The hunt for Korean restaurants in Manila is ongoing before my big trip to Korea this month! This time, we tried Songdowon Premium Korean BBQ in Quezon City. I was intrigued by this restaurant due to the extensive menu and beef options. I was so excited that I forgot to take our picture while eating haha. We had lunch here on a Wednesday and everyone thought it was worth going back to again and the service we received was excellent. Their main branch is in Pasay and we were told that the one cooking there is a Korean.
We actually arrived at around 11:30am, ready for our big meal! The place was not stuffy, as in other samgyup places. But of course, this is not your ordinary Pinoy samgyup.
Songdo is a reclaimed city in Korea if I'm not mistaken and fairly new. Please read below for the story of the restaurant. I'm glad the Korean owner found Manila and settled here. He/she brought along this opportunity for us to taste a more authentic Korean food (in my opinion). My hope was that they also brought along the concept of good food at an affordable quality that we can enjoy. It's quite rare though to find this type of menu in Korea, as they tend to specialize in only 1 or 2 dishes there per restaurant. I was considering this Couple set at first since I wanted to taste their basic offering but seeing that the amount was half of that the regular serving in the menu, we opted to go eat beef for this day!
Their pork dishes look appetizing though esp. the aged pork belly so I'm reserving this for next time. I ordered the Woosamgyup (beef belly plain) and Yangnyeom Galbi (beef rib fingers in special sauce) for now since I had to try if they have the correct cut and taste of the Korean beef belly that I like so much.
I also ordered the Galbi Tang (Beef Ribs Soup) that was one of their best sellers and wanted to know if they can make a nice Kimchijeon (kimchi pancake). I would probably try their Aged Kimchi soup when I return!
They are using charcoal (which is a good sign) and had unlimited banchan (around 8 types) which is rare in the Korean restaurants I go to Manila nowadays.
I liked the cooked kimchi and the eggplant banchan most.
Both 150g beef meat came out, with the yangnyeom galbi costing twice the price of the beef belly. The taste made up for it though and the tender meat!
This is still my preferred way of eating Korean bbq - plain and in thin strips. Chadolbaegi for the win and eat as Koreans do! I dip it in salt with sesame oil, which they have.
I advise to cook all the unseasoned first because the ones with marinade burn easily. Surprisingly, this galbi was still tender and their special sauce was delicious too. You can actually order the raw meat at 50% off for take out and cook it at home! Hehe.
Their kimchi pancake was okay (I'm looking for a wetter one and packed with kimchi flavor),
esp. if you add this free unlimited green onion salad ;) It has vinegar and chili flakes and goes well with the pancake soy sauce.
Last but not the least is the Galbitang. It easily became J and my sister's favorite. It's like our beef soup but with more flavor - very meaty too and falls off the bone. There's also some noodles at the bottom. I just can't get over the beef belly. Have it for your last bite and taste the difference haha. OR Try to put beef belly in the Galbitang hahaha.
It's great to pair it with the free rice (one came with the soup). They also gave us free gyeran-chim (steamed egg) and we were all so full I think I over-ordered! Moderation is key when eating Korean BBQ..
We were pleasantly surprised when they said we each get a free Melona ice cream for dining from 11am-6pm!
Not bad for a 800 per person meal, eh?! We will definitely be back for other items and with a gang to taste more dishes hahaha.
Restaurant Details:
11am-12am
Other branch open is in Pasay
