By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Mari Mikhaela Javier from the Philippines

“I trust Koreans in terms of their marinade.” In a recent travel show that featured Korean food, one of the Philippine hosts displayed his love for Korean barbeque. Today, the struggle to find a Korean restaurant anywhere in the Philippine Archipelago is no longer an excuse. Ranging from traditional to modern fusion, it’s a sure thing that you can try the most common Korean dishes and even dishes made from products imported directly from Korea itself.

If you're a newbie to Korean cuisine, then the best option for you to try is samgyeopsal fried pork slices. That’s happening all over the place! If you ask a fan of Korean pop music what their first Korean food was, you’ll probably end up with the answer, "Korean barbeque," or else, "Samgyeopsal." Most of them are mistaken the term "samgyeopsal" to mean all types of meat fried over an open flame that's served at any old Korean restaurant, since the term has been popularized that way in the Philippines.

All over Manila, including nearby provinces, restaurants offer "premium Korean barbeque" with special marinades and a buffet for side dishes, too. Prices are usually between PHP 400 to PHP 2,000, from USD 8 to 40, depending on the variety. There are some that have fusion dishes with other Asian cuisines. You might also end up having different types of meat, too.

On the other hand, if you're just a meat junkie, then the unlimited deals are the best for you. Prices range between PHP 150 to around PHP 2,000, from USD 3 to 40, depending on the side dishes you choose and the popularity of the restaurant. Often, they offer varieties of seasoned beef, pork and chicken. You may also try the side dishes that come along with it.

Since samgyeopsal is the talk of the town among the varieties of meat, here’s a quick background and tip. Samgyeopsal is thinly sliced pork that displays three layers of fat. That's how it got its name. It goes well with the dipping paste called ssamjang. Wrap it in lettuce with a bit of side dish, like kimchi, ssamjang or rice. Try it and you’ll thank me later!

As for the restaurant interiors and designs, some may look like a traditional Korean palace while others are actually covered with pop music memorabilia. If lucky enough, you may try on some traditional Hanbok attire for free, too.

At some restaurants, they offer free Polaroid photos for you to keep. Make sure to try Korean barbeque one of these days and it’s a sure deal that you’ll keep coming back for more!

wisdom117@korea.kr

* This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.