No, I don’t think there’s any similarity between my favorite Japanese food and Korean food. The former I think is simple and artistic, the latter leans more on the “eclectic.” Maybe it’s because my tongue is not yet attuned to Korean food. There’s always an element of surprise whenever I munch on kimchi, or marvel at the variety of sauces, dips and veggies laid out before me, like an intricate ceremony.
It certainly felt surreal when I visited The Pork Room in Malate (it was on Jorge Bocobo, I think). As far as I know this Korean hole-in-the-wall is not listed in any mainstream directory and there wasn’t even any signage that said it’s The Pork Room. My host was just willing to translate the Hangul script to me. When we went inside, there were murals of happy piggies and only six or so items on a blackboard announcing the menu.
Our first course was the som gyup sal, referring to the three-layer, bacon-like pork laid out on a hot grill along with an assortment of vegetables and rice cake, with kimchi and other sidings on the side.
It was quite a novel experience for me eating the som gyup sal because you don’t need rice with this. What I did (or rather was taught to) was get a lettuce leaf, put some pork dipped either in sesame oil or chili paste, add in vegetables like sweet pea, bean sprouts and mushrooms, put a clove of garlic or green pepper, roll it like a spring roll and put the whole thing in your mouth. “The whole thing!” caboodle was what did it for me, because it’s not considered proper if you bite into the som gyup sal like a burger. I must say having your mouth ballooning with stuffed lettuce was the worst thing to do on a date, lol.
Our next meal was the mul neng myun , a cold soup which is apparently famous in Korea. It wasn’t only cold, the vermicelli noodles were mixed with ice to make them cold. Yay! the soup tasted like kimchi so just imagine eating halo-halo with kimchi and you know what I mean. It just made me wonder why cold noodle soups like gazpacho and this mul neng myun were not invented in the Philippines when we need it to counter the humid weather.
After that novel, affordable dining experience at The Pork Room, I will conclude that Korean food still confounds me. And what’s this I heard that they’re fond of eating dogs over there??
I am hungry now…..BTW, I know there are quite a number of Korean living in Manila. For sure there must be some nice Korea restaurants around. You have to tell me all your favourite Korean restaurants next time when I come over:lol:
Hi Mira. Our Korean friend, am sure, will be willing to give us the heads-up on the restos:grin:
Korean..rings a bell. 🙂
Bibimbap pa rin ako (did i spell it right) and their grilled meat we call
yakiniku here..next time you visit Japan,i’ll bring you to a yakiniku rest.sarap,i swear!
Hi Sachi. And the bell is loudly ringing:razz: I’ve tried yakiniku here but am sure they’re not as good as the ones in Japan. Miss you friend:cool:
Guess what? After seeing your yummy Korean food, I went to Korean restaurant for lunch today 😀
i don’t think i want to go to The Pork Room…baka katayin ako nung cook akalain baboy akez…(pouts)
Hi Ajay. I love Korean food too… that’s one thing we have here. Yehey! 🙂 We have both North Korean and South Korean restaurants though I prefer the North Korean.
Funny… about the som gyp sal and the date… haha… 🙂 You know Cambodian food also has that wrapping food in a lettuce stuff too.
Hope your lunch went well, Mira:wink:
You’re funny, jerome:lol:
Hi Toe! I’d love to try North Korean food. I wonder what’s the difference??
Ohhh, i want to try korean food also. Marami dito sa may Don Antonio Diliman, QC. Everytime I go to Ever Commonwealth feeling ko nasa Korea ako, ang dami kasing koreano doon at sa side pa ng Ever ay may korean school.
They’re invading us, aren’t they Lani? There must be a lot of Korean studes in your area, huh
I love kimchi 🙂 ….. we ate once sa isang Korean Resto here … and i would say I love the foods they served … btw have u tried Indian foods?
my fave korean resto is Dong Won on Jupiter street near corner Makati Ave. It’s been a while since I visited that place 🙁
thats samgyeopsal (we call it liempo!) it is best eaten with lettuce, garlic and samjang (bean paste). mul neng myun is an acquired taste, ako i hate it kasi it is too chewy…i like bibim neng myun, pero it is so spicy! bibimbap is also good, and so is kalbi (braised spare ribs)…ay, what im craving for right now is good ole pinoy cooking! hi ajay! got your number na…will call you asap! thanks!
Hi Melai, sorry for late reply tokayo (and everyone here) been out of circulation lately. About Indian food, I’ve tried some here in Manila but I still have to taste one that will make an impression. You should have an overdose of that food in Singapore, dearie:)
Hi Tutubi. No i haven’t tried Dong Won, it should be worth it checking out the place too:wink:
Hi AnnaB! Yay! I survived mul neng myun, thanks for the tips on the other Korean food. Excited na akong makita ka sister:cool: Don’t forget to keep in touch!!!