TEKREM (Try Every Korean Restaurant in Ermita/Malate). So long as I’m currently living in Ermita/Malate, a pair of neighborhoods that together constitute central Manila’s closest thing to a Koreatown, and while GMTD was never intended to be a Korean food blog but kinda is, I may as well attempt to eat at all the Korean eateries in the area, including those serving Korean-Chinese fare, and review them here.  Currently 44 known establishments.  Though doubting the discovery of any gems–in fact, I anticipate that most of the places will be similarly mediocre–the project should be interesting, if only in giving me a reason to get out and explore more of my environment.

The following tiers (“Would I go back for more?”) relate to the overall dining experience, including all the dishes sampled, cost, ambiance, cleanliness, and any other factors that may apply, cumulative through multiple visits (if any).

Tier 1 (looking forward to return visit):

• (14) Jinsiang ! (6.016 Nakji Jjajmbbong) / 3.5
• (13) Jeonju ! (6.010 Jeonju Bibimbap) / 3.0
• (21) Chung Ki Wa ! (6.056 Cabbage Hangover Soup) / 3.0
• (22) Gyumon (6.069 Jo Karubi) / 3.0
• (25) Café Chosun ! (6.079 Chosun Set) / 3.25

Tier 2 (okay, but not enthusiastically):

• (11) Myung Ga ! (5.346 Deep-Fried Okdom) / 2.5
• (2) Royal ! (5.123 Knee for Ki) / 3.5
• (24) Hwangso Ga ! (6.074 Buffet) / 3.0
• (28) Arirang Hotel ! (6.093 Dubu Jjigae) / 2.5
• (15) Jung ! (6.029 Steamed Egg) / 3.25
• (30) Moiza (6.117 Fried Chicken) / 3.25
• (20) Jang Chung Dong (6.056 Ojingeo Bokum) / 2.5
• (9) Sinsun Seollong Tang (5.328 Seollong Tang) / 2.0
• (18) Seokchon (6.050 Chamcha Myun) / 2.5
• (19) Kim’s Jjamppong Food ! (6.050 Jjam Ja Myun) / 2.5
• (31) Chimak (6.117 Fried Chicken) / 2.5
• (7) Bonchon (5.242 Soy Garlic Chicken) / 3.25

Tier 3 (only under dire circumstances):

• (6) Korean Palace (5.205 Haemul Pa Jeon) / 1.75
• (8) Hanchon Seolloong Tang ^ (5.251 Modeum Suyuk) / 3.0
• (5) Bug Gyoung (5.189 Gganpung Gi) / 1.25
• (12) Sinsun (6.003 Yukgyejang) / 2.0
• (26) Korean Village (6.084 Mushrooms) / 2.5
• (27) Dwaeji Bang (6.093 Samgyeopsal) / 2.5
• (23) Hwangso Makchang ! (6.074 Makchang) / 1.5
• (3) Neoguri ^ (5.141 Pa Dak) / 3.25
• (16) Jong Lo (6.034 Sundubu Jjigae) / 2.25
• (17) Ulkeun (6.035 Ulkeun Chicken Gizzaed) / 1.0

Tier 4 (to be avoided no matter what):

• (1) Maru ^ (5.030 Ggot Deung Sim…) / 1.0
• (4) Kim N’ Chi (5.163 Bibimbab) / 1.0
• (10) Go! Kizip (5.343 Cham Pong Myun) / 1.0
• (29) KP2 ! (6.097 Ganjang Gejang) / 1.0

^ no longer in business

! an emerging theme, not-so-surprising, is that the restaurants with on-site Korean management tend to demonstrate closer authenticity, though not necessarily higher quality

31 down, 13 to go.

The masochistically gluttonous “Try Every” series: (i) TERRP (…Restaurant in Robinsons Place) (see completed 5.247 TERRP 85 KFC : Original Recipe Fried Chicken…);  (ii) TEITY (..Item at Tao Yuan) (see completed 6.095 DONE); (iii) TERNWPPD (…Restaurant in New World, Pan-Pacific, Diamond) (see completed 6.081 Lobster, Baby.); (iv) TERSK (…Restaurant in St Kilda) (see completed 5.339 Roasted Squid); (v) TEKREM (…Korean Restaurant in Ermita/Malate) (see most recently 6.098 Ganjang Gejang); (vi) TEIBR (…Item at Bistro Remedios) (see most recently 6.070 Chicken and Pork Adobo).

The chicken was good.  Lightly battered, crispy, nicely seasoned, tasty.  Marginally the best Korean-style fried chicken that I’ve had in Manila thus far.

* * * *

This is the 5th post to cover two restaurants from different dates.  I will do this whenever possible to accelerate the completion of TEKREM.

Late-nite snack, several hours after dinner (see generally 6.095 Done).

The chicken was pretty good.  The skin was a bit too hard/crusty for my taste.  But otherwise okay.

In case I’ve never mentioned it before, chimaek is an well-established thing in Korean culture.