Old and New at A-Won

Its nice to try something new, but there are times when you just want to go back to where you had the perfect time and the most amazing meal.

That is what A-Won is to us. The best Korean restaurant we've tried so far.

Service is impeccable as usual. Though there are dishes on the menu that the waitresses had to ask the owner/manager about, but with its extensive offerings and almost-the-same names, its almost understandable they don't know everything that we ask them.

We started off with the wide array of appetizers then ordered some new and old dishes we've tried in the past.

Banchan (Korean side dishes)

The sushi and sashimi were not the freshest especially the Tuna in the Temaki but we like raw fish so much that we couldn't care less.

Salmon Sashimi

Tuna Temaki

Same goes for the Yukhoe. My previous visits left me speechless but this time was quite disappointing.

Yukhoe (Korean Raw Beef)

Well, you can't go wrong with Bibimbap right?

Bibimbap

We went back a few days after but was too hungry to take pictures of the food and was only able to take a photo of the aftermath.

What was left of the two orders of Marinated Short Ribs perfectly grilled for two hungry carnivores.

~o~o~o~

A-Won
Hobbies of Asia, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd.
Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel.: (632) 556-1297/833-0421

Back Again at A-Won

Within a week's time, I found myself seated amidst the smoke of grilled meat and chili Kimchi surrounded with Korean expats and tourists. It's only been a couple of days since we "discovered" this barely new place along Macapagal Blvd. and we were already talking about coming back again. And so we did!

Read my previous visit at A-Won here.

Appetizers kept us busy while waiting for the main orders.

We enjoyed the Marinated Short Ribs last time so ordering it again was really a no-brainer.

Fermented bean paste is a must for me.

DB wanted to try A-Won's version of the very popular Korean meal -- Bulgogi.

Authentic Bulgogi at very affordable price. We thought this was a steal!

We also ordered the very Spicy Chicken.

I thought I can handle the spiciness but not even drinking a pitcher of water can subside the hotness and numbness on my mouth. DB was teasing me my face was as red as Kimchi.

After paying the bill, we went straight to the neighborhood Korean grocery store to buy some ice cream for dessert and hoped that it can diminish the spice even for a bit. I had the Korean version of drumstick, which was huge but was able to finish it anyway, while DB had Melona ice cream bar in Strawberry flavor.

What a hot night!

~o~o~o~

A-Won
Hobbies of Asia, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd.
Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Tel.: (632) 556-1297/833-0421

Perfect Valentine's Day ♥

My idea of a perfect Valentine's date is a perfectly set-up candlelit dinner with live background music (a saxophonist perhaps) with just me and my beloved devouring over delectably prepared food.

By the beach will do

But my perspective changed when I met him. Valentine's day can be any day of the year. Charcoal grills can substitute candles to light up the table and live background music can be in Korean. What did not change is the delicious food prepared for just us.

So instead of going to a mushy restaurant, he brought me to a newly-opened Korean restaurant along Macapagal Blvd. for a night of grilling and smelling like barbeque. He really knows me best!

Plates and plates of spicy and ultra spicy Banchan (Korean side dishes) were offered right away.

Cabbage with Thousand Islands dressing (Mayonnaise + Ketchup)

Spicy radish

Lady finger

Spicy cucumber

At last! A non-spicy side dish.

Kimchi

Spicy greens

Spicy cabbage and onion

A glass of water ready to recede the zest.

Our orders

Premium Boneless Short Ribs

Marinated Short Ribs

Lettuce + Garlic + Short Ribs + Fermented Bean Paste = My idea of a perfect meal

Sauces

They use coconut charcoal which is eco-friendly, more economical and produces very little smoke.

Let the grilling begin!

Step 1. Open fire and burn charcoal for a few minutes.

Step 2. Place the beef alongside onion and other things you want to grill.

Step 3. Turn the beef upside down to cook both sides.

Tadaaa! The finished product -- tender, juicy and almost melt-in-your-mouth beef.

Same procedure goes for the marinated beef.

Ever since I first tried this Korean Raw Beef or Yukhoe in Ye Dang last year, I became addicted! Even if the owner/manager told us that our orders were enough, there's no way I will let this pass.

See that color? So fresh! Yum!

Instead of using jicama, more popularly known to us as singkamas as most restaurants do, A-Won uses pear as an alternative giving it a sweet taste. What a brilliant idea!

This is the best Yukhoe ever, hands down!

After writing this post, I think grilling short ribs by the beach with a bowl of Yukhoe and complete with Banchan sounds like a great idea, don't you think?

~o~o~o~

A-Won
Hobbies of Asia, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd.

Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Tel.: (632) 556-1297/833-0421