So full at Seoulful Kogi Bulgogi

Go on a food quest and you might just find yourself right in the heart of Manila’s buzzing Cubao district, where great eats are everywhere you turn. And yes, I mean it.

In Gateway Araneta Center, Cubao, there’s a spot that brings the Korean food craving to life, Kogi Bulgogi, a Korean restaurant and bibimbap house that feels like a complete all-in-one experience for anyone chasing bold, comforting flavors.

Korean food has definitely taken center stage lately. The growing love for Korean cuisine isn’t surprising at all. With its rich flavors, variety, and reputation for being both hearty and satisfying, it continues to win over more and more food lovers.

Recently, I attended an outstanding feast at Kogi Bulgogi in Cubao, where a selection of Korean specialties was served, featuring dishes like ssam, bibimbap, and a variety of comforting, flavorful soups.

One of the highlights for me was the ssam. In Korean cuisine, ssam is a dish where leafy vegetables are used to wrap fillings such as pork, chicken, or other meats. It reminded me of something familiar since lettuce wraps are also commonly found in Chinese cuisine and honestly, they’ve always been a personal favorite.

In this version, the chicken lettuce wraps were paired with a savory oyster-flavored sauce, adding a rich depth to every bite.

Traditionally, ssam is enjoyed with condiments like ssamjang or gochujang, and it can also be topped with fresh or cooked garlic, onions, green chili peppers, and even banchan such as kimchi for extra flavor and texture.

Before anything else, I have to commend the ambiance and interiors. The space embraces a raw, minimalist industrial design that feels very on trend, yet it still manages to carry a distinct “Seoul-ful” character that ties everything back to its Korean dining identity.

Complimentary barley tea is served to guests upon arrival. While I initially hesitated, since barley tea is more commonly associated with Japanese dining culture, I still found myself enjoying a cup or two. It has a naturally calming quality, and I was curious about its reported benefits, especially its reputation for aiding digestion and offering a light, soothing effect after a meal.

The red surfaces and select furnishings inside the restaurant are truly eye-catching. Red is often used intentionally in dining spaces because it is believed to stimulate appetite, which is why many restaurant owners incorporate it into their interior design

The feast began with a variety of flavorful appetizers, including sweetened bananas, which quickly became my personal favorite (I even ended up ordering two more saucers, lol), alongside nuts, bitter melon soaked in vinegar, sweetened baby potatoes, cucumber, kimchi, and anchovies, all of which are commonly served in Korean dining traditions.

KPOP Chicken is a combination of Sweet Soy Wings and Spicy Soy Wings, served with a side of fresh cabbage salad. For me, it stands out as a better version of a similar wings dish from a well-known Korean fast food restaurant, mainly because the flavor goes deeper than just the surface, it’s well-seasoned and tasty even on the inside.

Forgive me, but I seem to have forgotten the name of this dish. It features tofu and pork with just a hint of spiciness, making it both comforting and flavorful.

 

This, my friend, is the star of the feast: Dak Gui, a grilled chicken ssam or wrap served with a flavorful chili sauce. On the side, fresh romaine lettuce is beautifully arranged, along with classic add-ons like kimchi, chili peppers, and pickled papaya, allowing you to build each bite just the way you like it.

See how perfectly grilled they were?
These will leave you with a satisfied tasted buds and a happy tummy.

 

Bibimbap is known as the signature Korean dish. Although I'm not really a fan of this, still it has a seoul-ful touch to it that will make you crave for more.

 

This Kimchi rice is a stir fried rice with pickled cabbage, white radish and cucumber. Flavored with chicken, garlic, green onion and chili pepper. Fireworks in my mouth!

The yummy kimchi fried rice

Bo Ssam is another dish in line with the Kogi Ssam wraps. This is pork belly boiled in spices and thinly sliced. The crust was a bit hard for my liking but still juicy on some part nevertheless.

 

The barley tea famous for it's healthy benefits to the body.

The Suygogi Gui, a grilled beef dish, was unfortunately a bit underwhelming for me. I’m not particularly a fan of beef-based dishes, and this one leaned quite strongly in flavor with a noticeably chewy texture, which didn’t quite suit my preference.

 So, according to them, this is how you eat the Ssam wrap.

The Tuk Bulgogi is a well marinated premium imported beef with golden mushrooms, tofu, vegetables, and glass noodles on light sauce. Cooked and simmered right on your table.

I once bought a box of Korean ice cream that I ended up regretting because the taste was just too intense for me, an overwhelming sugar overload that didn’t quite suit my palate.

But this ice cream fish dessert was a completely different experience.

 

This is vanilla ice cream sandwich at it's finest! I have a weakness in anything vanilla. I should have bought this the last time!

This is yet another heavenly dessert! I gloriously devoured this chocolate ice cream cake without hesitations and fear of calories.

The taste buds did a lot of somersaults upon enjoying on this food for the gods. Seriously you have to order this.

Mango and watermelon shakes are also available :)

I’ve been meaning to try soju for months now, especially since I’ve seen it featured so often in Korean movies I follow. It’s often described as “vodka-like”: strong and high in potency.

While I’ve never actually tried vodka before, I already had a general idea of what to expect.

During the meal, we were given a chance to try soju with lemon. Unfortunately, the combination didn’t quite work for me. The flavors didn’t complement each other the way I expected. I personally feel it might pair better with a sweeter juice to balance out the strong taste.

Honestly, if you’re in the area, Kogi Bulgogi Korean Cuisine is definitely worth a visit.

I already know I’ll be coming back soon with my family, and who knows, I might see you there too. BURP!

Kogi Bulgogi is also inviting everyone to join their 2nd year of #KogiBulgogiMoments on Instagram. Share your moments, join the fun, and get a chance to win some gift certificates.

Good luck!