Samgyeopsal: In the Mouths of the Filipinos

Annyeonghaseyo!

“Annyeonghaseyo” is the Korean way of saying “hello”. Hallyu or korean wave has been a huge
success and influencing the trends and fads; from fashion, cosmetics, music and is now conquering the
world of cuisine. One of the famous cuisines Korea has been boasting is their food “Samgyeopsal” or
grilled pork belly. The name of Samgyeopsal originated from three Korean words “sam” means three,
“gyeop” means layer, and “sal’ means meat; hence, it is a food that uses a three-layered fatty pork belly
as central ingredient. In Korean culture, samgyeopsal originated from the habits of Korean miners who
ate samgyeopsal after their work since it was believed that it could detoxify their bodies. It is also said
that in the early 20th century, samgyeopsal originated in Kaesong, former capital of Goryeo Dynasty.
Koreans loved the savory taste of meat as it melts on their mouths, especially during evening along with
varieties of side dishes such as: japchae, baby potatoes, ssamjang; a Korean spicy dip sauce, and the
ever-famous kimchi and a bottle of soju to balance the fatty and savory juices of pork belly meat.

Here in the Philippines, samgyeopsal had become pretty famous especially in the capital city,
Metro Manila. Many Filipinos truly loves meat, who else would not salivate from the fresh and gorgeous
taste of meat as it ravage your taste buds and walls of mouths with its glistening fatty juices, unless you
are a vegetarian. Many Korean restaurant chains surges in Manila, not just in Manila but also in
provinces like Bulacan, Pampanga, Baguio and so on. Before, it is a hassle to find Korean restaurants in
the city, now it won’t be. Even before it became popular, there were bustling Korean restaurants serving
samgyeopsal in many areas particularly in Aguirre Avenue and Angeles City, Pampanga.

Some of the most famous Korean restaurants that caters samgyeopsal around Metro Manila are
Namoo House in BGC; a franchise of Maple Tree House restaurant from Seoul, Korea, which offers
unlimited premium cooked meat on charcoal grill and cost around Php 650 per person, Seoul Train; a
locomotive-train styled Korean restaurant that offers samgyeopsal and other Korean traditional cuisines
which cost a price of Php 350 per order of 150g thick pork belly, The Premier in Malate, an underrated
Korean restaurant which you may enjoy an unlimited samgyeopsal at an affordable price of Php 580 per
head, and many more.

And big news to every samgyeopsal lovers, one of the giant eyes of Korean Samgyeopsal
restaurant, the Palsaik Samgyeopsal will launch its first franchise here in the Philippines next year, 2019.
Palsaik Samgyeopsal is a Korean restaurant built in Mapo-geu, Seoul, South Korea which has 70 branch
stores in seven countries. The name Palsaik comes from the Korean word “Palsaik” meaning 8 colors, in
which the restaurant is famous for its 8 different kinds of samgyeopsal for its combined herbs and spices
from diverse cultures. The 8 kinds of samgyeopsal are: Wine, Original, Ginseng, Garlic, Herb, Curry, Miso
Paste, and Red Pepper Paste.
 In Korea, the typical price of an order of samgyeopsal (pork) would cost much around KRW
10,000 or Php 500 and beef meat at KRW 13,000 or Php 650, which is also around the average price
here in the Philippines – some restaurants both offer unlimited pork and beef at this price. However,
other restaurants the price ranges from Php 150 to Php 2,000 depending upon the type of meat, side
dishes and popularity of the restaurant. Yes, it might be pricy but it is worth to try with just Php 500, you
can fill your belly with unlimited savory pork belly and beef meat plus unlimited rice and varieties of side
dishes that surely compliments, enhance and create new flavors as you feast on them.

There are various styles in eating samgyeopsal. Like, once the meat is cooked one may want to
just dipped it in the sauce (ssamjang) and taste the grilled meat being wrapped with spicy flavors and
savory meat juices as it dances across your tongue, stimulating your taste buds like fireworks, giving you
a taste of a summer festival. Others like to wrap it in lettuce leaves and taste the freshness of the leaves
and the meat as if you are feeling the fresh air in the countryside, while you may enjoy the wrap with
various combinations of side dishes giving a surprise twist of flavors tingling inside of your mouth. And
either it raw or with rice, just calmly savoring the pure taste of meat with pristine white rice, as the
grains being glace with juicy fat juices of meat, raving your walls and tongue. There is neither right nor
wrong way of eating samgyeopsal as long as you have a relaxing and enjoying samgyeopsal in your
mouth.

Radiation: In the Eyes of Millenials and Teenagers