I had promised Maria a samgyeopsal dinner for her birthday.  Once upon a time she had lived in Korea for ten years and she was jonesing for a taste of “home”.  I did a quick Google search and found this restaurant which had gotten good reviews:

From Davao, not Heaven. Located outside the SM Mall a couple kms from the hotel…

The restaurant featured this large marquee out front touting the benefits of the Korean diet…

…who you calling fat?

Anyway, we noticed from outside that the tables appeared to have the table-top grills installed.  Alas, after ordering we were told the samgyeopsal is prepared in the kitchen. That’s just not kosher.

Nothing to be done but try and make the best of it. Here’s my attempt at creating a little Pinoy-Hanguk fusion.

Ah well, we made the best of it. After dinner we had a traditional Filipino summertime (isn’t it always summertime here?) treat.

Halo Halo. A mixture of fruits and shit. Not exactly a smoothie, but close enough…

So, here in the tropics I wear sandals.  My feet are in open revolt…

…not to mention revolting. Painful it is. Went to the local Watson’s drug store and purchased a variety of creams and ointments. Maria says I should wear socks. Fuck that, I’m not wearing socks with sandals. Just ain’t gonna happen.

Yesterday we hired a car and driver for the day (3500 pesos, around $70) and hit all the hot tourist spots in the Davao area.  That would be the Philippine Eagle, a WWII Japanese tunnel, and a crocodile farm.  I’ll include photos this weekend when I do my full-fledged trip report.

Anyway, on the way back to the hotel from our excursions, we noticed a Korean restaurant right across the street from our hotel.  Turns out it is the original Manna restaurant.  So we thought we’d try our luck again last night.  When we walked in we saw some diners grilling their meat on the table (shuddup!) so we decided to do samgyeopsal as nature intended.  After ordering I had a bad feeling, so I had Maria ask our server if the meat would be prepared on the table.  He said “no”, so we pointed to the other diners and were then accommodated.  I guess table cooking is by request only.

The samgyeopsal came in nice thick slices and seemed to have all 3 layers from which its name derives…

Cooking it up with some kimchi…

About damn time!

Speaking of kimchi, did you know it is the cure for everything?  So says the Manna menu:

..Alas, it doesn’t work on cracked heels…

My return flight departs Davao at 11:40 and returns me to Seoul via Manila at 7:35.  See you there!