The Foodinista: DLSU

Overdoughs: The GoOD Cookies

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Gokain Bistro: University Mall, Taft

Monday, October 10, 2016

Gokain Bistro

Gokain Bistro is a newly opened Korean Restaurant in Taft located specifically at University Mall. I honestly got quite excited when I first heard about them opening cause I got curious if they will be serving authentic Korean Cuisine. They just had their opening last September and the owners were so nice so I just had to pay a visit.

Whenever there's a newly opened restaurant in the Taft, I get so excited and also jealous haha, cause during our time around 2-3 years ago, there were very few good restaurants to choose from. Most of them are also quite far in Lasalle Main so I have to walk a few meters just to have a good lunch.

Gokain Bistro Restaurant

'Go Kain' which means "Let's Eat" is owned by Harry Lee who is a fresh graduate student in De La Salle College of Saint Benilde. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Culinary and so decided to open his own restaurant. A lot of Korean Student studies in Taft too which makes it a great idea to open up one. According to Harry, the idea of the restaurants names actually originated from "Ko Kain" which means "Korean Kain" but then it sounded like "Cocaine" which the building didn't allow so they made it Go Kain instead. Hahaha!

Go Kain Restaurant Interior

The restaurant has this industrial korean street vibe which makes it interesting. We visited around 3pm in the afternoon on a Saturday so don't be surprised why it seems like we're the only ones visiting. Good thing we came on that time so I was able to make chika with Harry! Haha!

Gokain Interior

I am always fond of Koreans cause they're so friendly. They can be approached easily and they open up instantly. They're super friendly talaga! No surprise magaan ang loob ko sakanila. Just a side kwento, I've had a class back in college where 90% of the students were Korean and I got to know all of them easily so it's not surprising why Harry & I became friends in an instant! Haha! I was even able to add him on Facebook.

Go Kain Menu

Anyway, this is their menu. (Check the photo above) I find the food quite pricey if I'll be speaking in behalf of the students. P190 for a lunch meal is quite hefty especially most student which only has a budget ranging only from P100 to P150. But if one is looking for an authentic or a semi-authentic Korean dish, then I would suggest you try Go Kain!

Go Kain is the closest thing you'd get to an Authentic Korean dish because the chefs are actual Koreans. Unlike some Hole in the Wall Korean Restaurants, they just know the ingredients and create their own take on the Korean Dish but they don't really know the process of creating it.

Samgyup Kimchi Bokkeum

I ordered the Samyup Kimchi Bokkeum which consists of Fried Prok, Kimchi, Rice, Fried Egg, Salad with Garlic Vinaigrette and Macaroni Salad with Sweet Creamy Mayo Sauce for P190. It tasted so freakin authentic which made me dance happily while I eat it! I even had this quick flashback of our recent Korea trip, I missed it so bad!

Gokain Bistro Samgyup Kimchi Bokkeum

I just have to commend how the rice was cooked. They used Japanese Rice and it was cooked so well even my friend who is a legit RICE Addict went back during dinner time just because of their rice. LOL. Every viand paired with a hot perfectly cooked rice will taste good would you agree? This is one of them!

Samgyup Kimchi Bokkeum

The fried pork was okay though. It was tender but didn't make any impact on me. The only thing I didn't like would be the Garlic Vinaigrette, it has this awkward onion-ish after taste that didn't go well with the dish.

GOKAIN

I still enjoyed the overall experience though cause I was eating on a mini stainless frying pan which became my plate. This is a norm in Korea. They even eat ramen on pots and their utensils are maid of stainless ware even the drinking glasses. Feel na feel ko ang pagkaKorean ko because of it. LOL.

The servers were also very attentive and they can speak english well!

Go try and visit Gokain when you drop by Taft Area!

GOKAIN

Buffalo Wings

Exile on Main St. Restaurant, Taft Review

Thursday, August 04, 2016

Exile

Exile on Main St. is one of my favorite restaurants in Vito Cruz, Taft. Apparently, despite the many restaurants in the area there are only few restaurants worth going back for. I've already been here more than 5 times and I usually eat out with friends when I come here. It's a hole-in-the-wall restaurant - not so easy to find but a lot of students know this place especially if you study in Taft. What keeps me going back here is the ambiance, it's a very chill venue to hang out with friends, drink beer after a stressful day in school - then just eat good food!

Exile on Main St.

There's a smoking area outside. The interior is quite fancy which has a hipster indie vibe to it. Tables and Utensils are hanging upside down. I also see that most decors are music related, I guess the owner's are fan of Local Music. There are also few board games that can be played here.

Exile On Main St.

FOOD

Now onto the food. What I usually order would be the following:

* Chicks-Shall-Fly (Buffalo Wings)

P205 for 12 pieces / P125 for 6 pieces

Flavours:

Escape to China - Wings in Savory, Soy Coating with a tinge of spicy finish

This is kind of my favourite flavour among others cause it's basic and simple, tasty. Slightly sweet but the soy flavour dominated the overall goodness of the chicken.

Escape to Texas - Wings coated in thick slow cooked tomato based sauce with a smokey Barbeque Hum

This flavour reminds me of sweet and sour sauce? There's a barbeque taste as well but I didn't love it as much. Mild Spicyness.

Exile on Main St. Buffalo Wings

* The White Stripes

For P155, this is a very sulit pasta.

Pasta with Fennel Sausages, made in-house, and tossed in roasted garlic and basil cream sauce

- This is the only pasta I order at Exile. I don't change orders anymore cause it's their best seller. It's like a better version of a carbonara. Home made feels, plus the sauce has the right amount of saltiness. Hoping they can add more sauce to make it more delectable.

The White Strips - Exile on Main St.

* Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

P65 Single Scoop ; P120 Double Scoop ; P175 Triple Scoop

The mother of all ice creams.

"We first made small batches of Vanilla Bean Ice Cream jus to try things out, and when our customers couldn't get enough of the lovin' we decided to churn out bigger batches and, after a few years, develop more flavors. Buth with this one, only whole milk, pure cream, eggs and natural Madagascar Vanilla Beans take center stage, which is why it remains closest to our hearts and bellies. You can ask for a drizzling of caramel, but we like it."

Ooooh! At first I was hesistant to order this ice cream cause I thought desserts aren't their specialty, but I was astounded when I had a taste of their Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. It was superb! I love it and I will keep coming back for it. I may even go their just for the ice cream. LOVE LOVE LOVE! The distinct taste of the Madagascar Vanilla Bean makes me crave for more!

Vanilla bean Ice Cream - Exile on Main St.

* Calamansi Iced Tea P35/ Single Serving ; P85 Bottomless

This is my fave! I order this all the time and they even ran out of it. The sweet and sourness of the iced tea make me crave for it. Perfect pang-alis umay for the Pasta and Chicken!

Overall Rating: 4.5./ 5
Why not a perfect score?
Hmm, let's just say I hope they add more flavor to their wings. I hope they'll add garlic parmesan or something saltier compared to their existing flavors. I love them but if there will be more options, it'll be perfect.