Dining at Barbeking

I WAS pulling out of Victoria Plaza's parking lot when a new sign caught my eye.

The timing was just perfect as my stomach was already grumbling, Korean for dinner it is!

Barbeking opened last July 28, 2010 and is owned by a Filipino doctor with a Korean chef and Korean consultants. The Korean manager greeted us at the door and within seconds we were seated. It was just past 6 and the only other patron is a family of 5, but as our dinner progresses the place was soon packed.

The menu came with an assortment of appetizers as Korean meals are noted for the number of side dishes (Banchan). Of course there was Kimchi (traditional Korean fermented dish made of varied vegetables and seasonings) some sweet potatoes, tofu, kaktugi (fermented raddish, tastes like kimchi but less spicy) and bean sprouts.

Main meal was Bibimbap, which literally translates to mixed rice. It is served as a bowl of warm white rice topped with sautéed and seasoned veggies with chili pepper paste and diced meat. A pretty deep yellow farm fresh egg yolk was at center of the dish while the veggies are laid out in such a way that the colors complement each other making the presentation visually appealing. The ingredients are stirred together thoroughly just before eating.

We also had Sam Gyup Sal to go with our rice dish. Sam gyup sal means 3 layered meat - thick, fatty slices of pork belly, similar to uncured bacon. The meat is not marinated or seasoned, and cooked on a grill at our table. The grilled piece of meat is then dipped into sesame oil with freshly cracked pepper then to a mildly spiced bean curd paste before wrapping it with a fresh lettuce leaf together with a few slices of grilled onion rings and garlic.

A tall glass of fresh ripe mango shake is at hand to cool off our palates when we get too enthusiastic with the chili paste.

Dishes are good for sharing and we paid P600 for the whole meal including drinks.

Haengboghan sigsa! (happy eating)

Prices range from P140-P820. It is located at Victoria Plaza Compound, Bajada, Davao City with telephone number (082) 224-2238.