Many of people I know say that I look more Korean than Chinese, because of my eyes and complexion perhaps. Add my large-framed glasses and I’d look Korean even more. So when Bulgogi Brother’s staff welcomed me in their door and greeted me another “anyong-haseyo” (meaning hello or how do you do?) then asked if I already have company inside, I should have replied back in straight Korean!
네. 잘 지냈어요. 내 친구를 찾고 있어요. 실례합니다.
Ne. Chal ji-nae-sso-yo. Nae chinguleul chajgo iss-eoyo. Shilyeh hamnida.
I’m fine, thanks. I’m looking for my friend. Excuse me.
Nyahaha. Yup, I could have totally nailed it. Kidding lah! 😛 Moving on, let’s go down to business…
My friends and I doved into Bulgogi Brothers at Greenbelt 5 because we have not been there before and we have not heard of other amazing restaurant reviews in the area apart from the usual. (So if you’re reading this, you can help us by posting a comment of your suggestion below. I’d appreciate to learn about unique and fairly new places to dine in at GB, Makati.) Also, we are fans of restaurants by the Bistro Group as all of them serve really great food.
Operated by Creative Restaurant Concept (CRCI) and opened on September 10, 2011, this branch of Bulgogi Brothers is the first ever Bulgogi Brothers franchise outside Korea!
Review of Bulgogi Brothers Korean BBQ Restaurant (Greenbelt 5, Makati)
Ambiance: ★★★★☆
The interior was sleek, classy and modern. It was extremely clean, with everything you could think of provided. What I liked most here was the coziness of the room; what I didn’t like was the dim lighting. Whenever I’m eating out, I prefer lights shining bright like diamonds (♫) to vividly see the food and maximize satisfaction through vision.
Like Kogi Bulgogi, Bulgogi Brothers has an induction cooker to cook raw meat installed on the dining tables. So if you are worrying that you might smell like food afterwards, don’t. This restaurant has a good ventilation system that won’t let the smell of food stick onto your shirt or hair.
Service: ★★★★★
Members of the staff were responsive and very accommodating. The waitress assigned to our table handed the menu and served banchan (appetizers) composed of corn, boil sweet potatoes and quail eggs, kimchi (spiced preserved cabbage) and some sliced vegetables before the main meal like in true Korean-style eating arrangement.
Later, another waiter made a show at our table when he cooked the Bulgogi Brothers Special for us, and he was quite helpful to seek our other requests. ^_^
Food: ★★★☆☆
We started with the Dubu Steak (PHp 295), an ala carte which featured six pieces of triangular fried tofu steak with Teriyaki sauce, bean sprouts and minced beef. I was not happy with the taste and texture of the tofu. It was not anything special and I rate it inferior to the one we normally purchase from the tofu factory in Divisoria. Korean tofu should not taste this way; Bulgogi Brothers can do better than that, considering that tofu as a canvas where culinary art is made can be mixed with a lot more exotic Korean ingredients and absorb different flavors like a sponge.
Next in queue for our palates was the Haemul Bibimbap (PHp 430)—rice topped with assorted vegetables. seafood (shrimp and squid) and an egg. This one lacked flavor and I’m not sure if it’s because we only asked the waitress to pour only half of the hot sauce in and mix it all up for the rice dish. Frankly, this bibimbap wasn’t that enjoyable to eat.
The last food we ordered was delivered smartly as it commanded all our attention. Bulgogi Brothers’ signature dish, Un-yang Style Bulgogi (PHp 595), came with six pieces of heart-shaped marinated marbled beef, sweet potatoes and onions. It was as much adventure as an ordinary plated dish, which prompted us about a solid 10 minutes of excitement without guaranteed conversation. (We were so mesmerized by the presentation and we were so busy eating that we forgot to talk.) It came with a bowl of white rice, by the way.
Who can miss Korean ice creams for desserts? Not us. We had the espresso Cledor bar (PHp 95) with hard chocolate shell cut into three. It tasted like the classic Pinoy Pinipig Crunch, double the crunch and the frozen deliciousness. And for the sake of sharing and documenting, the drink on the left (see picture below) was the Raspberry Tea Mint (PHp 150)—raspberry tea concentrated and garnished with mint leaves—ordered by my friend.
Price for Value: ★★☆☆☆
The food got minor credit from me. Prices are expensive for the little serving. Assume a budget of PHp 500-800 for a single dish if you want to dine in at Bulgogi Brothers. If that doesn’t sound affordable, go to Kogi Bulgogi instead for a much reasonable spending and sink your teeth into a more advanced level of “pretty good.”
Bulgogi Brothers
3/F Greenbelt 5, Legaspi St Legazpi Village, Makati
For inquiries, call (02) 621-6216
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
Nice review. The foods seems sumptuous. Mark this Resto when we have a chance to visit Greenbelt. Malapit lang sa amin.
Oh well you’re lucky to be near GB and visit many restaurants whenever you want to.
I’m near Chinatown haha so I guess I’m lucky as well. Everything is just an arm’s length reach. 😀
Is it more of a fine dining experience? Well, I bet I couldn’t afford it much!
Yes, it is fine dining. Funny thing is that once I thought it’s like Brothers Burger hihi iba pala iyon.
I’d love to try the marinated marbled beef – Un-yang Style Bulgogi, it looks delisssssh! But NOT in a heart-shaped! LOL
Why not heart? It looks cool and cute! You’ll get the ordinary round-shaped ones from elsewhere..meh boring. Haha 😛
I love this review Roch! Very straightforward and honest.. would love to try dining at Bulgogi Brothers to experience it myself..
Thanks! 😀 Yeah, reach out to the nearest branch near you.
I’ve read reviews that speak very positively about bloggers’ experiences in the Bulgogi Brothers SM MOA branch.
I’ve also tried eating at Bulgogi Brothers and I love their barbeque and of course Melona ice cream.
I had to admit that when I tried the Un-yang Style Bulgogi, I was underwhelmed at first. The evening just continued with one pleasant meat after another, but nothing quite lived up to all the hype.
I missed Bulgogi Bibimbap already! lol
Glad that you also blog about this food establishment.
I’m sure you really enjoyed the meal.
Thanks for reading, Sarah G. Yeah I enjoyed the meal naman, especially while chatting with my girl friends. 🙂
I carefully read your review and found it surprising that you were surprised by the blandness each time. Hehe. I’ve never been a fan of Korean food because for me it’s very bland – except for the unreasonably tendency for extreme spiciness that scorches the taste buds. And I hate the kimichi. But so as not to be totally negative, I like kimpap. ^__^
Thanks for reading, Jayce. I like kimpap, too. It’s so versatile. Its packing-friendly shape and easy deliciousness make it ready for picnics in the park, beach excursions, road trips, and any transportation situation. No matter how you work it, it’s a quick, healthy meal with minimal clean-up.
I haven’t been to Bulgogi Brothers yet, but I heard it’s a great place to dine at. 🙂
It’s a good place yeah but food is not great, at least that’s what I think – when compared to other Korean restaurants. ^^
Haha.. I love how honest you are! 😀 We have almost the same impression on Bulgogi Brothers. From the dishes I’ve tried, there are some which I really like. However, the price tag still doesn’t justify it for me, especially since there are a lot of hole-in-the-wall Korean grill restos in the metro.
Exactly! Thanks, Sumi. 😀