Hankook Korean Restaurant
I was never interested to try Korean food until I became so hooked to Coffee Prince. It was one of the phenomenal series which was tagalized for primetime few weeks before I left for Abu Dhabi. So I resorted to getting a copycat DVD and did a marathon few days before my flight. I still can’t believe that I sacrificed my sleep and prioritized this over more important things that time. I even copied the video to an external drive and brought it here (and have no plans of deleting it). 
So, I was a happy soul and tummy when one of my despedidas was held in Kaya Korean Restaurant. I was particularly looking forward to try kimchi that night. You can just imagine how much influence Andy Go (or was it Arthur Choi? heehee, although it was Andy who was always feasting on kimchi), one of the main characters in Coffee Prince, had in me. Since I was in a gastronomical transition, one of my priorities was to find a Korean Restaurant in Abu Dhabi. Unluckily, they were hiding from me. Googling didn’t help much, neither the Abu Dhabi Eating Out book that I bought. Thanks to this babyshower organized for a friend-officemate. The sole Korean Restaurant in Abu Dhabi came out.
This made me realize that maybe, there are only very few Koreans in UAE. There is a collective representation of multi-cultural restaurants here, but Korean’s are more scarce than Filipino restaurants. I missed kimchi a lot.
Aside from kimchi, we were served other banchan (side dishes) which I forgot how each is called. Probably you can help me.
We also had kimbab, which is so close to Japanese’s maki. The usual steamed white rice rolled in sheets of dried seaweed.
We also ordered gom tang which is a close version of our nilagang baka. But I find this one tastier.
Bokonu, which is rich in sesame seeds. Almost all of the Korean dishes, isn’t it?
Haemul jeongol is a must-try. This seafood and vegetable stew being cooked/re-heated on the table is soooo appetizing.
It has fish, crab, and clam. There is a stand-by kettle of soup to refill it as it’s continuously and moderately re-heated.
Although jeongol is generally appetizing, I think bulgogi (grilled marinated beef) was a stand out.
Watermelon is being served as complimentary dessert.
But this ice cream cake from another establishment (Baskin Robbins) is definitely better.
I forgot to check though if they have talangkanin (aligue bibimbap) or aligue rice as popularized in another tagalized series in a local network in the Philippines. I heard it’s available in Kaya Korean Restaurant. Have you tried it?
(Finishing dinner before opening the gifts for the baby shower. Don’t try to figure out who’s me. 
I was with the camera.)
Hankook Korean Restaurant, Abu Dhabi
+9712 6423399
ginutom mo ako. huhuhu. hindi pa ako nakapaglunch. hehehe
i like korean food! [not the kimchi though] they’re “malasa”.
i also want to go to korea. i think it’s my only chance for snow. he! he!
parang masarap yung pareho ng nilagang bak satin.maanghang din ba sila sa timpla?
I live in a predominantly Asian neighborhood in NY and it’s a shame I didn’t try Korean food as much as the others. After looking at your photos, I felt I should be eating Korean dishes soon. Bulgogi is the best!
ohhhh sarap nila. why did you cover their faces? hehehe
I love looking at the food, It makes me wonder if there’s any Korean resto around here in GSC…makaikot nga this week, I am thinking we only got the Jap resto in a big mall eh.
Hi, wits!
Mukhang ang sasarap ng pagkaing Koreano! Di ko aatrasan lahat nang nakahain, ‘wag lang yung sobrang anghang!
Pero tipong pinakamasarap yung dating ng “bulgogi”– parang pagkain ng mga pogi!
Take care always, wits!
ang sarap naman ng mga pagkain na yan. nakakagutom tuloy!
wow sa bulgogi… wow sa cake!!!
nakakagutom naman. Hehe!
ang kulit ko din.. tlagang bumalik ako sa page na ito to view the food again. Self-inflicted pain.. Gutooooom!
i don’t have much interest in Korean food, particularly because the ones I’ve tried are so spicy. hehe. What can you suggest for me?
For some reason, I’ve never had any hankering for Korean dishes. It doesn’t appeal to me. But it looks like I’m missing a lot. Will try to “educate” my palate for this.
i love kimchi especially combined with ramyuen noddle
my officemate said bibimbap is also nice but I haven’t tasted one…
have you tasted the saba fish?it’s also good
wow is the cake from baskin robbins
nagutom tuloy ako…
Ooohh.. parang ansarap nung soup sobra!
Hmmm..Kimchi. I love it. Fave ko ang kimchi noodles. Yum yumm. I also love the bulgogi and the kimbap though the I much like the maki.
Hay nagutom naman ako dito Wits!
hula ko na influence ka ni arthur dun! haha!
meron talangkanin dito! sa kaya resto daw! palagi plugging sa “only you” eh hehe
mygash, i love korean food…because i love their side dishes (kimchi!!) and korean bbq style of eating. i love it!
nice, yummy photos!
masarap ata yung ice cream cake! i don’t like kimchi, just bulgogi, or korean-style meat dishes.
I love those Korean side dishes like kimchi,pickled sprouts, etc.. They make Korean food even more delicious. I could just eat them all day hehe
Is that Korean restaurant in Abu Dhabi..?
Can I know the name of restaurant and where it in Abu Dhabi..?
I want to try Korean food too..!
It’s located near the bus terminal (after Al Wahda Mall). The contact number is at the end of this post.
dined recently in Samurai Japanese restaurant near Al Diar Capitol hotel..will try Korean next time. thanks for the review!
Nice blog
Cheers from up the road …
ps – The bulgogi was heavenly!! I agree
wow im from Abu Dhabi im local actually and a fan of the Korean Culture im going to this restaurant sooner or later =) !
Sorry, I made you hungry. Lol. Ganyan rin ako madalas, pero kahit busog ako
pag nagfood bloghop ako, instantly gutom ulit ako.
Alam mo ba kung napaaga ng konti ang pag telecast ng Coffee Prince, malamang nag apply ako for a job in Korea. Haha. I actually thought about that kaya lang definite na yung flight and arrangements ko that time.
Medyo may kasamang anghang. Mas masarap sya sa nilagang baka. =)
You’re lucky you have enough Korean food source there.
To protect their anonymity. =)
I hope there’s one there. I remember in Davao madaming Korean restos.
Haha, natawa ako dun sa bulgogi pagkain ng mga pogi. Pwedeng pang commercial. =)
Ako rin nagutom ulit when I checked the pix this morning. =)
I revisit a page, too, lalo na pag food-related posts. =)
Try bulgogi. I think you can also request to have it prepared as less spicy or non-spicy at all. =) Worth trying!
Maybe you need a little inspiration. Dati hindi ko pinapansin ang Korean food until I watched Coffee Prince. Lol.