Siam Square Mookata: Unli Thai-Style Barbecue and Hotpot in Makati City

If you’re a foodie, chances are you’ve already had Chinese Hotpot and Korean Barbecue. But what if I told you that you can have the best both of worlds, and Thai style? It’s called Mookata.

Mookata (also spelled Moo Kata or Mu Kratha) is a Thai food experience that combines barbecue and hotpot. The cooking device typically used is a pan with a raised dome in the middle, where you grill food. Around the dome is where you put the broth for the hotpot.

While “moo” means pork (“kata” is pan), there are other proteins used as well, which include beef, chicken, and seafood. Like Chinese hotpot and Korean barbecue, moo kata has a variety of veggies and sauces, too.

So one night, when I was craving for meat, my wife and I visited Siam Square Mookata. I was told by a waiter that it has several branches in Singapore. I just couldn’t verify if it’s an official franchise. One thing I’m sure: It’s authentic enough to draw the attention of Thai expats and vloggers!

There are two branches in Makati. We went to the one at The Linear.

Inside Siam Square Mookata The Linear Branch

When we were seated, a portable gas stove with a moo kata plate was placed on our table. Then we were given chicken broth, eggs, proteins, vegetables, and vermicelli noodles. The serving is unlimited.

Here’s what I think of them:

Beef: It’s okay. Just be attentive when cooking lest it becomes tough.
Broth: It’s chicken and needs seasoning. But when the meat drippings mix with it, or you cook the meats in it, it becomes elevated.
Chicken: It’s tender.
Eggs: It’s nice to poach it in the broth. We were told that others fry this on the grill. So you can actually cook it the way you want. Maybe I’ll try to mix it in the broth next time.
Fish Balls: The real one and not the street food kind. It’s bouncy and one of my favorite items in our mookata experience.
Pork Belly Slices: It’s bacon-like and heavenly. It’s also one of my favorite items. Try to get more of this.
The Other Kind of Pork: It’s good but I suggest you just maximize the pork belly slices.
Vegetables (Cabbage, Enoki Mushrooms, and Water Spinach): It fresh and crisp, and give the feeling that you’re eating healthily! LOL.
Squid: It’s good but it’s not the cuttlefish kind.

They offer shrimp but we’re allergic to it. There’s also rice and vermicelli noodles.

Last but not the least—the sauce (and there’s only one kind), which elevated our meal. It’s sweet, tangy, and stay-in-the-mouth spicy. It also has cilantro, chopped garlic, and sesame seeds. Everything you dip in it instantly becomes better. It’s nothing short of amazing!

Our only concern is that the meats take time to grill on the dome starting the middle of our meal. We figured that this happens as long as there’s broth around it. Perhaps the heat gets distributed from the dome and into the broth. Science?

Still, Siam Square Mookata offers good food and a unique experience (and it’s only P499/person!). I believe it’s one of the handful food spots that serve mookata. If you want take a break from Chinese hotpot and Korean barbecue, then try this out. I recommend this place to you!

For Siam Square Mookata branches, operating hours, and contact details, check out their Facebook and Instagram accounts.