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This new Korean joint boasts premium meats, no grill smell & a kimchi recipe from the chef's mom

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Nana Ozaeta

<p>It’s all about Korea these days—<em>Parasite</em> won at the Oscars, BTS’s latest album is all over the global charts, <em>Crash Landing On You</em> is killing it on Netflix. Korea has indeed spread its soft power beyond its borders, and Filipinos have welcomed its K-culture with open arms, including the food.</p><p>Korean restaurants have become ubiquitous across the city, with unlimited <em>samgyeopsal</em> dominating the trend. But until now there was one enclave the Korean culinary wave hadn’t yet touched—the luxury hotel.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/04/1oori.jpg"/><figcaption>The sleek wood-themed interiors of Bibimbap by Oori.</figcaption></figure></div><h3>You may also like:</h3><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/12/05/19/no-selling-ploys-no-fancy-brandingthis-retail-store-advocates-smart-shopping">No selling ploys, no fancy branding—this retail store advocates smart shopping</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/restaurants/video/10/26/19/the-real-deal-about-korean-food-beyond-manilas-unlimited-samgyeopsal-craze">VIDEO: JJ Yulo takes us on a deep Korean food trip that goes beyond unli samgyeopsal</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/restaurants/02/25/20/this-stockbroker-left-manila-life-to-open-the-first-kinilaw-only-resto-in-siargao">This stockbroker left Manila life to open the first kinilaw-only resto in Siargao</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/restaurants/02/22/20/in-this-new-filipino-spanish-restaurant-the-dining-experience-begins-with-the-fantastic-interiors">In this new Filipino-Spanish restaurant, the dining experience begins with the fantastic interiors</a></li></ul><p>Sheraton Manila Hotel in Resorts World Manila recently launched its signature restaurant, Oori alongside its more casual sibling, Bibimbap by Oori. Aside from the hotel’s all-day dining S Kitchen, Oori is the only other restaurant in the hotel, with its own accompanying bar and lounge—no Japanese or Chinese or Western restaurant in sight. That says something really, that Korean food is no longer a niche cuisine, but one mainstream enough to stand on its own.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/04/2oori.jpg"/><figcaption>The plush Oori bar and lounge featuring soju-infused cocktails.</figcaption></figure></div><p>What’s most refreshing about both Oori and Bibimbap by Oori is that they pretty much don’t look like any other Korean restaurant in town. With their minimalist aesthetic and neutral tones, the interiors don’t “scream” Korean, and could actually be mistaken for some other type of restaurant. The chairs and tables are spaced far apart. The grill tables don’t have those unsightly exhaust tubes that dangle from the ceiling (they use a downdraft exhaust instead). Service is discreet and efficient. And there are spacious private rooms for that K-bbq birthday party you’ve always dreamed about.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/04/3oori.jpg"/><figcaption>Three semi-private grill rooms with dividers for smaller groups.</figcaption></figure></div><p>Oori exhibits all the signs of an upscale, “fine casual,” restaurant, modeled after an elegant hotel restaurant where one can go for a quiet meal or an important celebration. Except that here, the food is all about traditional Korean dishes served in modern fashion.</p><p>At the helm of Oori is Executive Korean Chef Kibum Park, who worked in hotels across Asia and the Philippines before joining Sheraton Manila. Having lived in Cebu for the past six years and marrying a Filipina in the process, Chef Park recognizes Filipinos’ love for Korean food “thanks to K-pop and K-drama,” he grins.</p><p>With his ready smile and jolly demeanor, Chef Park introduced the menu to our group, assuring that the food “tastes same like in Korea.” Unlike many Korean restaurants in the city, at Oori, he explains that they make everything in house, including the kimchi, which he admits he learned from his mother. “All mothers can make kimchi,” he laughs.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/04/4oori.jpg"/><figcaption>At Bibimbap by Oori, Dakgangjung or Korean fried chicken with sweet and spicy sauce, with sides of cabbage kimchi and fish cake.</figcaption></figure></div><p>Open all day, Bibimbap by Oori gives diners a more casual and street food feel, albeit in fairly stylish surroundings. Of course, Bibimbap is the star of the menu. While this popular rice dish is traditionally served in a stone bowl with the veggies, protein, egg, and <em>gochujang</em> topping the rice, Chef Park instead serves it in a more modern way, separating the components to give diners the option of how much veggies to mix in, or how spicy they’d like the dish to be.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/04/5oori.jpg"/><figcaption>Mix your own bibimbap with veggies, sous vide egg, and gochujang or Korean chili paste on the side.</figcaption></figure></div><p>The menu offers several Bibimbap variations to choose from, including Hoe (sashimi), Jeyuk (spicy marinated pork), Haemul (spicy marinated seafood), among others, and of course, the traditional Bulgogi made with soy sauce-marinated beef.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/04/6oori.jpg"/><figcaption>Bulgogi Bibimbap</figcaption></figure></div><p>But for a Filipino touch, Chef Park let us try the Sisig Bibimbap, using classic pork <em>sisig</em> as the topping of choice. And the Korean-Filipino combo works, with the vinegar-flavored <em>sisig</em> adding a different kind of punch to the rice and vegetable mix.</p><p>For those looking for something more, the Bibimbap by Oori menu boasts a host of Korean bar and street food standards: the ever popular Tteok Bokki or rice and fish cake, Korean pancakes or Jeun (in seafood, kimchi, and vegetable variants), and Dakgangjung or sweet and spicy boneless fried chicken nuggets, perfect with beer or soju. Noodle dishes, <em>bingsu</em> or shaved milk ice, and soju-infused cocktails round out the menu, whether it’s for a quick meal or late night bites.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/04/7oori.jpg"/><figcaption>Haemul Jeun or Korean pancake filled with prawn, squid, and mussels.</figcaption></figure></div><p>The main restaurant, Oori, offers the quintessential Korean grill experience, but thankfully it’s an experience that doesn’t involve your clothes smelling from the grilling fumes. The space can accommodate up to 96 people, with 14 barbecue tables. In addition, there are semi-private rooms ideal for 8 to 24 persons, as well as two luxe private rooms for 12 and 20 persons respectively. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/04/8oori.jpg"/><figcaption>The private rooms include a separate grilling station in case guests don’t want to cook their own meat.</figcaption></figure></div><p>The basis of any Korean barbecue experience starts, of course, with <em>banchan</em>, those small side dishes that accompany every Korean meal. For Oori (and Bibimbap by Oori, too), Chef Park makes up to 16 different ones, which he rotates among the five side dishes that come with every main dish order. On our visit, we were spoiled with two kinds of kimchi (cabbage and cucumber), shiitake mushrooms, tofu with soybean paste, and braised potato.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/04/9oori.jpg"/><figcaption>Five daily side dishes come with every main dish order.</figcaption></figure></div><p>Of course, the highlight of the meal has to be the meats for grilling, and Chef Park proudly shares that Oori is the only Korean restaurant in town that uses premium chestnut-fed Duroc pork from Spain, for an extra tender and flavorful result. The premium beef selection happens to be Australian Mulwarra Wagyu (with 5+ and 9+ grading), no less.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/04/oori10.jpg"/><figcaption>Wagyu Ribeye A5 and Duroc Pork Collar ready for grilling.</figcaption></figure></div><p>While diners are welcome to grill the meat themselves, we let the servers do the grilling for us, just to make sure we wouldn’t overcook the expensive cuts of meat. The downdraft exhaust, built into the grill, sucks all the smoke and smells, making the grilling all the more pleasant. Oori uses two different types of grilling surfaces—a grill rack for the beef and a covered one for the pork—to guarantee good results.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/04/oori11.jpg"/><figcaption>Two ways to grill the Wagyu beef and Duroc pork.</figcaption></figure></div><p>The grilled meats come with all the components for making your own <em>ssams</em> or lettuce wraps: a platter of greens (lola rossa, romaine, and perilla when available), chili peppers, raw garlic, and a host of sauces and dips—the standard <em>gochujang</em>, <em>ssamjang</em>, sesame oil, salt, a pickled onion- soy sauce dip, plus a funky <em>meljorim</em> sauce made with anchovies and soybean paste. The fun of <em>ssam</em> is playing with the multitude of sauces and side dishes to pair with the meat, offering a different flavor experience with every bite.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/04/oori12.jpg"/><figcaption>Banchan, lettuce leaves, and sauces complete the ssam experience.</figcaption></figure></div><p>After the meal, frozen milky Bingsu, available in red bean, mango, fresh fruits, and chocolate variants, is perfect to wash all that spice away.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/04/oori13.jpg"/><figcaption>Mango, Fresh Fruits, and Red Bean Bingsu big enough for sharing.</figcaption></figure></div><p>While the grilling is lots of fun, the Oori menu also offers homier dishes that, perhaps even more than the barbecue, hark back to what is at the core of every Korean’s love for their food—the everyday soups and stews that they depend on for nourishment and comfort. At Oori, there’s Mandu Jeongol made with pork, kimchi, and Korean dumplings (<em>mandu</em>), with glass noodles absorbing the robust kimchi-flavored broth.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/04/oori14.jpg"/><figcaption>Mandu Jeongol with pork, kimchi, and Korean dumplings.</figcaption></figure></div><p>Even more soul-stirring is Haemul Denjang Jjigae, a rich bouillabaisse-like soup of mixed seafood and soybean paste. While Chef Park says both dishes are “upgrades” (thanks to the <em>mandu</em> and seafood) of their humbler homemade versions, they retain that same hearty spirit, with their earthy, ferment-heavy flavors that are a defining characteristic of Korean cuisine.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2020/04/oori15.jpg"/><figcaption>Haemul Denjang Jjigae or seafood soup with soybean paste.</figcaption></figure></div><p>In the end, whether it’s a luxurious or casual meal, what’s most enjoyable about the Korean dining experience is its emphasis on communal grilling and eating, which is why it is particularly apt that Oori means “ours” in Korean. Eating is really about gathering together in one place, sharing food, and yes, communing with your loved ones over the latest hit K-drama.</p><div> </div><div><em>Sheraton Manila Hotel, 80 Andrews Avenue, Pasay City, (02) 7902-1800, www.sheratonmanila.com</em></div><div><em>Photos by Dane Soriano</em></div>

<p>Oori at the Sheraton Hotel Manila is the city’s first hotel-based Korean restaurant, offering honest-to-goodness Korean food in a more sophisticated and smoke-free setting.</p>

Oori at the Sheraton Hotel Manila is the city’s first hotel-based Korean restaurant, offering honest-to-goodness Korean food in a more sophisticated and smoke-free setting.