Where to eat Korean food in Metro Manila 2023: KBBQ, Korean fried chicken, bingsu, and more

A favourite among the Tatler team, Sariwon Korean Barbecue provides passionate meat-eaters with a refined Korean barbeque experience. From the perfectly marbled deung shim (rib-eye steak) to all the refillable sides or banchan, you’re in for a gastronomic treat with every visit. For the broadest grazing option, order their premium grill set—it comes with three cuts of beef, rice, and four other dishes, japchae included!

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Korea Garden grew to an institutional dining destination, finding its way into the homes and hearts of customers. This Korean-Filipino haunt has only one branch, located on Jupiter Street, Makati—but they’ve continually drawn in diners from all over the metro who can’t get enough of their dishes. The kalbi chim (beef stew) is undoubtedly their most popular, and for a good reason: the generous chunks of beef are mind-blowingly tender, falling apart with the slightest force, while the mouth-watering sauce is packed with festive spices that make for the perfect comfort dish.

Take it from them—this cult classic is “great with rice, great on its own, great with bread, great even a few days later”.

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Big Mama restaurant celebrates the marriage of food and booze with their Korean pulutan and “friends of alcohol”. These playful dishes include stir-fried squid and vegetables, egg rolls, and steamed dumplings, which pair perfectly with the beer and soju they offer in-house. For a heavier meal, opt for their heftier dishes like jueksuk ttokbokki, fried chicken, and ramyun.

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When you think of KBBQ, you naturally think of the Sibyullee Unlimited Korean BBQ chain. The irresistible waft of smokey meat is a hallmark of this fan-favourite, inducing a growing hunger as you flip through their menu, from pork and beef in flavourful marinades to fried chicken, gimbap, and more. They also have solo set meals, food trays and ready-to-cook party kits.

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From the moment you step through Solaire’s grand entrance and make your way to Kiwa Korean Grill, you’re met with every suggestion that you’re in for an exquisite experience. Between Kiwa’s private rooms, premium cuts of pork and beef, and a unique selection of dishes like sea urchin bibimbap and grilled eel, you won’t be looking for much else. That said, their mountains of indulgent bing su are not something to miss out on either—they serve some of the largest and most decadent bing su around, with flavours like pat (red beans), watermelon, mango, banana, and chocolate.

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Sheraton’s Oori is a prime example of how attention to detail and quality ingredients can truly elevate a meal. With specialised grills for different meats, melt-in-your-mouth Australian Mulwarra Wagyu 9+, as well as the remarkably juicy Duroc Spanish Pork, every grilling experience at OORI promises to please. The restaurant also serves other classic Korean fares like dakgangjung (Korean fried chicken), tteok bokki (rice and fish cake), and refillable banchan (side dishes) to accompany your barbecue.

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We can all agree that Korean barbecue is delicious—but sometimes, we don’t want to come away from it smelling like our dinners. Goryeo Korean Dining utilises innovative smokeless grills at every table, meaning you can dig into their selections of premium meats worry-free. They have even launched a hot pot menu, so you can indulge in both KBBQ and hot pot in one go.

Related: 8 Restaurants for hot pot and shabu shabu in Metro Manila

KBBQ joint Soban K-Town Grill has also grown to be a favourite among local barbecue enthusiasts, offering bang-for-your-buck sets of choice meats. Apart from these no-brainer deals, they also have classic dishes like gimbap and bibimbap as well as inventive picks like sizzling kimchi fried rice with cheese. If you’re one of many who miss the Soban grilling experience, you’re in luck - the chain now offers frozen barbecue meats accompanied by thorough cooking guides so you can recreate the mouth-watering experience at home.

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West 32 is not your typical Korean restaurant. Found in the heart of Poblacion, the youthful restaurant offers contemporary interpretations of Korean-American comfort food, inspiring dishes like rosé tteokbokki, hotteok á la mode, and familiar dishes served through a modern lens. Like many Notorious Concepts establishments, West 32 effortlessly transforms from day to night, open from 6pm to 1am so you can keep the drinks flowing til late—they’ve got an extensive list of Korean-inspired cocktails you won’t find elsewhere.

Related: Notorious Concepts: meet the restaurant group behind West 32, Japonesa, and more