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    Sama Sama Kitchen

    3.9 (731 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Sama Sama Kitchen Photos

    SAMA SAMA KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Chicken wings
    Irena T.

    Make a reservation to avoid wait times. The crispy rice salad and braised pork noodles were my favorites. Service was great, and the amount of food surprisingly filled us up

    Gender neutral bathroom!
    Yula K.

    Thank god a local friend of mine requested meeting at Sama Sama because my touristass would have never found this spot that is now my favorite in Santa Barbara. I have not tasted noodles like this outside of southern Massachusetts. the mie goreng with or without pork - the braised pork noodles - are delicious. The signature wings are also 10/10. Sticky, sweet, I just wish there were more. Crispy rice salad also really stood out to me. This was the dish I kept going back for until it was gone. Brussels sprouts were good too but less memorable, and the coconut rice was just okay but all in all I enjoyed an incredible meal and am excited to return.

    Keiko H.

    I was in town with my mom, who is from Indonesia, and since I grew up spending time there, I was excited to try this place. I knew going in that the menu was Indonesian-inspired, not authentic, so I wasn't expecting traditional Indonesian food -- but it was still a bit disappointing. If you've never had real Indonesian food, this might be fine as Southeast Asian-inspired dishes. For me, though, most items were missing the rich aromas and depth of spices that define Indonesian and Southeast Asian cuisine. The only dishes that really delivered on flavor were the chicken wings and the steamed fish in banana leaves, which had some spice and complexity. The nasi goreng didn't taste like nasi goreng at all -- more like bland fried rice -- and the chicken satay sauces lacked peanut flavor and seasoning. Overall, if you're okay with fairly mediocre Southeast Asian-inspired food, it's acceptable -- but it didn't live up to what I was hoping for.

    Ribs
    Wutan F.

    Food is soooo bomb. 100/100. Those ribs are the best I ever had. Also food comes out so fast and hot. What a win. Service is excellent including the hostesses so friendly and smiley. Nowadays hostesses from other restaurants look miserable and have no enthusiasm lol kills the vibe. The noodles were extremely delicious, we regret not ordering another bowl to go lol can't wait to come back

    Gem P.

    Nice ambiance, good service, quality food but flavors underwhelming. Traditional wings and peanut sauce that came with garlic chips stood out to me. Papaya salad was fresh and bright but overall mid. Flavors lacked that extra punch I expect from dining at southeast Asian restaurants.

    Crispy Rice Salad
    Beto R.

    Allured by Michelin star rating, we decided to try the restaurant while visiting SB. Inside, the décor is rustic with seating for 50+ people. There are also few tables outside for those who enjoy downtown street scenery. The attentive server guided us to our table and brough menu and water right away. We ordered the following dishes: Braised Pork Noodle Mie Goreng: The thin noodles had a very nice texture and were al dente. The seasoning was savory, tangy and a tad spicy (somewhat reminiscent of yakisoba's). The meat was tender, and the scrambled egg was a nice added ingredient. Morning After: The fried rice was lightly seasoned with a hint of sweetness from onion. The satay chicken pieces were tender and flavorful. The pickles were on the salty side. Fry Chicken: What a nice ying-yang palate whiplash. On one side, the wing had fish sauce which was tangy and slightly sweet. On other side, it had heavier and spicy tamarind sauce. The chicken wings' skins were crispy and inside meat was juicy (portion could be larger). Crispy Rice Salad: This was an interesting dish, the slightly crunchy popcorned rice was blended with assorted veggies, then drizzled with flavorful and tangy dressing. The runny egg added a nice creaminess to the dish. Overall, it was a very pleasant culinary experience. Was Sama Sama Michelin star worthy? I would recommend that you stop by and try it out yourself.

    Beef rendang
    Vicki C.

    Great homey place for some Indonesian inspired dishes. Sama sama means you're welcome or same to you often following thank you, conveying a sense of togetherness. My favorites were the signature wings, ribs with potato wedges (yummy white dip), and fried fish (crispy and flavorful). If you like milder flavors, the chicken and fried rice are your best bets. The chips come with a delicious peanut sauce. Beef rendang was tasty although traditionally is more saucy I hear. In any case, great flavors and atmosphere.

    Danelle S.

    Just walking around today around dinner time. The sushi place was full so we tried Sama Sama... I am struggling to find the words for exactly how exquisitely mouthwatering this food was. You can tell the chefs take this seriously, it's not just food, it's a creation! Our son got the braised pork noodles and it was amazing! If you're gonna eat pork, this is way to do it. So flavorful! We all enjoyed them. My husband and I shared the Javanese braised chicken. The depth of flavor was just ... chefs kiss! Curry but not too much, a bit of spice, chicken cooked to perfection! Everything was SO good! Like the kind of food you want to pound down because it's amazing but you also want to slow down and savor every bite. I'm glad the sushi place was full because this was epic.

    Braised pork noodles
    Celine P.

    I absolutely love this place. The Vietnamese chicken wings will always be on my list of things to indulge in. The spicy, sweet, herby taste is so satisfying with the crispy skin. I love the brussel sprouts, how it just melts in mouth. The braised pork noodles was something I realize could possibly be replicated at home but so delicious nevertheless. We walked in at 6pm on a Tuesday and was able to get a walk in seat, but seem like reservations were preferable. The air is romantic with the candle lights. Super busy and full of conversation.

    Nasi Kuning - yellow coconut rice
    Sara C.

    Sama Sama is my must visit restaurant when in SBA. First time was about 6 years ago and have fallen in love with everything I've had here. Seriously everything. The wings are a must each time, and so is some kind of Mi Goreng dish. I normally like my wings plain and sauce on the side, but I'd sacrifice for their sticky wings. The flavors are just unforgettable. Love that the napkins are home made by the owners' parents, and so were the wait staff's aprons. Small but mighty location, def get here early when they open. The cocktails are divine and the service is always on point. Parking can kind of be tricky but I usually can either find street parking a few blocks away, or the parking structure nearby that's paid. Thanks for being my SBA staple and you have delivered consistent flavors the last 6 years.

    Insta/Beli/Yelp/TikTok: @amei_eats
    Alex M.

    Overall: A // 5 stars Sama Sama Kitchen is the first restaurant I visited in Santa Barbara and to this date is still my favorite restaurant. Although the food runs on the pricey style with elevated tapas style small plates, I love their take on how to highlight Asian fusion flavors in a beautiful way. The restaurant has a cozy inside and a beautiful hidden garden patio in the back outdoors as well; I also feel they do a great job selecting a team that are incredibly friendly and goes above and beyond to make diners feel appreciated. Highly recommend. (Krupuk & Sambal: B) - Humble starter where all the effort is hidden in that beautifully developed sambal, featuring a spicy rendition to pair with a sweet and nutty peanut sauce. l did find this to be a downgrade from the last time I visited, which featured 3 sambal, including a non-spicy tomato jam that goes well to complement these two, at only $5 compared to $8. (Signature Wings: A+) - It's sweet; it's salty; it's acidic; it's what you want to eat! Hands down the best wings I've had in my lifetime the first time I had it in 2019 and still the best wings I've had as of 2025. That tamarind caramel is just such an addictive masterpiece while simultaneously highlighting the beauty of southeast asian flavors. This sauce pairs so well with the succulent crispy wings, which are able to maintain their crispiness with the saucy coating. (Crispy Rice Salad: C) - Very mint-forward to the point of being overpowering; love the texture of the puffed rice, but otherwise felt like the salad was missing substance. Feel like this dish may work better reduced in size and used as a side to pair something that calls for a very strong herb to counter balance. (Cocktail: A) - Forgot the name, but it is one of their takes on a more southeast asian style mezcal, which is easy on the palette; the presentation is simple and clean as well. (Pepes Ikan: A) - Lusciously fragrant black cod enriched in a coating of comforting coconut and tomato sambal that pairs perfectly with their yellow coconut rice. The fish is incredibly tender and absorbs the sambal paste very beautifully. (Naughty Nuri Ribs: C) - Love the tenderness of the sticky barbeque ribs; separately, the crispy potato wedges work well with the creaminess of the garlic aioli; however, I feel like the potatoes and ribs have no cohesion and don't go together well. Food: +1 Presentation: +1 Price: E Atmosphere: +1 Service: +1 Menu: +1 Overall: 5 stars Insta/Beli/Yelp/TikTok: @amei_eats

    Fenny C.

    Listed in Michelin Guide. Parking: park few blocks down to get a 75min free street parking. State street is for bike and walking only. Seating: indoor and outdoor patio. Service: friendly people. Restroom: 1 gender neutral restroom We ordered: Morning After plate - fried rice, 2 chicken satay, crispy fried egg, smashed cucumber Kuku Ruyuk - coconut yellow rice, 2 chicken satay, wings, mixed bok choy salad and smashed cucumbers Braised pork noddle - fried noddle with Braised pork Naughty nuri spare ribs - originated from Bali style. Overall food is ok, decend. If you tried an authentic indonesian food, you will get a bit dissappoint. Otherwise, you will enjoy them.

    Michelle S.

    Food wasn't bad but nothing that stood out to me. The birthday dessert was my favorite lol. Great service and cute for a date night

    Pork noodles

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    Sama Sama Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Sama Sama Kitchen

    Can we bring our dog if we sit outside on the patio?

    We are dog friendly, if the dogs are well behaved; but we are unable to allow pets on our back patio, as the only access is through the kitchen.

    Are they back to full serve at lunch or do you still have to order at the bar first?

    Yes, we are back to fully table-side service for lunch. See you soon!

    Hi. Do you cater for weddings? Aporox 100-150 people?

    Hi M B, We do! Please email hello@samasamakitchen.com and we can put something together.… Read more

    Are reservations recommended for weekends or weeknights?

    Yes, definitely, especially if you have a bigger party

    Is there outdoor seating?

    Yes, there is outdoor seating blocked off in the road just across the sidewalk from the entrance.

    When's their happy hour?

    Currently we do not have any happy hour specials, but plan to roll out some in the near future. We do have a wide variety of drinks & dishes that can fit into anyones budget.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    I absolutely loved Pearl Social and kudos to my friend Jara S. For highlighting them and for the…read morestellar drink recommendation. Pearl social is such a whimsical fun spot to grab a drink and a snack in the funk zone. We stumbled in for a late afternoon drink and it wasn't very busy inside - giving off "best kept secret vibe". The decor is very feminine yet playful. Loved the design and bar area. We opted for a casual booth area by the bar which was really nice. Also all of the little things were done well, crisp menus, clean bathrooms, and music done at just the right sound level. Their menu in the bar area for food is small but mighty - oysters, cheese plates, you name it. I'm definitely going to keep coming here for the cocktails. I've had one of the best sips in 2025 here - which would be The Mixtape cocktail. My friend told me I had to get it and I'm so glad I listen sometimes lol. This cocktail completely blew me away. Passionfruit forward, it's silky, sweet yet very well balanced. One of the more unique and tasty cocktails I've had ever and honestly I'm not sure how I could come back and get anything else. 10/10 Cocktail and menu. Super impressed. Kudos to Mark who was working the bar. Such a lovely spirit and kind person. He really is passionate about his menu and the drinks he's curated. Loved talking to him as we got to know a lot more about Pearl social and how some of their drinks were concerted. Really appreciated his time and expertise. Anytime I'm in the funk zone I will 100% be stopping back by here for a cocktail and good vibes.

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    Cutler's Artisan Spirits

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    After a sweet drink, at a bar nearby, I was seeking something less sweet- thus we headed over to…read moreCutler's for a drink or two. This location is in the heart of the Funk Zone near the pier in Santa Barbara. When we approached the location, we saw that they were only offering drinks outside on the patio- as the temps were ok on Saturday in early September, we felt ok sitting on a small patio on lounge chairs with relaxing music in the background. The patio is in the back of Cutler's that can be entered around the corner (map on the front door of Cutler's shows the directions). The patio is next to other tasting room patios featuring wine and next door to Lark's restaurant. When we visited the tasting room at about 3pm in the afternoon, we were the only individuals there but started to fill up with other small groups. When a large group entered, the waitress said you will need a reservation as she was only wait staff there. Perhaps a sign is needed to notify people, that groups need reservations. The drinks were spot on- the drinks started at 14 dollars to about 16 dollars for cocktails. The tasting room also offers tastings of their products too. The tastings looked small. The cocktails were well poured. I was just disappointed to find out that I could not get a Bloody Mary on a Saturday- only Sundays- the Bloody Mary looked really good. If you are done with wine, and seeking something different, come relax on the patio here if your vibe is a low key environment with solid distillery cocktails.

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    Sama Sama Kitchen - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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