Cabalen Plus - SM Megamall — Restaurant in Mandaluyong

I’m giving a not so bad review for this Filipino Restaurant. It’s too crowded, if you have reservations and you’re late, they won’t inform you, and will cancel your reservations without notice. We were told that the next open long table will be about 2-3 hours wait, tho we were able to talked to the AGM, and she was able to help us, but we still waited for an hour and so (Still thanks to her) and I’m giving 2/5 for that. But still failed the service, since the servers weren’t refilling the foods right away, you need to stand for a long time in front of the buffet table just to wait for the refills. I/We are beyond disappointed with the foods as we expected Cabalen PLUS is something different from Cabalen. There was no excitement on the foods they served, we expected other foods to be served like other Asian Cuisines (sushi, siopao, siomai, kbbq - as shown to their social media) BUT NONE WAS SERVED AT ALL. Even the Filipino “kakanin”, they only have the “Puto” which lacks flavour, and the famous “Halo-Halo” was garbage (sorry not sorry). The foods were not warm enough to just even enjoy and because we waited for an hour, we were HANGRY and just ate whatever we can because we paid the premium fee on a weekend. Come to think of it, you paid for a higher price and it’s not worth it. I hope for the betterment of this restaurant besides not all Cabalen (Plus) are the same (but who knows?). I went to Cabalen Market Market and they have lots of varities of “ulam” and I would say, everything was served hot (warm) enought to enjoy. Like I’m saying every Cabalen (Plus) is different, but this location (SM Megamall) was poorly managed. It’s an experience I don’t want to...

I just had a wonderful experience last night at this Cabalen branch.

Everything else was the same as other reviews,typical of a buffet with only few dishes that is not overwhelming but seems short for everyone else.

What made it exceptional for me last night was when I was waiting for the banana que to be refilled (asked twice and waited for almost 10mins) a manager (maybe - did not get his name and the crew who serves us) asked what I needed. When I said the banana que he might have misunderstood and went to the kitchen.

And after 5 mins, I already have a bowl of banana que at this point, the crew approached our table and served me a plate of banana Turon! To my surprise. It is not even in the offerings but they made turon for me because the manager thought I was looking for Turon instead!

That was so lovely and really put a smile on my face. For someone to give me what’s not on the menu because he thought I was waiting for it! And it is hot and freshly cooked!

Thank you! Remembering it still felt so special!

Cabalen, take note.y mom was greeted happy mother’s day we were graciously served and left with full stomach and YES happy heart!

We...

Campy, crowded and oh so noisy...these are just a few words to describe Cabalen...and it doesn't matter which branch we are describing. One of the pioneers (I believe) of the eat all you can culture in the country, Cabalen is still the place to go to have the best (yes, THE BEST) kare kare...and eat as much as you want till your arteries get clogged and your digestion goes awry....all time favorites will still be the crispy kangkong leaves (as long as it is crispy), gatang kuhol (seems to be a seasonal treat), pansit puti, dinuguan, bringhe, pritchon (but I take the the crispy lechon by itself...yummy!) and for dessert guinatan. Am really not so sure why they have the sushi and thai (?) bar-I think I saw crispy catfish salad-but enough of that please...the Kapampangan flavors will do enough and will do greatly. Tip! Come during opening hours to be able to feast on the newly cooked food! At PHP 398.00, consider this as an invitation to a fulfilling...