Food from home: Korean festival 2

     Yup the Korean craze is still ongoing in our household. I'm happy there are several guinea pigs at home... Hehehe! :P Kidding aside, cooking all these is great and also a learning process.

Kimchi

     Since there was only little Kimchi left, I thought it was perfect to try out the Kimchi pancake, which is similar to Pajeon (green onion pancake).

Kimchi pancake

     Kimchi lovers will like this one... crispy outside, soft inside with that intense flavor. Just like the Pajeon, still have to work on the presentation. 

Mandu

     These are meat dumplings, similar to Japanese Gyoza. Good thing I was able to find Mandu wrappers (you may check my previous write up Food from home: Korean festival for a list of the Korean stores in the Makati and Fort area) or you could make your own. It was cooked in 2 ways...

Fried

Steamed

     Both were yummy but I prefer it steamed. My sister Nicole prefers fried. They say Mandu is good luck.  ^_^

Food from home: Korean festival

     I have always loved Korean food! It's been a favorite since my teens. Korean food has intense flavors... mostly sweet and spicy. Yes, this is one of the few times I like to go spicy. :D Out of curiosity and my craving (what else is new?) for Korean food, I made this week a Korean festival. 

Kimchi

     This is a Korean staple made of chinese cabbage, chili powder, onions, garlic, raddish and ginger. I thought all along the ingredients are simply mixed but there's more to that. Our version of the chinese cabbage is baguio pechay.* This is soaked in salt water for fermentation for several minutes before mixing it with the rest of the ingredients. When my niece Sofia and my helpers tried this, they all said their cold came out. :))

Pajeon (green onion pancake)

     This is one of the family's favorite dishes. I got the flavor but still have to work on the consistency which is supposed to be crispy.

Left: Seasoned green onion, Middle: Ssamjang (spicy paste), Right: Pajeon sauce

Grilled beef (Korean style)

This is eaten with the beef, green onion and Ssamjang wrapped in lettuce, taken in one bite. 

Bibimbap (mixed rice)

     This contains ground beef, vegetables and egg. Vegetables used were zucchini, carrots, spinach and bean sprouts. Ideally, this is placed in a stone pot bowl and egg is served raw. This is mixed with hot pepper paste (amount may vary depending on how spicy you wish).

Hot pepper paste

  

     This is my first attempt for Korean food. The preparation itself takes some time but enjoyed every moment. If some ingredients aren't available in local groceries, they should be available in Korean stores. Here are some in the Fort and Makati area...


Han Yang Mart
Unit 1-G Kensington Place Condo
29th street Corner 1st Avenue
*Near Burgos Circle
856-9430 / 557-5824

Wang Mart
37 Polaris Street
*Across Alba Restaurant
Bel-Air
Makati

Teppen Japanese-Korean grocery
Marvin Plaza Building
2153 Don Chino Roces Avenue corner VA Rufino Street
Makati City
*Near Little Tokyo

     The Korean festival doesn't end here. Watch out for part 2! ;)

baguio pechay -Chinese cabbage, also known as Bokchoy

Nostalgic Korea Garden Restaurant

     We were excited to have Sunday lunch @ Korea Garden... thanks to my brother, Dax who gave the brilliant suggestion. I missed it because I haven't eaten there in years (2010 was my last visit). Korea Garden is one of the "immortal" restaurants. It has been around since the 70's and also the pioneer Korean restaurant in the country. I remember having several family gatherings in my Mom's side when we were kids in the 80's (yes, that long ago). The place was packed but it's a good thing we still managed to get a table. 

Appetizers

Bibimbop

(Hot mixed rice)

Chap chae

(Transparent noodles with vegetables)

Mandu

(Dumpling)

-My sister, Nicole said this is supposed to be good luck... so there's reason to eat more. :))

Pajon

(Spring onion cake)

Ojingo bulgogi

(Squid barbeque)

So bulgogi

(Beef barbeque)

Tak kui

(Grilled spicy chicken thighs)

Fresh pineapple

-This is complimentary. Pineapples were sweet.

     I love kimchi with Pajon and rice! Korean ice creams are available too. We go there once in a blue moon and the quality hasn't changed one bit... still consistently good! Also, I was impressed with their cheerful and helpful staff. Now I know why the place is always packed. 

Like them on Facebook

Lunch @ Kaya

     After some brainstorming and a long deliberation, we agreed to have lunch with our lola at Kaya Korean Restaurant in Jupiter Street. We love Korean food because it's tasty and healthy... so it was definitely a treat! This is another place that's part of our comfort food list. 

Love their fountain! 

Their appetizers

Modeum Mandoo

(Fried and steamed mixed dumplings)

-This is similar to gyoza.*

Japche

(Sweet potato noodles with beef and vegetables)

Kalbi Jim

(Korean beef rib stew)

Dak Bulgogi

(Grilled spicy chicken fillet)

Pajeon

(Onion leek pancake with squid)

-Personally, I eat this with kimchi.*

Dolsot Bibimbap

(Rice topped with assorted vegetable in a hot stone bowl)

Kalbi Tang

(Beef rib soup)

Rice corn tea

-This tastes like cereal... Hihihi!

-I love they give complimentary pineapple!

-Sorry don't remember what this is called but I know it has cinnamon and ginger... also complimentary.

     Good news... Korean ice creams are also available (it's a must try). This is one place that's been tried and tested for years (since the 90's). Quality has been consistent, never a disappointing moment. Staff are always friendly and accommodating. As you enter, you get a big welcome as they greet "Yoboseyo". *

Kaya Korean Restaurant

62 Jupiter Street

Makati City

895-0404/899-0604

gyoza -Japanese pork dumplings

kimchi -a spicy Korean staple dish made of cabbage, garlic and pepper.

yoboseyo -hello in Korean

Korean grill @ Bulgogi Brothers

     Yey to dinner at Bulgogi Brothers! Since its opening, this place was always packed. Must be good there... so I thought. Out of curiosity, Mom and I ate their some time last year. True enough... we left happy. Now we know why this place is packed all the time. I love their modern and clean ambience and the friendly and accommodating staff. For the K-Pop fanatics, you will enjoy it here because they have a big screen showing concerts of some of the most popular K-Pop stars. 

There is a brief description of Bulgogi in the place mats.

Appetizer: corn, sweet potato and quail egg

condiments

Their signature salad

Premium boneless short ribs

Couldn't wait to get grilling!

Their sauces

Bulgogi Bibimbap

Sogogi Japche

Love the Barley tea! It tastes like cereal and honey.

Their lemonade was refreshing.

     I was surprised with the appetizer because I was expecting a long pile of vegetables like in other Korean restaurants. Anyhow, it was all good! Korean ice creams are available here too. 

Bulgogi Brothers

Level 3

Greenbelt 5

Makati City

621-6216

For more details, please visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Bulgogi.Brothers.Philippines?fref=ts

Sizzling Sandaya

     It seems I wasn't the only one craving for something really hot in this rainy weather. My Dad was craving too but something sizzling... barbeque. We head to Sandaya for dinner. Sandaya specializes in Japanese Yakiniku (grilled meat) but also offers some Korean dishes. Besides the beef, here are other recommended items...

Salmon sashimi*

Uni sashimi*

Cab Angus Beef boneless short ribs

(the best seller)

dipping sauces

Grilling time!

-Listen to that sizzle. :D

Pajyon

(Korean pancake with pork, kimchi and long onion.)

Pajyon dipping sauce

Kimchi

     Another recommended dish is the Ishiyaki Bibinba (rice with meat, egg, vegetables and chili paste) which is good for 2 or 3 persons. Of course, the beef is best with rice. At the end of the meal, you are given mint chewing gum. This is another place where you won't leave hungry.

Sandaya Japanese Yakiniku Restaurant

2F Colbella Arcade

910 Arnaiz Street (aka Pasay Road)

San Lorenzo Village

Makati City

893-2039

sashimi -raw sliced fish