When we ate at Jang Ga Nae, my little sister said that we should have eaten at Seoul Korean Restaurant where she and her schoolmates always dine at.  I told her that Jang Ga Nae was top-rated by bloggers and netizens while Seoul Korean Restaurant is unsearchable online.


She told me that this place used to be named Happy 6 Days.  Since my little sister is the ultimate K-pop and Korean food fan in the family, we take her suggestions highly and gave Seoul Korean Restaurant a try.

It is not as big as it's next door neighbor but believe it or not, I find simple homy places more appealing.  

Food

Complimentary Banchan

We were served their delicious Complimentary Banchan: Miyeok Muchim (seaweed salad), Mu Saengchae (thinly sliced radish kimchi), Kimchi, Gyeran Mari (fried egg), Okra Kangjung, Dubu Ganjangjorim (pan-fried tofu with spicy sauce).  We loved all of them!  We were looking forward to trying more dishes upon tasting these!

Kimbap (120 php)

The Kimbap is so good too!

Dak Galbi (400 php)

The Dak Galbi is one of the best I've had!  The spiciness isn't overwhelming with a mellow sesame essence.  The serving size is hefty too. 
 

O-Sam Bulgogi (500 php)

The O-Sam Bulgogi is thin pork an squid slices in soy sauce marinate.  We had the spiciness at mild level.  This was another hit!  The pork and squid were tender plus the marinade was so delicious! 

Yang Nyum Chicken (350 php)

Leading Korean Fried Chickens brands are no match for the Yang Nyum Chicken.  It's got finger-licking sauce, very crunchy skin and tender juicy meat.  I'm actually quite surprised at how good this is! 

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Seoul Korean Restaurant is Pasig's hidden authentic Korean gem.  Every dish we ordered was so good!  Taste-wise, I felt that they don't scrimp on ingredients as the dishes are so rich and hearty just like the kind of food my mom and I would prepare at home.  Their serving size is good for sharing so bring some company with you.  I highly recommend this place.  

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.

Revisiting Forum South Global after quite some time, I'm surprised that Seven on 7th Bistro Modern has been replaced by Yoree Korean Barbecue Dining.

I didn't know what to expect.  Judging from the outside, it seems high-end. 

As I went in, my assertions were correct.  It was a grand spacious Korean restaurant indeed.  Even Sariwon is no match in terms of size and seating capacity.

I love the interiors as even the floor has eccentric details.


It has a high-ceiling that keep the place well ventilated and cool even during full-capacity with each table a charcoal grill as we've experienced during our dinner.


After taking our orders, we were given a flat napkin which was later on poured with hot water to expand.

Food

Kimchi, Pickle and Muchim

Their complimentary banchan includes: Kimchi, Pickle and Muchim (seasoned cucumber).

There's also spicy vegetables that's a perfect add-on to every barbecue dish.
 
The lettuce, carrot sticks and chili are refillable.

These are also provided for dipping.


Al la Carte

Hae Mool Pa Jeon (200 php)

The Hae Mool Pa Jeon is pancake with clam meat, octopus, shrimp and green onion.  This is one of the best pa jeon I've tried!

Seafood Jap Chae (250 php)

The Seafood Jap Chae is sauteed vegetables with beef, carrots, shrimp, mushroom in sweet potato noodles.  This is another hit among us!  This is the most extravagant and satisfying jap chae I've had yet. 

Gyeran Jjim (130 php)

I've always loved steamed egg like the Japanese Chawan Mushi.  But, this is surprisingly the first time I've tried the Korean rendition.  The Gyeran Jjim which is a steamed egg on hot stone is very good because it's not jelly-like but more on the fluffly scrambled side.  And, yet it's not dried, rough but soft and runny.  I hope to encounter more of this in the future.

Jeonju Dolsot Bibimbab (380 php)

The Jeonju Dolsot Bibimbab is a stone-ware bibimbap with egg, seaweed, vegetables: cucumber,  raddish, carrots and sprouts, cheese and  beef strips.  This is another top-notch dish by Yoree.

Haemool Soon Tofu (380 php)

The Haemool Soon Tofu is soft tofu stew with seafood.  The default is served at medium spicy.  But, you can request to go less or even further.  I'm very impressed with this dish because you can taste the wild spicy kick together with the sweet seafood flavors hand in hand.  The tofu being soft, smooth and silky is another plus.

Charcoal Barbecue on the Table

Gochujang Samgyupsal (150 g) (400 php)

After being impressed with the first few dishes we ordered, I found out that the charcoal barbecue at Yoree is the highlight of the dinner.  The Gochujang Samgyupsal which is sliced pork belly and garlic with red pepper sauce is one of the best (if not the best) samgyupsal I've encountered.  It was so good that I didn't feel any guilt... just purely pleasure in devouring over it.  It is cooked with garlic and served with additional kimchi.

Premium 

Yangnyum Galbi 280g (720 php)

The Yangnyum Galbi 280g is seasoned short rib marinated with sweet and savory sauce with vegetable, shrimp and squid.

Yangnyum Galbi 280g (720 php)

The Yangnyum Galbi is expensive but definitely worth every peso.

Yangnyum Galbi 280g (720 php)

The server grilled it until ready and then cut it into strips before placing it on our plates.

Wagyu Kkot Deugnsim 130g (820 php)

The Yangnyum Galbi 280g is wagyu ribeye steak with mushroom.  It's "wagyu" need I say more? 

Desserts

Pot Bing-Su (170 php)

The Pot Bing-Su is shaved ice with milk, adzuki and mango.  This is not as extravagant as others I've tried.   But, I loved this the most!  It's simply refreshing especially after a savory meal. 

Drinks

Lemonade

Soju

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Yoree Korean Barbecue Dining is one of the best authentic Korean Charcoal dining restaurants in the Metro.  And, it's unmatched in terms of elegance too.  I'd recommend dining here if you're looking for quality Korean barbecue with excellent ambiance and service to boot.  But, note that it does come with the price. 

Once in awhile, we like many other prefer to enjoy a simple Korean grill.  A perfect option in our area is Makchang Korean Grill.  Unlike its neighbor Doniz Korean Restaurant which I've shared before that offers an extensive Korean menu,  Makchang offers only a dozen items which are mainly grilled.

Seating during peak hours usually have to be assigned by numbers.  You can sat inside their sister establishment "Unlimited Buffet Korean Food Bbq Grill & Shabu-Shabu" while waiting.  But if you can't stand the smokers in such an enclosed area, you can just wait by standing outside watching the staffs burn their charcoal endlessly.


The interiors are downright simple with big round tables that are equip with charcoal grillers and exhaust.  You'll see servers running to and fro to cater to customers necessities.  

Food
Upon being seated, we were supplied with baek kimchi (spicy fermented cabbage), lettuce, raw sweet potatoes, pajori (green onions mixed with chili powder and sesame salad), garlic and doenjang (soy bean paste sauce).  You can eat the sweet potatoes raw which will have a crunchy consistency like singkamas or cook it to make it mushy like fries. 

Complimentary Miso Soup

We were also given our a bowl of Complimentary Miso Soup each.


Makchang has a minimum order rule:

• 1-3 persons: Minimum of 2 orders
• 4-5 persons: Minimum of 3 orders
• 6-7 persons: Minimum of 4 orders

Beef

Kotdungsim (550 php)

For beef we tried the Kotdungsim.  The staff fully assisted in the cooking of each dish. 

Kotdungsim (550 php)

Pork

♥ Pork Galbi (250 php)

The Pork Galbi is a thick marinated pork rib meat. 

♥ Pork Galbi (250 php)

Upon being cooked, it is cut into bite-size pieces.  We loved this!  It as flavorful and tender. 

♥ Samkyupsal (250 php)

The Samkyupsal is the classic unmarinated pork belly slices known to have a fatty layer.  I enjoying eating this with the lettuce, pajori, garlic, baek kimchi and doenjang.

Galmekisal (290 php)

The Galmekisal is pork skirtmeat taken from the portion beneath the ribs and between the pig liver and the midriff. 

Galmekisal (290 php)

This is tougher to chew that the Pork Galbi probably because it is leaner. 


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Makchang Korean Grill Restaurant offers a no fuzz and straight forward menu.  Their prices are very affordable making it a great choice for regular korean grill cravers.  As expected from the price, the meat quality is passable and the blend is nothing special. The service is great as staffs are lively and friendly despite being very busy.