While everybody's going gaga over Korea, I just chill. Oblivious to what the fuss was all about.
Except when the hit song 'Gangnam Style' came, I was suddenly aware of their craze. Put everything else in between plus my 'fangirl' office mates, it's not hard to deduce why I ended up in a posh Korean Restaurant. That is, despite the fact that not even the names I can well pronounce :P
Kaya Korean Restaurant exhibits a truly Asian interior, homey actually. I'm quite surprised too that their service is quite fast (although it's a down time when we went there). Suddenly, our table were filled with K-goodness:
1. Free appetizers with KimChi, Kaya Salad and etc! What a fine way to dine, right? Although I was informed that this is really a Korean tradition.
2. Japchae, sweet potato noodles sauteed with beef and vegetables (Php 160). Three-thumbs up! I knew it when I've read, "sweet potato noodles!". I love the balance of its flavors and the texture of the noodles. Must-try I must say!
3. Sam Kyup Sal, grilled fresh pork belly strips (Php 170). Perfect with Sangchoo, fresh lettuce served with soybean paste (Php 110). It's like eating a salad, the Korean way. I enjoyed the experience more than the taste though. Bet I placed excessive soybean paste and thought of it as corned beef. @_@
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| Freshly grilled. |
4. Ojingo Gui, grilled spicy squid (Php 180). Good try for the seafood lovers.
5. Kalbi Jim, Korean beef stew (Php 240). A good try too. Its sweet sauce is viand in itself. Not to mention how it was tenderly cooked. No much frills, just delectable. I enjoyed pouring it over my rice.
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| Not an eye-friendly photo. I guess we were all way excited back then. |
6. For our Jungol or hot pot, we had Gobnak, entraits, octopus, vegetable and noodle casserole (Php 800). This was way too hot for me. But what is Korean that isn't hot? One of my office mates said that this was his best bet among. He kept on raving about how he gobbled several bowls the day after :)
7. Mondeum Mandoo, fried and steamed mixed dumpling (Php 155). I got excited when we decided to have this. I tried the fried but the flavor didn't much satisfy. With the sauce, it's just fair.
8. And a send off for all of us :) Kamsa-ham-nida!
I guess to fully enjoy a Korean dish, I have to fully embrace the culture that comes with it. Sometimes, it's not all about the taste but how you enjoyed savoring it. Case in point, I got full with the meals served, enjoyed several of their dishes but I have to love the spicy parts so that I can take it holistically.
Then again, consider a Php 300/ head when planning to eat in Kaya. :)
Kaya Korean Restaurant is located at:
62 Jupiter St.,
Bel-Air, Makati
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