Kembara — Restaurant in Phoenix

As a longtime fan of Chef Angelo Sosa and a frequent diner at Tía Carmen, I was genuinely excited to try his new restaurant, Kembara. Unfortunately, the experience was an enormous letdown from start to finish. My friend and I arrived at our 7:00 PM reservation on a Friday night, and we were surprised to find the restaurant about 90% empty—a red flag in hindsight. After being seated, we waited nearly 20 minutes before anyone acknowledged us or took our drink and food orders. Once our drinks arrived (about 10 minutes later), they were weak and uninspired. We ordered two appetizers, which came out at the same time, but both were excessively salty. The dumplings, especially, were incredibly underwhelming—I've had better from the frozen section at Trader Joe’s. To make matters worse, my friend’s entrée (the Pork Belly Noodle dish) arrived before we had even finished our appetizers. I don’t eat red meat, so I didn’t try it, but he said it was incredibly salty, undercooked, and lacked pork belly—just two or three small pieces in the entire dish. He ended up leaving most of it uneaten. I waited another 30 minutes after his dish arrived for my own entrée, which never came. During this span, no one checked on us, offered refills, or even made eye contact, despite the restaurant being mostly empty. I eventually gave up, had my credit card in hand, and flagged someone down to ask for the bill. Only then did my dish arrive—over an hour after we were seated. I politely told the server to take it back, as I was no longer interested. About five minutes later, a man claiming to be the manager approached and asked what was wrong. I explained the situation: the long wait, the lack of communication, and that I never received my meal until I was already asking for the check. He defensively explained that the restaurant serves food “family-style” and it’s normal for dishes to come out at different times. This was never mentioned to us, either by the server or in anything I read online. I told him I don’t eat red meat, so “family-style” wouldn’t have worked for us regardless. To my surprise, the manager said he would “be nice” and not charge me for the dish I never touched. I was already hungry and frustrated—and being told he was doing me a favor by not charging me for something I didn’t eat just added insult to injury. The bill came to $125 for two mediocre, overly salty appetizers, two weak drinks, and one barely edible entrée. The server never apologized, only mentioned that “the manager comped my meal,” as if that was a consolation. This experience was such a stark contrast to what I’ve come to expect from Chef Sosa’s restaurants. Kembara was chaotic, disorganized, overpriced, and completely lacking in hospitality. Sadly, I won’t be returning and can’t recommend...

Kembara is a transcendent culinary masterpiece wrapped in stunning atmospheric perfection. My husband and I had the pleasure of dining at this unique concept restaurant last night. Instantly welcomed by a hosting table of smiling faces and warmth, we were shown to our table. The layout of the restaurant felt inclusive to both large and small parties and yet, still gave a somewhat intimate feel between the hussle and bussle of the service. Speaking of service, we were absolutely delighted to have Clayton as our server that night, he was attentive and knowledgeable about the menu, explaining every major dish from each category and recommending perfect pairings. We ordered as we ate and after each course we received new place settings, so our table remained clean all evening and we could focus on the eating, my favorite part. We started with the Pork Dumplings, a delicious recommendation and they did not disappoint, fresh and bold flavors of fatty pork and crisp vegetables made for a satisfying bite. Our next round of dishes consisted of the Tuna Thai Jewel and the Lamb Spring Rolls, this was our favorite part of our meal, although it was all amazing. The buttery richness of the tuna paired with the coconut broth sweetness was rounded out beautifully by the crisp, fresh jicama spheres. You have to get a bite of everything for a true taste explosion. The Lamb spring rolls brought a savory and lightly spicy punch that our meal needed. The yogurt sauce it was paired with gave a wonderful relief from the spice and added to the dish both texturally and flavor wise. Our main course dish was the Pork Belly Noodles, a large portion definitely made to share. The noodles were fresh and springy and the pork belly was perfectly seasoned. Rounding out our meal was our dessert. The Taiyaki was surprising in many ways and absolutely delicious! I'm running out of ways to say AMAZING! Please visit this restaurant, you absolutely will not regret it. Each dish was created...

A Sultry Escape to Asian Street Food Nirvana

Kembara is a full-blown sensory immersion into the electrifying world of Asian street food, orchestrated by Chef Angelo Sosa’s undeniable passion.

The moment you enter Kembara, prepare to be swept away. Designed by Thomas Schoos, the extraordinary visionary behind the seductive TAO Las Vegas, the space pulsates with an ultra-modern Asian vibe. Rich textures, pops of color from red lanterns and pink Sakura, accent lighting in hues of purples and pinks, against sophisticated ebony colored walls, interspersed with graffiti art, create an atmosphere as sexy as the food itself.

A Culinary Passport to Asia Chef Sosa’s menu is a love letter penned in spices and sauces that whisks you across Asia. From the vibrant streets of Hanoi to the aromatic markets of Penang, each dish is a celebration of regional specialties, reimagined with Chef Sosa’s playful creativity.

Must-Try Masterpieces •Tuna Thai Jewel: tuna sashimi and turmeric tapioca-dusted jicama in a lemongrass-ginger broth, finished with Thai basil and edible flowers from the kitchen garden. •Chicken Kao Soi: house-made noodles embraced by a rich broth infused with cardamom, turmeric, and the comforting warmth of coconut. This dish is pure soul food. •Chili King Crab: juicy king crab with sambal, ginger and tamarind guaranteed to tantalize your taste buds. •Mishima Ranch Wagyu Ribeye: pure indulgence, a dream come true. Melt-in-your-mouth perfection and exceptional marbling make this wagyu one of the most luxurious cuts.

A Feast for All Senses Kembara, meaning “to wander,” is more than a meal; it’s an experience. From the seductive ambiance to the explosion of Asian flavors and gorgeous plating, Kembara is a must-try for anyone seeking a vibrant and unforgettable Asian street...