The Korean barbecue craze has been in Manila for a while, and it looks like shops specializing in the stuff are more than a passing trend — they’re here to stay.
More joints offering it continue to pop up all over the city and it’s not hard to see why. They’re usually affordable and are a meal and activity rolled into one — perfect for those who want to catch up with friends or spend time with family. They’re also keto-friendly, for those who are on high-protein diets. And, of course, the food’s damn delicious.
We’ve gathered some of the best Korean BBQ joints in the metro — from affordable to premium — that’ll satisfy your samgyeopsal (or galbi, or moksal) craving.
1) Tipsy Porky
Located in northern Quezon City is Tipsy Porky, which offers unlimited Korean barbecue with prices ranging from PHP249 (US$4.79) — PHP499 (US$9.61), depending on the type of meat and marinade you order.
They have pork, beef, a ssamjang dipping sauce, unlimited rice and veggies, as well as some side dishes like kimchi, kangkong, and tofu. There’s also a cheese dip for those who love it cheesy.
Guests are only allowed to eat for two hours max, but Tipsy Porky assures that customers would be too full to make it that long.
FIND IT:
Tipsy Porky has two branches.
Big Bert’sS Professional Detailers Fairview, Block 136 Lot 27 Mindanao Ave. Extension, Casa Milan Phase 5, Quezon City
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 2pm — 2am; Friday to Sunday, 12pm — 2am
ALX Center, L7 B176 Geneva Gardens Subd., Commonwealth Ave., North Fairview, Quezon City.
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 2pm — 2am; Friday to Sunday, 12pm — 2am
Phone: +63 9176390120
2) Seoulgyupsal
Seoulgyupsal is a Korean-Japanese fusion restaurant that serves 15 types of pork, beef, and chicken meat.
For the unlimited Japanese menu, they offer tuna sashimi, spicy tuna roll, kani roll, and California maki.
The unlimited K-BBQ ranges from PHP399 (US$7.58) — PHP499 (US$9.48) depending on the types of meat. There’s also free ice cream that comes in avocado and kesong puti (white cheese) flavors. The white cheese flavor is interesting and is like a sweet-salty version of classic vanilla.
FIND IT:
Seoulgyupsal has three branches.
2/F, Metrofocus Bldg., Tomas Morato Ave., Quezon City
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am — 2am
2/F Z Square Mall, Banawe Ave. cor. Del Monte, Quezon City
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am — 2am
Phone: +63 9770317103
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am — 2am
Phone: +63 9953022815
3) Leann’s Tea House
Leann’s Tea House is a Korean restaurant based in Quezon City that offers unlimited barbecue that ranges from PHP299 (US$5.76) to PHP450 (US$8.68) each, depending on the types of meat. Apart from pork belly, they also have yangnyum pork, and spicy pork. These come with unlimited rice and lettuce, side dishes, and iced tea.
They also have a la carte offerings such as their bestselling seafood pancake at PHP380 (US$7.32).
FIND IT:
Leann’s Tea House is at 105R Mother Ignacia St., South Triangle, Quezon City
Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 11am — 2pm; 6pm — 10pm
Friday to Sunday, 11am — 10pm
Phone: +632 9176356
4) Matgalne
Matgalne is a popular choice for those working in the Ortigas and Makati business districts.
The Korean restaurant offers unlimited beef briskets and pork belly which are served buffet style. The meats can be paired with over 20 side dishes.
The unlimited deals range from PHP225 (US$4.33) — PHP549 (US$9.48), depending on the time and types of meat. Matgalne uses portable BBQ grills in the restaurant. They also have a bibimbap station and also a janchiguksu (Korean noodles) station.
FIND IT:
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 11am –11:00 pm
Phone: +632 8902949
5) Samgyupsalamat
Korean restaurant Samgyeopsalamat is one of the biggest K-BBQ chains in Manila. The unlimited Korean barbecue deal usually goes for PHP399 (US$7.58) — PHP499 (US$9.48) per person, depending on the time and types of meat.
They have variations of marinated pork and beef belly, premium Angus beef, side dishes, unlimited rice and veggies, six dipping sauces, and unlimited iced tea. One of their more peculiar sauces is the sarsa beef, which is a sweet Filipino sauce. They also have a cheese dip.
Samgyupsalamat has several branches — here are just a few.
2/F, Cocoon Boutique Hotel, 61 Scout Rallos St., cor. Scout Tobias St., Diliman, Quezon City
235 Aguirre Ave. C&C Building BF Homes, Parañaque City
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am — 2am
Phone: +632 6213591
0383 NR (Door7) By-Pass Road Santa Clara, Santa Maria, Bulacan
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am — 1am
Phone: +63 9369206163
6) Romantic Baboy
Another big K-BBQ chain in the Philippines is Romantic Baboy, which literally means “romantic pig.” They have eight kinds of meats that include herb flavored pork belly, beef brisket, seasoned pork neck, and marinated pork ribs, among others. They also have six side dishes, unlimited rice and veggies, and cheese fondue.
The unlimited K-BBQ is priced at PHP499 (US$9.62). In some branches, they give customers an artificial rose after paying for the meal, just like the one their mascot has.
FIND IT:
Romantic Baboy has several branches — here are just a few.
CKB Center Bldg, Tomas Morato Ave. cor. Scout Rallos St., Brgy. Laging Handa, Quezon City
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am — 2am
Phone: +632 3747978
#97 Maginhawa St, Teacher’s Village East, Quezon City
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am — 2am
Phone: +632 2946754
7) Geonbae
Geonbae means “cheers” in Korean. Here, it is a restaurant that is a sister company of Japanese restaurant Soru Izakaya.
Geonbae offers 14 types of meat including a hanger steak, ginger chicken fillet, spicy yakiniku pork ribs, and herbed pork jowl, among others. They also have a la carte options including Korean chicken wings, bibimbap, and Korean deep fried prawns.
Salmon sashimi is included in their unlimited deal which is priced at PHP499 (US$9.61) — PHP599 (US$11.54).
FIND IT:
Geonbae is at 115 Scout Delgado St., Brgy. Sacred Heart, Quezon City
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11am — 10pm; Friday to Saturday, 11am — 12mn
Phone: +632 4298549
8) Yoshimeatsu
Yoshimeatsu is an unlimited Korean-Japanese fusion restaurant that serves ebi tempura, sushi rolls, and premium grilling meats such as herbed pork, chicken yakitori, sliced beef, and yangnyeom pork, among others.
They have a touchscreen monitor on each table where customers can place orders, making it easier to follow up with the staff.
The unlimited grill is priced at PHP549 (US$10.49) each. It also has a cheese dip for its meat.
FIND IT:
Yoshimeatsu is at 258 Tomas Morato Ave., Quezon City
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11 am — 12 mn
Contact: +63 9338222771
9) Seoul Train Korean BBQ
Seoul Train Korean BBQ is a locomotive train-themed restaurant with colorful wall graffiti. It doesn’t have an unlimited Korean barbecue deal but it serves different sets, such as the Bul Samgyeop, 150 grams of spicy pork belly at PHP370 (US$7.13); Woo Samgyeop, 120 grams of thinly sliced beef belly at PHP400 (US$7.70); and the Yangnyeom Galbi, 240 grams of marinated beef short rib at PHP800 (US$15.42).
Those who are feeling a bit fancy can order 220 grams of Omi Chateaubriand wagyu at the whopping price of PHP6,280 (US$121.03).
The restaurant also has claw machines filled with toys for those feeling lucky.
FIND IT:
Seoul Train Korean BBQ is at 28 Sgt. Esguerra Ave., Brgy. South Triangle, Diliman, Quezon City
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am — 2:30pm; 5:30pm — 10pm
Phone: +63 9177722203
10) Soban K-Town Grill
Soban, which means “small tray/table,” has BBQ grill sets for people dining solo, such as the Dak Galbi Solo Set at PHP325 (US$6.26). This comes with 120 grams of marinated chicken, unlimited rice, and side dishes.
There’s also a group set called the Mega Meat BBQ Set for four people at PHP2,000 (US$38.50), which comes with plain beef belly, marinated beef belly, plain pork belly, soy garlic pork belly, chili bean pork belly, and fried chicken.
It also offers experimental snacks such as the K-taco, which is a soft taco made with fresh lettuce, kimchi, sour cream, cheese, and any K-BBQ meat, served on a flour tortilla. Customers can get two pieces at PHP145 (US$2.79), and three pieces at PHP220 (US$4.23).
FIND IT:
Soban has several branches — here are just a few.
3/F, Greenbelt 3, Esperanza St. cor. Makati Ave., Ayala Center, Makati City
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11am — 9pm; Friday to Saturday, 11am — 10pm
Phone: +632 7504350; +63 9567895625
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am — 10pm
Phone: +632 3751203
11) Masil
Masil is just one of the many Korean grills in Pasig City and it’s known for serving high-quality meats with authentic Korean fare at reasonable prices.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 11:30am — 3pm, 5:30pm — 10pm; Saturday to Sunday, 11:30am — 10pm
Phone: +63 2 246 9069 (ext: 834)
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:30am — 9:30pm
Phone: +63 2 246 9069 (ext: 311)
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am — 10pm
Phone: +63 2 246 9069 (ext: 128)
12) Ye Dang Korean BBQ Restaurant
Another popular spot in Pasig is Ye Dang, which is located in Meralco Ave.
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am — 2:30pm, 5:30pm — 10:30pm
Phone: +632 631 9086, +63 916 671 3830
13) Song Do Won Korean Restaurant
Worth the trek to Pasay is a visit to Song Do Won, which offers premium cuts of beef and pork for grilling as well as an expansive a la carte menu.
To avoid analysis paralysis, it’s best to get one of their sets that combine different cuts of meat with various marinates. Sets are priced between PHP1,200 (US$23.07) to PHP4,500 (US$86.49) and can come with all pork, all beef, or a mix of both. Sets are good for four to five people and come with melted cheese and assorted side dishes.
Those who want the taste of freshly grilled barbecue but don’t want to do the flipping themselves can ask the staff members to do it for them on their table.
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 24 hours
Phone: +632 804 0757, +63 927 744 9988
Phone:+632 246 9069 (ext: 303)
14) Bulgogi Brothers
Bulgogi Brothers, which hails from South Korea, opened its first international branch in Manila on September 2011. It doesn’t have an unlimited K-BBQ deal, but it has staple orders like premium pork belly seasoned with salt and pepper priced at PHP595 (US$11.46).
It also has the beef belly barbecue made with the restaurant’s special bulgogi sauce priced at PHP495 (US$9.54).
FIND IT:
Bulgogi Brothers has several branches — here are just a few.
3/F, Greenbelt 5, Esperanza St. cor. Makati Ave., Ayala Center, Makati City
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11am — 9 pm; Friday to Saturday, 11am — 10pm
Phone: +63 9166456100
G/F, Venice Grand Canal mall, McKinley Hill, Taguig City
Hours: Monday to Friday, 11am — 11pm; Saturday to Sunday, 10am –11pm
Contact No.: +63 9063228636
G/F, Alabang Town Center, Alabang, Muntinlupa City
Hours: Monday to Friday, 11am — 9pm; Saturday to Sunday, 10am — 9pm
Phone: +63 9478912659
15) All4U Unlimited Grill & Organic Shabu-Shabu
All4U‘s unli deal priced at PHP699 (US$13.47) comes with unlimited shrimp, beef, pork, chicken, soup, rice, side dishes, and iced tea.
Customers have four different kinds of broth to choose from for the soup, including organic shabu-shabu, kimchi soup, bulgogi soup, and pork galbi soup. Diners can also opt to order ramyun noodles for their soup.
FIND IT:
All4U has several branches — here are just a few.
4th Floor at Century City Mall Kalayaan Ave., cor. Salamanca St., Brgy. Poblacion, Makati City
Hours: Monday to Friday, 11am — 12mn; Saturday to Sunday, 10am — 12mn
Phone: 8092881
Central Garden, Ground Floor, Ayala Fairview Terraces, Maligaya Road Corner Quirino Highway, Novaliches, Quezon City
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am — 11pm
Phone: +63 9669030595
16) Sambo Kojin
Sambo Kojin is a Japanese-Korean fusion buffet restaurant for casual get-togethers. The spread includes teriyaki chicken, beef and bacon rolls, pork belly, foil-wrapped seafood, and fresh veggies, sushi rolls, and sashimi.
They also serve unlimited shabu-shabu and Japanese and Korean staples like tempura, katsu, and gimbap.
The eat-all-you-can deal is priced at PHP330 (US$6.35) — PHP938 (US$18.06), depending on the time and customers’ height.
FIND IT:
Sambo Kojin has several branches — here are just a few.
15 West Ave., Brgy. Nayong Kanluran, Quezon City
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11am — 2pm; 4pm — 10pm
Friday to Sunday, 11am — 2pm; 5:30pm — 10pm
Phone: +632 3728846; +632 9212873; +63 9178948845
G/F, SM Southmall, East Wing, Food St., Alabang-Zapote Road, Las Piñas City
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am — 9pm
Phone: +632 5117853; +63 9178107833
17) Jin Joo Korean Grill
Jin Joo is a Korean restaurant which occasionally offers unlimited Korean barbecue promos, but it usually has set meals such as the Cheese Deung Galbi (PHP950/US$18.32), grilled baby back ribs wrapped in cheese. Best not to sleep on that one; it’s as decadent as it sounds.
They also have a platter called Jin Joo’s 8 Flavours priced at PHP1,560 (US$30.08), which consists of pork belly in eight different flavors: red pepper, wine, curry, soybean, honey garlic, nutty, herb, and smokey BBQ.
FIND IT:
Jin Joo has several branches — here are just a few.
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 11am — 10pm; Friday to Sunday, 10am — 10pm
Phone: +63 9172555508
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am — 10pm
Phone:+63 9172481777
18) Namoo House
Namoo House, hailing from Seoul, South Korea, opened in Manila in 2016. It comes from the owners of Korean restaurant Maple Tree House in Seoul which opened in 2005.
Namoo House has a variety of beef, pork, and chicken, including marinated and premium meat offerings like the prime grade ribeye. They offer unlimited deals from Monday to Friday priced at PHP799 (US$15.40) — PHP899 (US$17.33), depending on the time.
They also serve other set meals such as the Kurobota pork belly, which is 150 grams of pork belly imported directly from Japan at PHP650 (US$12.53); and the marinated boneless short ribs priced at PHP850 (US$16.38) which is 190 grams of short ribs tenderized in their house fruit marinate.
FIND IT:
Namoo House is at G/F Uptown Parade, 38th St. cor. 9th Ave., Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 11am — 3pm, 6pm — 10pm;
Friday to Saturday, 11am — 3pm, 6pm — 12am
Phone: +632 9463733; +63 9175273898
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