Samgyupsal is the latest Korean import trending in the local food scene. Even those who are not into Korean cuisine want to try this one out. But are you really getting the samgyupsal experience? This short guide will show the in and out of the dish and where you can get the best servings in the metro.
Preparing and cooking samgyupsal
One thing that can overwhelm first-time samgyupsal diners is the variety of meat they can choose from. While it is tempting to try everything available, it would be a good idea to stick to just 2-3 choices. This way, you can enjoy each type of meat more.
As for the kinds of meats, a combination of pork and beef is a good pick. Be sure to get the thinner cuts as these are easier to cook. You would also want to get meat which has a decent amount of fat for a more flavorful meal.
The grilling process is also an essential part of the samgyupsal experience, so pay attention to it. A useful tip here is to grill the onions and vegetables first. This helps infuse more flavor to the meat as well as make it stick less on the grill.
When cooking the meat itself, remember to just sear it until brown. This typically takes at most two minutes. You also only need to flip it once before it can be served. Keep in mind that most of the flavors come from the mix of the juices and fat coming from each ingredient on the grill.
In case you are dining with different kinds of meat, you can request an additional grill to avoid mixing the flavors. Also, make sure you grill the unmarinated meat first before the marinated one. You retain more of their original flavors this way.
How to eat samgyupsal the right way
Knowing how to eat samgyupsal right is the most important aspect of the meal. A common mistake here for many is that they would often put in too many pieces in the lettuce wrap. Remember to put in just one to two pieces of meat plus a small amount of the side dish of your choice. This way, you can eat the wrap with just two bites.
While the meat is the main part of the meal, don’t just focus on it. The idea here is to try as many of the side dishes on the table as you can. Remember that you can eat these while waiting for the meat to cook and in between eating the wraps.
Grilling kimchi is one unique way you can enjoy the side dishes. Doing this gives the fermented vegetables a softer texture while adding a bit of smoky flavor, which serves as a nice complement to the meat. To ensure that your kimchi is cooked right, place it at the sides of the grill.
Rice is another staple item in any Korean buffet. It helps balance the flavors of the different dishes and ads a bit of chewiness. Couple a spoonful of rice with your meat or stew to get a good helping. You don’t want to overdo on the carbs, though, as you can easily fill up without being able to try all the dishes. In this case, you can just skip it.
A few more samgyupsal pointers
One thing to note when eating at a Korean buffet is that the side dishes, or banchan, are already part of the price you pay. As such, ou can ask for a refill anytime you want. This is great if you like certain meat and side dish combinations.
Desserts, on the other hand, are entirely optional. Aside from the more typical Korean pastries, you can also order cold noodles, rice with toppings (bibimbap),.and fried rice. All of these can be combined with the pork for your final fill.
The best places for samgyupsal
Now that you know how to get the most out of the Korean buffet, here are some of the best spots to try out around Metro Manila.
Samgyupsalamat
This Korean restaurant has several branches in Manila, Quezon City, and Makati. Its biggest selling point is the unlimited meat meals. Depending on the package, you get five to nine different types of pork and beef. These are priced reasonably, giving you a good option for a family Korean buffet.
Gen Korean BBQ
Gen Korean BBQ is located in Pasay and is the local branch of a popular restaurant chain in the United States. The restaurant says that its meat is 100% imported from Korea. It currently offers a promo where you can order for a group of four for the price of three.
Romantic Baboy
Don’t let the name fool you. This is another great Korean dining place within Maginhawa Street in Quezon City. The restaurant boasts of eight different meat choices and six side dishes. It even offers a generous helping of cheese sauce, another popular samgyupsal dip.
All of these restaurants give you the authentic samgyupsal experience at great prices. Now that you know how to enjoy it the right way, it’s time to check them out and dig in. Go and have a great meal!