Smookata - Flavors of Thailand , A Thai-Style Barbecue Place in Pasig

'Mookata' at Smookata: Thai Barbecue Restaurant Opens in Tiendesitas

by Chris Mallari

Eating is the easiest way to travel without actually leaving the country.  It is relatively safe and enjoyable without breaking the bank--you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home under certain circumstances. And if you’re feeling up to transporting your tastebuds to Thailand, then look no further than the newest member of our international restaurant list: Smookata. The first ever mookata branch is now located inside of the Food Village in Tiendesitas, Pasig City.  Tiendesitas is conveniently located along C5 and Julia Vargas.

Smookata, Thai BBQ

Smookata is brought to us by Jason Phua and former OFW now turned restaurateur Michael Abellar.  Michael was able to taste the many flavors of Asia while working in the food industry in Singapore.  With the help of his friend Jason he was introduced to the flavors of Thai food.  They would visit the local Thai mookata restaurant and enjoy grilling and reminiscing about home and family.  Jason, noticing how his Filipino friends enjoyed the experience, suggested that they should bring the concept to the Philippines.  When Michael returned home he started working on getting the restaurant up and running until they finally introduced Smookata to the Philippines.

First mookata branch

Mookata is Thai for pork skillet, better known as Thai Barbecue.  At Smookata you grill the meat on top of the mookata, unlike regular barbecue places (use of a grill) and shabu-shabu where you cook the meat by dipping it in the broth.  The mookata is made out of pure brass and is imported from Thailand specifically for the restaurant.  The mookata is a domed shape grill with a basin around it to hold the broth and capture any of the juices of the meat being grilled.  This adds to the savory taste of the broth.

Mookata made out of pure brass.

The mookata experience can be broken down into several steps.  But first you have to select one of the following set meals.  You can also add to the sets by choosing food from the a la carte menu.
Meat lovers Set (2 Pax) - P350

• Combination of marinated chicken and pork
• Pork liver
• Cabbage
• Taiwan Pechay
• Corn
• Sliced Carrot
• Egg (1pc)
• Tunghoon
• 2 Bowls of rice

Premium Seafood and Meat Set (2 Pax) - P525

• Combination of marinated chicken and pork
• Pork Liver
• Shrimps
• Squid
• Crabstick
• Cabbage
• Taiwan Pechay
• Corn
• Sliced Carrot
• Egg (1pc)
• Tunghoon
• 2 bowls of rice

Meat Lovers Set (4 Pax) - P650

• Combination of marinated chicken and pork
• Pork Liver
• Cabbage
• Taiwan Pechay
• Corn
• Sliced Carrot
• Egg (2pcs)
• Tunghoon
• 4 bowls of rice

Premium Seafood and Meat Set (4 Pax) - P975

• Combination of marinated chicken and pork
• Pork Liver
• Shrimps
• Squid
• Crabstick
• Cabbage
• Taiwan Pechay
• Corn
• Sliced Carrot
• Egg (2pcs)
• Tunghoon
• 4 bowls of rice

Premium Seafood and Meat Set

 

Step 1:  Add broth to the basin.

 

Step 2: Take provided pork fat and rub it all over the grill.

 

Step 3:  Place the veggies, eggs, and optional crabsticks into the broth.

 

Step 4: Place meat/seafood onto the grill. Make sure not to burn it by turning over once one side is cooked.
 

Step 5:  Enjoy your food!

 

Dip it into the yummy sauce.

Alongside the set meals, you can order additional items that add value and taste to your Smookata experience.  I suggest ordering the Thai Iced Tea (P30) as it’s quite delicious and goes great with the meal. The ingredients to make the tea are imported from Thailand.

Thai Iced Tea

Aside from the set meals for the mookata, you can also order some of the Thai Classics in set meals such as the Fried Pandan Chicken, Tom Yum Goon, and the Thai Fried Kangkong.  All three dishes are great in combination with the set meals.  I personally liked the Tom Yum Goon as the soup was delicious and the spice did not burn while it went down my throat.  All these dishes can also be purchased a la carte.
Set A P540 (Good for 2)

• Choice of Fried Rice (add P50 for Pad Thai Shrimp)
• Choice of Fried Pandan Chicken, stuffed chicken wings, minced pork in basil.
• Thai Fried Kangkong

Set B P650 (Good for 2-3)

• Choice of Fried Rice (add P50 for Pad Thai Shrimp)
• Choice of Fried Pandan Chicken, stuffed chicken wings, minced pork in basil.
• Thai Fried Kangkong
• Tom Yum Goong

Add this to your set meal

 

Tom Yum, spicy and delicious

 

Thai Fried Rice

 

Chicken wings stuffed with meat

If after that large meal you still have some space left, you may want to try out the desserts--they are both healthy and lip-smacking good. Try the Mango Sticky Rice (P60) and the Thai Red Ruby (P60), both highlighting the flavors of fresh fruits and coconut milk.

Fresh and healthy: Mango Sticky Rice

 

Thai Red Ruby

Smookata is an experience that needs to be shared with friends and family.  It’s a communal dining experience that exponentially increases the fun you have while dining and telling stories with good company.  Not only do they serve good food, but they also have a professional staff willing to make your dining experience a good one. Visit and share the flavors of Thailand by enjoying its food at Smookata!

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Establishment Info

• Smookata
  Thai