Restaurant Review: Kaya Korean Restaurant

We wanted to make the most out of my last days in Manila before my US assignment so we tried really hard to spend a lot of time doing what we enjoy the most – eating. We planned to have dinner one Thursday night but Boyet was stuck in heavy traffic. I would have wanted to go to Greenbelt but it was already late. I walked to Paseo Center instead and went to Kaya Korean Restaurant. I remember eating at Kaya with Boyet when we were just starting out. It wasn’t a very pleasant dining experience because we didn’t enjoy the food. But I told myself that it might just be a one-time deal since the place is always jam-packed with customers who seemed to have enjoyed the food. I also thought that it would be nice to trace the steps we took years ago. :)

Boyet was on his way when I decided to place our orders. I literally looked like a girl who was stood up by a date. Hehe!

He sent me a message telling me to get him some soup (as usual). He specifically instructed me not to get anything spicy for him. So I asked the waiting staff what he would recommend and he pointed out the Mandoo Gook. This clear soup has lots of leeks and a generous portion of big dumplings.


Since spicy food was out of the equation, I decided to get Boyet some bulgogi. This thinly-sliced marinated beef gives out the flavors from the mixture of soy sauce, sugar and garlic. I also sensed a distinct aroma which was probably from the sesame oil. This is served best with Kaya’s sticky steamed Korean rice.


We both enjoyed everything except the dumpling soup. So I can now say that Kaya was able to redeem itself from our previous experience.

Kaya Korean Restaurant
Level 2 Paseo Center
8757 Paseo de Roxas cor. Salcedo Village
Makati City