The top five Korean restaurants

There is a difference between dining and eating. Dining is an art. When you eat to get the most out of your meal, to please the palate, just as well as to satiate the appetite, that, my friend, is dining.    — Yuan Mei (1936)

Dining is and always was a great artistic opportunity.          — Frank Lloyd Wright

There has been a substantial increase of Korean restaurants in the Philippines due to people traveling more, an appetite for new dishes, and more interactions with our Korean friends who proudly share their wide array of delicious delicacies. Through the years the standard and variety have grown, and with greater availability of ingredients here, this has created a buzz that the Philippines is at the center of the gourmet scene. Whenever creativity and talent open up cultural diversity to me — that is a gourmet experience. Expanding your palate can further develop your understanding of multicultural flavors, making the restaurant a classroom. With this expansion throughout the country, it is no surprise that Korean dishes have emerged and arrived, awakening our culinary senses, our imaginations, and making us smack our lips in anticipation.

Koreans are hearty eaters, with the abundant number of appetizers served before placing your orders (at least seven variations). The three essentials of a Korean menu consist of rice, soup and kimchi (spicy pickles), with fresh fruit at the end of the meal. Due to the extreme cold winters their meals are heavily spiced to warm the diners, though spice levels lessen for spring and summer foods. Dishes vary from seafood and meats often grilled over charcoal; or chunks of meat added to broth that serve more as a meal than an appetizer. Kimchi is spicy napa cabbage seasoned with garlic, chilies, green onions, ginger and other hidden spices and is often called Korean cabbage pickle. Twoenjang or Korean soybean paste is fermented soybean pounded into a paste often used for soup-based dishes as well as sauces, creating a natural spicy and salty flavor. Another common ingredient is dhweng-jang or Korean bean paste, which is a thick, reddish brown bean sauce that is both salty and spicy used for seasoning.    

One popular dish is the Haejookook which is a Korean beef soup made with abundant bones and marrow similar to our local bulalo. Believed to cure hangovers, it is also sometimes called “Korean menudo.” A few years ago at the Brent food festival, an event organized by the Brent International School Manila in Mamplasan, Laguna, I was fortunate enough to savor this dish. Yes, this soup packs a punch, but after the initial hit you do feel more energized. I approached my biology teacher, ms. Kristi Pozon, who happened to be nearby, and asked the scientific answer as to why the body feels this way when we eat spicy food. Being an expert and one of the most well-loved faculty members on campus, she replied that by taking spices into your body, you increase the production of endorphins, or the brain’s natural mood enhancers, thus making you feel better. I smiled and said, “Ms. Pozon this is why I chose biology over chemistry!” Other favorite dishes include Korean pancakes; bibimbop or Korean fried rice; ojingco pokum or squid in hot sauce; Korean barbecue; chap chee or Korean style noodles; and the my favorite, bean sprout salad and Korean beef stew (kalbi Jun/Galbi Jim) which I am sharing with you today.

Bean Sprout Salad

Blanch 8 cups mongo sprouts in boiling water. Wash and drain. Mix in 1/2 cup each of sesame seeds, sesame oil, Magnolia nutria oil, honey. Then add 1/3 cup Kikoman light soy sauce, 2 small heads crushed garlic, 2 crushed siling labuyo, 6 stalks sibuyas na mura, chopped, or use 1/2 tsp. kucho jang in place of labuyo.

Korean Beef Stew (Kalbi Jun/Galbi Jim)

1) 1 kilo Monterey Beef short ribs cut up; or use beef brisket (punta y pecho).

2) Sauté 1 head crushed garlic in 1/2 cup oil. Add 1/2 cup chopped leeks, 1 siling labuyo, chopped 1 tsp. shredded ginger; then add the beef. Stir a while, and then add 3 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp. rice wine, 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper, 1 1/2 cups water. Pressure-cook 1 hour. Add 1 tsp. sesame oil, 1 tbsp. toasted sesame seeds, 1 red and green bell pepper sliced into strips. Serve over white rice.

3) Note: You may use 1 1/2 cups water with 1 tbsp. Kuchong jang (kimchi powder) if you want the sauce reddish. If pressure cooker is not available, use 5 cups water and cook over low fire 2 1/2 hours. Omit the 1 tsp. pepper if you will use red pepper spice.

Ern’s Top 5 Korean Restaurants

1) Jang Gun. Best appetizers, fantastic quality of beef ribs and seafood. The spice level is perfect, and the steam dumplings are top-notch. The servings are huge and well presented. Located at 7 E. Rodriguez Jr., Libis, Quezon City. The service is also very efficient and customer friendly. Very authentic. For reservations call 437-4432.

2) Kaya Korean restaurant. The establishment is an institution in Korean cuisine and the quality of ingredients used is the best. Whenever you go to Kaya you will not be disappointed as every visit will be consistent, high class, both in dishes served and service. The spicy squid with sauce is the best, cooked perfectly; it literally melts in the mouth. Located at the ground floor of Rockwell mall.

3) Pok Suk Jung Restaurant. With a cozy garden ambiance this establishment is known for grilled meats and seafood that are tender, not too spicy, yet full of flavor. The Bibimbap or Korean rice is also a best seller. Special mention must also be given to the Korean beef stew, which is always served piping hot but never overcooked. Located at 100 Oranbo drive Pasig City. For reservations call 634-2010.

4) Nol Boo House Korean restaurant. The best Jango Jaung Sik or grilled eel with hot sauce, cooked to perfection. Kimchi Chi Gae or kimchi-base soup with pork, vegetables and tofu is a crowd favorite. The owner and staff are very friendly and this restaurant keeps you coming back for more as many items in the menu are a must-try. Located at 2102 Roxas Blvd. corner Antipolo Street. Pasay City. For reservations call 833-7495.

5) Top Dish Korean Restaurant. By far the best hole-in-the-wall Korean restaurant in town. Prices are very reasonable, with generous servings and excellent use of ingredients. The minced meat with cabbage is a definite must. Value for money and clean, this establishment is located at 4890 Durban Street, Makati City near P. Burgos. For reservations call 758-1122.

Where to buy Korean ingredients:

1) Wang Mart. Located at #37 Polaris St. Bel Air, Makati City. For inquiries call 897-4323.

2) Assi Mart. Located at 109 Neptune Street, Bel Air, Makati City. For inquiries call 895-9456,899-6678,897-8170,899-5979

3) Hi Mart. Located 5041 P. Burgos Street. Barangay Poblacion. Makati City. For inquiries call 890-1821.

Discovery of the Week

For excellent lechon products visit Botoy’s Best of Cagayan de Oro’s Lechon Manok and Liempo at Blk. 20 unit A, Sun Valley Drive, Parañaque owned by dentists Eriberto and Adoracion Chu.

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For recipes and schedule of classes visit www.sylviareynosogala.com.

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We are inviting all readers to a free cooking demo this Saturday, Nov. 21, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Podium Mall, ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City.