But when it comes to Korean cuisine, hot spices reign supreme!

It had been a long time since the last time I had kimchi, so it was a very welcome treat when I had dinner for the first time at Sigol Bap Sang with some bloggers.

At Sigol Bap Sang, they serve Banchan, or a set of appetizers to get your taste buds going. It’s free, and you can even ask for refills. I especially liked the fermented beans and the potato strips. Surprisingly, I also quite enjoyed the shallots; I am not a fan of onion at all, but that night, I ate so much of the stuff! And their kimchi — it made me ecstatic! I’m not an expert on Korean cuisine, but I can daresay that Sigol Bap Sang’s food is authentic (because Koreans run the place) and worthy of any food critic’s praise.

There’s a new item on my favorites list now, and it’s a spicy red noodle soup with beef and various vegetables, called Yukejang (₱250). Its distinctively Korean taste really livened up the entire dining experience at Sigol Bap Sang. I loved the way the ingredients were fresh and cooked to perfection (no soggy veggies and what not). I just wish they made it even more spicy… One serving is good for 3 to 4 people.

The rice dish that we had, Bibimbap (₱200), was something new for me too. One of the restaurant owners came by after it was served and did the honors for us. He expertly folded the eggs and vegetables into the rice and mixed in the red bean paste that gave it that zing. He also poured in a little sesame oil, which, Brendel told us, Koreans use a lot in their cooking. One order of this savory dish serves 2 to 3.

One of the dishes we ordered that I didn’t really enjoy (but which Brendel really liked) was the Dok Bokki (₱600). It’s a dish of rice cakes and vegetables. I don’t know, but the taste somehow reminded me of instant noodles… Maybe if it were spicy, then I might’ve gotten to like it. It’s a huge serving, hence the price.

The only recognizable dish for me — aside from kimchi — was the Bulgogi (₱300), which Sigol Bap Sang really knows how to prepare. The beef was tender and tangy, just a tad sweet but really tasty. It wasn’t spicy, though. The owner said they have another beef dish that’s really spicy, and that’s what I’m going to have the next time I dine at Sigol Bap Sang.

The restaurant is located in a small arcade across the highway from the Grand Regal Hotel (you’ll see a Merco bakeshop and a Korean grocer in that arcade). It’s in Lanang, approaching the intersection of J.P. Laurel Ave. and R. Castillo St. The place is not very big, with about 9 booths and a long table on one side of the restaurant. Service is prompt and the waitstaff seem to be well-informed of their food offerings.

They’re open daily, from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Their landline number is 300-8989.

I like the modern ambience of the place — a fusion of earthy comfort and cool, avant-garde design. Their logo, though, was a bit queer because of the Sanskrit typeface…

The price is not inexpensive, but, for the most part, their food is worth the money. Their chicharon hors d’oeuvre, however, was a bit much. At ₱120+, the Nam Prig Ong was interesting but something we could’ve done without. On the other hand, the second appetizer we had, Pho Pia (₱95+) or fried spring rolls, was very nice. It has glass noodles, pork and mushrooms, and served with a sweet-and-spicy dipping sauce.

Always a fan of curry, I’m happy to say that their spicy beef curry dish, Kaeng Nua (₱210+), was really delicious. And very spicy! Of course you can ask for a less spicy preparation, but personally, I love my Thai food biting hot. The beef was very tender and generously served in bit-sized pieces, immersed in a rich, spicy curry sauce. It was spectacular!

The family-style rice we ordered, Kao Ob Subparob (₱140+), in spite of its difficult-to-pronounce name, was good for all four of us and it was quite tasty. I don’t normally like food with pineapple (even pizza), but thankfully, they didn’t put too much of the stuff. The rice was well-cooked and evened out the spiciness of the other dishes.

Many of the items on the menu are good for two, even three people. They have what you might expect to see in Thai restaurants, like Tom Yum Goong (₱195+) and Pad Thai (₱155+), and a few on the menu that I’ve never tried before. I’m definitely going back to try those other dishes soon! And, I won’t hesitate to recommend Bangkok Wok to my blog’s readers.

The service seems to be top-notch. The place was full when I was there with Jaime, Chattee, Angel and Jude, but we were served promptly and expertly. Although they’re still very new, the waiters who attended us knew what to recommend and how to describe the food. For me, that makes a big difference when choosing where to eat.

Bangkok Wok is located at the ground floor of Robinson’s Cybergate, J.P. Laurel Ave., Bajada, Davao City. Their landline number isn’t connected yet, but as soon as it is, I will post it here. Fax: 234-7008. Email: bangkokwok[at]rocketmail[dot]com.