Kogi Bulgogi, located at 3-12 3rd Floor, Lucky Chinatown Mall, Reina Regente, Binondo, Manila (Contact #: +632 547-7164); with main branch at 2nd Level, New Eastwood Mall, E. Rodriguez Ave. (C-5), Bagumbayan Quezon City (Contact #: +632 470-6884 to 85)
Date: August 24, 2012
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LEXY SAYS:
Well, I’m not really fond of Asian cuisine (I only like selected dishes such as Yang Chow rice, noodles, pork tonkatsu, shark’s fin siomai, etc.), but when Meeka introduced me to this newly-opened Korean resto in the depths of Binondo (hahaha), I didn’t think twice.
Okay, maybe I did (hahaha!), because my actual plan that time was to eat authentic Chinese food at a not-so-mainstream Chinese resto in Chinatown. After reading some food blogs, I got so curious at how REAL Chinese food tastes (and not some localized versions of oriental dishes). But then again, Meeks right here dragged me to a whole different resto. 🙂  But I don’t regret the fact that I didn’t pursue my plan. In fact, I’m grateful. THANK YOU BIG TIME, MEEKS! :*
Okay, for starters: Kogi Bulgogi is the first and only Korean resto in Eastwood City, and they use only Premium US and New Zealand beef in all their beef dishes. “Kogi” means “meat” in Korean, but in their resto, it actually means “someone who specializes in bulgogi dishes.” (Source: http://www.kogibulgogi.com)
What’s a Bulgogi, anyway?
Seriously, we weren’t able to order any Bulgogi dish (next time, promise!), so we can’t describe it based on what we experienced. But according to our research (nyahaha), a Bulgogi is a dish that usually consists of marinated beef, pork, or chicken. We’ll surely go back there, and we’ll definitely order a Bulgogi! 🙂
Since I can’t say anything about Bulgogi anymore, I’ll just share my firsthand experience with the dishes I’ve tasted here. (Yeah, right.)
 The appetizers were served first. Seriously, I’m impressed. Six yummy appetizers, and they’re all for free! Ahh, awesome. 🙂
 I actually don’t eat kimchi (top, second from left), so I just snacked on the sweetened fish, bananas and mini corn instead. Boy, I was so engrossed in munching these babies, I barely noticed that we’re just warming up for the main event (dish)! Hahaha!
Next: California Roll. We know that this is a very mainstream type of roll, but we’re a lil’ bit short of funds (hahaha), so we had no choice. We’re planning to have KB’s bestseller rolls soon 🙂
Anyway, as always, I’m very pleased with this roll which is, by the way, filled with fresh crabsticks, mango and cucumber strips. I’m not a big fan of Asian dishes, but this surely hits the spot.
(Too bad I didn’t get a bird’s eye shot of this food. Just look at that presentation! Ugh!)
(Jeyuk Bibimbap)
Now, we get to the main point. :9  For lunch, I tried Jeyuk Bibimbap, which is composed of steamed rice, seasoned vegetables, raw egg, and pork. What’s nice is that it’s presented in a “heated stone pot” inside a wooden tray. Very, very cool! 😀
I felt super stuffed with this meal. After some mixing (just like in Pepper Lunch, you have to mix them all before eating, or it’d be just weird to consume it one by one, hahaha), I gladly devoured the bibimbap and all its glory. Trust me, you won’t wish to have a next meal after eating that. 😉  The flavors are just right, the feel in your stomach is heavy enough for a long day, and it’s not that bad at all. In fact, it’s a great palate experience for those who are afraid to get out of their “comfort [food] zone,” because this Korean dish is really taste buds-friendly. 🙂
(Oh, the gluttons after their super satisfying lunch. Hahaha!)
Every bite was unforgettable and so worth it, indeed. 🙂  The dishes are not cheap nor too pricey, thus the amount that you pay definitely reflects on the food: high class and especially for you. (Oh, prices will be posted soon. I forgot how much they are :P)
For the nth time, I usually don’t eat Asian food, but with this one? I’ll definitely go back for more. 🙂
(For more info about this uber cool Korean resto, like their Facebook page and follow them on Twitter)
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[MEEKA’S STATEMENT SOON 🙂  OH, SHE ATE YUK HOI DULSOT BIBIMBAP, SEE PIC BELOW FOR TEASER (LOL)]
(Meeka’s Yuk Hoi Dulsot Bibimbap, which is raw beef with raw egg. All raw!
Check out her blog post soon!)
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SPOON RATING:
THREE SPOONS! NICE JOB!
“I’ll never have the same notion of Korean food ever again. 🙂  Kogi Bulgogi hits the right spot and I’ll surely feast on their other offerings real soon!” – Lexy
[MEEKA’S COMMENT SOON]
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EAT. BLOG. EXERCISE. 