This is my second time to travel all the way south to BF Homes Parañaque.  I've long heard of its being the Korean Food Capital in the Metro (aside from my home town Malate that is).   My long journey has led me to discover Mattna Kamjatang (맛나 감자탕).  This is a famous restaurant in Busan Korea.

It's a big place with a glass windows.  It even has a big parking space.  BUT! Finding it is a bit of a challenge.  It can't be found in google maps or waze.  I've asked many residents, tricycle drivers etc. in the area and they have never heard of Mattna Kamjatang.  And, the reason why is their signage...
See that small wooden sign inside the window?  It's not visually noticeable during broad daylight and I'd bet more so at night.  It also has an intimidating big wooden door.  

After pushing my way in, I was astounded by how big it is.  There were a lot of servers who welcomed me and I was quickly ushered to a table.


Table has their customized utensil and napkin holder as well as the menu.

Food

♥ Complimentary Ban Chan

For Complimentary Ban Chan, they served Baechu Kimchi (spicy fermented cabbage), Danmuji (spicy radish), Ganja Jorim (glazed baby potato) and Dububuchim (spicy pan-fried tofu).  This is one the best banchan set I've ever had.  Everything is so good I didn't want to leave anything behind.


This is already on the table so I couldn't help but be intrigued what the Kamjatang is all about.  While waiting for my order, I googled the Kamjatang and found out that it is a potato stew.

♥ Kam Ja Tang Pyo He Jang Kuk (320 php)

I was expecting potato stew but the Kam Ja Tang turned out to be be more than that. 

♥ Kam Ja Tang Pyo He Jang Kuk (320 php)

The Kam Ja Tang has a big chunk of pork neck, perilla leaves, bean sprouts, potato slices and glass noodle.  It's appetizingly spicy but not overpowering the other ingredients.  I loved it!  This is one of the best Tang or Korean Stew I've ever had.  I find it to be heart-warming and soulful.  This is perfect for the rainy weather.

♥ Bukum Bap (150 php)

The Bukum Bap is not like the korean fried rice dishes that I have encountered in the past.  

The staff will cook this infront of you.  And, they will use the broth of the Kam Ja Tang and mix it with what's already served on the pot.  This is so good!  One of the best I've had too!

Andy's Delight (10 php/piece)

The Andy's Delight is a pastry with nuts and buttermilk.  I brought this home for the family and they enjoyed it.


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Mattna Kamjatang (맛나 감자탕) is one of the best authentic Korean restaurants I've tried.  They definitely have the best stews!  I highly recommend this.  The staffs are so nice too. 

My friend Joei has long been urging me to try Gangnam Style.  So I mentioned it to the family and they agreed to try it.  While on the way, I was surprised that we were headed to Harbor Square when I thought it was in Makati.  We searched the net and all entries were also in Makati.  But, since we're already there we might as well try it right?  

It has a big lighted sign with a guy logo that looks a lot like Psy (the singer of the song.  It is located just above the worst branch of The Chicken and Rice Shop (their dessert items are hardly ever available).  

Taking a plight of stairs, we arrived by its entrance bombarded by promos.  We didn't stop to read and just went in as we were hungry.  Later on, we found out that they offer 6 free side dishes (we got this) and bingsu (this was not available during our visit).  

The interiors were really nice.  The dining areas each had a square table equipped with gas griller, pillows for seats and display shelves that serve as dividers.  Their was a background music too but not Korean as I would have expect.



Food

Banchan

The server took our orders and immediately served our complimentary Banchan.  We were surprised at how generous they are with Banchan.  There was the usual .  And, there are full serving size of the Gyeran Jjim (steamed egg) and Kimchi Jigae. 

Kimchi Stew (Kimchi-jjigae) *complimentary but menu price is 250 php

Complimentary Soup

BBQ
Soon, our BBQ orders arrived and server begun grilling them.  She overheard us talking about the Gangnam Style in Makati and told us that it is indeed a branch of it.  But, she said the one in Makati is more popular and they use charcoal grillers there. 

Grilled Chicken Ribs (Yangyeum Dak-Galbi) (350 php)

The Grilled Chicken Ribs marinade was successful in appealing to our tastebuds.

Red Pepper Paste Pork Belly (Gochojang Samgyeopsal) (280 php)

Red Pepper Paste Pork Belly rarely make a lasting impression to me but this did.  Just look at their beautiful thick, marbled and fatty pork slab and you can probably tell how flavorful it is and even enhanced by the red pepper paste.

This tray is refillable so enjoy these with your grills.  Add the spicy vegetables to boot.

Meal Special

Kimchi Fried Rice (Kimchi Bokkeumbob) (250 php)

Since my mom loves Kimchi Fried Rice and wanted to try all versions of it, we ordered one.  It was good but still doesn't top our favorite.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Gangnam Style is a must try if you're looking for authentic Korean dishes.  With all their complimentary dishes, you're belly will be more than satisfied with much left on your wallet.

On August 15 last year, it was an unforgettable Friday school day  for me because I was scolded and humiliated in class by my professor for forgetting to bring my book to class.  According to him, it meant giving a false pretense that I was too confident.  Naturally, I was a bit down during class.  To my surprise, the family kept calling and texting me to meet them in 678 Manila at San Miguel by the Bay at SM Mall of Asia. 

Naturally, I told them I'm still in class but they insisted that I check out this newly discovered Korean BBQ restaurant even if they have to wait for me.  So after class, I hurriedly rushed off to the San Miguel By the Bay Area to search for 678 Manila which they told me was beside Razon's. 

It was easy to spot since it had Kang Ho-dong's Standee upfront.  It didn't look big from the outside so I was surprised upon stepping in that it was HUGE!  The wooden interiors, shiny cemented floors, dividers and posts with lively Korean songs playing on the background gave it a unique comfortable but luxurious vibe that sets it apart from other Korean restaurants in Manila we've been too.  The place was surprisely cool for a barbecue place.  I guess it is because of the ventilation shafts that efficiently vacuums all the smoke away from the grillers.  It had a large dining space affording privacy and comfort to every table.  The kitchen is just as spacious and you could see what's going on inside too.  It had a large number of staff wearing black caps, black shirts and black pants.  They equipped with wrist watch that alerts they when you hit the buzzer on your table making all of them turn their heads to you.  They also have earpieces and mics (like the bodyguards in Korean telenovelas) so they can quickly receive their orders and before you can even remove you finger from the buzzer, a server is already approaching you're table to make sure you're instantly attended to.  


The next table was a cheery Korean crowd.  Some of them looked really familiar.  My siblings pointed out that it was Park Sang-Myung (He played in my favorite Korean movies like the tear-jerking Miracle in Cell No. 7 and She's on Duty and several Korean telenovelas like Mary Stayed All Night, King of Baking and Green Rose) and Owner Kang Ho-dong (Korean MC and Comedian) among the group.  We wanted to ask for a photograph since we're huge fans but we were too shy.  The female server told us that Lee Min Ho even promised to drop by the night before but didn't so perhaps he would drop by that night.  We hoped and waited even until the company of Park Sang-Myun and Owner Kang Ho-dong left but he didn't show up. =(
 

678 Korean BBQ Menu Manila Philippines

I was really amazed by the fact the quality of the food, atmosphere and the appearance of Korean celebrities so I researched the about 678 as soon as we went home.  Although it is hidden and still unpopular in Manila, it appears to be a famous global franchise.  It has branches in New York, Los Angeles, Hawaii, Sydney, China and Tokyo where renowned foodies and chefs such as Anthony Bourdain, Rich Torrisi and David Chang have dined at.  There's even an article stating it turned an 8-year vegetarian back to eating meat. 

Food
As soon as we ordered, we were served their complimentary brown rice tea.  Then, our server sets our charcoal griller and fills up the sides with red bell peppers, onions, sweet corn with mozzarella cheese and raw egg.  It's the first time we've encountered a griller designed like that.  Later on, as the meats are grilled, the oil will spill on the sides adding flavor to them.  

678 Lettuce Salad and 678 Veggie Salad

We were expecting the typical banchan to be served instead we were served the 678 Lettuce Salad and 678 Veggie Salad...

Complimentary Soup, Raw Onions, Gochujang Sauce and 678 Secret House Sauce with Wasabi

Complimentary Soup, Raw Onions, Gochujang Sauce and 678 Secret House Sauce with Wasabi.  The Complimtary Soup with Daikon in Vinegar base was something odd and new for me.


Pork

Fresh Cut of Pork Belly (350 php)

We had no idea on what to order so we just ordered everything suggested by our server starting with the Fresh Cut of Pork Belly served with a daikon.  Our server took charge of the entire grilling process and even thought as how to enjoy every dish.  As you can see, the thick pork belly was initially placed on a flat slate.   

Fresh Cut of Pork Belly (350 php)

Then, our server got a grid where our 150 gram of Fresh Cut of Pork Belly was grilled further.

Fresh Cut of Pork Belly (350 php)

Fresh Cut of Pork Belly (350 php)

Soon, it was all sliced and ready to be eaten.  The egg on the side is cooked as well taking a custard form.




Eating it is different from other samgyupsals according to the instructions given to us by our server.  First, we mixed the wasabi with the 678 secret sauce.  We dipped the cooked pork belly there  applied some 678 veggie salad and 678 lettuce salad.

This is how mine looked like.  All the components are refillable for free by the way.  Wow!  Their quality meat combined with their sauce and salads are so delicious!  I couldn't stop myself from having more and more of it.  Surely, this is one of the best samgyupsal I've ever had.

Special

Beef Bulgogi (500 php)

The Beef Bulgogi is served with three kinds of mushroom and lots of shallots.  

Beef Bulgogi (500 php)

Since it has sauce, it is cooked in a wok atop the charcoal.  We really loved its tenderness and flavor.  It's not overly sweet but a pleasantly flavorful making it great viand with rice.


Side Menu

Egg Wrap (Cheese) (200 php)

The Egg Wrap is filled with Cheese and laid on a bed of ketchup.  At first glance, it looks similar to the Japanese Dashimaki Tamago. 

But, it's different because it's not flavored with soy and it's closer to the American omelette because it's filled with cheese, rougher in texture and more dense.  We loved this!

Meal Menu

Lunch Box (200 php)

The Lunch Box is served in this tin with a comical picture.

Lunch Box (200 php)

The Lunch Box comprises of rice, fried egg, kimchi, achovies, tofu, seaweeds and black beans.  So its basically a variant of a bokkeumbap (Korean fried rice dish). 

Lunch Box (200 php)

The server then shakes it vigorously giving it a loud clunk before finally opening it and revealing this glorious delicious mess.  We enjoyed this new experience and if you love seaweed like us, you'd really appreciate this. 

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I'm really glad that the family happened to walk by 678 Korean BBQ Manila.  This is one of our best Korean dining discoveries.  I highly suggest that you try this or you're certainly missing a lot!  We're really eager for a revisit too.  Crossing my fingers that we spot more Korean celebrities there. =))  The service is excellent!  I'm really impressed at how much they have invested in their gears and training.  The price is very reasonable as most items are good for sharing so bring some company with you in every visit.