Cycle 5 – Item 346

17 (Wed) December 2014

Okdom

2.5

at Myung Ga

-Malate, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines-

solo

Try Every Korean Restaurant in Ermita and Malate (11) (see also TEKREM)

Surveying the Korean eateries, including those serving Korean-Chinese fare, located in the neighborhoods of Ermita and Malate, nearby work and home.  Minimum of 1 dish per place.  Currently 45 establishments.  Though anticipating that most of the places will be mediocre, I look forward to exploring more of my environment.

Myung Ga is a Korean restaurant.  Whereas most Korean establishments outside of Korea tend to offer a wide range of dishes (usually none of it particularly any good), Myung Ga specializes in fish.  The clientele is largely Korean, non-Koreans there usually accompanied by Koreans.

Tonight was my third visit, the prior two for lunch, with Korean staff from work.

To thank MK for getting me a bottle of The Yamazaki (12) Single Malt Whisky on her trip to Japan, I treated her and her boyfriend to dinner at Myung Ga.  I invited CAL to join, hoping to spend as much time with her before she leaves next week.

Overall, the food was pretty good.  Moreover, under the steady supervision of the Korean couple who own the joint, the food was authentic, unabashedly so, pulling no punches to accommodate local palates.

Uncertain whether the fish was actually okdom (옥돔), translated by on-line sources as “sea bream,” which are usually much larger, with smaller eyes and mouth.

Whatever the species, it was okay.  Deep-fried, the skin was light and crispy. Salted, the firm white flesh had a briny tang, not much other flavor.

(See also GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)

(See also RESTAURANTS IN PHILIPPINES)