Mamasamba is a lively Latin and Asian inspired restaurant in The Zone at Rosebank, Johannesburg. Its menu moves from tacos, bao and croquetas to sushi, poke bowls, grilled meat and seafood. That variety makes it useful for a group with different tastes, but it also means that prices and portion sizes need careful comparison.
Prices in this guide were reviewed on 28 September 2026 against the current Rosebank delivery menu. Small plates generally cost R102 to R175, bowls R195 to R285, main dishes R250 to R505, and large seafood or mixed platters R815 to R895. Delivery menus may cost more than dining in, and service, delivery and packaging fees are separate.
Mamasamba prices at a glance
| Menu section | Current price range | What the range covers |
|---|---|---|
| Small plates | R102 to R175 | One starter or sharing plate |
| Sushi examples | R150 to R260 | Four to eight pieces or one composed plate |
| Samba bowls | R195 to R285 | One complete bowl |
| Main courses | R250 to R505 | Burgers, chicken, ribs and steaks |
| Large grill platters | R815 to R845 | Prawns or a mixed meat platter |
| Grilled seafood | R344 to R895 | Fish, paella, salmon or a platter |
| Sides and sauces | R45 to R65 | One side or sauce |
| Cold drinks and water | R48 to R75 | One soft drink or 750 ml water |
The old page connected to this URL repeated prices such as R595, R495 and R425 beside many unrelated individual dishes. Those amounts came from set or event packages and did not represent the price of every starter, taco or sushi roll. This revision removes that confusing structure and gives each current item its own price.
Small plates and starter prices
| Small plate | Price |
|---|---|
| Jalapeno and corn croquetas | R102 |
| Ember roasted cauliflower | R115 |
| Chicken bao buns | R115 |
| Guacamole and tortillas | R130 |
| Tequila orange BBQ chicken | R150 |
| Oxtail taquitos | R155 |
| Crispy squid furikake | R165 |
| Lamb tacos, two pieces | R165 |
| Short rib barbacoa | R175 |
The starter list is built for mixing. Jalapeno and corn croquetas are one of the least expensive plates at R102. They come with roasted red pepper sauce, chilli oil and lime cream cheese, so the dish is creamy, crisp and mildly hot. Chicken bao buns cost R115 and combine fried chicken with pickles, carrot slaw and miso mayonnaise.
Guacamole and tortillas are R130. The preparation includes avocado and beetroot guacamole, jalapeno, pico de gallo and pineapple salsa. It is a sensible first plate for a vegetarian diner, although anyone avoiding dairy or egg should still ask about sauces and preparation.
At the richer end, oxtail taquitos are R155, crispy squid furikake R165 and short rib barbacoa R175. The taquitos come as three small filled pieces. The lamb tacos are a two-piece portion at R165. Piece counts are important because a lower count can still contain a substantial filling, while a plate that looks cheaper may give the group only one bite each.
For two people, two small plates are normally enough before a main. Three plates create a broader tasting meal if both diners have moderate appetites. For four people, four starters allow everyone to sample different flavours, but tacos and taquitos will not divide evenly unless a second portion is ordered.
Sushi menu and current prices
| Sushi item | Portion | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Salmon totopo roll | 6 pieces | R150 |
| Reloaded fried prawn | 8 pieces | R155 |
| Tempura fried chicken | 8 pieces | R155 |
| Sumo futomaki | 4 pieces | R195 |
| Crispy squid California | 8 pieces | R205 |
| Maya-Mi roll | 4 pieces | R218 |
| Mama Nigiri Plate | 4 pieces | R235 |
| Wagyu Beluga roll | 4 pieces | R255 |
| Acevichado roll | 8 pieces | R260 |
| Citrus seared salmon | Composed plate | R260 |
Mamasamba sushi is more elaborate than a basic salmon or avocado roll. Reloaded fried prawn and tempura fried chicken both cost R155 for eight pieces. The prawn roll includes pickled radish, avocado, Tokyo mayonnaise, teriyaki, chives and togarashi. The chicken roll combines crispy chicken, cream cheese, spring onion and beetroot tempura with sweet chilli and miso mayonnaise.
The Maya-Mi roll costs R218 for four pieces. It combines salmon and pickled ginger with fried wagyu, miso mayonnaise and sesame togarashi. The Wagyu Beluga roll costs R255 for four pieces and uses seared wagyu, caviar and several rich toppings. These dishes cost more per piece because each one contains multiple premium components.
The Mama Nigiri Plate is R235 for four different pieces, including prawn and avocado, tuna, torched wagyu, and salmon with yuzu. It is a tasting plate rather than a high-volume sushi order. Citrus seared salmon costs R260 and includes seared sashimi with edamame and lime puree, ponzu, mayonnaise and salmon roe.
When comparing sushi, do not divide price by piece count without reading the description. Four large futomaki or wagyu-topped pieces can be more substantial than four standard pieces. Fried rolls and creamy sauces are also heavier than sashimi. Two eight-piece rolls can form a light meal for two, while a mixed order of three or four plates is more realistic when sushi is the whole dinner.
Raw and seared seafood needs careful temperature control. Diners who are pregnant, older, very young or immunocompromised should obtain suitable medical advice and may prefer fully cooked fillings. Anyone with a shellfish allergy should ask about shared fryers, knives, boards and preparation surfaces.
Samba bowl prices
| Bowl | Price |
|---|---|
| Coconut vegetable curry | R195 |
| Chicken katsu bowl | R205 |
| Cajun chicken salad | R205 |
| Salmon poke bowl | R225 |
| Beef saltado bowl | R285 |
Bowls are the easiest section to understand because each item is designed as one complete meal. The coconut vegetable curry is R195 and combines roasted seasonal vegetables with a chilli and garlic coconut cream, coconut rice and fresh sambal. It is the lowest priced bowl and the clearest meat-free main in this group.
The chicken katsu bowl and Cajun chicken salad are both R205. Katsu gives a warmer, richer meal with crispy chicken, sushi rice, kimchi, pineapple salsa and peri-peri dressing. The salad combines marinated chicken thighs with greens, black rice, beans, corn, avocado, pico de gallo and chipotle ranch.
A salmon poke bowl costs R225. It includes sushi rice, vegetables, avocado and edamame with smoky ponzu, wasabi mayonnaise and crisp wontons. The beef saltado bowl is R285, making it R60 more than the salmon option. It combines beef fillet with potatoes, rice, peppers and lomo sauce.
A bowl is usually better value than ordering a starter, side and main separately. It also travels more predictably than a steak or crisp fried starter. Sauce can soften fried chicken and wontons during delivery, so request separation when the platform offers that choice.
Main courses from the fire
| Main course | Serving detail | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hamburguesa | 200 g beef patty with fries | R250 |
| Mojo grilled chicken | Deboned half chicken | R260 |
| Rump picanha | 300 g | R355 |
| Rib-eye bravas | 350 g | R415 |
| Coal-fired fillet | 250 g | R425 |
| Mexicola ribs | 650 g | R435 |
| Miso BBQ lamb chops | One main | R445 |
| T-bone | 650 g | R505 |
The hamburguesa at R250 is the lowest priced current grill main. It has a 200 g Angus beef patty, smoked provolone, jalapeno bacon jam, cream cheese, salsa, roasted pepper crema and Samba fries. It is a full, rich plate and contains beef, pork and dairy.
Mojo grilled chicken costs R260 for a deboned half chicken with corn salsa, pickled onion, chilli herb butter, pepper crema and patatas bravas. That is only R10 more than the burger and gives a different balance of protein, potatoes and vegetables.
Rump picanha costs R355 for 300 g, while a 350 g rib-eye is R415 and a 250 g coal-fired fillet R425. Weight alone does not determine price. Fillet is typically valued for tenderness, rib-eye for marbling and picanha for its beefy flavour and fat cap. Choose the cut you enjoy instead of treating the largest number of grams as the automatic winner.
Mexicola ribs cost R435 for a listed 650 g portion. They are mango and cola braised pork ribs served with a fennel and jalapeno salad. The T-bone is also 650 g and costs R505 with whipped cream cheese, peppercorn sauce and potato wedges. Bone contributes to the listed weight, so 650 g of T-bone is not 650 g of edible meat.
Miso BBQ lamb chops are R445 with roasted pumpkin and apple slaw. Diners avoiding soy should check the misoyaki marinade, while diners with nut allergies should ask about garnishes and shared kitchen handling across the whole menu.
Large meat and prawn platters
The ten grilled prawns cost R815 and come with yuzu lemon butter, Samba fries, slaw and coconut rice. The Barbacoa platter costs R845 and combines 300 g rump picanha, half a deboned BBQ chicken, grilled chorizo and 300 g pork ribs with slaw, pepper jam and fries.
These are large orders, but the menu does not promise a fixed number of diners. Appetite and the number of sides matter. The mixed platter can feed two hungry adults as a full meal, or three to four people when several starters are already on the table. The prawn order is easier to divide because the ten pieces provide a clear count.
For two diners, the R845 Barbacoa platter works out to R422.50 each before drinks and fees. For three, it averages about R281.67 each. That arithmetic is useful, but one diner may eat more of the steak while another prefers chicken or ribs, so the value depends on whether the group likes every component.
Grilled seafood prices
| Seafood main | Price |
|---|---|
| Kingklip a la brasa | R344 |
| Seafood paella | R380 |
| Salmon teriyaki | R465 |
| Seafood platter | R895 |
Kingklip a la brasa is R344 with chilli lime butter, corn puree, spinach, tomatoes and coconut rice. Seafood paella costs R380 and mixes prawns, calamari, line fish and mussels with tomato and saffron rice. The paella gives more variety, while the kingklip keeps one fish at the centre of the plate.
Salmon teriyaki costs R465. It comes with broccoli, bok choy, sweet potato and pepper crema. The seafood platter is R895 and includes kingklip, six queen prawns, mussels and calamari with fries, salad and coconut rice.
The seafood platter is only R50 more than the Barbacoa platter. It makes sense for a group that enjoys all four seafood types, but it is poor value for a diner who will leave mussels or calamari untouched. Shellfish allergies are particularly relevant because prawns and mussels share the plate.
Sides, sauces and drinks
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Chimichurri | R45 |
| Mixta salad | R50 |
| Samba salad | R50 |
| Samba fries | R55 |
| Patatas bravas | R55 |
| Ember roasted vegetables | R55 |
| BBQ Mexicola sauce | R55 |
| Pepper nori cream | R58 |
| Potato wedges | R65 |
| Vegetable fried rice | R65 |
| Truffle mushroom side | R65 |
| 300 ml cold drink | R48 |
| 750 ml still or sparkling water | R75 |
Many main courses already include potatoes, rice, vegetables or salad. Read the full description before adding a R55 or R65 side. An extra side is most useful when sharing a platter, when splitting one main, or when a diner needs a simple item beside a heavily seasoned dish.
Two soft drinks add R96 to the food total. Two bottles of 750 ml water add R150. Restaurant and delivery drink prices are much higher than supermarket prices, so drinks can change the final bill more than expected.
How much should two people budget?
A simple two-person order could include chicken bao buns at R115, two coconut vegetable curries at R195 each and two soft drinks at R48 each. The food and drinks total R601 before delivery or service charges.
A mixed mid-range dinner could use guacamole and tortillas at R130, a chicken katsu bowl at R205, a salmon poke bowl at R225 and two cold drinks at R48 each. That comes to R656 before fees.
A grill-focused meal could include croquetas at R102, rump picanha at R355, mojo chicken at R260 and two cold drinks at R48 each. The subtotal is R813. Adding a R55 side brings it to R868.
A premium seafood dinner for two could pair citrus seared salmon at R260, seafood paella at R380, salmon teriyaki at R465 and two waters at R75 each. The subtotal is R1,255. This is a generous order and could leave food, but it shows how seafood and drinks raise the budget.
For a realistic plan, allow about R300 to R450 per person for a bowl or modest main with a shared starter and drink. A steak, elaborate sushi and cocktails can push the figure much higher. Delivery fees, platform charges and tips should be added only after entering the correct address.
Group ordering strategy
For four people, start with two or three shareable plates rather than one starter per diner. Guacamole at R130, croquetas at R102 and crispy squid at R165 total R397. Each person can then choose a bowl or main according to appetite.
A sharing plan built around the Barbacoa platter could add guacamole, roasted cauliflower and vegetable fried rice. The total is R1,155 before drinks and fees. Divided by four, that is R288.75 each, although it may be a light dinner for four very hungry adults.
A seafood group can combine the R895 platter with one sushi roll, a salad and fried rice. Using the R155 fried prawn roll, R50 Mixta salad and R65 rice produces a R1,165 food total. The mix gives more starch and makes division easier.
Agree on allergies and dislikes before selecting a mixed platter. Chorizo and ribs contain pork, sushi can include raw fish, and many sauces contain egg, dairy, soy or sesame. A broad menu helps mixed groups only when shared dishes suit everybody.
Vegetarian choices
Vegetarian diners can consider the jalapeno and corn croquetas, guacamole and tortillas, ember roasted cauliflower and coconut vegetable curry. Several sides are also meat free by description, including salads, fries, vegetables and rice.
A practical vegetarian meal is croquetas at R102 followed by coconut vegetable curry at R195, for R297 before a drink. Two diners sharing guacamole at R130 and ordering one curry each would spend R520 on food.
Vegetarian does not always mean vegan. Croquetas contain cream cheese, mayonnaise may contain egg, and butter or dairy can appear in sauces. Shared grills and fryers can also affect strict dietary requirements. Ask the restaurant directly when avoidance is medical, religious or ethical.
Spice, allergens and ingredient checks
Chilli, jalapeno, togarashi, peri-peri and pepper crema appear across the menu. A dish marked spicy can still vary from mild warmth to a noticeable burn. Ask for chilli sauces on the side where possible, especially when ordering for children or a mixed group.
Common allergens include shellfish, fish, dairy, egg, soy, sesame, gluten and nuts. Sushi sauces, bao, tortillas, croquetas and fried coatings may contain ingredients that are not obvious from the dish name. Cross-contact is possible in a kitchen that prepares seafood, meat, sushi and fried food together.
Menu descriptions are helpful but cannot replace direct confirmation for a serious allergy. State the allergen clearly, ask whether the item and sauce contain it, and ask about shared equipment. If the restaurant cannot confirm safe preparation, select another option.
Dine-in and delivery differences
This article uses a current delivery listing because it provides item-level prices and descriptions. Delivery menus can include a platform markup, and they may have fewer items than the full restaurant menu. The amount shown here should therefore be treated as a current reference, not a guaranteed table price.
Delivery also changes texture. Bao, fried squid, croquetas and fries soften as steam builds in the container. Poke bowls, curries and rice dishes usually travel better. If crispness matters, collection shortens travel time.
Before paying, check the branch name, item variation, quantity, delivery address and fee breakdown. A promotion can lower the basket while service and delivery fees raise it. The checkout screen is the final price for that particular order.
Location and practical visit notes
Mamasamba is in The Zone at Rosebank, at 26 Cradock Street in Johannesburg. The setting is energetic and designed around a social meal. Guests who prefer a quieter table should ask about the expected atmosphere and seating when booking.
Opening hours can differ between the dining room and a delivery platform. A platform can also pause orders when the kitchen is busy. Confirm the date, service period and booking conditions directly before travelling, especially on public holidays or for a large group.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mamasamba expensive?
Mamasamba sits in a premium casual to special-occasion range. Bowls start around R195, common mains run from R250 to R505, and large platters reach R895. A controlled order is possible, but seafood, steak, drinks and several sharing plates quickly increase the bill.
What is the cheapest current small plate?
Among the reviewed delivery examples, jalapeno and corn croquetas are R102. Chicken bao and roasted cauliflower are both R115. Availability can change.
What is a good complete meal under R250?
The coconut vegetable curry at R195, chicken katsu bowl at R205, Cajun chicken salad at R205 and salmon poke bowl at R225 all fit below R250 before fees and drinks.
Does Mamasamba have sushi?
Yes. The current menu includes fried prawn, tempura chicken, salmon, wagyu and seafood rolls, along with nigiri and seared salmon plates. Reviewed examples cost R150 to R260.
Does Mamasamba have vegetarian food?
Yes. Current examples include guacamole, corn croquetas, roasted cauliflower and coconut vegetable curry. Confirm sauces and shared preparation if strict vegan or allergen controls are required.
How much is the Barbacoa platter?
The reviewed delivery price is R845. It includes rump picanha, half chicken, chorizo, pork ribs, slaw, pepper jam and fries.
Are delivery fees included in the listed prices?
No. The figures are item prices. Platform service fees, delivery fees, small-order charges, packaging and tips can be added at checkout.
Final ordering advice
Mamasamba works best when diners use the range deliberately. Choose two contrasting small plates, then decide whether the table wants individual bowls, fire-grilled mains or one large platter. Read portion counts on sushi and remember that a four-piece premium roll is not directly comparable with an eight-piece standard roll.
For value and predictable delivery, the R195 to R225 bowls are the easiest starting point. For a social dine-in meal, shared starters and a grill main show more of the menu. For a celebration, the large platters simplify group ordering but require agreement about pork, seafood and allergies.
Use the prices here to set a budget, then check the current menu for the exact branch and date. That final check is especially important for promotions, sold-out dishes, seasonal ingredients and platform fees.
More menu images
