Last night, an award-winning documentary television program in the Philippines called I-Witness featured one of South Korea’s most popular signature dishes, BIBIMBAP. Bibimbap is “mixed rice” topped with meat, vegetables, chilli paste and egg. Although the very first Korean restaurant in the Philippines has been serving bibimbap since 1974, it was only recently when this food has gained popularity among Filipinos. Bibimbap restaurants have suddenly mushroomed in my hometown, but unfortunately, none of the bibimbap that we have tried here appeased our taste buds. My husband told me the bibimbap that I used to cook for him in Korea is more delicious. ^^ (I will share my recipe next time.)
The host, Howie Severino, visited the birthplace of bibimbap, Jeonju, where he had a taste of the best bibimbap in the country. He also tried different kinds of jeon sold as street food in Seoul. I never thought that I would miss Korean food now that I get to eat all of my favorite Filipino dishes… but I was wrong.
The documentary wasn’t all about food.
Howie interviewed another successful Filipina in Korea, Genie Kim, whom I have met during the meeting with President Noynoy Aquino. She is one of the many Filipinos in Korea who help fellow Pinoys (Filipinos) by being a multicultural family broadcaster, a volunteer and a marriage counselor.
For those who were not able to watch “Biyaheng Bibimbap”, below is the episode on Youtube.
