Mahal's Kitchen — Restaurant in Universal City

Edit: I'bv since been back and nothing has changed for the better. It also looks obvious that family and friends are posting A LOY of reviews and not exactly being completely honest.

Very disappointing. They had so much potential

Original post: I really hope this place succeeds! So for that reason I'm giving very specific and straightforward advice.

1.) Change your buffet equipment with all the lids. It's difficult for patrons to hold a lid and get their food out at the same time. It's a balancing act no one wants to do and it's also an accident waiting to happen.

Just buy a rice cooker and use that on the buffet at least for the rice. You don't have to hold a lid and it keeps the food warm too.

2.) Make sure your dishes are clean. I got a dirty plate in the clean plate stack unfortunately didn't realize it until it was too late.

3.) Make sure old/ cold food is discarded. Refresh buffet items. Your food could taste AMAZING but that means nothing if it's served cold!

4.) SCALE DOWN YOUR MENU! (Especially the buffet) You will be spreading yourself thin and the quality will drop with other items and you will lose what customers you do have.

Make about a dozen dishes, (Yes only 12) make them WELL and stick to that. The biggest mistake a restaurant can make is trying to make food for EVERYONE. You wind up buying items that end up in the trash and it will cost you more in the long run bc the rest of your dishes will suffer and your customers will stop coming.

Keep the following:

White rice, fried garlic rice, lechon, dinaguan, pancit, chicken adobo, basic lumpia, turon, (biko) sticky rice, bopis, fresh fruits over ice or a cooler.. not room temperature and add vegetables! Even if it's just the long green bean and eggplant stir fry.

Lose the smoothies. Lose the Boba Lose the pinoy spaghetti. You're not fast junk food. You serve Filipino home cooking. Please keep it that way Lose the Lobster ball Lose the freaking crab Rangoon. You are a Filipino restaurant not a fake Chinese restaurant.

Make tiny vegetable and meat lumpia if you want a fried item Keep the kwek kwek MADE TO ORDER

Lose the French fries (you come for filipino food not burgers and fries. It doesnt make sense there.. plus they were cold and soggy), the kewk kwek shouldn't be on the buffet. Make it an appetizer only. Quail eggs aren't cheap and if they're made to order they come crispy and fresh... They go stale fast on a buffet and ur basically throwing away money.

Whoever cooked the food.. good job. Your flavors are there. However, I would like to see more vegetables , lemons for the pancit and vinegar/soy sauce on the buffet table.

Make sure that your food is served HOT and they cover the turon, puto and babingka on the dessert table. Open air will make baked goods go stale incredibly fast. Don't let your hard work go to waste. Make sure they cover your food and keep it fresh!

Whoever was waitressing... you were prompt, kind and courteous and attentive to our needs. That's always a great start.

One bad experience in this business will cost you a lifetime customer. I think this place has incredible potential bc they listen to criticisms and are TRYING. That is why I rated them so highly for now. I want them to succeed.

$17 REALLY IS a lot for a buffet that only served basic items that were cold... BUT it CAN make sense if the food is good and the experience gets better. Adding a fried fish and maybe Kare Kare would help keep it at $17?

But if you scaled down your overhead food costs by making those cuts you can charge a reasonable $15 for the buffet.. have quality food AND make a profit.

I fully plan on coming back and seeing the changes they make for the better. I'm rooting for Mahal's Kitchen!!!

Thanks...

Mahal's Kitchen is a Taiwanese restaurant that truly stands out for its commitment to delivering excellent and authentic cuisine. During my recent visit, I had the pleasure of trying their chicken adobo dish, which left a lasting impression. The chicken adobo was expertly cooked, showcasing the skill and expertise of the culinary team at Mahal's Kitchen. The flavors were well-balanced, and the presentation was aesthetically pleasing. Each bite offered a delightful blend of tender chicken and a harmonious blend of spices, elevating this traditional Taiwanese dish to its fullest potential. The restaurant ambiance was a definite plus for a relaxed dining experience. With a quiet atmosphere and a limited number of patrons, Mahal's Kitchen provided an ideal setting for a peaceful meal and engaging conversations with my company. The comfortable and inviting atmosphere enhanced the overall enjoyment of the evening. The service at Mahal's Kitchen was exceptional. The staff members were hospitable, attentive, and kind, exemplifying the restaurant's commitment to customer satisfaction. Their genuine care and promptness were evident throughout the dining experience, ensuring a memorable visit. Based on my experience, I wholeheartedly recommend Mahal's Kitchen to anyone seeking authentic Taiwanese cuisine. Whether you are a connoisseur of Taiwanese dishes or simply curious about exploring new flavors, this restaurant offers an excellent culinary journey. With its well-cooked and beautifully presented dishes, serene dining environment, and attentive service, Mahal's Kitchen is undoubtedly a hidden gem in the realm of Taiwanese cuisine. Note: It's important to consider that personal tastes may vary, and it's always advisable to gather multiple perspectives to make an informed decision regarding dining...

The good: The lumpia was the best I’ve had in a very long time 🤤 I even ordered a dozen extra as takeout before I finished my meal. The lumpia is a large reason for the rating. Customer service was great and they frequently stopped to check on us and were very nice.

The not so good: The wait for the food was almost an hour 😩 lumpia came out after 20 minutes. Entrees took 55 (confirmed with photo times). This could be because they are new and still figuring it out, so hopefully it gets better. 2 separate people left due to the wait being too long to even put in their order. I would recommend passing on the smoothies. Very basic and not much flavor either. Also took a long time. Pansit was very fresh and made great! But, there wasn’t much flavor at all. Even a little lemon on the side would have been great. 55 minute wait was not worth it. The menu listed the pansit as $9.99 but on the receipt it is $10.99 (see photos). It sounded like they had a baby crying in the kitchen a few times? Dozen takeout lumpia didn’t have enough sauce. Had less sauce than they gave me for my 6 I ordered at the restaurant. Tables are freshly painted and not 100% dry. Napkins were sticking to it and the black paint rubbed off on the napkins. Tables possibly need a clear coat to prevent this. Chairs were the same and my black shorts were sticking to them. I would be careful with light...