6.010

15 (Thu) January 2015

Jeonju Bibimbap

3.0

at Jeonju

-Malate, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines-

solo

Try Every Korean Restaurant in Ermita and Malate (13) (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.

Jeonju is a Korean restaurant.  Mainstream fare.

My second visit, previously lunch with Korean colleagues way back when, I wasn’t very impressed.  Which is why I came here alone tonight, to get it out of the way, and ordered bibimbap, generally the safest item.

At most Korean joints in the neighborhood, 300 pesos (about $7.50) seems to be the average price point for single serving dishes.Jeonju is a Korean restaurant.

This time, the food was way better than I’d remembered.  For starters, the banchan were well-balanced in variety and seasoning, authentic.  The bibimbap, though nothing special, was solid.  Indeed, any restaurant or person that can make competent banch can be relied upon to make competent bibimbap, which is essentially a mix of banchan.  While “Jeonju” typically involves a sizzling stone bowl (see generally 4.206 Jeonju Gobdol Bibimbap), it came in cold porcelain here, which I prefer.  Satisfying meal.

Definitely worth another visit, for something more substantial (e.g., osam bulgogi, perhaps), but it’ll have to wait until TEKREM is complete.