I had the the Galbitang Bansang for lunch again yesterday. Third time in a week!
“Ganun ba talaga kasarap ‘yan?,” Marco asked after peering into my bowl.
P900 for just the Galbitang Bansang.
P1,200 if you order the set which includes a pancake, kimchi, and seasoned vegetables.
For some reason, I loved this Korean traditional beef short ribs soup. Everyone describes it as “parang Bulalo”. Oddly, I don’t even eat Bulalo! It just does not appeal to me. I am not fond of ulam with clear soup. Nilaga is another one that I don’t eat. “Walang katorya-torya” is how I described it to an ex. “Because you don’t use dipping sauces,” he argued.
Yesterday, on my third time to eat the Galbitang Bansang, I discovered that it should be eaten with sauce. “Galbitang sauce. ‘Yun lang po talaga ang tawag,” the server insisted when I didn’t look convinced. I was told that it is a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, and pear. Yes, as in the fruit.
After enjoying the Galbitang so much, I think I will give Bulalo and Nilaga a chance.
I discovered the Galbitang at the newly-opened Kiwa Korean Grill at Solaire Resort & Casino. I have been going there almost every day the past two weeks to prepare for their press lunch held last Wednesday, January 13.
Some of the things we had to do pre-event. That’s Terence Angsioco with the rest of the photo-video team playing paparazzi to head chef Gi Won Park. Most of the photos we used for the press kit are from Terence.
It went pretty well. My press friends came in full force and had nothing but nice words to say about the food and the restaurant. I am so grateful for their support and happy they had a great time.
I knew it was going to be a perfect day the moment I saw our perfectly-coordinated outfits. Haha! Hindi ‘yan sadya! That’s Wendel and Cris who helped me put together the press kits and manned the registration while I ran around playing GRO. Thanks, guys!
The interior design of Kiwa is really gorgeous. A lot of wood, a lot of texture. A few tables even have a view of Manila Bay. Really lovely. Here are some photos I took using my phone.
The Kiwa bears are the first to greet you upon arrival
The doors along this hallway open to the private rooms which can accommodate 8 to 48 persons.
One of the 8 private rooms.
Lovely isn’t it? Cris said you can even smell the wood. I couldn’t though. Boo. The entire restaurant can seat 184.
The look is different at every section but I think they all come together beautifully.
Allow me to share with you some of the other dishes I have tried.
Have you ever had your Bulgogi cooked in front of you? Here’s how they do it at Kiwa. The servers do all the work, the diners just eat and enjoy. Exactly the way I like it! Hehe! Despite all the table cooking, you will walk out of Kiwa still smelling fresh. No barbecue stench AT ALL, thanks to their state-of-the-art exhaust system!
Bibimbap in a hot stone pot with special side dishes and a bowl of rice
Japchae. Pan-fried glass noodles with beef and assorted vegetables.
Seasoned seafood in a whole tomato salad.
Gobachi – sashimi appetizer assortment which comes with the course menu.
Haemul-Pajeon. Pancake with seafood, spring onion and assorted vegetables.
Chadolbaegi-Salad. The salad for meat lovers, topped with beef brisket. This is my favorite appetizer! Initially, I didn’t want it served to the press because it wasn’t so pretty but after I tried it, I understood why the COO Eddie Park made it part of the event menu.
Baebaek-Kimchi . Rolled White Kimchi inside a Korean pear with seasoned water.
Yangnyumgalbi. Beef ribs seasoned with special sweet soy sauce
P3,000/200g for a full course which includes a composition of appetizer, sashimi and appetizer assortment, the grilled main course, pancake, stir-fried glass noodles, vegetables, rice, soybean paste stew or taster cold noodles plus dessert. Really sulit!
P1,300/200g for a la carte
Dessert is usually just tea. Most of the time it’s plum. Sometimes it’s cinnamon. But for me, they served both. Hehe.
Sample of a breakfast set with seaweed soup which they say is good for blood circulation.
Also lined up are special items such as lobster tail and Japanese wagyu. Expect all these after their January 28 formal launch.
Kiwa Korean Grill is open from 9am to 12mn, from Sunday to Thursday and 9am to 12 midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Weekend hours will be extended to 2am after the grand opening on January 28. It is located at Solaire Resort & Casino, 1 Aseana Avenue, Paranaque City. For inquiries and reservations, call (+632) 888 8888 or log on to www.kiwa.com.ph. Kiwa Korean Grill is also on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
I love Korean food! I bet the Galbitang Bansang is really mashisoyo kkk
Hey Madz! Thanks for visiting my blog! Yes, I really enjoyed the Galbitang Bansang. Mashisoyo indeed! Of course I had to Google the meaning. Hehe!
Those dishes looked great! P1,200 for the Galbitang Bansang lunch set seems reasonable considering it’s at Solaire. Every time I’ve dined at Solaire restaurants the food is always top notch! Will check out Kiwa next time we are playing at Solaire 🙂
Hey Karen! Thanks for visiting my blog! This is not a good time to be seeing your comment, you just made me crave for Korean food! Haha! Yes, please find time to visit Kiwa. All their menu items are priced reasonably considering the serving sizes.