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The Best Spots to See in Korean Town Pampanga If You're A First-timer

Eat your way around Korea without flying all the way to the country!

By: Corabelle Guevarra | May 18, 2022
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Due to changing quarantine measures, the activities, destination/s, store/s, establishment/s featured in this article might be temporarily prohibited or closed under the latest government policies. LGUs might also implement health protocols and travel requirements. Please get in touch with the establishment/s before visiting. Stay safe!


Korean restaurant in Pampanga, samgyeopsal in Pampanga, Korean restaurant in Angeles City

Samgyeopsal is one of the most popular Korean dishes in the country and is offered in most restaurants in Korean Town.

Images: SamgyupsaRoof Korean Restaurant Facebook page (L); Pixabay (R)

There’s a specific type of fever lurking around for years. You might know of it; you might know people who have it; you might even have it. Some of its symptoms are a desire to binge-watch Koreanovelas (Korean drama shows), an uncontrollable urge to sing and dance along to K-pop songs, and a need to sport Korean fashion and makeup look. Yes, we’re talking about Korean fever.

Korean fever struck the Philippines in the early 2000s when K-dramas started airing on local TV. Over the years, the madness transformed and infiltrated our dining scene, too, and now Filipinos can be seen munching on Korean snacks and stuffing themselves with samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly). This food trend is not only making big waves in Manila; in fact, a little drive up north, you’ll find a stretch of Korean restaurants in Pampanga in Korean Town!

The area comprises a line of restaurants, groceries, bakeshops, and coffee shops located at the Fil-Am Friendship Highway. Need a food trip itinerary? Here are some suggestions on where to eat in Pampanga and take home for an ultimate food adventure.


For Unlimited Samgyeopsal


Samgyeopsal refers to sliced pork belly. In most Korean places, diners cook it on the grill on the table. To eat, add your choice of vegetables and ssamjang (a seasoned mixture of chili paste and soybean paste), wrap the mix in lettuce, and then dip it in gireum-jang (sesame oil with salt and black pepper). Some of the side dishes that go with this dish include pickled and stir-fried vegetables, egg pudding, miso soup, sweetened, boiled baby potatoes, fishcakes, and tofu.

Locals have grown fond of this dish because of its unique taste and preparation. That’s why it’s no surprise that many unlimited samgyeopsal restaurants in Angeles City, particularly in Korean Town, have opened. Here are some of the well-known ones!

Operating Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM


Affordable Korean Restaurants in Pampanga, Korean restaurant in Pampanga

Side dishes and drinks are included in the unlimited samgyeopsal promo.

Image: Cristin Mallare

Jang Soo Korean Restaurant offers an unlimited samgyeopsal for PhP290 per person, with unlimited side dishes and drinks. Although the place is not as clean and cozy as most restaurants, its rate is cheaper, and the food is tasty, so it gets crowded quickly.

Operating Hours: Daily, 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM


Affordable Korean Restaurants in Pampanga, samgyeopsal in Pampanga

Stuff yourself with samgyeopsal!

Image: Yu Ganne 2 Samgyupsal Galbi Facebook page

Just a few meters away from Jang Soo is Yu Ganne 2 Samgyupsal Galbi. Its unlimited samgyeopsal promo is at PhP250, and this already includes unlimited side dishes and iced tea, and a slice of watermelon and Melona ice cream. It also has ala carte menu options and an unlimited samgyeopsal and buffet offer for PhP299.

3. Clark Renaissance Hotel


Affordable Korean Restaurants in Pampanga, Korean restaurant in Angeles City

Ingredients are always served fresh at Clark Renaissance Hotel’s buffet table.

Image: Clark Renaissance Hotel Facebook

For a different kind of unlimited samgyeopsal experience, go to the inner streets of Korean Town and look for Clark Renaissance Hotel, a European-inspired four-story hotel. The place offers a buffet dinner and unlimited samgyeopsal combo at PhP500 every day, with free use of the swimming pool and videoke thrown in the mix.

May 2020 Update: Clark Renaissance Hotel is temporarily closed.



For Korean Desserts


Cap off your sumptuous Korean samgyeopsal feast with sweets and desserts. Since there are various Korean desserts available, we’ll break them down. It’s a short walk from the restaurants to Korean Town’s coffee and pastry shops, so you’re just a few steps away from satisfying your sweet tooth cravings.

Operating Hours:
Daily, 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Jiin Bakerty and Coffee)
Daily, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM (Mr. Parks Bread and Cake)


Affordable Korean Restaurants in Pampanga, samgyeopsal in Pampanga

Choose from a variety of Korean cakes and slices of bread!

Image: Mr. Park's Bread & Cake Facebook page

Already full? You’ll make some room for these irresistible bread and cakes from either Jiin Bakery and Coffee or Mr. Parks Bread and Cake. Both offer freshly baked loaves of bread and elegantly-designed cakes. The bestsellers in Jiin Bakery are its matcha flavored cookies and the mini seashell pastry, while Mr. Parks is known for its mini-cream puffs, which you can take home in boxes of the 20s and 30s.

2. Snow Bingsu


Affordable Korean Restaurants in Pampanga, Korean restaurant in Angeles City

Three of Snow Bingsu’s bestsellers in one table

Image: Snow Bingsu Facebook page

Try some bingsu, a popular Korean shaved ice dessert topped with fruits, condensed milk, cookies, cakes, red beans, and/or ice cream if you want cold treats. To get this in Korean Town, head to Snow Bingsu where you’ll be greeted by an Instagram-worthy ambiance perfect for selfies and groupies. Here, some must-tries are the Green Tea Bingsu, Oreo Bingsu, and Mango Bingsu. The restaurant also has other food, drink, and dessert choices, including waffles, frappes, and smoothies.

May 2022 Update: Snow Bingsu is permanently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Operating Hours: Daily, 12:00 PM to 3:00 AM


Affordable Korean Restaurants in Pampanga, Korean restaurant in Pampanga

Green tea frappes (left) and green tea cheesecake (right)

Images: Coffee en Tree Facebook Page

For those who chill after dinner with desserts and coffee, Coffee en Tree is the place to be It is located on the third floor of the Ecco Building to view Korean Town. Aside from coffee-based hot and cold drinks, tea and cakes are also available. Don’t miss its green tea latte, green tea frappe, and green tea cheesecake.



For Korean Groceries


Operating Hours: Daily, 24/7


Affordable Korean Restaurants in Pampanga, Korean restaurant in Angeles City

Some Korean snacks and sweets

Image: Sing-Sing Hi Mart Facebook Page

If you’re not up for a dine-in experience and want to enjoy Korean food and treats in the comfort of your home, you can go grocery shopping at either IM-Mart or Sing-Sing Hi Mart. You’ll find various Korean items at almost the same prices in both stores. Below are some of our recommendations.

For something to munch on, you can get assorted snacks such as chocolate, milk, or strawberry-covered breadsticks from Pepero; choco-filled biscuits; custard cakes; different variants and fillings of choco cream pie; and Ghana chocolate bars.

Another Korean supermarket bestseller is Melona Ice Cream. It has a creamy consistency and comes in refreshing, fruity flavors like honeydew melon, strawberry, mango, and banana. For a cheaper deal, you can buy a whole box. Another unique Korean cold treat is bungeo-ppang, which translates to “carp bread.” It is composed of a fish-shaped wafer stuffed with vanilla, strawberry, or red bean-flavored ice cream.

You might already be familiar with the trending spicy noodle challenge, and if you want to, you can actually try it for yourself! You can find packs of fire noodles in both Sing-Sing and IM-Mart. However, if you can’t stand too much chili but still want to have hot Korean noodles, you can buy a variety of a whole pack of ramyun (noodle soup) instead.

You can also recreate a samgyeopsal feast complete with side dishes at home, as IM Mart and Sing-Sing Hi Mart also offer frozen slices of pork belly or beef cuts and different choices of side dishes, fresh lettuce, and ready-made ssamjang.


In Korean Town, you can have your fill and feed your Korean fever without actually going to South Korea!


Visit Yoorekka Magazine for more restaurants and dining options in Pampanga and Central Luzon!


Stay safe as you travel and dine in! Make sure to follow social distancing protocols and observe health precautions. For now, keep safe!


This article was originally published in Yoorekka on March 30, 2018.


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About Corabelle Guevarra
Corabelle, outside her full-time job as a Digital Marketing Manager in Clark, she still makes time for her hobbies, be with her family and friends, travel, and work on a side business. Someday she wishes to fulfill her travel goals by being able to visit all the beautiful islands of the Philippines and see the sights of the different countries in Asia and the world. Just like anyone who has that wanderlust gene, Corabelle’s mantra is: “work, save, travel… repeat.”
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Disclaimer: All articles in the Consumers Magazine of Yoorekka are for general information and entertainment purposes only. Although careful research has been made in writing them, Yoorekka does not make any warranty about the completeness and accuracy of all information presented in our articles. Our content is not intended to be used in place of legal, medical, or any professional advice.
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