Visiting the world largest IKEA
IKEA just recently opened its doors in the Philippines and it's the world's largest IKEA
Located next to Mall of Asia (MOA), which is the largest mall (or second largest, depending on time of year) in the Philippines
Reservation required
Because of the ongoing world situation and to avoid long lines to get into the store, you need to reserve a slot online to enter
You can choose up to three people per reservation. We had to make 3 reservation for the same time slot, for all of us to enter
Different floors
Once passed the reservation, you can either take the escalator or elevator up. We grabbed the elevator and went up to the 4th floor1st and 2nd floor you'll find the parking for IKEA. 2nd floor also have the entrance to IKEA, in connection to MOA
3rd floor have IKEA Markethall, Counters, IKEA Bistro, IKEA Swedish Food Market and Customer Service
4th floor have the IKEA showroom, IKEA Restaurant and Småland (Kids Playroom)
The IKEA building also houses IKEA's in-house call center and offices, which is part of why the building is larger than a regular IKEA in other countries
Showrooms
Once on the 4th floor, you have access to the IKEA Showroom, IKEA Restaurant and Småland (playground). Småland was not yet opened during our visits and the staff didn't know, when it would open
We decided to start with the IKEA store. After walking through a corridor, with some rooms on the sides with different displays. We entered a big open space, with sofas and other living room furnitures
The different rooms all have decorations, to make them feel like someone could actually be living there and that also include many rooms with toys. Which my kids loved and we had to keep returning a lot of the display items, because my kids just wanted us to buy them all
We continued wandering inwards and came across the kids section. Filled with toys and kids furniture
IKEA Restaurant
Shortly after leaving the toys section, we entered upon the IKEA Restaurant. Which had a huge line and a sign that estimated 1.5hr, where the line started
As we were accompanied by someone who qualifies for PWD (Person With Disabilities), we could use the PWD line (for PWD, elderly and pregnant). So our queue time was about 30min, until we could order food
My main impression for why it was going so slow, was that the cashier's being a bottle neck. To few counters (only six total, 3 cashless and 3 all payment methods) and most Filipinos prefer paying with cash
Even if you want to pay cashless (as we did), you're still stuck for the most part in the same queue as the ones who want to pay with cash
The food was really good and overall happy with the pricing. Wished they had slight more mashed potato with meatballs, but it was fairly inexpensive to order a portion with just mash potatoes with or without gravy
I didn't like the mushrooms soup, too many tiny mushroom pieces and tasted watered out. All the other food I have no issue recommending
Just remember that IKEA Restaurant doesn't facitiate takeout of leftovers. Luckily we didn't have to many leftovers and had some clean bags, we could put our leftovers in
Markethall
Just beside the restaurant, was stairs and elevators leading down to the 3rd floor
Once on the 3rs floor, we quickly grabbed a push cart and put our youngest kids in it
We now were in the kitchen accessories section and so much breakable stuff
Next sections had curtains, pillows, rugs and lot of other smaller items for the home
Then there was a decently big section for lights, lamps and accessories to it
Then we entered into a warehouse looking section,where you could pickup the flat packed furniture you've seen on display around the store
Then it was just find a counter with not to huge line and pay
Important to remember that IKEA don't give out single time bags, so you'll need to either bring your own or buy a reusable bag (not expensive)
IKEA Bistro
After the counter, you'll find the bistro
Here you'll find hotdogs, ice cream, drinks and some other food items
IKEA Swedish Food Market
Next to the bistro, you have a food market. That sells a variety of Swedish food
Swedish chips from Estrella, Kalles Kaviar, assortments of teas, seafood, frozen cinnamon buns (just heat in oven), crizpy onion and more could be found here
The selection was disappointing, when compared to other IKEAs I have visited
In IKEAs defense, they were sold out of a lot of items, such as meatballs and lingonberry, and just recently launched in the country. Hopefully they'll have a better selection next time I visit
Update: An IKEA representative reach out to me and informed they've three containers stuck at customs and it's why the selection is a bit limited at the Swedish Food Market. They're also working on import license for some products, before they're allowed to sell them
Overall impression
A theme thought the store, was having lots of open spaces. Even being the biggest IKEA in the world, I did not feel as lost in a maze. Seems IKEA have prioritize open spaces, over endless mazes. There's still some maze structure, but not to bad
Most items was priced competitive, but depending on what you're getting and price is important to you, I recommend comparing to other stores. As IKEA isn't cheapest on everything, but a lot
The food in the restaurant, was top notch. Having a good selection, at a decent price. Just a horrible long line, to be able to order and pay for the food
I hope the Swedish Food Market will have a wider and better selection on my next visit. Was a lot of items I was expecting to see there, but didn't
IKEA have built a wonderfull store. That I have no doubt will be very popular, even when the new charm goes away
