Hwangso-Ga
(Source: http://hwang-soga.com/index.html)
I like K-pop! Just watching them sing and dance, even if I don’t understand a thing (thank you, subtitles!), really fascinates me. Liking these Korean idols and their talented moves, I can’t help being curious as to what they are eating in their home country. That is why I decided to try out Hwangso-Ga!
(Source: http://hwang-soga.com/index.html)
Located at 1547 M. Adriatico St., Cor. Pedro Gil St., Ermita, Manila, Hwangso-Ga is open at 11:00AM to 3:00PM and 5:00PM to 10:00PM from Mondays to Sundays, except on holidays. They offer an eat-all-you-can buffet of authentic Korean dishes made from the freshest ingredients that will satisfy your plate.
(Source: http://hwang-soga.com/index.html)
We were really excited to go there because of the good reviews we have read from the internet. Reading what they experienced from the restaurant, we were determined to try Hwangso-Ga’s authentic Korean food. So, on the day of January 15, 2015, my cousin and I decided to go there after our classes ended. If you didn’t know what the restaurant looked like, it was best if you searched it first online, since the sign was in Korean. I didn’t know how to read the Korean language and I have not gone there before, so Andrea was the one guiding me in going there.
(Source: http://hwang-soga.com/index.html)
In entering the restaurant, we have servers greeting us in Korean (‘annyeonghaseyo’) from left to right. We didn’t expect that so we were just standing there, looking very awkward. After that, someone directed us to our table and asked us if we were going to avail the eat-all-you-can. We said yes and so we started our Korean food adventure.
(Source: http://hwang-soga.com/index.html)
First, we grilled some buffet beef samiyupsal, which were really chewy and juicy. They tasted great. To complement the beef, we got some lettuce for us to wrap around them and some sesame oil with salt and pepper, for added flavors. Also, we picked up some breaded chicken, potato balls, fruit salad, boiled baby potatoes, fried chicken and soup. What I really liked among them was the boiled baby potatoes. They were very addicting. Aside from that, I didn’t get a lot of Korean food because I didn’t like how they looked. Except from Kimchi which I have tasted before, I didn’t get some of those because my taste buds were not fond of them. To end our lunch, we got some fruits to munch on while waiting for our bill.
(Source: http://hwang-soga.com/index.html)
Lookie here, it’s Psy! Oppa Gangnam Style! Op! Op! Op! Op!
As for the service, I noticed how the servers were very attentive to their customers. For instance, they always asked us if we would like to have another plate of beef. Also, without us saying anything, one of the servers changed our grilling pan after we have finished grilling our first batch of beef. Another thing I liked was the slanted grilling pan. At first, I didn’t know the purpose of it being slanted but then we got to grilling. I saw the oil pouring down from the pan to a container, which was really helpful to one’s health. Who would want to intake all those oil? Ugh!
(c) Andrea Co
One thing was missing when we dined there. There was no Korean music! I was kinda saddened by that fact. Nonetheless, the food was great. The servers were polite, happy and very attentive. Even as we leave the place, they have greeted us, along with their owner, their goodbyes and thank yous. They have given us a lot of importance. I felt really welcomed and appreciated.
For that, I will give them a rating of 4/5.