For a solid mid-range Korean BBQ buffet, I'd point you to King Kong in Ekkamai. It's around 800 baht per head, and the pork belly and marinated beef short ribs are consistently good, plus the banchan refills come fast. The place gets packed on weekends, so go on a weekday evening or book ahead if you're set on it.

If you're more into Japanese style, Shintori in Thonglor does a decent yakiniku spread without the fancy price tag, though their sauce game is a bit sweeter than I'd like. Honestly, for the money, King Kong gives you better meat quality, so I'd start there unless you specifically want the Japanese cuts.

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oh man the 90 min limit thing is real, i always forget and end up rushing the last 15 mins like a maniac. another angle nobody hit yet is the riverside spots, like the ones on the pier near saphan taksin, they're more touristy but some do a sunset bbq combo that includes the boat ride back, which honestly kills two birds. check out the place on the third floor of icon siam, i think it's called yakiniku jumbo or something, it's not cheap cheap but around 900 baht gets u a window seat and the view of the chao phraya while u grill, plus their wagyu short rib is way better than king kong's standard cut tbh. not a pure buffet, more like a set with refills on select items, but the atmosphere makes it worth the extra hundred.

also random tip, most of these korean buffets in ekkamai share the same pork supplier, i noticed after eating at three different ones that the belly tastes identical, so just pick whichever has the shortest line. and if u go to mr kim, bring cash, their card machine was down twice last month and the atm is a walk away.

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honestly, skip the tourist spots and check out Mr. Kim in Ratchada. it's not a buffet, but the set menus are all-you-can-eat style and cheaper than King Kong, around 600 baht, and the pork jowl is way better imo. the place is tiny though, so you'll be sharing tables with locals who know whats up. go for the lunch slot, its less crowded and they refill the lettuce and ssamjang without you asking.

if you do want buffet vibes, i'd also look at the Korean spots in Town in Town, some are smaller and less flashy than Ekkamai but the meat quality is surprisingly close for a bit less. just check their hours first, a few close early on weekdays which caught me off guard once.

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Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

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for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

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honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

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