Korean Village's Authentic Cuisine in Malate, Manila
Just a few days before we were put in a community quarantine, we were able to celebrate my younger brother's birthday here in Korean Village. We chose the restaurant because it was near the place of our residence. Plus, we heard a lot of positive reviews about it, so we wanted to see for ourselves.
Korean Village is located near Remedios Circle, which was once the prime destination for food spots a decade or two ago. At the present, it still has its charm especially that more and more unique establishments are replacing those that were passed by time.
By the time we arrived, we were already feeling the effects of the COVID-19 precautions, The restaurant seemed deserted with only one table occupied. My heart sank seeing such view which was even magnified by the semi-dullness of the interior (which is typical for an authentic Korean restaurant).
Despite feeling a bit low, I needed to pick myself up especially that it was a day of celebration. The photo above shows my younger brother, the birthday celebrant, together with his girlfriend.
As for the menu, Korean Village has a wide variety to choose from. They have about 4-7 dishes per category which are as follows: appetizer, noodles, rice, soup, fried hotpot, stew & others, hot pot, Korean barbecue, grilled, desserts and drinks. For the appetizers, they also serve sashimi, so it's a plus for those who are craving such fresh delights!
We were supposed to have Salmon Sashimi for the night, but my dad discouraged us given that there was a circulating advise not to eat raw food at that time. Hence, we ended up with California Maki (P250) which was still a fantastic choice given the hefty size of each roll.
You can upgrade this dish to large by paying additional P30 (for a total of P280). You'll receive 12 pieces instead of 6, but you'll lose the fish roe.
We also got a serving of Kimbap (P250) with 12 pieces. For me, this is more sulit compared to the California Maki due to more variety in the ingredients, thus affecting the diversity of flavors.
Although it lacks visual zest, the Chopchae (P350) was surprisingly tasty and fresh (evidenced by the soft texture of the noodles). There was also authenticity in the taste making it a good starter!
The Pork Belly (P280) was of great quality as it reflected in the tenderness and juiciness of the meat.
Samgyupsal in action as it cooks
If you want a marinated meat, this Beef Roast (P340) is a great choice. Just like the samgyupsal, the quality of this meat was great. Easily cooked and tender. As for the marinate, it had this sweet savory flavor to it.
Grilling fun in Korean Village Restaurant!
Korean Village seem to be great with Japanese dishes as well. It started off with the maki and continued on with this Tempura Shrimp (P350). Admittedly, I was disappointed with how dull it appeared when it was served. However, when I took a bite I was blown by the tenderness of the shrimp and delicate crispiness of the batter.
The Grilled Ox Tongue (P675) caught us by surprise. We were actually expecting for something exotic looking but it came looking like a regular beef dish. The taste also resembled that of beef which made it very palatable. However, what made this very special was the sauce. It resembled that of sweet and sour, but doubly better!
Since we were planning to have desserts elsewhere, we did not order any. Hence, we were surprised when these giant pineapple slices were served as complimentary desserts. Awesome!
Korean Village - Overall Ratings and Summary
Note: The ratings reflect my collective personal experiences on the times I dine here.
| Ambiance: | ★★★ |
| Taste: | ★★★★★ |
| Service: | ★★★★ |
| Price/Value: | ★★★ |
| Budget: | approx. P500 each for a sharing type of dining experience for a group of at least four (4) |
Korean Village captivates with its authentic goodness. Authenticity in terms of the overall ambiance of the place and of course in the dishes prepared. Admittedly, one may easily get discouraged with the lack of zest in the presentation, but you'll learn to easily shrug it off when you actually get a bite of the dishes. I'd definitely love to visit here again when everything's normal, so I can get to experience the true vibe of the place. Highly-recommended for family celebrations and casual eat-outs!
By the way, dining here with Zomato Gold allows you to have buy one take one promo. Use my code "ANOTSP" to get 20% off your membership.
Thanks for reading! Follow our Facebook page and IG (@anotsopopularkid) for fresh dose foodie adventures!
Korean Village
Location: 566 Julio Nakpil, Malate, Manila, 1004 Metro Manila
Service Charge: 10% before VAT
