Saboten — Restaurant in Taguig

I would like to share my terrible experience we’ve had today with Saboten BGC in Serendra. We went there at around 1pm today, as soon as we entered no one approached us accompany us to our seat. That’s not that big of a deal so I just thought of finding our own seat. It was just a bit odd that no one was there to greet us.

I’ve been observing every staff earlier and I’ve noticed that their isn’t any enthusiasm, joy and attentiveness with any of them. Usually there will just be 1 of them in a group like a bad apple but to my surprise everyone was like that.

The service was really slow and it’s not even peak hours. I had to ask for a cabbage 4 times and no one has updated me to let me know what’s causing the delay.

At the end of our meal, I asked for our bill. I’m going to use my BPI credit card. My bill is around 2,000. No one informed me that there is an ongoing BPI discount. Good thing my wife remembered. So I had to ask for the menu again to buy another cake. The manager was the one who approached us to let us know that we’d still need to order more because it’s still not within the limit. So I said okay I’ll order another cake on top of the 1st cake I ordered. So I asked the manager so how many cakes in total do I have now? She said 3. I had to let her know Mam it’s just 2. Then she’s still insisting it’s 3 and was getting confuse why I said 2. I told her Mam 1 cake + 1 cake = 2. Then she had a very confuse and annoyed face. Probably she didn’t like that I corrected her. She said I’ll get back with an updated bill and add everything there.

It’s probably another 5-10mins our cakes are still not there probably they are still confused with what I ordered. The manager returned and gave me my updated bill. She said that she though one of the strawberry that I ordered was a cake but apparently it was a drink. So it’s fine I understand. What I can’t accept was her unapologetic face. It was very sarcastic. Not that I’m waiting for an apology but it’s just that her face looks so annoyed during the whole process.

So I told alright now we’re clear. Can get now my cakes it’s been a while and while you’re getting my cake for take out can I pay the bill at the same time. Then she said you need to wait for the cake 1st before the discount from BPI will be applied. That’s when I started to get also annoyed. I told her Ms I just want to pay my bill and get my cake now both at the same time. I don’t want to deal with this anymore. Then she said okay mam while her face became more annoyed. She returned after a mins placed the bill and my card in our table. No thank you for dining. Didn’t even look into our eyes. We were walking outside I’m still observing the rest of the staff. Some of them aren’t even doing anything. No one thanked us for dining. Some even just walked by us.

Then when I was already outside I realized that I can’t blame the staff. They don’t have any joy or passion with what they are doing because their manager doesn’t display any of those as well. The manager doesn’t seem to like her job anymore, I honestly felt bad for them but I felt more bad for the business. Branding is important and the staff is the frontliner. I won’t come back ever again to this branch and wouldn’t recommend it to...

Unforgettable Dining Experience at Saboten, Serendra BGC

Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5

In the heart of Bonifacio Global City's Serendra lies an unassuming culinary gem that specializes in providing the most exquisite Japanese experience: Saboten. For anyone seeking authenticity coupled with exceptional service, Saboten offers an immersive gastronomic journey that surpasses expectations time and again.

The ambiance at Saboten is a harmonious blend of traditional and modern, perfectly encapsulating the spirit of Japanese culture. Its subtle décor, with simple, yet tasteful nuances of Japanese aesthetics, exudes a serene atmosphere that instantly transports you to Japan. Moreover, its open kitchen design, where chefs can be seen meticulously preparing dishes, adds a unique charm and reassures the customer of their commitment to freshness and quality.

But the real magic of Saboten lies in the food. Renowned for their tonkatsu, Saboten makes an indelible impression. The tender, juicy pork cutlet, encased in a light, crunchy breadcrumb layer, is so masterfully cooked it practically melts in the mouth. It's a testament to their dedication to providing an authentic tonkatsu experience, consistently served with their homemade tonkatsu sauce that possesses the perfect balance of tanginess and sweetness.

Their menu, however, extends beyond just tonkatsu. Whether it's the elegantly presented sashimi, with fish sliced to perfection and bursting with freshness, or the shoyu ramen, with its deeply flavored broth and perfectly al dente noodles, each dish is crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Saboten takes immense pride in their ingredient quality and it shines through in every bite.

One of the underrated stars of the Saboten menu is the unlimited cabbage salad. The crisp, thinly sliced cabbage served with a creamy, light sesame dressing is the perfect palate cleanser. Moreover, the unlimited refills of rice and miso soup make it a truly satisfying meal that feels like genuine Japanese home cooking.

The staff deserves a special mention for their impeccable service. Polite, attentive, and extremely welcoming, they make sure your experience is smooth and enjoyable from the moment you step in until you leave.

Overall, Saboten is a shining example of Japanese cuisine at its finest. It provides an authentic, high-quality dining experience that, in its essence, is a beautiful blend of simplicity, artistry, and culinary tradition. Whether you're a fan of Japanese cuisine or a curious first-timer, Saboten at Serendra BGC is an experience that shouldn't be missed. It’s more than just a meal, it's a taste of Japan right in the...

Bad Training

We just had an EXTREMELY bad experience at Saboten BGC. We had already been shown to the table, settled down, and were about to start ordering when a different server told us to vacate the table. The party next to us belatedly asked the server to move us on the guise that they were expecting a friend to arrive and would have wanted to occupy the table we were using. In any other establishment, only a complete party would be given priority. If the other party was really expecting another group, then they should have reserved the table. The server should have told the party that they could not vacate our table as a courtesy to us. Instead, the staff made us feel embarassed, like we were pariah or inferior to the party next to us. As we were leaving, we overheard one of the people in the party mention that it wasn't necessary, because they really weren't expecting anyone. Having heard this, we were completely floored that the staff at saboten would allow this kind of shame to befall their customers. After complaining to the staff, a server told us they would inform their manager. However, we were doubtful the message was understood by the manager. In fact, the manager avoided us completely and did not even acknowledge our concern. In the middle of our meal, the party who asked us to vacate left, so it was obvious that weren't expecting a friend. The staff even greeted and thanked them as they left. As we left, we did not receive any greeting, apology or thanks. The discrepancy in treatment was so stark.

To the Saboten head office: Good service will ensure that your establishment remains relevant in the fast-moving restaurant industry. This experience has left us feeling that we would go to the other Y... restaurant to get...