Gaja Korean Kitchen Offers Healthier Menu Options
When you’re in the Philippines, Korean dining is synonymous to unlimited servings of fatty slices of meat. The abundance of unli-samgyupsal places has catered well to the way Filipinos love to eat: in groups and in large amounts. However, so many of us are also trying to be more discerning with what we put in our bodies. The new menu at GAJA KOREAN KITCHEN offers options no matter how healthy or indulgent you like to eat.
HEALTHY OPTIONS
Like any good Korean restaurant, Gaja serves several appetizers called banchan. They didn’t have an extensive variety to choose from, but the appetizers here were well-curated. Many of the unlimited K-bbq places serve all forms of pickled/fermented veggies nowadays and not much else. Here, I was happy to find some odeng or fish cakes. They also served some rolled omelette alongside the customary cucumber and cabbage kimchi.
In terms of greens, you’re not just limited to lettuce leaves here. They have some specialty salads which you can have with some protein like the BEEF BULGOGI SALAD. There is always an option to have the meat removed if you prefer to go all-out vegetarian. They use a sweet, tangy vinaigrette that goes well with Korean flavors.
I was happy to see a largely unadulterated version of Korean pancakes or PAJEON. You can have the popular seafood version or go lighter with a kimchi pajeon!
BURGERS AND SANDWICHES
Moving on to heavier stuff, Gaja has a great selection of burgers and sandwiches. My personal favorite is the YANGNYEOM STREET TOAST, a chicken sandwich that’s served with kimchi fries or onion rings. I love a good chicken sandwich and I am not complaining if it is flavored with a gochujang-based sauce like this one!
Apart from the chicken sandwich, Gaja Korean Kitchen creates their own bulgogi-flavored hamburger bun. You can have this patty on a bun, with rice or served with a kimchi-infused Japanese curry!
MAINS
The Japanese curry that they serve here has a slight twist because of the subtle hints of kimchi that they incorporate into the sauce. Don’t worry, if you are a fan of the traditional Japanese curry, this one is interesting but it does not ruin the original flavor profile. Apart from the hamburg patty, you can have it on either a chicken or a pork cutlet. The serving is pretty big so it’s not a bad idea to share if you’re ordering other items.
If you’re looking for some classic Korean stews, you can also try some here, albeit in a non-traditional form. We tried the GALBITANG, a beef rib soup that I always eat in Korea. The version here is lighter and less hearty than the ones I am used to. I’m on the fence if I like it to be honest. It tastes nice but I do like my classic galbitang that’s a bit less refined.
Korean fried chicken is another favorite. The version at Gaja is called “KFC” not because it’s similar to a certain colonel’s recipe. Instead, the “Kimchi Fried Chicken” here is brined with kimchi juice! Interesting…but again, don’t be afraid to try it. I promise, it’s not weird at all. so good!
Now for the piece de resistance! I am a big fan of korean beef stew or galbi jjim. This is actually one of the first dishes I ever learned to cook. If you have been reading my work before, you will know that I hate it when restaurants make unrecognizable “versions” of already perfect dishes. I like unadulterated classics. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the dry GALBI JJIM served at Gaja! OMG! The 48-hour sous vide short rib melts in your mouth! Served on top of a mushroom duxelle and a potato and carrot puree, I can have this over a ribeye steak any day!
They also have a good selection of desserts and drinks to wash down your meal. There’s also a bar called ODD SEOUL hidden behind the restaurant. I will check it out next time but for now, I am giving GAJA KOREAN KITCHEN a 4/5 rating. Definitely a place to visit but be prepared to spend a little bit more than what you’ve gotten used to when having Korean food.