May 2023 by Shanny Foo
Very nice service and excellent menu. A good selection of vegetarian dishes and inventive cocktails. Good for groups and located in a very walkable area. Maybe one downside was no wifi but a QR menu. They did have physical menus to share as a backup.Food: 5/5
April 2023 by Taylor Tasich
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!
November 2022 by David K.
Just incredible. Can't believe a restaurant on State Street can be so good! Every dish we ordered was spectacular. We shared the ribs and they were so good we ordered a second helping. The marinade and the potatoes on the side with aoili equally amazing. We loved the brussel sprouts and the duck salad. Also the chicken on rice was great as was the noodles with pork. We sat outside and the heater worked well enough to keep us warm. The entire meal was just a wonderful treat!
November 2022 by David K
Just incredible. Can't believe a restaurant on State Street can be so good! Every dish we ordered was spectacular. We shared the ribs and they were so good we ordered a second helping. The marinade and the potatoes on the side with aoili equally amazing. We loved the brussel sprouts and the duck salad. Also the chicken on rice was great as was the noodles with pork. We sat outside and the heater worked well enough to keep us warm. The entire meal was just a wonderful treat!
October 2022 by Candy G.
At first my husband and I were skeptical of what to expect from the food at this restaurant because it wasn't giving Southeast Asian vibes based on the ambiance. It felt a little generic. The menu seemed eccentric. However, it did seem like they were focused on fresh ingredients, so that's good. We ordered a hot chicken bao and two drinks because it felt like there wasn't too much room for disappointment in those choices. The chicken bao certainly didn't disappoint, it was savory and sweet. The drinks were fresh and delicious, but small. Overall, when I'm back in Santa Barbara I will probably go back for dinner.
October 2022 by Игорь П.
guys, don't come here to eat or for pick up food. you gonna wait 2 hours in front of the restaurant !! 2 hours for your order!! don't waist your time!!! the worst restaurant i have ever been!!!!!
October 2022 by Victoria O.
Sama Sama, which I'd never heard of because I almost never walk on State St or come downtown unless I have to go to Apple or another errand, blew my mind. Just INCREDIBLE food. The mussels! If you like high spice (my mom could never tolerate), you will want to come back the next day for more. The sprouts I shared with a gym pal who suggested it. Very good. Her chicken terrific. We didn't drink because we went to Good Lion beforehand but I loved everything about it and am coming back soon.
October 2022 by RoshanGV
Discovered this gem of a place on State Street in Santa Barbara, the family had been here before and recommended it!. Wasn't a disappointment...excellent Asian Fusion Food, good service and a nice vibe to it. The "shared plates" concept is a great way to try more dishes and works well with Asian cuisines. We started with nice cocktails alcoholic and non alcoholic. The starter, Krupuk with 3 kinds of Sambal was good, we had an excellent Javanese Chicken curry Bowl with Rice and accomplishments. Chicken and rice both superbly flavourful. The rest came on to the table in quick succession! Nuri Ribs and Signature Wings both par excellence! A great Papaya Salad to blend in well with all the other flavours. The entire meal was a great combination of flavours and spices. Finished off with a Pavlova....not such an Asian dessert but hit the right spot after a fabulous meal. Would love to go back!
October 2022 by Christina M.
AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL!! Our first impression was a dirty water glass. Then one of our entrees came out BEFORE out appetizer, which was mediocre at best. Drinks were blah. Half hour into the meal me with still no entree, and my guy finished with his, I canceled my entree. I sat there and watched him eat his, and left with no dinner. We were NOT comped for anything, he attitude of the manager was rude sarcastic and cocky. AVOID!!!! We are local from Santa Barbara and will ever go back hope They go out of business! They don't deserve to stay open when there are so many other GREAT CHOICES.
October 2022 by Van H
A real gem, glad we came here! Was excited to have mie goreng and wings, all delicious. Cocktails were also very well done and completed a great dinner. Awesome vibe, very Santa Barbara, highly recommend coming early because it got busy very fast and a long wait.
October 2022 by Prasenjit Das
Mandatory 20% gratuity in the bill is surprising and not desired. Gratuity should be at will and based on the quality of service and not mandatory.Coming back to food, it’s average and everything dipped into sweet sauce which makes all items taste same!!!I felt it’s NOT value for money.
September 2022 by Chloe M.
Farm-to-table southeast asian food, with a lovely quaint ambiance. Somewhat limited hours so check before you go. I crave their fried rice all the time! And the smashed cucumber salad is so refreshing.
September 2022 by Downderoad
We ate a number of the sharing plates and enjoyed every single one of them! Great variety of flavours and tastes. Great service friendly atmosphere definitely worth a visit!
September 2022 by Joe G.
Well, as we are all Indonesians, we have to collectively day we are disappointed in the flavors here. We'd say kurang enak and kurang terasa Indonesian (not tasty and authentic in Indonesian flavor). Moreover, the mie goreng and nasi goreng are just not that good. The saving grace is the curry which at least taste a bit familiar, but not by much.
September 2022 by John B.
First off, hands down the best papaya salad in town. Every time we come here we are transported to Thailand. Service is always excellent and the place is clean. Definitely recommend! Been coming here for years and they never disappoint.
