Pleasures of the Table: By Chef Gene R. Gonzalez
I discovered this place months ago when taking the Mandaluyong Maysilo circle going to Makati. I noticed this restaurant that read "Korean-Filipino Restaurant" but curiously saw a lot of Korean script. Chonjoo is run by the Kim family with Mrs. Kim taking over the kitchen. Her mother-in law who comes every now and then prepares batches of Kimchee and fermented pastes to ensure the authencity of the home-style cooking they have. The "Filipino" in "Korean-Filipino" on the restaurant sign seems to be a wishful desire of the family to blend in their new home. One finds their kids walking around, although the place is well equipped to enjoy by the tableside some bulgogi or hotpot. Mrs. Kim runs what is typical of a Korean working man’s place where one eats and drinks among a company of friends.
If one orders Bulgogi for a minimum of two, you get the delight of tableside cooking with a cold beer, maybe some fiery soju (distilled spirit) or some sweet Machu or plum wine. Mrs. Kim starts the table off with a variety of little dishes called Banchan with the de riguer Kimchee.
I’ve had some pretty simple yet authentically well done dishes such as Bibimbap when I’m alone here. This is an arranged variety of vegetables and cooked marinated meat topped with an egg over rice with a fragrantly savory sauce of bean paste and chili (gochujang).
On a separate occasion, Super PR Amor Maclang and Pam Lim of Safi-Heinz had treated me for dinner. We started off with pan-grilled pieces of pork belly called Sam Gyup Sal wrapping it in fragrant ketnip leaves with rice and dipped in a sesame oil dip.
We followed this with a Seafood Hot Pot with a fiery spicy soup base. So that we did not overcook the seafood, it was consumed immediately after which we had the traditional Bulgogi.
Other chilly or rainy days, I would recommend Odeng a soup of mixed fish and seafood cakes. Then there is Chapchae or crystal noodles done to a chewy goodness. If one wants an episode of bravado then ask for pungent soup with natto. Chase it down with Soju but don’t blame me if you try to solve the mystery of how you got home that night……
