I swear I’m not even kidding when I say that I’d regularly eat at unlimited korean bbq joints, at least once a week, since the start of my gestation that my son might come out smelling like kimchi. That said, I think it’s safe to say that I’ve been around Tagaytay testing out different Korean restaurants and I am definitely qualified to say which ones are good, and which ones are not. And because I have so much passion for kbbq these days, I thought I might as well dedicate a post on my number one go to unli-samgyeupsal spot, because why not?
Samgyeupsal, in my own understanding, is a type of Korean grilled pork dinner served bbq style. Best eaten with a small group, you usually get unseasoned and un-marinated sliced meat served raw for you to cook on the grill the way you prefer. Served with side dishes such as kimchi and pickled veggies, rice, lettuce, soup, and different sauces, samgyeupsal is become a new Pinot foreign food favorite. Traditionally, it’s best with soju as well.
This trend isn’t necessarily a novelty. Koreans flock to the Philippines to study English, while many fall in love with the country that they end up setting up their lives here, opening up their business, from restaurants to convenience stores. If there’s one authentic foreign thing that’s easy to find in the Philippines, it’s Korean food. Needless to say, Filipinos are already familiar with the cuisine. But what’s new today is the rise of unlimited samgyeupsal joints. It seems that prices keeps getting lower and lower, that even franchises are throwing in weekend promos for the unlis. However, you don’t always get what you pay for. There are a few factors that are essential when picking the right samgyeupsal restaurant and I’ll tackle them one by one, but first, let me introduce to you…
Mr. Kimchi
With a couple of other branches specifically in Batangas and Laguna, this new kid on the block is ready to make a name for itself. Bringing it to Tagaytay is definitely a bold move for them, but it’s also a smart step bringing in the trend just in time. Tagaytay is known as a foodie destination. People come here to eat and enjoy the view, and with the endless variety of restaurants, visitors are always looking for something new. Although Filipino restaurants thrive the most in the business here, Tagaytay needs something new. Something unconventional. Something… Korean and affordable! With Mr. Kimchi’s arrival, Tagaytay isn’t going to be just about the super basic, super common, and super typical bulalo. The standards are about to change.
Although there are quite a few competitors in the area, Mr. Kimchi is an instant favorite for so many reasons. Like I said, I’ll get comprehensive with it– but here’s what you need to know First and foremost: QUALITY.
The Food Quality
I am aware that there are plenty of places offering unlimited samgyeupsal at this point and prices are getting cheaper and cheaper. At 499 pesos for the unlimited samgyeupsal deal, I think it’s a steal here at Mr. Kimchi’s not just because of the amount of food you’ll be fed with no time limitations, but because of the quality of the food they are serving as well. I’d rather pay a hundred peso more if it means I wouldn’t have to spend 3 minutes chewing each pork I was served. The meat here, both beef and pork, are both high quality. The cuts are just right, not too thin that it’s easy to overcook, and definitely not too thick that chewing is a struggle. It’s great quality meat, and if you’re committing to an unlimited samgyeupsal meal, the quality is the very first thing you need to consider. Why pay less for such a crappy experience? Bad meat never equals a happy tummy.
I haven’t tried their hotpot yet, but my family recently went and they keep raving about it. The seafood serving is apparently very generous and shrimps were huge. I believe it already, because it seems that Mr. Kimchi is not the one to jiff their customers.
The Quantity
Although they do regular servings at Mr. Kimchi for 329php for about 250 grams of mixed beef and pork, you want your samgyeupsal experience to have no limits. I personal think this is the best way to do a good ole’ korean bbq, otherwise you’re not really getting the full experience. For just a little bit more at 499 php, you have a chance to indulge in your gluttony the best samgyeupsal way possible. With unlimited beef, pork, soup, sides, jap chae, rice, lettuce, and even iced tea, you’re gonna have to ignore your diet. They make sure to keep it coming too, which says a lot about their customer service, but we can discuss that later. The point is,you’re getting so much more for what you’re paying, and that’s always a win.
Even their ala carte meals are generously served. I really loved their beef bulgogi, which can feed up to 4 people even without a samgyeupsal order. The kimbap is also huge, so be prepared to take home leftovers if you can’t handle eating like a grown man.
food express by robin 