Have you tried the latest Korean food craze yet?
Filipinos have adventurous palates. Our cuisine is a mixture of different influences, such as Indian, Spanish, Chinese, and American. These influences have different results among the archipelago’s different ethnic groups and tribes but have defined the Filipino cuisine.
There has been a recent addition to our already varied food options. Since the invasion of Korean dramas in 2003, the Filipinos’ admiration of the Korean culture has also begun. The Korean influence in the Philippines is not only limited to entertainment, fashion, and beauty trends but also to food. The prevalence of Korean food restaurants in the country is proof of the great impact of the Korean culture, especially in the restaurants in Cebu.
Samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly) is always on the list of Korean food that one should try. There is no wonder about the craze when the dish was introduced to the country since Filipinos normally enjoy grilled meat, especially the Cebuanos who are fond of sinugba. What’s interesting in this Korean food is that it is eaten in a way that the grilled meat is wrapped in lettuce along with other side dishes like kimchi, zucchini, or pickled radish.
There are various Korean food restaurants in Cebu where you can order samgyeopsal, and most of them offer unlimited servings with a fixed price per person. Here are some of the Korean restaurants that you should check out if you want to experience a Korean food trip in Cebu:
KAYA Korean BBQ
You should know by now that Filipinos are into unlimited servings, which is why buffet restaurants are popular these days. In Cebu, the price range of buffet restaurants starts from US$6 to US$20. People flock to these places no matter the price because they know they get unlimited servings.
Every day at 5:00 p.m., you will see a long line of people waiting for KAYA Korean BBQ to open. However, KAYA is not a buffet restaurant, but its reputation of serving high-quality meat and outstanding Korean food make people come back for more.
Depending on the cut of meat, the price range is between US$6 to US$18. Of course, the pork belly is the star, but the aged prime beef is also a bestseller. To spice up your meal, have a bowl of stew or noodles.
Although unlimited serving is not available in KAYA, the portions are huge and each meal’s taste is outstanding, add to that a very clean environment. Surely, you are getting your money’s worth.
Pearl Meat Shop
The first Korean restaurant in Cebu, Pearl Meat Shop, is the go-to place for most people who want to try Korean food but do not want to spend much. With a price range of US$7-US$9 per person, you can devour good-quality pork with drinks and side orders. You can also try other Korean food in their menu, like ramyeon and kimbap, at separate prices.
The popular Korean dessert patbingsu, which is shaved ice with fruits and milk, is also sold in Pearl Meat Shop in all of their branches in Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Talisay City.
Barangay Seoul
There are numerous restaurants in Cebu where you can order Korean food. There are also Korean grocery stores where you can buy Korean snacks or instant meals, like ramyeon. One restaurant offers both Korean food and instant meals.
Barangay Seoul is an all-in-one restaurant for Korean food. At the price of US$6 on weekdays and US$7 on weekends, you get to enjoy unlimited servings of samgyeopsal with over ten side dishes to choose from.
What’s more interesting is that you won’t only be getting pork with the price you pay. Unlike other Korean food restaurants with this price range, Barangay Seoul also serves beef. Also, these rates include ramyeon of your choice, which you can cook by yourself, and you can add egg into it if you want.
The popular Korean dessert patbingsu, which is shaved ice with fruits and milk, is also sold in Pearl Meat Shop in all of their branches in Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Talisay City.
K-Pub BBQ
This place can hardly be missed when you are in Ayala Center Cebu. This Korean food restaurant is not like the others in this Korean food guide; this one is also a pub.
Colorful lights illuminate the facade and captivate passersby. Once you are inside, you will be welcomed by a large screen showing Korean pop music videos. With that entertainment, combined with a spacious dining area, you feel like you are in a concert hall.
Since this is a pub, you can find a specific room for liquors. This is the famous Green Room, a Heineken-exclusive bar and the only one in the Philippines. During the weekends, the pub also hosts live performances of various Korean artists.
Tops Korean Barbecue
Some people go an extra mile for good food. If it’s authentic Korean food that you search for, then you should visit Tops Korean Barbecue. Although the place is located in the highlands of Lahug, locals and Korean tourists still travel uphill just to try the home-cooked Korean food prepared by Korean owners.
Tops Korean Barbecue does not offer unlimited servings, however, it is still one of the affordable restaurants in Lahug, Cebu. You get a generous portion with a meal that costs US$2 that is made from only fresh ingredients.
The location is not too far away from the overlooking spots in Cebu, so if you have your own mode of transportation or if you have the time, you can explore more interesting places up ahead.
Which Korean food restaurant will you visit next?
Salty, sour, and spicy combined in one meal is a gastronomic experience. That is why Cebuanos can’t get enough of the Korean food craze.
