MANI MOGO KOREAN RESTAURANT WITH DAEGA — Restaurant in Cebu City

We climbed to the second floor and were surprised by the large crowd. Approaching the nearest entrance for directions, the staff mistakenly directed us to an exit door, which I realized only after reviewing my photos. It's odd that customers are greeted by an exit first; there should be staff guiding people to the actual entrance. After finding the right door, we searched for assistance but were quickly seated at an outside table, which was a nice spot. However, there should be at least one staff member near the entrance, as I noticed they were running around everywhere.

Once seated, we were served quickly and ordered the 499 option, which included samgyup, yangyum samgyup, chicken, and 20 side dishes. Choosing the side dishes was overwhelming, especially with the busy atmosphere and limited space, as I had to navigate a small corner with other people waiting. A menu with photos of the side dishes and their locations would have been helpful, as the pictures on the walls don't indicate where to find them. I made several trips to gather what I wanted because there were no tray slides, and it would have been beneficial to have a place to set items before heading to the table. The small cups also meant multiple trips for drinks, so I eventually grabbed a pitcher, which would have been nice to have offered when seated. Overall, the system feels better suited for regulars, and I’m not a fan of the setup.

As for the food, the pork took a while to cook since it was a bit thick for my liking. I ended up eating the side dishes first, which were quite tasty. I had kimchi, a pork dish, salad, and fries—an odd combination, but they worked well together. My friend ordered garlic fried chicken, which looked like popcorn shaped like drumsticks. I loved the crispy exterior, garlic flavor, and tenderness of the meat—definitely a fan. When the samgyup was finally cooked, it was good, but the slices were a bit thick and fatty for my taste. While fat does add flavor, some pieces had more fat than meat, which was slightly off-putting. I was disappointed they didn’t have sesame oil sauce; most sauces resembled ketchup in consistency and lacked variety. I went for the one that looked plain, closest to ketchup, while the others had flavors that overpowered the pork. I ended up eating the barbecue without any sauce in the second round because the natural flavor of the pork was better.

The restaurant lacks an inside restroom, but there are two at the back, one for each gender, accommodating only one person. The male restroom has a broken lock; the person before me struggled to open it, prompting me to call for the janitor, but it opened before he arrived. My friend was already aware of the broken lock, indicating it's been a known issue for a while. While this isn't directly against the restaurant, it does impact the overall experience, and the lock should definitely be fixed.

So, would I recommend the place? Actually, yes. The food is decent, and there are many dish options available for 499, with even more choices at 599 and 649. The staff were friendly and even performed dances for birthday celebrants upon request, which added a nice touch to the experience as they did it twice during our visit with different songs. I also appreciated that their sound system plays not only K-pop but also local songs, although it can get a bit too loud at times. With the traffic outside and the packed atmosphere, the restaurant can feel a little noisy, but overall, it creates a lively and enjoyable dining experience. The system in place could definitely use some improvement. It seems to favor returning customers who already know where everything is and how things work, but that really shouldn’t be the case. If you go when it’s packed, you might struggle a bit, especially since we visited on a Wednesday night, and weekends are likely to be even busier. I’d suggest going during the day for a...

Visited here on New Year's day with my family. When we arrived, there was not a lot of people and only 3 tables occupied. We told them that its a table for 6 with a toddler and they have put us in a corner table near another door leading to a separate entrance/exit. So it was a bit warm where we were sitting and we did not mind it as much but when the staff kept going in and out of the door near us - it kept messing our food and our table due to strong wind. Plus, their door seems to be broken as it doesnt really close fully and you have to put a lot of effort just to close it properly.

Anyway, we addressed this issue by talking to one of their staff if that door can be permanently closed for now because its very messy and anyway only their staff is using that door. We were told that they cannot do it. Period. No sorry, nothing.

We have always enjoyed our stay in Mani Mogo as we make it a point to visit whenever our family is in town. Never again. Very bad service and the staff just keeps on playing...

It's a fantastic experience; the ambiance is warm and inviting. I must say, I have truly enjoyed every single bite of food here. I've been here twice, and the quality and flavor of their food never disappoints.

The price is very reasonable for a buffet - unlimited premium pork meat and beef, as well as unlimited side dishes. Ideal for a night out with the family, a large group of friends or colleagues, or a date with your closest friends. There is plenty of room for larger groups, as well as an outdoor dining area with a beautiful view of the city buildings along Archbishop Street.

Although they did not open at 11:30 AM on both occasions we visited, the buffet is ready as soon as you sit down. The staff is also pleasant and makes excellent...