Wednesday, February 28
82°F 60% Humidity
My cousins love to eat at Baekjeong whenever they visit California. I wasn't surprised when they took us here when we were in Manila.
Kang Ho Dong is a Korean ex-wrestler turned comedian. Due to a tax evasion scandal in 2011, he took a temporary hiatus from entertainment and focused on other ventures. His first U.S. restaurant Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong opened in L.A.'s KTown back in 2012. It's a very successful chain now, and today you can find locations all over like Sydney, Shanghai, and San Jose. I don't know if he's still affiliated with 678 Korean BBQ, but his name (강호동) and likeness is still used on signs and menus.
This is not an AYCE kind of establishment, everything is a la carte. Prices are high, but still less expensive compared to the States. One strip of marinated short rib was ₱1350 or $23.86 USD; two strips of galbi are about $56.00 USD at their SoCal locations. The meat quality was fine, though some pieces were on the fattier side. Staff members will grill everything at the table. I did not like the rice, which was old and hard to chew.
You will find 678 Korean BBQ at SM by the BAY, which is a dining area and amusement park by the water. It's a part of Mall of Asia, which is the largest mall in the Philippines and the sixth largest in the world.
Philippines 2024 collection: https://www.yelp.com/collection/DHwKzvo7o_ll8jmXFFU3KA/PHIL-2024 read more