Sama Sama Kitchen

Andrew Brown

I lived in Santa Barbara for 4 years but somehow managed to never make it to Sama Sama, partially due to the amount of hype the restaurant receives. I always thought to myself - it can’t be THAT good right? Newsflash, Andrew, it’s THAT good! They’re known for their crispy chicken wings, and for good reason. The meat was tender, the exterior was crispy, and the sauces were delightful. Our favorite dish we ordered though, was their black cod with coconut rice. The meat was succulent, the sauce was a perfect balance of rich and spicy, and the rice was an excellent vessel to soak up all the flavor. Our waitress was also an expert of the menu, and was very patient walking us through how to best order - including our order of pork noodle to go. The next time we are back in Santa Barbar, we will be back at Sama Sama.

Michael Fiedler

Stopped by here with no reservation on a Saturday and was able to be seated immediately. Very friendly and accommodating staff. Ordered the crispy rice salad and Vietnamese wings. Was very impressed by the flavor of everything. Would definitely recommend and will absolutely go back.

Alan Ritchie

We had an excellent meal at Sama Sama. We started off with the brussels which were outstanding-some of the best brussels I have ever eaten. We then got the wings (split 1/2 between the vietnamese and traditional wings) and the braised pork noodles. I was very impressed by everything and felt that the experience and food lived up to its Michelin designation. My only con was that the noodles were a tiny bit dry for what I was expecting. This was a minuscule complaint in the setting of this excellent food, service, and atmosphere. I highly recommend this restaurant.

Brent Cham

Love seeing Southeast Asian flavors making a splash onto the culinary scene. Was everything perfect? Not quite but I’d still come back. We didn’t have a reservation so we had to wait 20-30 min at the bar next door till seats opened up. There was a little confusion because the host kept saying the tables inside including the bar were taken so we were initially sat outside but it was a little chilly. We noticed a group of three guys who also didn’t have a reservation came after us and took the bar seats that we were told were taken. No big deal they eventually gave us a large table inside. It was just a little confusing. Service the rest of the night was fantastic so would just chalk this up to miscommunication. Food wise there’s lot to try here and I’d say the flavors are pretty pan-southeast Asian if not, leaned more towards Malay-Indonesian. The best dish we had by far were the wings. They’re pretty tiny but they give you a decent amount and they’re packed with flavor. The signature wing has a sweet tamarind glaze whereas the Vietnamese wing is bright and salty (def my fave). The pork noodles were good but was slightly on the salty side. Otherwise the pork was great and they didn’t skimp on the meat. Noodles held up to the sauce and wasn’t over cooked. The whole fried rock fish was fried to perfection. Crispy outside with succulent meat inside. Came with a tamarind dipping sauce that also fell on the salty side. Needed either some acid to brighten it up or to be slightly diluted. All in all some minor flaws but an overall great dining experience with delicious dishes. Will definitely be back to try more.

Danielle Mansfield

We had an excellent experience at Sama Sama! It’s a great atmosphere - light, bright, and airy, but with personality. The food was excellent - we had the bao (everything is meant to be share plates, but oddly the bao comes as one sandwich 🤔), green papaya salad, braised pork noodle, and the pepes ikan (black cod in banana leaves). The presentation was humble and inviting, but still professional and pretty. It all tasted excellent and we literally finished every last speck of food between two of us. I love the Indonesian vibes and southeast Asian menu mashup. Would love to go again one day! The bourbon revolver specialty cocktail was perfect 👌

Inga Ledvina

If I could give this place more stars I would! It was eight of us yesterday and we get to try many different tapas and everything was amazingly delicious. It’s not our first time to dine there and the experience is always more than satisfying. All and all the food is delicious, service is excellent, super friendly people and a great location! Highly recommend 👍 One more: don’t forget to try their Sama Sama “The Peacock Chardonnay”.

Clare Chen

we loved it! we had the lunch set and the hot chicken bao. Greens tasted fresh; chicken was tender and flavorful. Service was friendly and professional. the space is spacious with high ceiling. Would come again.

Rajarshi Das

I walked into this place expecting good food but honestly I was blown away with the food. Everything was just special. The duck salad was crispy, fresh, and had a very unique south-east Asian flavor. The signature chicken wings were amazing, highly recommend squeezing the lemon on the wings as the flavor elevates. The nasi goreng tasted authentic. The Javanese braised chicken tasted delightful and very different from anything I have ever had. It goes well with the yellow coconut rice. Highly recommend this place!

Taylor Rodriguez

My husband and I spent almost a week in Santa Barbara hitting up all the restaurants we’ve been wanting to go to. We got married so it was a special week. Sama Sama was one of our favorites on the trip and we went back twice! The food was excellent - I did not take photos of everything we got. We also got the pork noodles - highly recommend. Not that it needs it but whatever extra wing sauce I had, I poured it on top of the noodles. We also got a miso black cod wrapped in a banana leaf with some curry on it. So delicate and delicious. This was a special, not on the menu. The drinks were some of the best hand crafted cocktails I’ve had in a while, unique and easy to put down. The staff, ambiance and vibe was perfect! Can’t wait to come back. Thanks for everything!

I logged in and happened to notice that this place had a 4.3 rating, and I thought to myself how absurd that is. This restaurant is nothing short of wonderful - from the location, to the ingredients, to the drinks/vibe. Also sneaky has some of the best desserts in Santa Barbara (that Pavlova!). Compliments to the owners for keeping up the quality and experience for over a decade.

Sometimes variable and on great form at the moment - top class tastes and an increase in portion size make this buzzy spot worth seeking out for authentic dishes. Sprouts and Nasi Goring especially good, as are the wings.

Ok word from the initiated , when they say it’s kind of spicy, it’s SPICY!! Now that’s out of the way, the food here is sensational if you can tolerate your heat. We got the tamarind wings, duck salad, ribs, pork noodles and seasonal boiled peanuts. Every dish was delicious, well thought out, and a nice twist on southeast Asian food. Service was super attentive and friendly (also sympathetic to our sweating from the spice and offered us rice to settle the heat). It’s a beautiful small space in the mall which is well appointed. We were very surprised at how well priced our bill was considering the portions and quality of food. Highly recommended

WILLIAM GALLAGHER

I had a main course of chicken, a side of rice, and a dessert (a panne cotta variation) and mixed drinks. Using Indonesian & Vietnamese flavors, the chicken & rice succeeded deliciously! I sat outdoors by a fire and enjoyed the street scene -- State St., Santa Barbara. Nothing could match that evening since the theater district experienced magic at next door Granada Theater, however, you can create your own magic at Sama Sama!

Jenna Tan

Ok word from the initiated , when they say it’s kind of spicy, it’s SPICY!! Now that’s out of the way, the food here is sensational if you can tolerate your heat. We got the tamarind wings, duck salad, ribs, pork noodles and seasonal boiled peanuts. Every dish was delicious, well thought out, and a nice twist on southeast Asian food. Service was super attentive and friendly (also sympathetic to our sweating from the spice and offered us rice to settle the heat). It’s a beautiful small space in the mall which is well appointed. We were very surprised at how well priced our bill was considering the portions and quality of food. Highly recommended

Delicious little restaurant with exotic South East Asian flavors. Every dish was pretty good. A lot of Indonesian flavors on the menu. My family loved the signature wings and the crispy rice salad. My favorites were the “Naughty Nuri” spare ribs, which were fall off the bone tender, and the nasa gureng jawa which, some of the best and most unique fried rice I’ve ever had.

This place is so unique and full of flavor! 🌟🍴 Another amazing part? The great stuff (you know what I mean 😉)—SO good. We all absolutely loved Emma 💕 She felt like a friend—we seriously wanted to take her home! 🏡🥰 The twist on the drinks and food was next level 🍹🍛 My fave was the fried rice—the textures, the crunch, the flavor... chef’s kiss 👨‍🍳👌 And the wings? 🔥🍗 A little kick, but packed with flavor. Highly recommend! 🙌💯

Local restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating with delicious food! Also dog friendly, we had our mini dachshund puppy sitting outside and they provided a water bowl. The food is all meant for sharing. We ordered the pork ribs, wings, and braised pork mie goreng, and all three were very flavorful. The waitress was friendly, and recommended we get 2-3 dishes per person.

Weekday lunch is not crowded. Very relaxing environment and cozy. I have mixed feelings on the food. Definitely I tasted better fish wrapped in banana leaves elsewhere and their ribs were overcooked and burnt but good seasoning inside. The sample platter for veggies appetizer is great. Loved every bite and wanted more of these appetizers. Maybe our expectations are set too high since it is recommended by Michelin guide. There are just so many good restaurants in Santa Barbara and I wonder how it gets the recognition. Maybe we just didn’t order the right main dishes. It is still good but not excellent restaurant judging by the way how the ribs were cooked.

We enjoyed our experience at Sama Sama. Our hostess seated us in the patio out back. It was a nice space filled with lights and vines. The servers were on top of things and the food was delivered in a timely sequence. All of the dishes were well prepared, but didn’t distinguish themselves in any particular way. If you come, you’ll be happy that you did but you won’t necessarily be thinking about when you’ll return.

Randy

Delicious little restaurant with exotic South East Asian flavors. Every dish was pretty good. A lot of Indonesian flavors on the menu. My family loved the signature wings and the crispy rice salad. My favorites were the “Naughty Nuri” spare ribs, which were fall off the bone tender, and the nasa gureng jawa which, some of the best and most unique fried rice I’ve ever had.

Cat C

This place is so unique and full of flavor! 🌟🍴 Another amazing part? The great stuff (you know what I mean 😉)—SO good. We all absolutely loved Emma 💕 She felt like a friend—we seriously wanted to take her home! 🏡🥰 The twist on the drinks and food was next level 🍹🍛 My fave was the fried rice—the textures, the crunch, the flavor... chef’s kiss 👨‍🍳👌 And the wings? 🔥🍗 A little kick, but packed with flavor. Highly recommend! 🙌💯

Perry Zou

Local restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating with delicious food! Also dog friendly, we had our mini dachshund puppy sitting outside and they provided a water bowl. The food is all meant for sharing. We ordered the pork ribs, wings, and braised pork mie goreng, and all three were very flavorful. The waitress was friendly, and recommended we get 2-3 dishes per person.

Grish240

We enjoyed our experience at Sama Sama. Our hostess seated us in the patio out back. It was a nice space filled with lights and vines. The servers were on top of things and the food was delivered in a timely sequence. All of the dishes were well prepared, but didn’t distinguish themselves in any particular way. If you come, you’ll be happy that you did but you won’t necessarily be thinking about when you’ll return.

Jenn Jiang

Weekday lunch is not crowded. Very relaxing environment and cozy. I have mixed feelings on the food. Definitely I tasted better fish wrapped in banana leaves elsewhere and their ribs were overcooked and burnt but good seasoning inside. The sample platter for veggies appetizer is great. Loved every bite and wanted more of these appetizers. Maybe our expectations are set too high since it is recommended by Michelin guide. There are just so many good restaurants in Santa Barbara and I wonder how it gets the recognition. Maybe we just didn’t order the right main dishes. It is still good but not excellent restaurant judging by the way how the ribs were cooked.

Fried rice doesn’t have enough flavor. The crispy onions add a nice texture. Noodles and braised pork in it are flavorful but the meat portion is too small. Signature wings have a little tangy taste but nothing unique.

H

Fried rice doesn’t have enough flavor. The crispy onions add a nice texture. Noodles and braised pork in it are flavorful but the meat portion is too small. Signature wings have a little tangy taste but nothing unique.

Patrick Chew

With a mandatory 20% tips surcharged, we didn't even get any service since it's taken for granted. No water refill, no "how's everything" or "do you need anything else". We only saw our waitress once - when he took our orders and thereafter, the plates were taken to us by various kitchen helpers. Had to even flag to have our checks when we were done. If I remembered, tips was supposed to be given for service (good, tepid or bad). Nowadays, it's pretty much another food "tax". Only difference is that instead of going to the restaurant, it goes to the waiter, waitresses or pooled stewards. Service isn't even a factor and sadly even take-out, they asked you the usual 18%, 20% or 22% tips choices. We are becoming a restaurant panhandling society.

Been here multiple times and I really want to like this place, but it’s hard. The food is great, but the pacing is terrible. The food comes to your table as it’s ready from the kitchen and in no particular order. My wife and I ordered 5-6 items and everything hit the table at once. We were forced to eat quickly so the food wouldn’t get cold. Oh yea, there’s a mandatory 20% tip and at the end, they still ask if you want to leave more.

Quality of the food is not bad and taste is pretty authentic. I expected more of a restaurant with a Michelin recommendation. Still had a lot of fatty pieces of meat in my rendang. Prices are very steep considering the amount of food. The sate was three skinny skewers. Very little peanut sauce. I ordered extra sauce and got a tiny container for $2. Service and kindness of wait staff is poor. Not just to us but also the people ahead of us and next to us. Not very welcoming atmosphere. I was very much looking forward to eat Indonesian food but this is not the place.

Vivek Chopra

Hardly any food with poor quality. Do not understand why they call themselves Indonesian cuisine. Prices are high for the quality and quantity. In the end the waitress had the gall to impromptu declare " I think the quantity was just right". Would never step into that rip off place again.