Cebu Restaurants

I decided to try Korean food years ago because of my interest in Korean dramas. Yes, I was one of the Lovers in Paris fans who wanted to have a taste of the rice cakes Vivian prepared for Carlo, which didn’t look like any rice cake I’ve known because it has a sauce. I like spicy food, and Korean food is one of the best for me – healthy and delicious!

A typical Korean restaurant would serve free appetizers. Free, refillable appetizers served while you wait for your orders can be as many as 9 kinds – most of them vegetables and some fish. Kimchi is usually served as part of the freebies. And yes, it can be hell to work as a dishwasher in Korean restaurants!

Samgyupsal – Php 350 and Kimbap – Php 220

Samgyupsal or pork belly is one of those typical Korean dishes that you see in TV dramas. They are eaten wrapped in some leafy vegetable (usually lettuce) with seasoned sesame oil and red bean paste – yum yum. The meat is lightly seasoned; and the combination of the red bean paste, sesame oil, and the fresh leafy vegetable is filling indeed. You can cook it yourself or have it cooked in the restaurant’s kitchen. But for an authentic Korean dining experience, try cooking it!

Kimbap (far left in the photo above) is like California Maki without the mango but with cooked meat and egg. Kimbap is a typical snack for Koreans; it’s like banana cue to Filipinos or champorado or binignit. When prepared at home, they usually put any leftover meat they have and some vegetables, either cooked or fresh.

Dupbap – Php 280

There are many kinds of dupbap, and the one above is squid. I forgot the whole Korean name of this dish, but it is a dupbap – marinated meat/seafood, spicy, and pan fried with vegetables. It is served with rice in this particular Korean restaurant in Cebu. This may not be the case in other Cebu restaurants serving Korean food.

Modum Jeon – Php 280

Modum jeon is technically assorted pan fried food, usually seafood and vegetables. Yu Hee Jeong’s modum jeon has fish, squid, and potato. I’m not sure about the combination though, but I’m sure there were 3 kinds of food in it. I forgot to take notes for blogging purposes. I had this meal two weeks ago, argggghhh.

I recommend Korean food because the taste is far simpler than Filipino, Thai, or Chinese but still rich. It’s a really good alternative to any Asian food you’ve already tried.

I recommend Yu Hee Jeong – servings are usually good for 2-3, presentation is good, and customer service is excellent. Not all Cebu restaurants serving Korean food is accommodating to Filipino customers (based on my experience). You can even listen to authentic Korean music while dining and get to see a waitress in a Hanbok.

This Cebu restaurant has been serving Korean food since late 90s, way before we even heard of Lovers in Paris. And compared to other Korean restaurants in Cebu, particularly those in Lapu-Lapu, Yu Hee Jeong food is cheap.

If you want to try Korean food, go to Yu Hee Jeong in Lahug (a few meters from St. Therese Church).

For a great Korean food trip, you should try Beef or Pork Bulgogi, Kimbap, Bibimbap, and Samgyupsal. For a unique food experience, try the octopus dishes!

[Prices as of Dec. 2008]

Photo credits: Frauline A.

More Yummy Talk

• Cebu Restaurants Directory
• Confessions of a Chocoholic: Lindt Dark 70% Cocoa
• Affordable Korean Food at Korea House Restaurant
• Lunch at Nonki Japanese Restaurant
• Gigantic Pizzas at Calda Pizza (Lahug)