SamSam Express Northcote — Restaurant in Melbourne

I’ve been to Samsam so many times across their different branches because they have great chicken and fast service. However, in each of my last three visits at Samsam Northcote, I experienced very misleading conduct relating to menu prices and photos. I’m normally not this harsh with ratings but this conduct is completely unacceptable, especially when it happens three times in a row.

31/5/2023 My friends and I ate in-person. We scanned the QR code to see the online menu and then ordered at the front counter. The order included drinks that were listed on the online menu as $3.50 each, but they later tried to charge us $4 each. When I told them the issue, they tried to dismiss the issue. They ended up returning the difference but the experience was unpleasant and the pricing was misleading.

12/7/2023 My friends and I ordered over the phone for pick-up. The website menu we used showed the 8 Colour Chicken as including a Tteokbokki. However, after picking up the order, we realised it came with a cheese corn instead. When I called to let them know the issue, they did not apologise and said it was a recent change. This was not a big issue, but it should have been raised before I paid and picked up the order. Again, misleading menu.

25/8/2023 My friends and I ordered over the phone for pick-up. The order was two servings of fried chicken with an online menu price of $35.50. The photo on the online menu showed two baskets, each one with a different flavour of chicken. The price and the photo was the exact same on the physical menu in-store. However, when I arrived to pick up the order, they charged me $39.50. They claimed that, if I chose a flavour that was not ‘original flavour’ each basket costs an extra $2. Again, I found this very unpleasant...

Dinner | $1–20 Sadly this is our last visit. We were so happy when this restaurant opened and dined here almost weekly. Unfortunately the food and atmosphere got progressively worse soon after the name and possibly ownership changed. If you want fast food that can only be ordered by QR code and absolutely no personal service, this is the place for you. From a robot cooking part of your food to serving it, all the magic is gone. Personally, there’s better atmosphere and customer service at McDonald’s. Despite their best efforts, the humans in the kitchen struggle to keep up with the Uber Eats and being short staffed. Don’t get me started on the loud Doof Doof music. It’s really disappointing when a place you looked forward to eating at ceases to value good food and...

Yum!!! The fact that the chicken is fried but don’t dripping in oil is a huge bonus and it keeps you going back for more. I enjoyed the soy and garlic sauce and would request next time some extra for dipping but otherwise I really couldn’t resist stuffing my face. Oh and the kimchi fries are a must! They are so delicious and moreish and the perfect combination or even enjoy on their own. The wait time was the only issue. Used the QR code on the door and waited almost an hour. It was a Friday night but still. Maybe it was the fact it’s cooked by a robot so only one order at a time? Either way I would still go again but perhaps order before so I can go when ready or have...