Suki Teenoi: Is the Hype Justified? A First-Hand Account

July 9, 2025 Not Your Typical Tourist

Unless you’ve been closely following the intense sukiyaki buffet price war raging between industry titan MK and the ambitious newcomer Suki Teenoi (สุกี้ตี๋น้อย), you might not have heard of the latter. For my husband and me, MK always felt a bit pricey, especially with so many other fantastic options available. We’ve typically gravitated towards spots like Shabu Lab at Kasetsart (formerly Burendo Lab at Siam Square). Of course, many still swear by MK, particularly for their signature suki sauce – it truly comes down to personal preference.

But back to Suki Teenoi. With a branch conveniently located near us in Lad Phrao, directly opposite the vibrant new Liabduan Danneramit Night Market on Phahonyohtin Road, we figured, “Why not give it a try?” One Friday evening, craving a hot bowl of suki, we headed over.

The Queue Experience: A Test of Patience (and a Dash of Thai Kindness)

Arriving just after 6 PM, we were met with a sight that immediately confirmed Suki Teenoi’s immense popularity: people spilling out onto the footpath and steps outside the Spaces Phahon 19 building. My husband, ever the realist, pointed out the sheer number of people waiting. I, perhaps naively, suggested they might be there for something else entirely!

Upon entering, my husband asked for a queue number. We were told there were a staggering 84 queues ahead of us, receiving queue number B147. When I inquired about the estimated wait time, the staff couldn’t give a precise answer. Based on our experience, a 2.5-hour wait is indeed a realistic estimate for that many people.

Then, something wonderfully, typically Thai happened: two ladies approached me, offering an extra queue number, B127. They had taken two “just in case” they missed their first one (B121). This kind of unexpected generosity – whether it’s offering a spot in a “khanom” queue or a spare suki buffet number – is one of those charming quirks that make Thailand so lovable. Since the restaurant was already serving B120, we decided to take our chances and wait. Remarkably, we were seated in about 30 minutes, effectively jumping a significant portion of the queue thanks to their kindness! Talk about luck.

Curious Observation: Passing by the same branch on a Sunday around 12:30-1:00 PM, we noticed significantly fewer people waiting, with only a handful outside. Perhaps that first Friday evening of the month simply sees more people dining out.

Diving into the Buffet: Price and Experience

The buffet itself costs 219 baht, which becomes 234 baht net after the 7% tax, excluding drinks and desserts. Adding the 39 baht refillable drink (plus 7% tax) brought our total bill for two to 552 baht, or 276 baht per person. While not exactly “cheap eats” compared to a quick street food meal, it’s certainly a competitive price for an all-you-can-eat buffet.

When our number was called, we went back to the counter, selected our two soup bases (clear aka Sukiyaki Soup and “dark soup” aka Shabu Soup). We opted out of their Tom Yum soup and also the Mala soup (an additional 49 baht). We were then given table number 40 – a perfect spot with a direct view of the night market. The interior of this branch was decorated with a Coke theme (we’ve seen a Supreme-themed one at another location!). Ordering is done by scanning a QR code. While our first delivery was brought by staff, we had to remind them about the forgotten vegetables. Subsequent deliveries were indeed handled by robots, but again, the vegetables seemed to be a recurring oversight!

For sauces, they offer a standard suki sauce and a seafood sauce (which needs to be specially requested). The self-mix suki sauce includes “original” and “traditional (preserved beancurd)” bases, along with garlic, chili, and lemon juice for customization. There’s even a flag to call staff if you need assistance.

Quality, Value, and the Business of Buffets

In terms of food quality, Suki Teenoi is decent but nothing extraordinary. Many would argue that MK provides better-quality ingredients, so it’s a trade-off: are you looking for an affordable, tummy-filling experience, or a more premium suki offering?

Suki Teenoi is famous for its incredibly long operating hours, from 11 AM to 5 AM. This extended schedule likely contributes significantly to its profitability per branch, especially when compared to MK, which typically closes by 10 PM. I’ve heard the Suki Teenoi queues persist even past midnight – though personally, a midnight buffet doesn’t sound like the best idea! We only managed two rounds of food before calling it a night after about an hour, even though we had a generous two-hour time limit. As we left, our original queue number (B147) was about to be called, so we happily passed it on to another waiting couple.

Update: The Hotpot War Intensifies!

The hotpot war has indeed intensified! Just recently, MK launched Bonus Suki, a sub-brand at Robinson, Saraburi, directly targeting Suki Teenoi’s price point. In response, Suki Teenoi has already countered by slashing its own prices even further. As I told my husband, the consumers truly benefit from this increased competition, so the more the merrier! You can read more about this escalating battle here: https://www.nationthailand.com/business/economy/40052505

For comparison, Shabu Lab costs 379 baht net per person, including drinks. Food wastage is charge at 100 baht/pax. They also have a signature pineapple slurpee we didn’t get to try. MK’s buffet is priced at 299 baht net. Given the ongoing price war, it’s always a good idea to check their social media pages for the latest promotions:

As my husband and I get older, our appetites aren’t what they used to be, so it’s unlikely we’ll be frequenting Suki Teenoi or MK for their buffets. If we’re in the mood for suki, it’ll probably be Shabu Lab. While writing this post, we discovered that the Kaset branch of Shabu Lab has unfortunately closed down. It seems to be a tough battle out there for smaller suki chains amidst the fierce competition! Shabu Lab now only has a presence at Seacon Square Srinakarin and Samyan.