Categories: PHILIPPINES

5 RECOMMENDED DISHES | KOREAN GRILL RESTAURANT

Korean invasion is in Bacolod City! Because of our exposure to K-dramas and K-pop, we have gained more knowledge about Korean culture – their food, interesting places and sights in their country, national costume (hanbok), traditional practices and also how they interact with one another. I’m also aware that side dishes, appetizers, and spicy food are a must on the Korean table. I have tried kimchi (fermented cabbage) and whew ! the spiciness that reaches the throat and nose is but a small sacrifice for its really appetizing taste! Aside from the usual bibimbap that we see in fast food chains, Koreans also have an array of appetizers and main courses that we Filipinos have learned to love.

There are already a number of Korean restaurants operating in Bacolod and among them is the Korean Grill Restaurant which we recently visited (not the former KGB or Korean Grill and Bar). It’s a small restaurant located along BS Aquino Drive (beside Pearl Manor) but the food is good and can satisfy your craving for Korean specialties.

The exterior is quite modest that people don’t immediately recognize it as a restaurant unless they come closer and see what’s inside. A Korean sign board is placed outside to catch the attention of the public. They have air conditioned and al fresco areas for customers to choose from.

Top to Bottom: Dak-Galbi, Jaemultang and, Samgyeopsal

During our lunch visit, The Negros Bloggers had sumptuous and generous servings of Korean dishes. Topping my list are the following:

• DAK-GALBI– this super spicy chicken dish in chili and tomato paste was prepared in front of us. Since my tummy can’t tolerate spicy food like I used too, I just tasted a bit. It had a tangy, spicy flavor with a rich texture because the ingredients were all mixed up together with the rice cake sticks. Yuuum!

• JAEMULTANG– Do you like Jjampong?
Well, this spicy seafood soup has crabs, mussels, fish, and shrimps. Nice combination with cold noodles or rice.

• SAMGYEOPSAL– thin pork slices grilled until golden brown and wrapped in lettuce leaves with garlic, mushroom and chili sauce. I swear, you’ll have fun eating while grilling the pork slices on the heated pan.\

Top to Bottom: Gimbop and Haemul Pajeon

• GIMBOP– similar to our favorite Japanese sushi. The gimbop is bigger in size and has mixed seafood and vegetables rolled up to make a sticky rice rolled in seaweed. Gimbop goes well with your fave drink!

• HAEMUL PAJEON– When I asked what the dish was, the waitress replied, “It’s like an omelet.” I started munching and hmmm, it was really good! It had slices of tender squid, leeks, onions and eggs flavored with Korean spices. What gave a kick to its taste is the sour-sweet-spicy sauce that made this dish easily my favorite. While the traditional omelet goes well with bread, this tasty Haemulpajeon can go well with rice too.

We had fun frying the pork strips and wrapping them and watching how Dak-Galbi was prepared and cooked. Korean dishes are fun to prepare and artsy too.
There are other dishes that Korean Grill offer like Dakddongjip, Jobang Nakjibokkeum, Kkotge-Tang, Ojinggeo-Mulhoe. Daek-Baeksuk, RamYeon, Tteok-Bokki. GimBap, Dak-Dori-Tang and more.

The place may look simple like I mentioned but service is good and the servings are big. You may think it’s a little costly but every dish serves 2 to 3 persons so customers really get their money’s worth.

TAKE NOTE: Korean Grill only accepts cash payments.
Open daily from 12nn-10pm. 

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