Gaja
Additional Information
There are countless authentic Korean restaurants in Makati. Gaja sets itself apart, however, not by being traditional, but by being modern.
Some of its more interesting dishes include the K-Taco (PHP320/US$6.19), kimchi tortilla with Korean pulled pork and pickled vegetables; Black Haemul Pasta (PHP450/US$8.70), squid ink linguini with seafood and a sweet spicy sauce; and Kimchi Lasagna (PHP350/US$6.77), toaster rice layered with pulled pork, kimchi, and clarified kimchi butter.
Inside Gaja is The Odd Seoul, a Korean-themed speakeasy found behind a wall of soju bottles. Cocktails include the Kimchi Sour (PHP295/US$5.70) made with soju, kimchi, almond, lemon juice, egg white, and dried rose; and My Sassy Girl (PHP295/US$5.70), with soju, passionfruit, almond, salted pineapple, and mango liqueur. They also have soju shooters like the Gaja Bomb (PHP270/US$5.22, for a line up) — soju mixed with aloe vera juice, sour apple, and tequila.