I wanted to clear my mind off one night and decided to take a random stroll.  Then, my stomach grumbled and I found myself enticed to try Slice N' Dice Char-Grilled Steaks nearby.

To be honest, I've long been curious about this because I've heard people rave about it.  And, their pricing is really intrintriguing

It was a huge diner at Avenue of the Arts Building but it looked barely occupied.  It was clean-looking and cool enough.  The staffs are very nice and quick to assist too.

I was surprised that they also have affordable KTV rooms and they serve beer.

While waiting for my order, I took my time to tinker their condiments.  They are also open to feedbacks and they market their franchising

Food

Complimentary Mushroom Soup

It wasn't long when I was served a hot bowl of Complimentary Mushroom Soup.  It was good enough.  It really had mushroom bits.  It was a bit diluted but quite tasty - more on the salty side.

Steak 99ers (Rice All You Can Just Add 10 php; Iced Tea Add 39 php)

Junior T Bone (99 php)

The Junior T Bone is already served with rice, buttered corn and carrots and gravy.  It looked as if it was served right of the grill.  The portion is pretty good for a junior and being priced at 99 php, it was a steal deal!
 

Junior T Bone (99 php)

It was grilled medium - just the way I like it.  It would have been good enough for me as it was tender.  But, I found it tad too salty for my taste.  In fact, this is the saltiest steak I've ever had in my life!  I couldn't eat it without bathing it with gravy and gulping loads of water.  

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
For the price, cleanliness and service, Slice N' Dice Char-Grilled Steaks is a steal deal!  I somehow which that they didn't over-seasoned their steaks in salt though.  After all, they could add salt on the table as a condiment. 

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.

Ye Dang Korean B.B.Q Restaurant is one of the most popular authentic Korean Restaurants in Pasig. Good words about its prominence has been passed on to many.


Despite its wide parking space, it becomes fully occupied during peak hours.

Once you enter, you will be welcomed by the loud chatters of dining crowd.  The Korean owner is usually there to oversee the operations and assure that you are ushered to a table.


Food

Complimentary Ban Chan or Side Dishes

Upon ordering, they will serve seven kinds of Complimentary Ban Chan or Side Dishes: baechu kimchi (spicy fermented cabbage), Kkakdugi (spicy fermented white raddish), Sigeumchi namul (lightly parboiled spinach dressed with sesame oil, garlic, and soy sauce), Myulchi Bokkeum (stir-fried anchovies), Pajeon (green onion pancake), Al Gam Ja Jorim (potato in soy sauce) and Dubu Jorim (spicy tofu).

They fill also prepare the charcoal for your grill.

♥ Dak Gui (Grill Chicken) (300 php)

The Dak Gui is a well-marinated grilled chicken. This is our family favorite.

♥ Dak Gui (Grill Chicken) (300 php)

The waiters will assist in placing your orders on the grill but it's your job to make sure you turn them before they get burnt.

Samgyupsal (Roast Pork Belly) (250 php)

We occasionally order the Samgyupsal which is a roasted pork belly.  Why occasionally? Well, its sinfully delicious as you can see from the fatty marbled pork meat.

Samgyupsal (Roast Pork Belly) (250 php)

The Samgyupsal is cooked with the onions.


Eat it with your choice of dipping sauces and garlic.

The lettuce leaves are refillable.

Samgaetang (Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup) (600 php)

The Samgaetang  which is Korean ginseng chicken soup is another of our favorite.  It has lots of scallions and a light ginseng taste.
 

♥ Galbichim (300 php)

The Galbichim is beef short ribs stew.  This is delicious!


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Ye Dang Korean BBQ Restaurant is a recommendable authentic Korean restaurant for its great food quality, good service and reasonable pricing.

As much as I want to tap into the dining places in the Tomas Morato area, I just couldn't make myself go all the way there just to dine and then travel back home again.  But when I found out about the unique experience Bar B Skew has to offer, I'm the one who even invited my friends at The Foodies Circle to go there. 

Bar B Skew right at the center of the busy brightly-lit-especially-at-night area of Tomas Morato cor. Timog.  It's very easy to find with adequate with parking spaces.

Even from the outside, their custom made auto-rotating charcoal grilling tables makes them distinctively noticeable.  You can enjoy al fresco outside or inside with their efficient ventilation system. 

They have a chiller with a wide array of Street Food.  For those are health and hygiene conscious like me, I'm sure you'll understand how happy I was to glance at the selections nicely and neatly placed in a single chiller for my convenience.  My friends and I got our plates and filled it up with our choice of street food skewers. 

They also adopt self-service when it comes to water, napkins, brushes and basting sauces. 

Garlic Butter, Plain Sweet, Sweet & Spicy, Ginger Sesame and Hot Pepper

We tried all the basting sauces but we found it difficult to distinguish one from another since we were using the same brush.  I think I loved the Sweet & Spicy the most.


As soon as we were seated, the table top was filled with hot charcoal and the machine was turned on to auto-rotate. 


We filled it up with everything we got.  Although the selections vary per day, we're pretty much happy with what was offered.  For our main course, we had Chicken Barbecue, Pork Barbecue,♥ Cream Dory Fillet, ♥ Chicken Wings, Chicken Intestine (Isaw), Chicken Blood (Betamax), Chicken Gizzard (Baticolon), Chicken Liver (Atay), Kikiam, Hotdogs, Cheesedogs and ♥ Corn.

I was actually my first time to try the Chicken Blood (Betamax).  I've never had the guts to try it from street vendors due to cleanliness issues so it was nice to finally get the chance.  It was tasteless and not worth the guilt in my honest opinion.

I think I ate a lot of the Cream Dory Fillet, Chicken Intestine (Isaw), Chicken Gizzard (Baticolon) and  Chicken Liver (Atay).  The Cream Dory Fillet is everyone's favorite.  Grilling the Kikiam was very tricky.  We tend to overcook that one. 


For dessert skewers, we had the Chocolate Marshmallows and Bananas and Pineapple.  These are easily cooked so better pay attention cause the bananas loosen up and the Chocolate Marshmallows can get very gooey. 

Overall, the group consumed 64 sticks in total!  We didn't realize how much we've had because we were having so much fun, basting and chatting.

Limited Time Offer Buffet
For a limited time only, Bar B Skew is offering the Bar-B-Skew Buffet with unlimited skewers plus cooked dishes too at a very affordable rate of 299 php for lunch, 349 php for weekday dinner and 399 php weekend dinner.

Mind you the cooked dishes are also good!

♥ Chinese Fried Chicken

We all loved the Chinese Fried Chicken.

Double Fried Chicken

But, the Double Fried Chicken is equally delightful.

Tokwa

Kang Kong

Update May 2014: Unfortunately, this establishment has been short-lived and has now closed.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Bar B Skew offers an awesome auto-rotating charcoal grilling experience you surely can't miss!  I advise you to go over there as soon as you can and bring lots of company for a fun and enjoyable time.  They have serve drinks too at an affordable price.  In fact, I'm planning to bring my drinking buddies (they drink I eat) here sometime in the future.  I'm sure they'll love it!