by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 12, 2018 | Yummy Reviews
Korean BBQ places have become popular for several years now here in the Philippines. Quite close to where I live I can already count at least 5 places, all just on one street!
Korean BBQ
Why do Filipinos love Korean BBQ?
There are many reasons to fall in love with Korean BBQ:
- the quantity – most Korean BBQ places offer unlimited servings of the main and side dishes
- the variety – choose from several types of raw meat to cook and many side dishes to eat!
- the speed of service – dishes are brought out quickly so hungry diners do not need to wait long for their food
- the experience – you cook your meat yourself at your table! While this is not a new concept, per se, it gives people who normally do not cook the opportunity to do so in a safe, judgment-free environment.
- the taste – if it tastes good, we’re interested!
- the price – if it won’t break the bank then we’re interested! 😀
Before I go further I feel the need to make a statement: I’m a home cook, I don’t pretend to be an expert in the kitchen. I am not a chef, I have not taken any course in culinary or baking. But I do know how I like food to look and taste and for my faves I look for a particular taste and, usually, I know how to prepare it as well. What this boils down to is I tend to really be critical when it comes to food – how they look, how they taste, and how they are served.
Just saying. 🙂
And now, without further ado …
What is samgyupsal?
According to Wikipedia, samgyupsal (or samgyeopsal as it is actually supposed to be spelled) is a Korean word referring to grilled pork belly. Despite that description, though, most Korean BBQ establishments serve more than just pork. Case in point is Samgyupsal King.
What is Samgyupsal King?
Samgyupsal King Unli Korean BBQ menu
Samgyupsal King is one of many restaurants that have jumped into the Samgyupsal trend.
Just like their contemporaries in the business, they, too serve unlimited Korean BBQ. But what makes them different?
They serve pork, beef, and chicken
Not all Korean BBQ places do this. Some serve just pork and beef.
Unli meals are less expensive than some
Unli meals at Samgyupsal King range from P350 (for pork and chicken) to P399 (for pork, chicken, and beef). This makes sense as beef is quite expensive.
Other Korean BBQ places charge the same or even more. One place I went to charged P500, and that was just for pork and chicken. They made up for it, though, with the sides.
They have set meals at affordable prices
In general, Unli Korean BBQ places keep it simple … just unli meals. Samgyupsal King has four ala carte offerings to choose from: beef bulgogi, pork, bulgogi, chicken bulgogi, and grilled salmon – all accompanied by side dishes.
How’s the meat?
Raymond Que, Chef and co-owner of Samgyupsal King
The meat is well prepared. Chef Raymond Que told us that they used prime meat and they are meticulous in their preparation.
The pork and beef are sliced thinly (sukiyaki cut) which makes them cook faster. Flavor-wise I thought they were flavored well. Of the pork cuts the one I enjoyed was the one that looked like bacon (I mean, who doesn’t love bacon, right? hehe)
If I had to complain it would probably be that there was a limited selection of meats as we were only presented with 6 options (that is for all pork, beef, and chicken combined) where other establishments offer as many as twelve or thirteen varieties combined.
Also, I like my spice so I was hoping that at least one of the beef cuts would be spicy. Maybe it was, but just wasn’t up to my spice level. 😀
As for the chicken, I am not a fan of white meat as it tends to become dry, especially when overcooked. My personal preference would have been chicken thigh fillet, and also cut thinly.
Are there many side dishes?
Samgyupsal King side dishes – missing from the photo are the egg roll and
There were six side dishes … that’s it. Six. There were some staples I find in other Korean BBQ places I go to that they did not serve such as the steamed egg, fish cake, and candied peanuts. The radish I felt was not cooked enough in the vinegar before it was served but was adequately crispy.
The marble potatoes and (I heard) the kimchi were good. The kimchi, in particular, is their own recipe. The egg roll is essentially the Japanese tamago without the sugar.
And that is all of it.
Do they serve beverages?
No, they don’t. But I think, perhaps, this was a decision of the concessionaires at the food park so that patrons would get their beverages only from the bevarage concessionaires such as Fruitas.
Is there adequate seating?
Le Village Food Park is located at the corner of Cordillera and E. Rodriguez Sts. in Quezon City
This is, perhaps, where Samgyupsal King has a distinct advantage over other Korean BBQ places. Since they are located in Le Village Food Park they have more than enough seating which is shared with the other food establishments in the food park. The only real question, I suppose, would be if they have enough gas burners to service everyone.
I therefore conclude …
Overall I would say that Samgyupsal King is probably not yet the king of Samgyupsal in Metro Manila but what they serve is well thought of and well-seasoned. I especially admire their openness to suggestions of improvement which means that their meals can only get better and better!
Bloggers with Mr. Willy Que as he tells us all about Samgyupsal King
One day soon I will surely bring my friends over to sample Samgyupsal King at Le Village Food Park. Someday, who knows, they may become the King they aspire to be.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Jan 30, 2017 | Yummy Reviews
What happens when Toblerone and a Dairy Queen Blizzard collide? A Toblerone Blizzard is born! #DairyQueenPH rings in the new year with yet again another exciting flavor to spice up its mouthwatering Blizzard collection. On January 20, Dairy Queen held a blogger event at the Taco Bell Cyberpark Tower in the Araneta Center, Quezon City to roll out its much-awaited #BlizzardoftheMonthPH – the all-new Toblerone Blizzard.
Another first for Dairy Queen Philippines, #TobleroneBlizzard is a delectable treat of your favorite soft serve ice cream and the well-loved Toblerone, the Swiss brand of triangular chocolate goodness! The Toblerone Blizzard, however, is only available for a limited time, so what are you waiting for?
Three Toblerone Blizzard flavors
The successful and fun blogger event got everyone hooked on this latest addition to Dairy Queen’s bevy of Blizzard flavors! Everyone got to try the first-ever Toblerone Blizzard, which comes in three insanely good flavors:
Strawberry Toblerone blizzard, chocolate chip Toblerone blizzard, and double fudge Toblerone blizzard
Strawberry Toblerone Blizzard
The Strawberry Toblerone Blizzard is made with Dairy Queen’s signature soft serve and chunky Toblerone bits, made sweeter by a delicious swirl of strawberry syrup on top.
My niece loves this! But then, she really is a strawberry kinda gal. 🙂
Chocolate Chip Toblerone Blizzard
Who can resist the classic Chocolate Chip Toblerone Blizzard that combines Toblerone and your favorite soft serve, with an extra coating of chocolate syrup as a bonus?
What I like about this is the texture. Over the other two, this one is more grainy and feels like it even has cookie bits in it (it could just be me) so every mouthful is fun.
Double Fudge Toblerone Blizzard
And last but not least, Double Fudge Toblerone Blizzard is for those who delight in all things chocolate, with its double cocoa fudge mixed into the delicious Dairy Queen soft serve with bits of Toblerone.
I usually get a mudpie when I go to Dairy Queen so the double fudge Toblerone Blizzard was an instant win for me. 😀
A Beauty Queen joins the party
Bb. Pilipinas Grand International 2016, Ms. Nicole Cordoves graced the event and told us how much she loved eating Dairy Queen and how she does not diet at all. So unfair!
Dairy Queen Blizzard heart-shaped Valentine ice cream cake
Dairy Queen’s Valentine’s offering is this heart-shaped Valentine’s cake. It is made with soft-serve vanilla ice cream but what makes it different from other ice cream cakes is this … it is a TOBLERONE BLIZZARD ice cream cake! Chopped Toblerone bits can be found in every mouthful of this delectable treat.
Valentine Offerings
Dairy Queen Toblerone Blizzard ice cream cake
The Toblerone Blizzard ice cream cake came as a surprise to me. Double Fudge soft serve ice cream + shaved Toblerone swiss chocolate + Toblerone squares … CHOCOLATE OVERLOAD!
But what made this cake extra special for me was that it was, in effect, a deconstructed Toblerone Blizzard. We all know how the Blizzard is made. Take soft serve ice cream, top it with ingredients, then give it a spin in their mixer, and voila! You have a Blizzard.
The Toblerone Blizzard cake’s ice cream part has minimal fillings and then loads of toppings. Since we (I, at least) scoop from top to bottom, it meant that I was getting an equal amount of topping, filling, and ice cream in one bite. Delish! It also meant that I could choose to have more Toblerone at any part of my “meal”. 😀 As you might have guessed, I ate the triangles first. 😀
Valentine Dilly Bar
Not to be left behind is the Valentine Dilly Bar … vanilla ice cream coated in a chocolate shell. For Valentine, it comes in three colors – pink, green, and orange.
The Dairy Queen Dilly Bar is a perfect ending for that romantic date for two. It does not have Toblerone in it but what better way to say “I love you” than with a heart-shaped (affordable) treat?
Visit the nearest Dairy Queen branch to you and try out the new Toblerone Blizzard — available up to March 22, 2017, only.
For more information and updates on Dairy Queen, your favorite ice cream brand follow them on their Facebook page or visit their official website.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 15, 2016 | Food & Beverage, Yummy Reviews
‘Tis the season to be eating and Guevarra’s serves up a Yuletide feast fit for a king starting today! You read it right, TODAY, October 15!
Christmas comes early at Guevarra’s. For those who have sampled Chef Lau’s popular buffet you already know that a regular 3-hour reservation for lunch, merienda, or dinner is not enough to taste all 80 dishes they regularly serve. For the Yuletide season, they’ve added 11 new dishes.
This means we can enjoy 99. OMG, NINETY-NINE DISHES! How can we taste/eat them all?
When bloggers were asked what their favorite dish was most mentioned the Angus beef. Having tried it myself, I would have to agree but, personally, I found it difficult to single out one dish specifically. 😀
Appetizer, salad, rice, fish, fowl, red meat, vegetable, dessert, beverages — so much to choose from, how can I pick just one, right? My answer, don’t limit yourself. With so much to choose from (and all of them delicious) each one deserves a trip on your tongue and down to your belly. 😀
The Yuletide offerings at Guevarra’s
Chef Lau and Chef Jac sat down one day and thought about what dishes are traditionally served at Filipino get togethers like Christmas gatherings and reunions. In a previous post I featured the eleven Yuletide dishes they added to the menu.
For Starters
Guevarra’s Christmas Chicken Liver Parfait
I’m not a big fan of liver but I did try this pate and it was good. Smooth and creamy. The name, though, was a tad confusing. It’s a pate but it’s called a parfait? Like the ice cream?
Guevarra’s Christmas Macaroni Salad
Macaroni salad is so simple to make that we usually ask the kids to make it. 🙂 All we need are cooked macaroni, cream or mayonnaise, cheese, raisins, and gelatin. The kids like to cut the gelatin into different shapes but cubes will suffice. The red and green gelatin cubes makes this favorite holiday salad colorfully beautiful.
The Main Course
Guevarra’s Christmas Embotido Lasagna Roll
Two dishes in one! Lasagna noodles are just perfect for this dish as it acts as both the wrapper and the pasta dish. 😀 During the blogger event Chef Lau shows us how they made this dish. Lucky us! Watch the video as he demonstrates how to make it step by step.
And for those of us who like to cook this means I could try to make this myself for noche buena. Actually, I definitely will make this for noche buena. 🙂 I hope I can do it justice.
Guevarra’s Christmas Beef Morcon
Beef morcon is also a staple fiesta dish at home. Our Yuletide festivities is just not complete if there is no beef morcon on the table.
I’m glad they made it because this dish takes too long to cook and oftentimes I’m too tired after to even appreciate the dish. Since they serve it at Guevarra’s I now have another reason to bring my family here for a meal. 🙂
Guevarra’s Christmas Fish Mayonesa
I remember my mom making this when we were kids … but she called it fish en blanco. Not to diss my mom but I prefer this version because Guevarra’s uses fish fillet. No fishbones to deal with. Yey! It gave me an idea, though, on how to serve fish en blanco next time. 🙂
Guevarra’s Christmas Paella
It almost isn’t a good idea to eat paella at a buffet. Why? because paella is a mix of rice and viand all cooked at the same time — meaning, it is already a buffet in itself!
Having said that, you should still try it anyway. It is really, really good! I placed a spoonful or two on my plate just to taste it and ended up finishing it before the white rice. 😀
Guevarra’s Christmas Roasted Stuffed Turkey
Some people say that turkey is just a big chicken but one taste will prove otherwise. Paired with gravy or cranberry sauce, my favorite part is the thigh. Cooked improperly turkey could become dry and tasteless. But never at Guevarra’s. This stuffed turkey is just delicious!
My personal favorite when it comes to sauces is the cranberry sauce. Somehow gravy just seems so ordinary but the cranberry sauce screams Christmas. 😀
Happy Endings and Great Coffee Pairings
Guevarra’s Christmas Pudding
Pudding is HEAVY. I mean physically heavy, not just heavy in the stomach. It is a very English treat. If I am not mistaken this baked goodie is infused with rum and smothered in honey. Perfect to pair with black coffee. Also great to have as a late night snack.
Christmas Suman Fruitcake
Suman is a traditional Filipino rice cake usually wrapped in a leaf and then steamed until cooked. We then eat it by dunking it in sugar. I personally like it paired with mango and topped with tablea chocolate.
Guevarra’s combined the traditional suman with the a fruitcake by topping the suman with candied fruits. The end product is a sweet confection. Diabetics beware! As with the pudding this goes well with coffee.
Guevarra’s Bibingka
Bibingka is served in so many ways now — topped with cheese, egg, cheese and egg, filled with chocolate or any syrup. Seriously, the skies the limit! I personally like eating bibingka while drinking hot chocolate or coffee.
Guevarra’s Puto Bumbong
Simbang Gabi is not complete without buying puto bumbong after hearing mass. But at Guevarra’s we don’t have to wait until December. We can have it now! Puto bumbong is served in single serve (big bite size) soup spoons.
Not only is it delicious, it is also very beautifully presented it is almost a sin to eat!
Should you go to Guevarra’s and sample their buffet?
If I haven’t convinced you yet, I don’t know what will. Lol! But maybe you have a few more questions. Let me see if I can come up with some of the answers a they were given to us during the Q&A.
Are there desserts made that are safe for diabetics?
Chef Jac says they don’t have any at the moment but they’ve been discussing it and they intend to bring out dishes safe for diabetics soon. Those dishes will, of course, be specially labelled so that customers who suffer from it know that they could safely consume it.
Is it necessary to call ahead for reservations?
Yes, absolutely! Reservations are necessary. Guevarra’s does not like turning people away and the only way to ensure that is if reservations are made ahead of time.
Do they accept walk-ins?
Like I mentioned, they don’t like turning people away. However, in the event that a party with no reservation arrives, they will be informed that they will have to wait in case someone who made a reservation (for the same number of people) fails to arrive within 30 minutes of their booking, then the walk-in party will be accommodated.
What meals do they serve?
No ala carte. It’s all buffet, buffet, buffet — lunch, “maagang salu-salo”, and dinner.
Meals are prepared by world famous Chef Lau, it must be expensive.
Au contraire, mon ami! It is anything but! Check out this price list:
|
LUNCH |
MAAGANG SALU-SALO |
DINNER |
| MON |
P399+12%VAT |
P499+12% VAT |
P499+12% VAT |
| TUE |
P399+12%VAT |
P499+12% VAT |
P499+12% VAT |
| WED |
P399+12%VAT |
P499+12% VAT |
P499+12% VAT |
| THU |
P399+12%VAT |
P499+12% VAT |
P499+12% VAT |
| FRI |
P399+12%VAT |
P549+12% VAT |
P599+12% VAT |
| SAT |
P599+12% VAT |
P549+12% VAT |
P599+12% VAT |
| SUN |
P599+12% VAT |
P549+12% VAT |
P599+12% VAT |
| HOL |
P599+12% VAT |
P549+12% VAT |
P599+12% VAT |
What time should we be there?
Meals are served at the timeframes below. Make sure to come early.
- Lunch is from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Maagang Salu-Salo 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
- Dinner is from 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM.
Can we make reservations for private functions like company parties?
Since they encourage reservations it is safe to say that customers will not be surprised to arrive to find the venue closed for private functions. Guevarra’s will just inform us whether or not the day and time we stated is available or not.
For Inquiries and reservations you may contact: 705 1811; 705 1874; 0917 311 2222. Follow them on Facebook: Guevarra’s ; Instagram: @Guevarras_ ; Twitter: @Guevarras_ .
See you at Guevarra’s!
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Nov 13, 2015 | Yummy Reviews
There are two things I like to order every time I go to Mrs. Graham’s and those are the Apple pie soda and macarons for dessert. Yum, yum! #comfortfood (at Mrs. Graham’s)
I was dubious at first when they said Apple Pie Soda but one sip and I was convinced. Now I know what drinking an apple pie tastes like. It isn’t apple juice. You can really taste the pastry in the drink.
Mrs. Graham’s is located before F7 on Rallos Street just off Tomas Morato in Quezon City.
by Penny Angeles-Tan | Oct 29, 2006 | Yummy Reviews
Note: Because of the recent disaster of my site (March 3, 2016) I actually had to reconstruct my posts and lost a lot of pics. There are many pics below that I could no longer find as the flavors are also no longer available. 🙁
There are some types of food that we associate with certain activities. Hotdogs make people think of sports. Cake brings birthdays to mind. Cotton candy makes us all think of the carnival. But all will agree that popcorn and soda are meant to be eaten while watching a flick. Whether a movie or TV marathon … or just as pica-pica for a party POPCORN is definitely a hit!
Last night, October 28, we had a popcorn party here at my place. SEVEN FLAVORS of Chef Tony’s popcorn were spread out on the table just waiting to be eaten.
The original taste of caramel with the slightest hint of saltiness that sets the buttery, crunchy popcorn goodness in every bite. – from Chef Tony Brands
#1 – Original
Choosing the flavor I liked the best was so hard! I just liked them all! For conservatives, it is always good to go original. You can’t go wrong there. It’s your classic popcorn flavor without the mess!
#2 – Light
Those who are “watching their weight” will enjoy the light. It isn’t exactly guiltless ’cause it still has butter and sugar, but Chef Tony guarantees 50% less of both! I worried at first that it would contain artificial sweetener and I was relieved not to encounter the medicinal taste of Nutrasweet, Equal, or Splenda.
#3 – Cinnamon Butter
Opening the tub of Cinnamon Butter was surreal. The distinctive smell of cinnamon just wafts into your nostrils, and in my case, made me think of cinnamon rolls and coffee. I thought it tasted good, too, but perhaps on the sweet side. I like it but I don’t think I can consume a small tub on my own.
#4 – Pesto
Pesto, pesto, pesto! It makes me think of pasta! To complete the pasta experience, though, I would recommend the addition of maybe pine nuts or more basil into the mix. Also, I think it could afford to be less sweet and saltier. Nonetheless, I CAN finish a whole (small) tub on my own. I know I have in the past, hehe.
A sweet and salty blend of cheese with creamy Italian taste that is reminiscent of delicious Carbonara. – from Chef Tony Brands
#5 – Parmesan
When I heard that there was Parmesan flavor I admit that I was a bit apprehensive. I know that sounds weird, but … I just don’t like getting my hands dirty, hehe. I hate it when I buy cheese flavored popcorn and they pour on this powdered orange-colored cheese that just stains everything and is extremely messy. Dirty hands are a guarantee.
To my surprise, Chef Tony’s Parmesan flavored popcorn is nothing like that! In appearance, it looks a lot like the ORIGINAL flavor. And then you open the tub and the smell of the PARMESAN hits you. Every bite is a harmony of cheese and butter!
We loved this flavor so much that we almost consumed the contents of the tub in 5 minutes! This was while recording our comments, mind you. None of the other flavors went as fast! Hooray for parmesan!
Now it is time for some nuts!
A crispy Chef Tony’s Popcorn coated with light White Chocolate perfectly paired with whole Walnuts. – from Chef Tony Brands
#6 – White Chocolate Walnut
We now open the tub of White Chocolate Walnut. I have to tell you right now … I’m not a fan of white chocolate, per se. I’m more of a dark chocolate kind of gal. But I do love chocolate and I do love walnuts, and the way the flavors blended was just perfect!
You still can’t get me to eat white chocolate in bar form but on Chef Tony’s popcorn, I will eat it by the handful. The sweetness of the chocolate and the bitterness of the walnuts made an interesting contrast. I think this flavor is perfect to give as a gift.
#7 – Roasted Almond Mochachino
The aroma of fresh-brewed coffee joins a shot of chocolate for a crispy mocha-latey snack. Plus a bunch of whole almonds to top it all off. – from Chef Tony Brands
We are down to the last flavor for the day … Roasted Almond Mochachino. To say I was excited about this one is an understatement. From the name itself, I knew to expect something fun! Think about it, coffee-flavored popcorn … with whole almonds! How can you go wrong? I tried eating this flavor today while enjoying a cup of coffee and it was perfect!
Roasted Almond Mochachino is the perfect blend of coffee, chocolate, popcorn, and fresh almonds. Coffee lovers everywhere will definitely enjoy this flavor.
Some people say that the best food critics are kids. It isn’t true that they will eat anything. As a matter of fact, they are quite obvious when they hate something! There were 4 kids sampling the popcorn with us, and the youngest of the bunch was my nephew Gene. At a year and a half, he knows EXACTLY what he wants! He tried all the flavors, and did not turn any away!!! As a matter of fact, he came back for seconds and thirds! Actually, he DEMANDED for seconds and thirds, hehe. I’d say he ate about as much as a small tub full of popcorn.
Now to the packaging …
The labels are a mite confusing, and the color combinations don’t always work. The original design is good, though. But the background has a tendency to make me cross-eyed, especially the green and red combination.
The containers are top-notch! Most people don’t notice this but … his containers are marked 5 on the recyclable scale. This is good! If your plastic containers are marked 5 to 7 then that is definitely recyclable. Most plastic containers of foodstuff nowadays are rated a 1or a 3 and those are ideally just for one use. This makes buying Chef Tony’s popcorns not only a delicious decision but a practical one as well! We noticed, also, that the containers are “child-proof”. This is a good thing because it means that the container is airtight and will keep the contents fresh longer. Oh, and it means the kids can’t sneak a bite without our knowledge, hehe. Is there an easier way to open it?
How to open a tub of happiness
Conclusion …
Chef Tony’s popcorn is gourmet at an affordable price! It is the perfect date snack, the perfect viewing companion, and the perfect gift! If you haven’t tasted it yet, I promise you, you are missing out!
Chef Tony’s has 2 more flavors we didn’t get to taste: Macadamia Swirl and Caramel Pecan. Based on the seven above, these 2 are bound to be great! I can’t wait to taste them, too! Watch out for the Christmas flavors coming soon.
You can find Chef Tony’s outlets at Tomas Morato (Quezon City across the street from McDonald’s), Metrowalk (Ortigas Center near Pancake House), and Mega Mall Building A (near National Bookstore. For inquiries, you may call them at 0917-500-CORN.
Did we have fun? Was the popcorn good? ABSOLUTELY! I can honestly say, I haven’t tasted anything better! Kudos, Anthony!
Another first for Dairy Queen Philippines, #TobleroneBlizzard is a delectable treat of your favorite soft serve ice cream and the well-loved Toblerone, the Swiss brand of triangular chocolate goodness! The Toblerone Blizzard, however, is only available for a limited time, so what are you waiting for?
The Strawberry Toblerone Blizzard is made with Dairy Queen’s signature soft serve and chunky Toblerone bits, made sweeter by a delicious swirl of strawberry syrup on top.
Who can resist the classic Chocolate Chip Toblerone Blizzard that combines Toblerone and your favorite soft serve, with an extra coating of chocolate syrup as a bonus?
Double Fudge Toblerone Blizzard
Dairy Queen’s Valentine’s offering is this heart-shaped Valentine’s cake. It is made with soft-serve vanilla ice cream but what makes it different from other ice cream cakes is this … it is a TOBLERONE BLIZZARD ice cream cake! Chopped Toblerone bits can be found in every mouthful of this delectable treat.
Not to be left behind is the Valentine Dilly Bar … vanilla ice cream coated in a chocolate shell. For Valentine, it comes in three colors – pink, green, and orange.
For more information and updates on Dairy Queen, your favorite ice cream brand follow them on their Facebook page or visit their official website.
Guevarra’s Christmas Chicken Liver Parfait
Guevarra’s Christmas Macaroni Salad
Guevarra’s Christmas Beef Morcon
Guevarra’s Christmas Fish Mayonesa
Guevarra’s Christmas Paella
Guevarra’s Christmas Pudding
Christmas Suman Fruitcake
Guevarra’s Bibingka
Guevarra’s Puto Bumbong
You must be logged in to post a comment.