We came here for a late lunch as we saw it holds Michelin Bib. Sweet: great menu options. So many tasty choices. We ordered the Vietnamese chicken wings and braised pork noodles. Both very delicious. The wings were all flats so that was a plus alone. Full of good flavor and very crispy. The noodles were delicious as well. I recommend both. The restaurant is decorated very nice and the server was attentive. Sour: the restaurant was very clean but it bothers me so much when some places have a designated area that flies like to circle around that tends to be near the bar. I wish there could be more control to prevent that. I did really enjoy the meal but the portions were small. If it wasn't so good I would almost say the prices weren't worth it. You can definitely share but I would get at least 3 options for 2 people. My husband and I weren't that hungry so it was a decent amount since it was such a late lunch and we were thinking about getting something else shortly after. Overall I hope we are in town again soon as there are other things I'd like to try. read more

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The chicken wings were absolutely amazing - if you do nothing else, order those!!! The Vietnamese style was my favorite. The shaved bok choy and duck salad was SO good as well!!! The duck was excellent, and didn't feel too fatty - it was perfect. The drinks were good as well - had the spritz. Our servers were so polite and friendly, and honestly just felt like we were around friends. I like that this place, like many jn Santa Barbara, pays their staff a living wage and so you end up with a more authentic interaction that doesn't feel forced. The aesthetic was beautiful - perfect for a lunch date or for a dinner before sunset. Open air seating, beautiful decor, overall a lovely experience! read more

This was a disappointing experience. The good: wings were good, waiter was kind The bad: host was cold as ice, cocktails absolutely nothing to write home about, ribs weren't meaty enough to justify the $34 price tag, crispy rice salad was boring and needed more ingredients, 20% auto gratuity to me means cheapskate ownership trying to pass payroll onto customers. Wouldn't return, especially in a city with so many great options. read more

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 read more

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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. read more

Sama Sama Kitchen - Gender neutral bathroom! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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. read more

Sama Sama Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Crispy rice salad should be their signature dish. Delicious and the playful texture was a pleasant surprise. Sama wings are flavorful with the right touch of sweetness. The Vietnamese wings are well seasoned but a little hot for my palate. Only 6 wingettes per order for $17 is not priced right. Other than that, service and ambiance are at par. read more

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 read more

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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. read more

Sama Sama Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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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. read more

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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. read more

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A must try when you're in Santa Barbara! The wings are truly the star of the show! Crispy, flavorful, and perfectly sticky. They did not disappoint! I usually try just one item when visiting a new restaurant to decide if it's worth a return, and these wings definitely passed the test. I'll be coming back for more! They have two locations. one on State and another right by Gelson's. I highly recommend trying the wings if you're in the area. Looking forward to my next visit! read more

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. read more

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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. read more

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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. read more

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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 read more

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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. read more

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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 read more

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Delicious south Asian food in ambiance that gives modern proletariat vibes. The wings: We ordered half &half so we could try 3 of each of their 2 flavors. I loooved the crispy Thai wings, with fish sauce and yummy sweetness drizzled on top. Wasn't a fan of the black molasses drenched house special wings - but my hubby was. And they are the house special so people must like them. lol! The short rib noodles tho? Soooo good! Can't describe how yummy these noodles are. The meat is not served as a big chuck, but cut up and parsed throughout. This dish really shines! The crispy rice salad was also wonderful. Lighter than the short rib noodles but definitely not a traditional salad. It's a warm rice dish with salad elements in it, like cilantro and other tasty things. The texture of the rice - almost like warm and rice crispy, is what makes it particularly memorable. The Indonesian jasmine tea comes in a little kettle and serves 2. The tea is so full of flavor, the scent so lovely - it's a big YES for me! Service was very laid back, very knowledgeable, the staff work together very well and are very welcoming. Wonderful experience! read more

Solid. Flavors were fun and dishes delicious. We enjoyed everything we ordered. The wings with the Korean sauce were too much and would not order ever again . The puffed rice dish =incredible. We would go back again with no doubts. Service was great food solid. Enjoyed the evening read more

- Wings (half signature, half Vietnamese): 6/10 - Cod: 3/10, needs more depth of flavor. Thai Basil still on the stem just placed on top of fish while steaming - Ribs: 7/10. Ribs were good, felt like an incomplete/separate dish from the potatoes) - Morning after plate: 2/10, the whole dish needed more flavor. In addition, chicken breast satay was on the dry side, and cucumbers needed more vinegar and less salt read more

Really great service, tips are included and tips seemed shared too. We had any number of wait staff helping us. All the food came quickly and was super flavorful. Brussel sprouts had a mixture of sweet dates to cut the bitterness which was nice. Highlights were the house wings, perfect combo of acid and heat and umami. The chicken bao was surprisingly not a sharable dish, but more of a Asian chicken sandwich. Still great though. I thought it would be a few dumplings to share. The main was the pork noodles. Also very good with Chinese 5 spice and peppers and garlic and jalapeños. Very rich, share for 2 people. Overall very good quality and fun for groups to share. Must have for modern Asian food lovers. read more

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Outstanding meal! I chose the patio which was very lovely and had cute light strings. I ordered the black code, signature chicken wings, and the papaya salad. The black cod was probably the best I ever had. It melted in my mouth. They cook it wrapped in a banana leaf and it just keeps all the sauce and flavor together. Was a great call by the waitress to order a side of jasmine rice to soak up the sauce. Phenomenal. The papaya has quite the kick and was super refreshing. To drink I got the Under the lilac sky which was so good. This place definitely earned it's Michelin bib! read more

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Cute date spot on the main street in SB with the most interesting menu. Wait staff was very friendly. We got the crispy rice salad which was so good. The ribs were also very flavorful. Everything was great though I would say it is ever so slightly more expensive that it needs to be. The portion sizes and prices don't match. I get it... its on the main street but... One more set of ribs would've justified it. One more heaping scoop of the salad would've justified it. Anyways, its always my fav go to spot in SB! read more

the wings and burger are delicious. we came on a rainy day and didn't mind sitting outside. we were next to a fireplace and they offered us blankets. the wings are flavorful and crispy. the burger had a great texture and i would definitely come back for it again. it's a spacious and clean place. overall, it's definitely worth checking out. read more

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Came here real quick for an appetizer as we wanted to hop around. Got their traditional wings and oh boy were they delicious! Location is perfect as it's in the downtown area and walkable to lots of other shops, restaurants, the courthouse gardens etc. our waitress was very friendly as well and provided us with other recommendations. I would def come back again to try more of their items! read more

Sama Sama Kitchen - Wings - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

on the michelin guide so wanted to check this southeast asian restaurant! street parking and not too busy during lunch time. food was great but nothing spectacular. food: - naughty nuri spare ribs: one of my favs - morning after plate: rice has good flavor - kuku-ruyuk: very saucy wings and satay is the same as the morning after - braised pork mie goreng: yummy fried noodle read more

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Review is from July 2024. My husband and I were visiting Santa Barbara and had read great things about Sama Sama so we decided to give it a try. We had our two dogs with us so we had to wait for a table in their front patio. The front patio can be a bit tight/the tables are close together. We ordered: 1. Signature Wings 2. Braised Pork Mie Goreng 3. Naughty Nuri Spare Ribs All of the dishes were flavorful and the meat on the wings and ribs were tender and came right off the bones. I love noodles so the Mie Goreng was my favorite, with the ribs coming in second. While there seemed to be a lot of servers, service was slow. It took a while for a server to take our order and they checked on us maybe once? Food was great but service could have been better. read more

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Very mild. Mild flavor. Mild spice. Mild service. Mild portions. The ambiance is nice though. The chicken wing was so deep fried it was impossible to digest. I This is what Santa Barbara considers Asian food?! read more

Tried Sama Sama for dinner after typically going only for lunch. Menu is basically the same, but the place Is quite busier! We did the Thai fish, cucumber salad, Tamarind wings, and the daily special tofu with broccolini. Flavors were all right on. It is a little pricey for the amount of food, but that is ok since you won't complain about fresh garlic, veggies, and spices. My favorite was the crispy garlic on top of the tofu which gave the best kick since combined with Serrano peppers. I recommend putting your name in at the front and going on a walk while you wait to be seated. Only not great thing is the outdoor area is small in front and we had seat next to door which felt like we were basically the host counter while we ate. read more

Sama Sama Kitchen - Thai fish - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Had a great time, love the ambiance, great service, 20 percent gratuity included. Food was delicious from starters to noodles and ribs. Fun times. Must try for sure read more

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I originally from Indonesia , so I curiously tried this place when I picked up my son from UCSB. The foods presentation is nice, the ambiance outside is good since the weather is nice that day. The taste for me is ok . read more

Sama Sama Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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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. read more

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*Super Bowl Takeout* Sama Sama posted on social media that you could order takeout for Super Bowl. I was stoked to not have to cook and ordered 40 signature crispy chicken wings for $50. The pickup was so easy and the wings tasted phenomenal! They were packaged well, came with slices of limes and garnished. So happy to have done this. read more

Came on a Friday evening and there were many seats open. The service was great and fast. The spare ribs were super tender and juicy, and the potato wedges were crispy and warm. The meat easily slid off the bone and the flavor was amazing. The braised pork noodles were not bad, but nothing special about them at all. To be honest, I felt like I barely even ate any pork. It felt like I was mostly just eating noodles and eggs. For both dishes, I don't think the price fit the portion sizes at all - these two items alone made the bill come out to $67-76 (with tip included I believe). read more

Sama Sama Kitchen - braised pork noodles - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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We had a great dinner here before a concert in SB. They were easily able to accommodate my friend's tricky dietary restrictions and all the food was fresh and delicious. The outdoor patio was beautiful and the service was great! We love the Little Sama location in Ojai (at the Topa Topa there), so I was stoked to check out the mothership in SB! read more

I was invited here for dinner a few nights ago. The vibe was upbeat and the crowd noisy. The food and service muted the noise. We ordered a variety of dishes. The cauliflower... the wings... the ribs... the Brussel sprouts.... Beers... and ice cream choices all well prepared and delicious. We reordered more of the wings. It was a very fun night with friends... read more

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. read more

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When you're on vacay you just want to try all the things and sleep. Well, the sleep part may be just me. Anywho, our first dinner in Santa Barbara was here, and I wasn't disappointed. I wanted to try everything, but the way my stomach was behaving, I couldn't. Our waiter was great with recommendations. So settled for their signature wings, smashed cucumber salad, and the Japanese style fried rice. I took half of it back with me b/c I couldn't part with it. Lol. My tablemates left nothing on their plates, so I believe they enjoyed their meal as well. read more

Sama Sama Kitchen - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I am obsessed with Sama Sama for two reasons : their incredibly thoughtfully executed craft cocktails and creative southeast Asian cuisine. Just a feast for the senses here. I first actually discovered Sama Sama through one of their pop-ups with Topa Topa, and instantly became intrigued. So naturally when I was in SB next, I had to check out the flagship. And I was not disappointed. This is the second time I've been here, and the cocktails were really outstanding - shoutout to the bar manager and her extremely unique concoctions. Another plus - they are very dog-friendly here! And what a beautiful space. read more

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