Korean Kravings

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So I finally gave in to the temptation of eating anything Korean.... Yes, when 2012 opened, I haven't gotten any kimchi on my mouth nor any ramyun or kimbap... but I just can't continue with it.

this was my dusk shot of the place

So with just one cycle after the first work-week of January, and after a grueling gym session (my instructor said I need to pay back all the holiday calories and missed gym sessions), my foot led me to our city's very own Korean town, specifically to Hyun Jeong.  Described as one of Angeles City's first ever Korean themed restaurant and boy, I was not disappointed and would definitely add this to my 'regular' places to be from now on.  That is if one is craving for an authentic, decently priced and yummy treat from working your ass (pardon the word) out to earn a living.

Ok, I was not completely honest there.  Nope, I did not do the 'zombie-like' walk from the gym to Hyun Jeong.  I actually researched about it for a week and the web and fellow bloggers gave me decent information enough for me to finalize the plans of hunting for this place.

a better night shot from balibago.org

The address is #190 Friendship Highway, Angeles City.  They do have telephone number (045 893 0579) but I do not know if it is working. Opens from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm and can sit, according to Balibago.org up to 100 people.  There are five (5) staff waiting to serve you.

Now for those new to Friendship Hi-way's Korean town.  Go look for other famous places such as Jun-Jun's and AC1 Gym (ehe that's me promoting my gym) and Hyun Jeong is at the same line as these.

Aptly describe as a pioneer, yes, the place looks and feels dated from outside-in.  But do not be discouraged by these because the place is clean (which is what's important I think) and we saw senior Korean people eating (a good sign for foodies as it indicates, and confirms authenticity of the menu options).

The dining place is lined with sturdy wooden tables and chairs and there is a portion with about chest-level partitions for more intimate groups (privacy, anyone?).  There is no lingering smell considering that there was another group already eating when we came in to eat.  I chose the table with partition as I am a bit intimidated with the other guests (very Korean looking and speaking). Ehe, plus I was bringing with me a 'cheat-sheet' of what to order (go laugh now).

Their menu is one of a kind and it's rather classic on the outside but relatively modern in terms of the content.  It is one heavy menu folder also, ehe.

The offerings are organized very well so as to guide the readers/eaters perfectly on what options are available.  There are a lot of dishes mostly starting at 200 to 250.  Hold your horses for a while as these orders can already be split into 3-4 I think.  Don't worry about appetizers as being a Korean Restaurant, you won't be disappointed to the quality and quantity of side dishes that they offer.  Plus, they are very much refillable, Yey! Although for this particular visit, we did not even had the chance to refill because there was so much! Speaking of side dishes, these were served to us (I hear bells ringing now...)

dried fish, sweet and spicy

Bean sprouts, spicy and earthy

Sauteed veggies, savory rich

Potatoes and veggies, mildly spicy

Potato salad with egg --- cool and refreshing

Kimchi ol time fave

For the main event, we got Dolsot Bibimbap which is basically bibimbap (mixed rice and veggies) in hot pot, Ohjimguh Dulbap which is a spicy sauteed squid with rice and Gochujang Samgyuosal (with lettuce and the works).  Yup, the meals we got a pretty minimal since we were still testing the waters.  AND WE WERE WRONG.  With just three meals, they were uber more than enough to fill us in.

Bibimbap

Gochujang Samgyuosal

Ohjimguh Dulbap

There were also the usual set-up, water, soup (made of miso from the taste), cold towels for your hands and that yummy gingery-cinnamon tasting last drink they offered us but was not able to ask for the name (so please, discreetly tell me that it isn't a hand wash-thing that Koreans do, my friend and I have been arguing about it since).

Metal chopsticks, cold towels, ever reliable water, ehe

Partner to the Samgyuosal... the paste was superb!

Miso-like soup

Refreshing after-meal drink

Over-all, it was a worthy try.  Glad researching hasn't failed me yet.  Note to self, eating in an authentic Korean set-up requires time.  I think with all the side dishes and the large servings meant long eating time.  I highly recommend this for large group of friends who will have to catch up with many stories, for family gatherings and after work unwinding.

Enjoying every chopstick bite of it...

My friend and I fooling around with food --- Bon apetite!