The family is rarely in Tomas Morato Quezon City area.  We are not very familiar with the establishments there so we tried searching for places to eat using Zomato, Booky Manila and Waze.  Even though we were all navigators equipped with our own devices, we somehow managed to take the wrong turn and ended up in Hansik Restaurant 한식 레스토랑 and we were too hungry to turn back.  (Yes! The family can get a bit agitated when their stomach is grumbling and patience isn't our virtue)


The restaurant has no English name so it was difficult to share for us non-koreans.  I only found out the name when I checked-in on facebook and swarm.  This used to be called Tadami Restaurant.  It's a plus that they have a parking space which is usually the problem in the area.

The place looks clean and quaint.  Each table has already been set.

They add new menus every once in awhile but we opted for their regular selections which were recommended by our server.

Food
Before our orders arrived, we were served their complimentary banchan.  Every thing was so good so we got excited to try our orders.

Appetizers

Salmon Salad (350 php)

For starter, we had the Salmon Salad.  Its very simple but the salmon was fresh and the dressing is a great match for it.

Main Dish

Bulgogi with Vegetable (500 php)

Our server (who seems to be focused with our dish) cooked our Bulgogi with Vegetable at our table.  As you can see, food here is best shared with a group. 

Bulgogi with Vegetable (500 php)

It was then served to as smoking hot.  This isn't the typical grilled type.  Instead this is what they call Bulgogi Jungol or Bulgogi Soup.  Although we've tried it before, we rarely encounter this style in the Metro.  It's perfect to eat on a cold rainy day.  We were all very pleased with this.  The cost is definitely justified by the quality of the meat, flavor and serving size.

Dakgalbi (400 php)

Having tried many dak galbi before, I have to admit, their Dakgalbi is one of the best.  Even my little sister who despises spicy dishes could resist this!

 Noodles

Seafood Tomato Stew (350 php)

The Seafood Tomato Stew is something new for us.  It's like the Korean version of Marinara Pasta in soup form.  Definitely a must try!

Rice Dishes

Kimchi Fried Rice (250 php)

 The family is very fond of trying out Kimchi Rice whenever we encounter one.  This Kimchi Fried Rice is the quite unique.  It has some bean paste and sesame seeds among others.  It's not dominantly spicy like we expected so the siblings are quite thrilled with that.  It is similar to 678's lunch box. 


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
We are glad to discover Hansik Restaurant 한식 레스토랑.  I have yet to compare it with other Korean Restaurants in the Quezon City area.  But, I highly recommend it as one of the best one's we've tried. (As of date, my label counter says it's a total of 45 Korean restaurants =D)

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.