I saw this establishment's name in the best food spots of Dumagueteneo (FB Page) for 2018. Being a Korean food lover, I know I just had to visit it one of these days... And the day finally came.
I arrived around 11:30 am. I was quite confident that I'd easily get a seat but it wasn't the case. The place was packed with people... most of them were students - perhaps K-Pop fans. And there were some yuppies and some couples. Plus. There were around five more people waiting for their names to be called. In my estimate, the place could seat around 30 - 40 people. For me it was a good sign; a sign that this place was legit and food probably is good.
While waiting, the waitress asked for my order and gave me a number. At first glance of their menu, the food prices are really very reasonable. Maybe this is also one reason why Hankki Bibigo is so popular because its price point works well for those on a budget. Anyway, I ordered Sundubu Jiggae (149php) since I like tofu and vegetables... and it was a healthier option (at least for me). I wanted to order more but I knew it would be too much for me to consume... I'll definitely be back to sample their other dishes.
Honestly, it took a bit of time for my order to arrive but I totally understand since they had to work all the magic in a small area and there were really a lot of diners. I knew I just had to be patient - for the glory of good food. After 25 minutes, the wait was finally over. And true enough, the
food was glorious!
The food came piping hot that soup was still boiling! It was served together with a cup of rice and some panchan (side dishes. At first sip of the broth, the wait was all worth it. It was hot, spicy, and bursting with flavor. There was egg, mushrooms, some ground pork, and other green veggies that I couldn't really identify - all perfectly combined to give a very satisfying dish. I mixed the rice with the dish thus giving it a more flavorful experience. I was really happy I dined here.
For future diners though, expect to break some sweat if ever you decide to dine here. The place isn't air-conditioned but their food is really superb. Visit the place for the food, not the ambiance. I'm sure you'll easily love this place. It's a place that serves authentic Korean dishes that wouldn't hurt your wallet. đ FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/theHankki/