places, I wish I could eat out more. Happy belated birthday to your Dad! 🙂
Thanks, Fi. Soon they will be opening the Premium Station where you can get premium meat, seafood, and more that will be prepared the only way they know how: to perfection! 🙂 I know you’ll love that.
Oh man, the restaurant there you went to looks SO classy! I love the inside.
Yeah, the clean interior looks classy and elegant. It helps guests feel more comfortable in enjoying the skillfully prepared food by the talented chefs. 🙂
Wow, all I can say is that this is absolutely amazing and I definitely want to go and visit one day! Everything is truly beautiful, from the tables to the wall art to even the food! Those deserts really spoke to me haha. Thanks for sharing 🙂 I loved reading and checking out all the photos.
Thanks, Michelle! 🙂 I bet you’d also love their friendly service in a lively atmosphere. Four Seasons Hotpot City is the newest year-round favorite of locals. There are too many people queuing up to get in, so it’s wise to book a reservation.
Happy birthday to your dad. That is neat that they have cake with a candle ready to help you celebrate. Looks like a great place to grab a meal as a family and have a get together.
Thanks, Tammilee! 😀 We always appreciate birthday greetings, birthday cake, and the candles that comes with it and we are very grateful to feel as if we were part of their family. This goes to show that Four Seasons Hotpot City really strives for warm service that’s not too formal or stuffy. It’s a place to be yourself!
Happy belated bday to your daddy! This place seems like my mum’s kind of paradise hahaha. I love how much varieties they have offered, those sushi make my eyes light up haha. I also love the ambience, and the cool supermarket-style concept
Thanks, Mindy! Oh, it can be everyone’s kind of paradise. 😛 I truly enjoyed our experience here, as “create your owns” and healthy options are well provided.
Happy Birthday to your dad! I haven’t tried eating in a buffet of hot pot. I got a GC before but since I don’t live in the metro, I gave it away. Hope when I visit MOA someday, I’ll try it here.
Thanks, Theresa. 🙂 If you happen to get a GC to Four Seasons Hotpot City, don’t give it away! Sayang namane hehe. You will find an exceptional dining experience when you walk through the door and surely will go home with great satisfaction.
Hello,
I received a GC in Four Seasons City given by our company. Does it has expiration?
Hi Arlene. Please check if there’s an expiration date written on the GC or ask confirmation by calling any branch of Four Seasons to confirm this.
This is another great restaurant review from you! The food looks delicious and the ambiance perfect for intimate gatherings.
Thank you. 😀 I think this restaurant is great for “family style” dining. The function rooms offer distinctive seating areas for groups. You can get energized here with great food with your barkada as well.
Cooking my own meal might be one thing that I’ll be so scared to do when I’m in this resto. But since I’m the one who tastes my sister’s dishes, maybe this is one restaurant that we’d love to eat and maybe I don’t have to worry very much as they also have cooked meals. 😀
Haha don’t worry if you don’t know how to cook as you can always ask help from the staff. 🙂 By the end of the meal, you can feel proud of yourself for a new achievement unlocked and that is learning how to cook.
waaaah! i’m definitely trying this out! i’ve always wanted to try hotpots but am too wary of the quality ng mga sahog sahog XD. i’m taking that since they’re under vikings, quality shouldn’t be a problem! thanks a bunch for sharing! <3
Thanks and you’re welcome, Yan! Vikings restaurants are famous for good times. So rest assured that you will find Four Seasons Hotpot City great too. The stations are all filled with the finest, high-quality ingredients to make up your “innovative contemporary cuisine.” 😛 Have fun cooking!
Thank you for a detailed and informative review. We are planning to try out the place tomorrow and we got more excited after reading your blog and seeing the pics you have posted. And posting the prices also helps. Though it’s not the current price now, they have increased, i think, or maybe the price they gave me over the phone includes the tax and other charges; P827.40 net for weekends and dinner. thank you.
Oh thanks for sharing about the update in prices. I will have to check them out also from the website. 🙂 Hope you enjoy dining at Four Seasons Hotpot City today!
Me and my girlfriend will try four season tom its our 2nd anniversary and we decided to celebrate it there, i already made reservations, im very excited to try everything especially the pork, beef and lamb,
Happy anniversary! 🙂 I hope you have a great time!
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Hi RochKirstin.
We will celebrate my daugter’s birthday at Four Season’s this month. I already placed my reservation. On Oct, will celebrate my husband’s birthday. Can you recommend other buffet places?
We’ve been to Dad’s, Heritage Hotel’s Riviera, Vikings, Buffet 101, Yakimix, Ramada’s Buffet to name a few. We normally celebrate our birthdays taking buffet with the whole family. Will appreciate receiving suggestions from you. Thanks!
Hi Vernadette. You can try NIU by Vikings at SM Aura, The Food Club at Bluebay Walk, Banzai at SM By the Bay, F1 Hotel – Restaurant, and Richmonde Hotel in Eastwood. All these places are very accessible and price for value is good. 🙂 You’re welcome!