Re-experiencing authentic Korean dining at Ye Dang, Ugong

Way back in the mid 2000s, before the Korean BBQ craze gained the prominence it enjoys today, there have already been several restaurants that offer authentic Korean dishes in the Ortigas area.

One of these restaurants is Ye Dang. Located along Meralco Avenue, it has been the destination of Korean food lovers as well as local Korean residents for the past fourteen years.

Recently, Ye Dang has come under new management which led to the restaurant’s revamped interiors and a revitalized menu.

In contrast to the the plethora of Korean eateries offering all-you-can-eat meats that patrons themselves cook on table-top grills, Ye Dang opted to offer premium meats that are ordered ala carte which the servers expertly grill for the diners.

Together with my fellow foodies, I visited this Korean resto to #ExperienceYeDang once again.

Appetizers.

No visit to a Korean eatery is complete without banchan, and Ye Dang has them a-plenty. Unlimited, in fact.

Yes, you can have your side dishes refilled as many times as you want. So if you have a predilection for kimchi, steamed, fried or stir-fried vegetables, or peanuts and marble potatoes flavored with soy sauce, go ahead and eat your fill.

Main Dishes.

Over the years, Ye Dang has perfected its dishes, serving up freshly cooked viands that have that authentic Korean flavor.

Soondubu Chigae (Php330). Spicy soft tofu-based soup served in a hotpot.

Dolsot Bibimbap (Php330). Freshly cooked rice topped with namul (various sauteed and seasoned vegetables), gochujang (chili pepper paste), deonjang (fermented soybean paste), sliced beef and egg and served in a hotpot. When all mixed together and allowed to form some toasted portions at the bottom of the pot, it goes so well with many Korean dishes.

Pajeon (Php380). This savory Korean-style pancake is made with a batter of eggs, wheat flour, rice flour, scallions. Ground beef or seafood is added for variety.

Jap Chae (Php380). Korean stir-fried noodle dish made with dangmyeon (glass noodles made from sweet potato starch), assorted sauteed vegetables, meat and mushroom and season with soy sauce and seseme oil.

Tteokbokki (Php380). A spicy dish made with small garae-tteok (cylindrical rice cakes), eomuk (fish cakes), boiled eggs and scallions and seasoned with spicy gochujang.

Godungeo (Php500). A new addition to the menu, this dish is made with a whole mackerel, sliced in half, salted and grilled for a smoky flavor.

Grilled Meats.

The stars of the show in Ye Dang are its premium meats which are served and grilled at your table by the staff.

Usamgyeopsal (Php430). 180g of thin-cut beef belly.

Donsamgyupsal (Php380). 180g of thin-cut pork belly.

Dak Galbi (Php330). 200g of chicken barbecue.

Going back to Ye Dang and re-experiencing these familiar flavors in a revamped setting sure is heartening for a Korean food lover like me.

I’m very glad to see one of my old favorite haunts revitalized and ready to serve the ever-growing number of Korean food fans.

Thanks to Dong Woo Shin and the staff of Ye Dang for the wonderful meal and the warm welcome!

Ye Dang is located in the Gold Park Complex, 88 Meralco Avenue, Barang Ugong, Pasig City, open daily from 11am to 2.15pm and 5.30pm to 10.15pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 86319086.

Disclosure: Together with other foodies, I attended a foodie meet-up held in this restaurant. The food items mentioned here were served to allow us to sample the fare to facilitate honest reviews and were not paid for by the attendees, including myself.

Check out my posts about other Korean restaurants: