in

Must-try Korean Restaurants in SM North

The Korean craze has officially swept across the Philippines. Aside from the popularity of Koreanovelas on Netflix and K-pop boy groups like BTS, Korean food is a big hit among locals and international tourists. Stroll around any mall, and you’re sure to get find a number of restaurants where you can get your fix of samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly), japchae (stir-fried noodles), bibimbap (mixed rice), kimchi (fermented vegetables), and more. 

SM City North EDSA, the largest shopping mall in the country, has its fair share of Korean restaurants. Take a break from shopping by grabbing a bite to eat at any of these popular Korean food joints right in the mall.

Soban K-Town Grill

Soban K-Town Grill is a Korean restaurant that aims to serve Korean BBQ and more in a new, bold and flavorful way. Since it was founded in 2016, they’ve expanded to six branches located in top malls in Manila, including SM City North EDSA.

While some restaurants compromise on the quality of the meat to make dishes more affordable, Soban K-Town assures that they only make use of thick-cut European pork belly soaked and aged overnight in their six signature marinades for their samgyupsa. The assorted banchan or vegetable side dishes (like seasoned soybean sprouts, seasoned spinach, kimchi and spicy cucumber salad) add extra flavor and manage to turn the meal into a full-blown Korean feast.

The Essentials

Seoul Garden Restaurant

Looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion with family and friends? Head over to Seoul Garden Restaurant, a South Korean buffet restaurant known for their2-in-1 hotpot and barbecue buffet offerings.

Diners flock here in groups for the unlimited Korean samgyupsal or barbecue meats (beef, pork, chicken) and unlimited seafood like shrimps for hotpot or shabu-shabu, where diners can prepare the simmering pot of soup right at the dining table.

As a Korean buffet restaurant, Seoul Garden also serves all-you-can-eat offerings of authentic Korean side dishes, sushi, salads, desserts and drinks from self-service stations. Take a break from the unlimited samgyupsal and hotpot, by sampling other dishes like Korean-style fried chicken, Korean sisig, and more. Diners can even make their own snow ice for dessert!

The Essentials

Mr. Kimbob

Mr. Kimbob is a Korean chain restaurant that proves that Korean food can be affordable and accessible to everyone. The fast food resto specializes in bibimpap, a combo rice dish with a choice of beef, pork or chicken, fresh vegetables, kimchi and gochujang (red chili paste) for as little as Php 129 each. Other bestsellers on the menu include japjae, ramen and spicy Korean rice cakes.

Because of the large portion sizes and budget-friendly price point, Mr. Kimbob has become a food court favorite of students, employees and mall-goers who want to enjoy delicious Korean food despite being on a tight budget.

The Essentials

What do you think?