Note: Kimbap Cheonguk rebranded to Mandu Heaven
After more than a month, the PEx Gluttony Society met up again for a wonderful dinner at a Korean hole-in-the-wall resto called Kimbap Cheonguk ("Kimbap Heaven" in Korean).
It's quite difficult to look for the place since the sign is in Korean. You wouldn't even think that it's actually a Korean resto.
It's quite difficult to look for the place since the sign is in Korean. You wouldn't even think that it's actually a Korean resto.
inside Kimbap Cheonguk |
The place is a small eatery, no frills whatsoever. Just a few tables and chairs and a small TV. This is my exact definition of "hole-in-the-wall". Good thing I got there early since customers, both Filipinos and Koreans, start to fill the place.
Banchan
Korean meals usually come with Banchan or side dishes, which come for free. We had the following for Banchan:
clam soup |
pickled radishes |
fish cakes |
I wasn't able to try everything, but I particularly liked the fish cakes.
Kimbap
Since it was named after this dish, we didn't miss ordering it. Kimbap means seaweed rice in Korean. It is quite similar to Japanese sushi. We had Cheese Kimbap (Php 150) and Modum Kimbap or mixed kimbap (Php 180).
Kimbap
Since it was named after this dish, we didn't miss ordering it. Kimbap means seaweed rice in Korean. It is quite similar to Japanese sushi. We had Cheese Kimbap (Php 150) and Modum Kimbap or mixed kimbap (Php 180).
Cheese Kimbap |
Modum Kimbap |
Modum Kimbap has meat slices, salmon, vegetables, eggs, and cheese. Both Kimbaps are really good! :)
Mandu
We also had two kinds of Mandu or Korean dumplings: Kun Mandu (Php 180) and Gogi Mandu (Php 180).
Mandu
We also had two kinds of Mandu or Korean dumplings: Kun Mandu (Php 180) and Gogi Mandu (Php 180).
Kun Mandu |
Gogi Mandu |
Kun Mandu is fried dumplings with minced pork and vermicelli while Gogi Mandu is steamed pork dumplings. Both dumplings are meaty and flavorful!
We also had Chapchae (Php 250) and Cheese Dukboggi (Php 200).
We also had Chapchae (Php 250) and Cheese Dukboggi (Php 200).
Chap Chae |
Cheese Dukboggi |
Chap Chae or Japchae is a Korean noodle dish made of glass noodles, veggies, and meat. It was a bit sweet, which I liked. Dukboggi or Ddeokbokki is a dish made of sliced rice cake, beef, fish cakes, boiled egg, vegetables with spicy sauce, and melted cheese on top. A good friend was raving about this dish so I was curious about it for quite a while. It was really delicious! I just had to drink lots of water since it was too spicy for me.
We also had Samgyupsal (Php 400), which is an unseasoned pork belly. It was cooked at our table and served with fresh lettuce leaves and other veggies. It also goes with gochujang or Korean chili paste.
We also had Samgyupsal (Php 400), which is an unseasoned pork belly. It was cooked at our table and served with fresh lettuce leaves and other veggies. It also goes with gochujang or Korean chili paste.
Grilling the samgyupsal |
Samgyupsal |
Vegetables to go with the samgyupsal |
The gochujang lacked the saltiness I was looking for but the Samgyupsal was really good! It is a healthy choice for meat lovers (like myself).
Overall, Kimbap Cheonguk is a must-try Korean resto. The dishes were really affordable. I really appreciated the friendliness of the staff. They were very patient in explaining the items on the menu, which was useful since I'm reading the Korean dishes that still confuse me.
I really had a great time with these guys. See you again soon, guys! :)
Kimbap Cheonguk menu |
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Kimbap Cheonguk
Ground Floor
Amber Square Building,
Escriva Drive,
Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Kimbap Cheonguk
Ground Floor
Amber Square Building,
Escriva Drive,
Ortigas Center, Pasig City
It must be really nice to dine with a bunch of foodies as you all share the enthusiasm. I wish I'll find a similar hole-in-the-wall here. I want to explore Korean food too, but is not willing enough to try the expensive restaurants. The side-dishes look really tasty.. and the Dukboggi too! Or is it because of the color orange? The mandu reminds me of Japanese gyoza.
ReplyDeletehttp://ahintofsunlight.blogspot.com/
There are lots of Korean restos in Cebu, just do your research so you'll not end up paying much. :)
Deleteoh em! I think there's a lot so much exciting about the Cheese & Modum Kimbap... looks very delicious.. I hope it's satiating enough :)
ReplyDeleteThe Kimbaps are really good! :)
DeleteSobrang nag-crave ako ng Korean food dahil dito. Anlayo ng Ortigas sa amin.haha Anyhoo na-realize ko andami-daming Korean resto sa may BF Paranaque pero wala pa ako ni-try kahit isa.Toinks!
ReplyDeleteHope you'll try Korean food soon. I think Korean restos are almost everywhere. :)
DeletePretty intesting. I hope I get to try this one time.
ReplyDeleteHope you'll visit this soon. :)
DeleteWow! michymichymoo, your post totally made me crave for some Korean food. Great stuff! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Drunken Pig! Hope you'll try Kimbap Cheonguk soon! :)
DeleteI love Korean Food! This is worth a try then!
ReplyDelete