Although I typically avoid fusion cuisine, as it often disappoints, I occasionally find exceptions worth trying. Generally, I prefer authentic local dishes over fusion creations. I recalled visiting Ooma before the pandemic and enjoying their Scallop and Tuna Aburi Maki, which prompted me to revisit and try it again.

Ambiance at Ooma

The first time a friend and I stumbled upon Ooma Japanese Rice Bar, I liked the ambiance – casual and fun, and at the same time big enough, which meant that tables aren’t packed too closely to each other giving patrons plenty of privacy. By the way, I’ve already been here a couple of times before the lock downs.

Food Quality

Ooma’s menu boasts a diverse array of meat and fish dishes, ensuring there’s something to suit every palate. The staff were attentive and provided helpful insights into the menu, assisting with recommendations. Among our selections, the Scallop and Tuna Aburi Maki, Gyudon and Oyako Don stood out as favorites. However, the California Taco-Maki disappointed with its texture, the Half-baked chocolate lava cake was merely average.

Here are our orders for that day:

Scallop and Tuna Aburi Maki (395 PHP)
Torched scallop, tuna, cucumber, sesame seeds, nori crumbs, Scallion, Teriyaki suace, spicy mayo, Kimchi aioli

California Taco-Maki (135 PHP)
Open-faced temaki wrap, Kani stick, Aligue mayo, Herb Aioli, Mango pico

Gyudon (289 PHP)
Sous-vide beef short plat, fresh mushroom, fried shallot, fresh egg, house tare

Oyako Don (289 PHP) 
Smoked sous-vide chicken, fresh mushroom, onion, fresh egg, crispy check skin, house tare

Half-baked chocolate lava cake (185 PHP)

As we ate our dinners, I spied around at the meals being delivered to the other patrons and think I detected a trend – very generous portion sizes especially their udon.

Service Quality

My experiences at Ooma have been inconsistent. Despite the restaurant being relatively quiet with only a few tables occupied, the service was disappointingly slow. While the Aburi Maki arrived promptly so as the rest of our orders, we had to wait over twenty minutes for the Oyako Don, prompting me to inquire about its status. It appeared the order had been overlooked, despite our initial confirmation with the waiter. Additionally, the processing of my bill was unusually delayed given the sparse customer turnout. While the food itself was satisfactory, the lackluster service left me feeling that the additional charges on the bill were unjustified.

Final Thoughts

Ooma presents a mixed dining experience. While some dishes are delicious and highlight the kitchen’s strengths, others fail to satisfy. The service is inconsistent, often being hit or miss, with frequent instances of slow service during visits. Overall, while Ooma has its moments of culinary excellence, the overall experience can be marred by inconsistent food quality and service reliability.

Rating

OOMA
CUISINE: Japanese, Asian, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options
ADDRESS: 3rd Floor, Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City
HOURS: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Monday – Sunday)
CONTACT NO.: +639190845562
FB PAGE: Ooma PH
ACCEPTS CREDIT CARD: Yes (Visa, Mastercard)
LANGUAGE: Filipino, English
SERVICE: Dine-in (Lunch, Dinner, Brunch), Take-Away
BUDGET: 1,000 PHP to 1,500 PHP (good for two-three persons)
OTHERS: Take-Away, Wheelchair Accessible, Table Service, Serves Alcohol

DISCLOSURE: Stop guessing and start tasting! We are dedicated to making sure our readers get all the information they need, as well as an honest perspective on their dining experiences. Our reviews are entirely based on experience and paid for with our own money – so you can trust that we’re providing an accurate and reliable review each time.

Click here for more Japanese Foodventure