Truth be told, there aren’t many buffet restaurants in Metro Manila that satisfy like Vikings Luxury Buffet does. God bless the people behind the creativity of their dishes. And speaking of creative dishes, this coming August 2015, Vikings features “World Street Food” with varying kinds and presentation in each of its branches nationwide: By the Bay SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North EDSA, SM Jazz Mall, SM City BF in ParaΓ±aque, SM City Marikina, SM Lanang Premier in Davao, and NIU by Vikings.
Last Saturday, with blogger friends, I had a tasting session at Vikings SM Jazz Mall and enjoyed an incredible flow from appetizing bites at the start to desserts at the finish. Here’s a rundown, to give you a sneak preview. π
with Kat
Vikings Luxury Buffet Features World Street Food in August 2015!
Homemade chorizo patty and fried mantao bread are like a match made in heaven. The juicy and savoryΒ chorizo patty well complemented the fried mantou which had a fragrant crispy outer crust. No doubt, this Chori Burger from the Philippines with a twist is a modest reminder that you are in for a modern cuisine.
Lightly battered, this Oyster Omelette from Singapore was a slightly different experience from the usual baked or grilled rendition as the crisp finish of flour mixture accompanied the soft and fresh oyster underneath the coating. I thought that adding aΒ mayonnaise dip would further add richness to the taste.
Time to face fears! We had Balut Deconstructed from the Philippines which was served in a rather unique fashion:Β in a typical shot glass. The beer battered duck embryo was topped with balut mousse and garnished with chicken floss and sliced albumen (bato).
The duck’s embryo had some fried crispness to it and the texture of the balut mousse was excellently smooth like butter. To say it melts in your mouth would be an understatement. Itβs so light you honestly wonβt even know if it’s in your mouth. But it is. And itβs wonderful.
Beef and Chicken Satay from Indonesia would easily make a lovely main standalone with a bowl of rice. The tender beef and chicken were served street food style and the peanut dipping sauce played a prominent role in making the satay taste a bit sweet and flavorful as if watered down with nice chunks of peanuts.
Popiah from Malaysia consisted of braised jicama, tofu, shrimp and ground peanut spring rolls. The combination of ingredients and variation in texture were spot-on and did more than necessary to impress our palate. These fresh spring rolls looked almost like an art piece on its own. Paying attention to such intricate workmanship on the plate speaks volume about the chef’s culinary skills.
One of Filipinos’ favorite snacks, Mango and Singkamas from the Philippines served with bagoong alamang (shrimp paste) remained a classic and true to taste. I just found the bagoong too salty for my liking. Water, please.
The next entree was Bah Kut Teh (θιͺ¨θΆ) from Singapore which I remember so well from local hawkers near where I used to live in Singapore. However, this soup by Vikings was cooked to suit Pinoys’ taste buds as it combined Singaporean, Malaysian, and Peranakan flavors without being intensely peppery and garlicky.
The stock was simmered with meaty pork at length and produced from a complex broth of herbs and spices. While salinity on the soup was on the high side, the tenderness of the pork infused a refreshing touch to it that balanced out the dish.
Topped with scrambled eggs and shrimps, the yellow noodles and thick rice vermicelli composing Hokkien Mee from Singapore were chewy, dense, and a little slippery with a slightly porous surface that fully absorbed the savory prawn broth. The best part? It had little bits of pork lard that get both crisp and melty. Yum!
Jerk Chicken from Jamaica had a familiar warm spice aroma from spiced rub marination and it did pick up some smoky flavor on its deeply charred skin. The firm, sweet, and tart mango salsa as a topper provided a good contrast.
It was my first time to come across Tamales and I was awestruck with its uniqueness. Boiled in a leaf wrapper, this popular Mexican dish was “Filipinized” and was completed with stuffed corn rice, shredded pork adobo, and garnished with salted egg and pork floss. As a well-rounded meal itself, the humble tamale tasted earthy and a bit spicy. It’s a must-try.
To end our meal on a high note, for desserts, we had this fried dough pastry based snack called Churros served with rich chocolate coffee sauce. As a chocoholic, it was pretty much my duty to indulge here. Not too greasy, not too sweet, not too hard outside, and not too hollow inside, these churros were just perfect. You just can’t have one.
The freshly sliced bananas in the Bananaque Pie were homey and straightforward with a little zing to it. There’s really something delightful about the luscious, creamy, and cool simplicity of the egg custard and fried plantain pie sweetened further with vanilla ice cream and dulce de leche. π
Wrap Up
It seems that sky is really the limit when it comes to offering something new and exciting at Vikings Luxury Buffet. While these dishes will be available during dinner and weekends next month, I suggest you grab the chance! Prepare for a great multi-course “street-food-themed” meal with an unimpeachable roster of hits, with a few absolutely unforgettable food mixed in. π
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
Wow, the food sure looked unique. I have another reason to visit Vikings. Incidentally, Vikings Jazz Mall is the only Viking branch that I’ve tried and I loved it there.
Do try out NIU by Vikings! π I just visited it with my family and we were quite overwhelmed with the beauty of its ambiance and the expansive selection of buffet items. It’s fine dining at best, plus you get to try the special themed dishes this month.
Okay I dont think I would be brave like you and try the duck embryo, but everything else looks delish. I have been craving tamales since we usually only have them during the holidays.
Haha I’m not a newbie when it comes to eating balut since we’ve eaten it a ton of times before when we were kids. This one is cooked the modern way. It’s not as yucky as you imagine. The Pinoy Tamales is really one of a kind! π
Everything looks amazing. I love Asian food especially Malaysian cuisine. I love how street food has evolved. I would love to enjoy this type of street food adventure in the U.S. I will have to search recipes and recreate so my children grow up tasting the food of the world.
Wow! You’re such a great and creative cook to follow recipes available online. π I bet your kids enjoy your cooking so much. Asian street food are full of flavor.
This place looks so delicious! I would love to try everything. I think I would especially like the Indonesian beef and chicken satay.
Those proteins were high quality and well seasoned. They don’t miss the mark for sure. π
Great review, I’m craving for that Bananaque Pie right now Roch. I’m planning to treat my mom to Niu this August, so I will watch out for these dishes! I’m pretty excited.
Cheers,
Jay
Thanks, Chef Jay! If she’s celebrating her birthday, she can get the discount equivalent to her age. π NIU is pretty awesome. I hope you have a great time!
There is so much yummy food in this post! What a cool idea and a great way to be able to be able to try different foods from different places in the world! Thanks so much for sharing π
Yup, in just one spot! π While the flavors and ingredients were true to the country the food originated from, they’re still somewhat Filipino. You can tell there’s more heart and soul to them catered to local taste buds.
All of the food at this restaurant looks amazing! I love how delicate it all looks! My husband loves to try new food when we travel, the cuisine is always so amazing in any country we have been to.
I also appreciate tasting different kinds of food in different places. Vikings had me at wonderful concepts of food inspired from varied cuisines such as the theme for this month.
I haven’t tried Vikings yet. I always see them featured in different blogs. Woah, the foods are all exotic. It’s nice to have a variety of foods once in a while.
You should try dining at the nearest branch of Vikings, dear Summer. Enjoy tasting world street food this August! I’ve been back several times at Vikings and I’m still not tired of being awed by their dishes. It’s all good stuff. π This has gone into my staple of “restaurants to consider” when celebrating a birthday as well.
This sounds like a great restaurant. Eat like a viking? Hmm, why not if that is the food I am going to enjoy. Everything looks delicious. I like to sample the street food of different cultures.
Yup, Vikings rocks for all the right reasons. It’s all purpose as it’s spacious and great for groups. Presentation of the plates is so beautiful it makes you immediately drool. Invite all your good friends to try out the special street food here. π
Wow what interesting dishes! I dunno about duck embryo. But gimme that jerk chicken and the tamales! Yum so many delish choices in one post!
Don’t forget that these street food are only a plus when dining at Vikings. You still get to try a lot more dishes that are included in their regular buffet setting. π
Street food with a twist…of course, the concept looks acceptable to some and very delish to all. Vikings got its norms from different ideas.
How they come up with such lovely dishes every once in a while is purely genius. I really do dig their creativity. Vikings is a must stop for anyone craving a wide possibility of food. π
Street foods exotically done. The Tamales and that Balut served in a typical shot glass are 2 stuff I need to try.
I suggest that you try everything possible while you’re there to make the most out of your Vikings World Street Food dining experience. π It also comes with dozens of entrees and almost every dish is yummy.
I love Vikings even it’s expensive. More variety of viand to choose from. Japanese foods and maki are some of my favorites π Juices and shakes are great too.
If you come to think of it, it’s not as expensive as when you dine out in an a-la-carte restaurant and order all the dishes available in Vikings. I always regard Viking’s price for value quite high because I know that their offerings are really going to get your money’s worth. π
Popiah is my favorite street food here in Malaysia, this dish is actually common for Chinese Teochew descendants. Good to know Viking offer this kind of food choices.
Yup, it’s only available this month of August, so people should start reserving a date here to try popiah and their favorite street food. π
ANG LAKI NG MUKA NI KAT!!!! bwhahahaha kidding KAT miss you !!!
(Good thing she won’t see this)
Anyhow.. I like Vikings because they have a lot to offer. I like how they really go for it for the dishes and try to revamp the menu and offer more … Cheers dear
Haha you never know when she does. π Yeah, Vikings’ variety of food makes for a well-rounded experience. Definitely recommend coming here!
I can’t get over all the unique dishes and flavor combos! Some of that stuff I would never even think to pair together. Not sure if I’m brave enough to try the duck embryo but maybe after a few cocktails I’ll put my fears aside…LOL!
They have beer and A LOT of juices. You can wash the duck embryo down and bump it up to a 5/5 later. π
Balut Deconstructed from the Philippines – sounds a unique adventure. Time to hit Vikings for me, my stomach is in gazoom mode right now !
This is a necessary place for you to satisfy your hunger. Enjoy world street food with multiple flavors in one weekend this August! π
You look more like a fashion blogger than a food blogger. What is your workout program? heheh
It has been months that I have been waiting for Vikings to open a branch in Cebu. The more I read your post, the hungrier I get. I am gonna eat like a Viking for lunch because of this. π
Haha I’ve received the same comment several times before. I work out three times a week and keep a healthy diet during the weekdays. Weekends are cheat days for me since I go out and attend food events all the time.
Yay, I got my mission accomplished-and that’s to make you hungry and head out to Vikings. Haha! π
I’ve been wanting to write about Vikings because I’m an avid customer. You did a really job in highlighting some of their food items, I couldn’t have done it any better. Plus I don’t have photos as nice as yours because I stack my food in one plate, which makes it less appealing in pictures, lol. I love your post!
Haha I also have pictures of food presented in our personal plates but I’m too shy to share those. Next time you can also try different angles in food photography. Thanks for your comment, Shelly. π
The food looks amazing, although I don;t believe I could go for the duck embryo irregardless of how delicious it appears. Street food has certainly evolved in Metro Maila, wishing it would do by me as well.
Hehe you can start to have an adventurous palate when you’re faced with so many interesting and delicious-looking stuff. Being with your friends and eating the food altogether will make you feel less nervous about trying something you’ve never tried before. π
I admit, there are some things you’ve shared here that I don’t think I’ll try. However, I’ll try one or two things while my hubby tries them all. He’s more adventurous than I am when it comes to food.
These food are like gems because we usually don’t find them served in plenty of restaurants in the metro. Your husband will love it here. π
Watta! I love this food feast from Vikings. Actually, I miss going to a buffet set up restaurant, it’s been a year I haven’t visited Vikings.
Now that I have my Vikings Loyalty Card, I wish I can visit more often and come with a larger group (probably with my office mates or friends from college) to celebrate special occasions. π
I think this is your nth time in Vikings. I can finally say that I have tried Vikings. They have nice offering this month.
Haha yeah, from appetizers to desserts, their range of food is always appetizing and delicious. I’m not a creature of habit but I’m convinced that Vikings is one I can always go back to since many items are really indulging. π
Never tried vikings too. I would love to try this exotic food. Craving for buffet right now. hahah
Oh wow, you should try this soon. Especially when eating with a group, it’s definitely a recommended place. Even picky eaters will find a lot of items edible at this buffet. π
I’m curious about their serving of Tamales, even though Vikings serve lots of world street foods I will still go for our own tamales, singkamas and manga – served in a “sosyal” way.
This buffet makes my Asian heart burst with happiness every time I walk in. Their tamales might give you another taste of home. π
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Such artistic presentation of food is enough to convince me to try all these.