best Korean Archives - Between Bites - Bites of Food, Travel and Lifestyle

October 15, 2012 by Janey

I still smell Kimchi. It’s been a little over 2 weeks since I touched down Manila from Seoul, Korea. You’d think I’d be over Korean food but I just can’t wait to have more. I should stop watching Kimchi Chronicles or Seoul Food on lifestyle channels. I shouldn’t worry since there are new attractions in town, one of which is the fairly recently opened Bulgogi Brothers. Bulgogi Brothers is from the same management as TGI Friday’s, Flapjacks, Italianni’s, and La Maison.

If you’re wondering, “bulgogi” dates back 200 years and is a collective term for all fire-grilled meat dishes. Bulgogi is a representative Korean dish beloved by many people worldwide. Bul is the Korean word for fire, while Gogi means meat. The meat is usually accompanied with a variety of vegetables, making bulgogi a well-balanced dish.

Like in true Korean-style fashion, we started off with “banchan” or series of appetizers served free of charge before the main meal. Who would miss the ever-present kimchi or spiced preserved cabbage? It was accompanied with boiled sweet potato, quail eggs and corn –sort of unusual but for those who are not big on spice, these are welcomed greatly.

On the Table

Haemul Pajeon Php 450

Korean style pancake with seafood and green onions. Best ordered with Makguli

Our group started off with this Korean style pancake made with the most delicious savory batter and mixed with seafood bits and lots of scallions. It’s usually accompanied with a brown sauce that’s on the sweet side. I’d rather take it with Kimchi or use it as my starch instead of rice.

[Read more…]

Ye Dang Korean BBQ

September 11, 2009 by Janey

Saturday lunch was spent celebrating our help’s birthday. The rest of the afternoon was spent vegetating at home. With the gloomy skies and continuous rain shower, the day is easily characterized as a “bed weather” and there is just no reason to crawl out of bed. After a very tired week at work, it’s quite nice to have a quiet isolated time in the room. At some point though, the stomach grumbles and it’s time to move to get that hunger moan silenced.

A filling pleasant dinner at Ye Dang Korean BBQ in Ortigas did just that. We arrive at the restaurant past 8pm and we were third in line with two other groups in tow. After 15 minutes of waiting, we finally got our table. Bubba said he couldn’t believe I waited that long in line for food. I usually don’t, but curiosity was also piqued. I wondered why this restaurant is popular to both Koreans and locals alike –making it a jam-packed night.

We were once here before during lunch break when I missed eating at ARA restaurant (where the former Korean boss usually treats us) but got up and left when I realize that grill stench will stick to the clothes and I still had the afternoon to spend in the office. This time around there were no worries about that.

On the Table

Complimentary Side Dishes

Sweet Anchovies

Kimchi

I usually finish the spiced pickled lettuce even before the main dishes arrive

Sweet Peanuts

Spicy Fish Cakes

Spicy Raddish

Marble Potatoes

Sesame Leaf and Lettuce

Pork Belly (Samgyupsal) PHP 250

The samgyupsal/pork belly was first served. The table attendant worked up the grill and cooked the meat for us. The cut wasn’t impressive and it was a bit thicker than I was expecting.

Grilled Sweet Beef Ribs (Kalbi) PHP 300

The grilled sweet beef ribs made up for what the pork belly lacked –meat and taste power. It was tender, a tad sweet, bigger on beefy flavor. Best with the warm sticky rice they serve in silver containers or dunked in the brown sauce and wrapped with kimchi inside a minty shiso/sesame leaf. Refreshing way to take your meat and rice.