Jakub Kapusnak Unsplash
Cover Photo: Jakub Kapusnak / Unsplash

Whether you’re on the hunt for the best KBBQ, authentic Korean classics, or modern twists on the beloved cuisine, these restaurants have got you covered

Korean cuisine is a treasure trove of unique and incredible dishes. When the skies are shrouded in grey clouds on gloomy months like these, a warm bowl of Korean beef stew or bibimbap can soothe the soul. For relaxed get-togethers, nothing hits the spot like a couple of beers and Korean fried chicken, whether spicy or soy, wings or boneless. Of course, Korean barbecue will always invite delight and excitement as the ideal feast for any celebration, abundant with delicious meats grilled right at the table.

Luckily, Manila is rich with Korean establishments that effortlessly execute these iconic dishes and many more, including authentic Korean fare and fun twists on familiar picks.

Related: Tatler’s guide to the best Korean fried chicken in Metro Manila

Korean   |   $ $ $ $   |   Taguig
Tatler Asia
Sariwon
Above Photo: courtesy of Sariwon Korean Barbecue

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2023 Best Restaurants

Must Try

  • Yangnyeom Wagyu salchisal
  • Soondubu chigae
  • Haemul pajeon

A favourite among the Tatler team, Sariwon Korean Barbecue provides passionate meat-eaters with a refined Korean barbeque experience. From the perfectly marbled deung shim (rib-eye steak) to all the refillable sides or banchan, you’re in for a gastronomic treat with every visit. For the broadest grazing option, order their premium grill set—it comes with three cuts of beef, rice, and four other dishes, japchae included!

See also: Instagram-worthy samgyupsal restaurants within Metro Manila


Sariwon Korean Barbecue

Address: U/G C2 Bonifacio High Street Central, BGC, Taguig City, Metro Manila


Korean   |   $ $ $ $   |   Makati
Tatler Asia
Korea Garden
Above Photo: courtesy of Korea Garden

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2023 Best Restaurants

Must Try

  • Kalbi chim
  • Bibimbap (Korean mixed rice)
  • Pajeon (scallion pancake)

Korea Garden grew to an institutional dining destination, finding its way into the homes and hearts of customers. This Korean-Filipino haunt has only one branch, located on Jupiter Street, Makati—but they’ve continually drawn in diners from all over the metro who can’t get enough of their dishes. The kalbi chim (beef stew) is undoubtedly their most popular, and for a good reason: the generous chunks of beef are mind-blowingly tender, falling apart with the slightest force, while the mouth-watering sauce is packed with festive spices that make for the perfect comfort dish.

Take it from them—this cult classic is “great with rice, great on its own, great with bread, great even a few days later”.

Read more: Where to order ramen in Metro Manila 2023: 12 of the best spots


Korea Garden

Address: 128 Jupiter Street, Bel-Air, Makati City, Metro Manila


Korean   |   $ $ $ $   |   Makati
Tatler Asia
Big Mama
Above Photo: Facebook / @bigmamarestaurant

Must Try

  • Samgyupsal
  • Fried chicken
  • Korean pulutan

Big Mama restaurant celebrates the marriage of food and booze with their Korean pulutan and “friends of alcohol”. These playful dishes include stir-fried squid and vegetables, egg rolls, and steamed dumplings, which pair perfectly with the beer and soju they offer in-house. For a heavier meal, opt for their heftier dishes like jueksuk ttokbokki, fried chicken, and ramyun.

See also: 8 Kimchi recipes you have to try: Bibim guksu, kimchi jiggae, and more


Big Mama Korean Restaurant

Address: 29 Polaris Street, Poblacion, Makati, Metro Manila


Korean   |   $ $ $ $   |   San Juan
Tatler Asia
Sibyulee
Above Photo: courtesy of Sibyullee Unlimited Korean BBQ

Must Try

  • Fresh daepae samgyupsal
  • Marinated pork bulgogi
  • Sweet & spicy chicken bbq

When you think of KBBQ, you naturally think of the Sibyullee Unlimited Korean BBQ chain. The irresistible waft of smokey meat is a hallmark of this fan-favourite, inducing a growing hunger as you flip through their menu, from pork and beef in flavourful marinades to fried chicken, gimbap, and more. They also have solo set meals, food trays and ready-to-cook party kits.

Elsewhere in Asia: A food lover’s guide to Seoul, South Korea


Sibyullee Unlimited Korean BBQ

Address: G/F Promenade Mall, Greenhills, San Juan City, Metro Manila


Korean   |   $ $ $ $   |   Parañaque
Tatler Asia
Kiwa
Above Photo: Kiwa Korean Grill Official Facebook Page

Must Try

  • Chilled buckwheat noodles
  • Samgyeopsal
  • Bing su

From the moment you step through Solaire’s grand entrance and make your way to Kiwa Korean Grill, you’re met with every suggestion that you’re in for an exquisite experience. Between Kiwa’s private rooms, premium cuts of pork and beef, and a unique selection of dishes like sea urchin bibimbap and grilled eel, you won’t be looking for much else. That said, their mountains of indulgent bing su are not something to miss out on either—they serve some of the largest and most decadent bing su around, with flavours like pat (red beans), watermelon, mango, banana, and chocolate.

Read more: 9 Crushed ice desserts from around the world—Bingsu, halo-halo, and more


Kiwa Korean Grill Dining

Address: G/F Solaire Resort & Casino, Tambo, Parañaque City, Metro Manila


Korean   |   $ $ $ $   |   Pasay
Tatler Asia
Oori
Above Photo: courtesy of Oori

Awards

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2023 Best Restaurants

Must Try

  • Tomahawk Wagyu MB 5+
  • Duroc Spanish pork
  • Bibimbap

Sheraton’s Oori is a prime example of how attention to detail and quality ingredients can truly elevate a meal. With specialised grills for different meats, melt-in-your-mouth Australian Mulwarra Wagyu 9+, as well as the remarkably juicy Duroc Spanish Pork, every grilling experience at OORI promises to please. The restaurant also serves other classic Korean fares like dakgangjung (Korean fried chicken), tteok bokki (rice and fish cake), and refillable banchan (side dishes) to accompany your barbecue.

See also: Restaurants with the best private dining rooms in the Philippines 2023


Oori

Address: 2/F Sheraton Manila Hotel, Pasay City, Metro Manila


Korean   |   $ $ $ $   |   Parañaque
Tatler Asia
Goryeo
Above Photo: courtesy of Goryeo Korean Dining

Must Try

  • Haemul soondubu jjigae
  • Sogogi modeum (assorted beef set)
  • So-galbi jim

We can all agree that Korean barbecue is delicious—but sometimes, we don’t want to come away from it smelling like our dinners. Goryeo Korean Dining utilises innovative smokeless grills at every table, meaning you can dig into their selections of premium meats worry-free. They have even launched a hot pot menu, so you can indulge in both KBBQ and hot pot in one go.

Related: 8 Restaurants for hot pot and shabu shabu in Metro Manila


Goryeo Korean Dining

Address: G/F Okada Manila, Entertainment City, Parañaque, Metro Manila


Korean   |   $ $ $ $   |   Taguig
Tatler Asia
Soban
Above Photo: courtesy of Soban K-Town Grill

Must Try

  • Premium BBQ combo set
  • Gimbap
  • Haemul pajeon

KBBQ joint Soban K-Town Grill has also grown to be a favourite among local barbecue enthusiasts, offering bang-for-your-buck sets of choice meats. Apart from these no-brainer deals, they also have classic dishes like gimbap and bibimbap as well as inventive picks like sizzling kimchi fried rice with cheese. If you’re one of many who miss the Soban grilling experience, you’re in luck - the chain now offers frozen barbecue meats accompanied by thorough cooking guides so you can recreate the mouth-watering experience at home.

Read more: Where to eat the best steaks: 15 must-try restaurants from the Tatler Dining Guide 2023


Soban K-Town Grill

Address: 2/F One Bonifacio High Street Central, BGC, Taguig City, Metro Manila


Korean   |   $ $ $ $   |   Makati
Tatler Asia
West 32
Above Photo: courtesy of West 32

Awards

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2023 Best Restaurants

Must Try

  • Fire chicken and cheese tteokbokki
  • Beef bulgogi
  • West 32 ssamgyeopsal

West 32 is not your typical Korean restaurant. Found in the heart of Poblacion, the youthful restaurant offers contemporary interpretations of Korean-American comfort food, inspiring dishes like rosé tteokbokki, hotteok á la mode, and familiar dishes served through a modern lens. Like many Notorious Concepts establishments, West 32 effortlessly transforms from day to night, open from 6pm to 1am so you can keep the drinks flowing til late—they’ve got an extensive list of Korean-inspired cocktails you won’t find elsewhere.

Related: Notorious Concepts: meet the restaurant group behind West 32, Japonesa, and more


West 32 Korean Restaurant

Address: 8464 Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati City, Metro Manila


Korean   |   $ $ $ $   |   Makati
Tatler Asia
Gochugang
Above Gochugang

Must Try

  • Korean fried chicken
  • Steak ramdon noodles
  • Bibimbap

Since opening up shop at Rockwell, The Grid Food Market has drawn in fervent foodies looking for an exceptional range of delicious eats. Gochu-gang tosses their modern Korean comfort food into the mix with specialities like beef ribeye bibimbap and their beef bulgogi rice bowl. They’ve even got generous, mouth-watering trays great for sharing including a steak ramdon noodle platter and an army-style Korean rice bake.


Gochugang

Address: 2/F Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City, Metro Manila


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