Choice Buffet Restaurant is our family favorite when it comes to an authentic Korean grill (bbq or bulgogi), hot pot (shabu-shabu) and buffet.  But, they are not limited to Korean, there are Japanese dishes as well.

We've been coming back to this place since it was first established many years ago.  My family actually  prefers this over the more popular Yakimix.   We've always felt that this place is underrated by many perhaps due to lack of marketing.

Each table has its own table-top electric stove for the hot pot (shabu-shabu) and a griller. 


Food

Korean grill (bbq or bulgogi) Station
They have a wide range of marinated meats.

The only problem we usually encounter when dining here is not knowing which is which.  I've been hoping they put a label on each item...

What we love about their meat is that you can choose how much marbling you want unlike other buffets where meats offered are more on fats than meat.

My Grill Plate

Have your grill buttered from time to time so your food won't burn easily...

Hot Pot (Shabu-Shabu) Station
The hot pot (shabu-shabu) station is massive in terms of variety but don't expect much for the quality of the fish cakes, squid balls and fish balls.  I recommend the fresh mussels, seafoods and vegetables from this section especially the shitake mushrooms. 

My Shabu-Shabu Plate

You can make your prefered the blend of your hot pot (shabu-shabu) broth from these.

Here's my spicy blend

My Shabu-Shabu Bowl Ready to Eat!

Ban Chan Station
They also have an assortment of ban chan (korean side dishes) which you can eat with your grilled dishes and also add to their Make-Your-Own Bibimbap section.

My Banchan and Grill Condiments.

Salad Station

Sashimi, Kimbap, Sushi and Maki Station
You can request for Salmon Sashimi or Tuna Sashimi.

They also have Kimbap, Kani Sushi, Tuna Sushi, Salmon Sushi...

and California Maki.

Cooked Korean and Japanese Dishes Station

Ddeokbokki (Korean Rice Cakes)

Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet

Ebi Tempura

Eggplant Tempura

Pajeon

Fish Tempura

Pork Katsu

Fried Spring Roll

Fried Rice

Galbi Jgim, Japchae, Ddeokbokki and Sweet and Sour Fish Fillet

These were all delicious especially the Galbi Jgim.

Desserts Station
There are mini cupcakes, marshmallows...

Cake Rolls

and cakes.  The Cake Rolls looked like they've been there very long although we were the first customers on a lunch time.

Local version of Pixie Sticks on straw

Ice Cream Station

Big Scoop Ice Cream (Strawberry, Mocha, Chocolate and Vanilla)

Coffee Station

Hot Coffee

Update (October 2014): We were supposed to eat here again but found out it was already closed.  So sad!!! =(

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
You're sure to be satisfied and leave with full stomachs when you dine at Choice Buffet Restaurant.  It's a must-try affordable Korean grill, hot pot and buffet.

For more than 2 decades, Korean Village Yakiniku Restaurant has maintained its popular in Malate Manila despite its relocation from Adriatico to Nakpil Street.  Every time we would pass by, the place is swarming with cars parked in front of it.




Upon stepping in, you'll hear the loud chatter of the crowd and see staffs pacing back and forth.  As this is a yakiniku restaurant, each table has a griller. 

Food

Complimentary Ban Chan

We had a Complimentary Ban Chan or side dishes of baechu kimchi (spicy fermented cabbage), Kongnamul (bean sprouts in sesame oil), Sigeumchi namul (lightly parboiled spinach dressed with sesame oil, garlic, and soy sauce) and Myulchi Bokkeum (stir-fried anchovies).  Sometimes, they provide more variety perhaps depending on the number of diners.


Yakiniku
The yakiniku orders are served raw in a platter so you can cook it on the grill on your own. 

♥ Barbecue Chicken (150 php)

The Barbecue Chicken is our favorite.  We'd rather order more of this than beef!  The blend of bulgogi sauce is satisfying for us. 
 

♥ Shrimp Barbecue (200 php)

I love the Shrimp Barbecue too!  It was fresh and soft. 
 

Tofu

Tofu

My family loved Tofu so we ordered it too.

Stew & Others

♥ Fish Stew (250 php)

The Fish Stew is a mildly spiced and sweet fish and tofu stew.  It is an pleasurable viand.   


Rice

Bibimbap Stoneware (250 php)

The Bibimbap Stoneware is satisfactory for its price.  It had the usual ingredients of fried egg, beans sprouts, zucchini, carrots and ground beef with Gochujang sauce.   

Miso Soup

The Miso Soup is complimentary with an order of the Bibimbap Stoneware.

Complimentary Pineapple

After the meal, we were served with Complimentary Pineapple slices. 

 
Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Korean Village Yakiniku Restaurant is a famous place for yakiniku.  The food is pretty good for the price thy offer.  It's no surprise that it is packed with diners all the time as ithas become popular to both Koreans and locals.

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.