Sariwon Korean Barbecue Offers Subtle Flavors That Still Pack a Punch: Ish Eats Bulgogi
My description of SARIWON KOREAN BARBECUE may be confusing. I said that their food has subtle flavors. At the same time, I also said that the food packs a punch. Let me elaborate.
First of all, let’s keep in mind that this is a Korean restaurant. Therefore, it is to be expected that everything is heavily spiced and very flavorful. Strong fermented flavors and deep, rich tones are to be expected. Putting things in that perspective, I would say that SARIWON offers a milder and more subtle version of classic Korean favorites.
For example, their in-house kimchi does not burn the mouth like many other deeply fermented versions. Theirs has all the complex flavors expected from Kimchi, but it has a crisp, fresh and less aggressive taste.
Their kimchi came to our table alongside a wide selection of other Korean appetizers called “banchan.” When dining at Sariwon, most meals come with a certain number of refillable banchan.
Our group wanted to try as many menu items as possible so we went for the Premium Galbisal Set (Php 3,680).
Premium Galbisal Set Inclusions:
Chesanggeup Yangnyeom Galbisal (Premium USDA Choice Short ribs marinated in sea salt and spices)- 2 orders (pictured is 1 order)
Sariwon Bulgogi (150g)
1 Dak Galbi (Grilled Chicken)
1 Haemul Pajeon (Seafood Pancake)
1 Soondubu Chigae (Hot Seafood Tofu Stew)
2 Dolsot Bibimbap
1 Gyeranjjim (Fluffy Egg Casserole)
Let me first gush about the beef. I mean it when I say gush. The marinades that were used were very flavorful. I knew this because I didn’t look for a dipping sauce like I often do when having Korean Barbecue.
Our server readily assisted us in cooking our meat. this is a good idea to ensure that you get the best out of your meat. With the expertly trained servers at the helm, there was no chance for anyone to overcook anything.
While we were waiting for the meat to cook, we enjoyed our selection of banchan. I particularly liked the mashed sweet potatoes and glazed peanuts. I ate the kimchi throughout the meal and didn’t find it too overpowering. We also had a nice salad with sesame dressing
The Chesanggeup Yangnyeom Galbisal went quickly as soon as it was ready to eat. I wrapped it around some lettuce and some kimchi and enjoyed it in the traditional Korean Barbecue way. However, we also had some rice on the table since having just meat and veggies alone wouldn’t cut it. Rice is life!
The DOLSOT BIBIMBAP to me, was slightly underwhelming. I would have liked it to be a tad bit more flavorful. Even with chili sauce added, it was slightly bland for my taste. However, as an accompaniment to the flavorful beef, it is still a good choice.
What I was really impressed with was the Haemul Pajeon (Seafood Pancake). Almost every other Korean joint has this dish and they are all pretty much the same. What makes the SARIWON version stand out is how they managed to keep it crisp on the outside and nice and fluffy on the inside.
Our meal also came with a seafood tofu soup that went really well with the fluffy steamed egg called Gyeranjjim. This reminds me of a perfectly risen egg souffle. Absolutely divine.
I know at this point it seems like we’ve had a lot. However, it wasn’t over yet! Our set also came with a serving of the signature SARIWON BULGOGI.
This dish reminded me of a Japanese Sukiyaki, so I was an immediate fan. There were paper-thin slices of beef, cooked right on the table with some vegetables, a sweet/savory broth and some potato-starch noodles, just like a sukiyaki.
To finish off our meal, we had an interesting shot of Barley Tea and Sikhye, a sweet, malted drink with bits of soft rice that supposedly aid digestion. Thank God for that, since I know I’m going to need some help digesting all that food I just ate!
We also washed down our meals with a selection of fresh fruit shakes and a Soju Sangria for me!
Overall, I was a very satisfied guest. The set meal for 4 was more than enough for all of us. I would say that this is a good place to take some friends or family who are neophytes when it comes to Korean flavors. Let’s face it, despite the culinary advancement in recent years, many Filipinos are still unwilling to step beyond their comfort zone.
This is a safe place to introduce new flavors to newbies or to picky eaters. It’s also good for families with seniors and children who may not appreciate the extremely bold flavors of other Korean joints.
Star Rating: 4.5/5
Location: Ground Floor, Promenade, Greenhills Shopping Centre, Greenhills, San Juan City
(They have another branch at Bonifacio High Street Central).
Book a table and see the full menu on Zomato: