Looking back at one of our family’s food adventures, I recall a delightful lunch at a Korean BBQ restaurant.
Craving something different for lunch on December 1, 2022, my family and I discovered Ko Ryo Jeong Korean BBQ Resto. Situated on the fourth floor of the Jose N. de Leon III Center in the bustling Session Road, Baguio City, this restaurant offered an unlimited samgyupsal experience for Php499 per person. Intrigued by such a generous offer, we gave it a try.
Fast forward to today, and I’ve noticed that Ko Ryo Jeong has adjusted their prices, making their delectable samgyupsal more accessible. The new rates range from a budget-friendly Php280 to Php450 per head. This makes it even more tempting to revisit this Korean barbecue haven and enjoy another satisfying meal with loved ones.
Ambience and Decor
Ko Ryo Jeong Korean BBQ Resto is a spacious restaurant with enough room to accommodate large groups. The restaurant features around 20 tables, making it an ideal spot for family gatherings, group lunches, or simply enjoying a hearty meal with friends. The layout is practical, with tables well-spaced to allow diners to comfortably enjoy their meals without feeling cramped.
The decor at Ko Ryo Jeong is simple yet effective in creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. While it may not have the elaborate decorations of some other Korean restaurants, it does provide a warm and casual setting that is perfect for a laid-back lunch. The focus here is clearly on the food and the experience, which we appreciated.
However, one aspect of the ambiance that stood out to us was the ventilation. Being located on the 4th floor, the restaurant struggled with proper airflow, which became noticeable as the meal went on. The smoky aroma from the grills filled the air, which, while delicious at first, became a bit overwhelming as the meal progressed. It would have been more comfortable if the restaurant had better ventilation or exhaust systems in place. Despite this, the overall ambiance was still pleasant, especially given the attentive service and the quality of the food.
Menu Highlights
A major draw at Ko Ryo Jeong is their unlimited samgyupsal, a popular Korean BBQ option that offers diners endless servings of pork and beef. The menu features a range of plain, flavored, and spicy options, providing a diverse dining experience. While the 499 PHP per person price was from 2022, it remains an excellent value considering the quality and variety of meats. We enjoyed both pork and beef, each marinated to perfection and offering a delightful mix of flavors.
The choice between plain or flavored meats allowed us to explore different taste profiles, with the flavored pork particularly standing out for its rich, savory taste, which complemented the other side dishes perfectly.
Korean BBQ is all about the interactive experience, and Ko Ryo Jeong delivers just that. Diners choose their meats from a variety of options and grill them themselves using the available tabletop grills. This hands-on approach allows guests to control the level of doneness and customize the flavors of each bite, which is one of the aspects we most enjoy about Korean BBQ.
In addition to the unlimited samgyupsal, we ordered a 1.5L Coke for 200 PHP to accompany the delicious meal, as drinks are not included in the promo. The cold, refreshing soda was an ideal match for the rich, savory BBQ flavors. For dessert, my son enjoyed a Melona ice cream, a popular Korean treat that provided a perfect sweet finish to our meal. The creamy, fruity flavor of the Melona was a delightful contrast to the savory dishes we had just savored.
Dining Experience and Service
One of the highlights of our dining experience at Ko Ryo Jeong was the attentive service. When we visited, there were only a few customers in the restaurant, which allowed the staff to focus on providing excellent service. They promptly assisted us when the grill ran out of gas, quickly setting up a new one so we could continue enjoying our meal and ensured that we had everything we needed to enjoy our meal. Their attentiveness added to the overall positive experience, making us feel well taken care of throughout our lunch.
The side dishes at Ko Ryo Jeong are worth special mention. Korean BBQ is often accompanied by a variety of banchan (side dishes), and Ko Ryo Jeong did not disappoint in this regard. We enjoyed a diverse selection, including kimchi, tteokbokki, Korean pancakes, gimmari, gun mandu, California maki, and more. Each side dish offered its own unique flavor and texture, creating a perfect complement to the rich and savory meats. The kimchi was tangy and spicy, the tteokbokki was flavorful and satisfying, and the Korean pancakes were deliciously crisp. These banchan not only enhanced the meal but also provided a delightful array of traditional Korean flavors.
What really stood out for me was the buchi. This dessert is a type of fried sesame ball with a sweet filling, and it was absolutely irresistible. The buchi at Ko Ryo Jeong was perfectly fried—crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with a deliciously sweet filling that made it hard to stop at just one. I found myself going back for more, even after I thought I was too full to eat another bite. It was definitely a highlight of the meal and something I would highly recommend to anyone dining at Ko Ryo Jeong.
My husband, on the other hand, couldn’t get enough of their Korean fried chicken and kimbap. The Korean fried chicken was crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor. It’s no surprise that this dish is a favorite in Korean cuisine, and Ko Ryo Jeong’s version lived up to the hype. The kimbap, while not the main focus of the restaurant, was also fresh and tasty, offering a pleasant contrast to the heavier BBQ dishes.
Value for Money
Ko Ryo Jeong is now offering even greater value for money. The updated prices are 280 PHP for unlimited servings of pork and 450 PHP for both beef and pork. This makes it a fantastic deal, especially considering the quality and variety of the meats available. The ability to enjoy as much as you want for a fixed price is perfect for those who love to indulge in a hearty meal without overspending. The 1.5L Coke for 200 PHP is reasonably priced, and the Melona ice cream, though an extra treat, was well worth it.
We also appreciated that despite the affordable price, the quality of the food was not compromised. The meats were fresh and flavorful, the side dishes were abundant and diverse, and the service was both attentive and friendly. Ko Ryo Jeong provides a satisfying dining experience that offers great value, making it an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy a delicious Korean BBQ meal without stretching their budget.
Final Thoughts
Our lunch at Ko Ryo Jeong Korean BBQ Resto was a memorable experience that we thoroughly enjoyed. The restaurant offers a fantastic combination of delicious food, attentive service, and good value for money. While there were a few minor downsides, such as the ventilation issue, these were outweighed by the overall positive aspects of our dining experience.
Ko Ryo Jeong is an excellent choice for anyone looking to enjoy authentic Korean BBQ in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Whether you’re a fan of Korean cuisine or new to it, there’s something for everyone on the menu. From the unlimited samgyupsal to the tasty side dishes, and the irresistible buchi, Ko Ryo Jeong delivers a satisfying and enjoyable meal that’s sure to leave you with a full tummy and a smile on your face.
If you’re in the area and craving some Korean BBQ, we highly recommend giving Ko Ryo Jeong a try. Just be prepared to leave with a full belly and some lingering cravings for that delicious buchi!
Check our blog post on Seollem Cafe and Wood Nymph Restaurant!
Have you tried Korean BBQ before? What’s your favorite part about it?
(We write our content in the hope of making you, our readers, feel a little more inspired in a time when you’re probably feeling low. We hope you feel a little lighter after visiting our site. Then, we know we’ve served our purpose.⭐)
