Don-Day Fresh Restaurant: Samgyeopsal-All-You-Can

Earlier this month, I met with my closest college friend for a catch up session. And since she's a fan of K-Pop while I'm a fan of Korean cuisine, we decided to go all the way from Taguig to Teachers Village in Quezon City to try one of the most inexpensive and most famous dining spots for samgyeopsal, Don-Day Fresh Restaurant in Malingap Street.
Samgyeopsal all you can at Don-Day

Located just in front of Pipino, Don-Day Fresh Restaurant is known for offering an eat-all-you-can Korean buffet for only P199, and the buffet plus samgyeopsal-all-you-can for P299. With prices as low as these, it's no wonder that this humble Korean restaurant has made quite a buzz not just for Korean food lovers, but in the foodie scene in general.

Don-Day Restaurant

My friend and I had to take a cab to Teachers Village since the place is not really quite accessible for commuters. When we arrived in Malingap Street, what greeted us was the unassuming facade of Don-Day Fresh Restaurant, a spacious open-air eatery similar to samgyeopsal restaurants seen in most Korean dramas. And although the place doesn't have air-conditioning units, it had big windows and electric fans for ventilation.

The Food

We first went off to check the buffet spread. There weren't actually a lot of dishes to choose from. But for the price, there was enough food and we couldn't ask for more.

Marble Potatoes
Sweet marble potatoes
Fried Sweet Potatoes, Kimchi Pancakes, Pajeon and Hobakjeon
Fried sweet potatoes, kimchi pancakes, pajeon and hobakjeon
Chungwon or Korean Spring Rolls
Chungwon or Korean spring rolls
Dynamites and Japchae-Nori Rolls
Dynamites and Japchae-nori rolls
Korean-Style Croquettes
Korean-style croquettes
Korean Potato Balls with Sesame Seeds
Korean potato balls with sesame seeds
Japchae
Japchae
Fried Rice
Fried rice
Vegetables
Sautéed vegetables
Tangsuyuk or Sweet and Sour Pork
Tangsuyuk or sweet and sour pork
Kimchi
Kimchi

There were more banchan items, soup and main entrées I wasn't able to take photos of since I didn't want to get in the customers' way. However, I felt a little sad 'cause I was hoping there'll be some kimbap (Korean sushi rolls) or dukbokki (spicy rice cake) as I've seen some featured by other bloggers who've already tried Don-Day Fresh Restaurant.

Korean SaucesShiso LeavesAn Assortment of Leaves

The buffet table also had some sauce plates with gireumjang (salt and black pepper in sesame oil), ssamjang (seasoned soybean-chili paste) and chili-soy sauce, if I'm not mistaken, some shiso leaves and a wide assortment of greens for the wrapping and dipping pleasures of diners like us who availed of the samgyeopsal buffet.

Uncooked Samgyeopsal

After settling in our table seating, a server brought us two plates of samgyeopsal which are raw, fatty slices of pork belly for grilling, and prepped our table-top griller. And since we were already craving for meat, we wasted no time in cooking our samgyeopsal.

Cooking Samgyeopsal

My friend and I took turns in cooking the meat. She likes her samgyeopsal cooked all the way through, while I like mine a little less done. Either way, we love these meaty treats!

Samgyeopsal on Shiso Leaves

I enjoyed pairing my samgyeopsal with shiso leaves which had a refreshing hint of mint since they came from the mint family. Added in some salty, savory and spicy ssamjang and I'm all set. I also tried it with kimchi and some gireumjang before wrapping everything in lettuce, and it tasted phenomenal -- simple yet bold enough to satisfy the palate.

After over two hours, about six plates of samgyeopsal, and a lot of trips to the buffet table, it was finally time to pay up and leave. But since they have a fridge full of Korean ice creams in Don-Day Fresh Restaurant, we can't leave just yet.

Binggrae Encho Korean Ice Cream Binggrae Encho Vanilla Ice Cream

My friend had a Bbong Ddah (P50) which is a light blue-colored ice cream in a tube, while I had an Encho (P50) vanilla ice cream popsicle which had a chocolate center and is also coated with cracking chocolate and nuts. Both are from Binggrae by the way.

THE VERDICT

My friend and I truly had a very filling Korean dinner at Don-Day Fresh Restaurant. Sure, the buffet spread may not be too extensive and offers different Korean dishes on a cycle. However, nothing can beat the unlimited samgyeopsal for just P299. Note though that it's better to visit Don-Day Fresh Restaurant when you don't have anyone important to meet afterwards since you'll really smell like smoked pork after the meal. Or, just bring an extra shirt and a bottle of your favorite cologne or perfume.

Taste - 4/5
Ambiance - 3/5
Service - 3.5/5
Price - 5/5
Overall Value - 4/5

Eat-All-You-Can Rates:
Don-Day Buffet - P199
Samgyeopsal Buffet - P299
Bottomless Iced Tea - P50


Don-Day Fresh Restaurant, Quezon City
40 Malingap St., Teachers Village
Quezon City, Metro Manila
Philippines
(02) 435-0528
Facebook Page

49 comments:

  1. Wow! Unlimited for only PHP300.. that's quite a steal as samgyupsal usually costs around 400-600 for 2-3 slabs of meat :D

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    1. That's why Don-Day is so famous for samgyeopsal lovers! haha.. :D I actually can't wait to go back!

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  2. Been hearing a lot about don day but its so far from our place. =( Hope we get to try it sometime.

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  3. the ambiance at 3/5 is to be expected for its price of 5/5. :) but if you want just gastronomic pleasure, and you are extremely hungry, you don't mind an open air environment. just make sure you change clothes afterwards. :)

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  4. Uy try namin ni denby to :) mura and sulit! :)

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  5. MY FAVORITE PLACE EVER!!! There was a time when I was so tired from work and I just needed a quick perk me up so I went to Don Day by myself. It was a Friday night if I remember correctly. I ate there on my own, without a care in the world. I was just happy to have my unlimited Samkyupsal and Fish ice cream :D

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    1. Haha.. Hardcore ah! :D I haven't tried eating alone in a buffet place, but I think I can do that if it's Don-Day. Love their samgyeopsal and it's unlimited pa! Now, I'm craving!

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  6. Wow! That is not so pricey for an eat-all-you-can! I love Korean food too and I was so drooling over those photos!

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  7. I want to visit the restaurant. I thought the place is in another country, only to find out in the end that it's just in QC.

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  8. Wow very inexpensive for an eat all you can. I haven't tried that samgyeopsal thingy :-) Would love to try it if I can find it over here . Thanks for sharing this info!

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  9. Oh my dear! The photos are amazing, and it makes me want to lick my laptop because I am drooling and suddenly I am hungry. I have never tried or gone to a korean restaurant and when I saw this, I told my husband we should go to one someday. I want to go! I want to go! LOL! I want to eat like all of those. Hmmm... looks awesome. I am thinking of making some squash patties for supper now. hahahaa... So delicious! And thank you for sharing.

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  10. food looks fresh and yummy. i love your photos they look so professional

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  11. samgyeopsal for only P299 is crazy! ahhaha i havent tried swet baby potatoes on my life, you gave me an idea what to cook later ;p

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  12. oh my all that enticing korean food for 300? 0.0 wanna give this one a try! do they have bibimbap?

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  13. My friend and I were planning to go there, too bad they don't have Kimbap and ddukbokki though, but the buffet price is a steal! ;)

    http://www.dekaphobe.com/

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  14. I love Korean BBQ! In fact, I have been cooking it in our home ever since I went back from my Korean vacation.

    xoxo
    MrsMartinez

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  15. that's a friendly prize huh! 300 unlimited , how i wish there's a resto offering that same kind of prize here in leyte

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  16. OMG! Those food are all my favorites, you made my eyes hurts and am salivating right now just looking at them! lol

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  17. wow...eat-all-you-can for less then Php500. that is something. the area's kinda far, but it sure is worth trying. thanks for sharing...wouldn't have known such a food haven exists! :-)

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  18. yummy!! I wish to try Korean food too -- hopefully next week after payday.

    I will note this restaurant for next vacay.

    Great photos as always!

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  19. How can you remain slim with all the food you eat everyday? And eat-all-you-can? Wow! ^_^

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  20. Same question as Marie, how can you be so slim and be a foodie? I love that their foods come in controllable servings which is not heavy on the tummy and can have you eat korean barbeque style.

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  21. Good food for the value of money. I think those are plenty enough for £199. I love Korean foods too. And no wonder this restaurant flocked by hundreds of customers even non-Koreans. Btw, you captured it beautifully:)

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  22. that was a good pay for an eat-all-you-can, the place is near our place, around 45 minutes drive, we'll try it too :)

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  23. Dang!!!I'm drooling here! I love, love Korean cuisine and it's been a while since I tasted some. Now you got me craving! Don-Day's Korean foods look delish and their prices are great too.

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  24. Ironic that I live near so many Korean restaurants yet not one offers any buffet. Not to mention at such an affordable price. I'll try this out when I'm in the area.

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  25. I've never tried any Korean food but looking at all these, I just might. I'm curious how Korean croquettes tastes like.

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  26. Wow, I am always in the hunt for cheap buffets. This restaurant has always caught my eye every time we dine at Pino but I can't seem to find the time to try it. Thanks to this review, I am going to try it soon.=)

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  27. Nosebleed... What is it again?
    "Samgyeopsal" I don't even know how to pronounce it.
    The truth is, I never taste this dish and other Korean cuisine yet.
    Maybe, next week because my brother has reservations already for a Korean resto. His treat for our father's birthday last Sept. 25.

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  28. Samgyeopsal buffet is good for how many people?

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    1. Hi Anon, the samgyeopsal buffet is P299 per person :) It's unlimited serving of samgyeopsal plus unlimited helpings from the buffet spread.

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  29. Whoa, this is very affordable! Only 299?! I should have discovered this sooner! Sobrang okay na yung price given the selections ah. I think my issue here would only be on how I could reach the place :)) Great review as usual, Sumi! :D

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  30. I never imagine that there are these kind of restaurants - that the food is affordable and yet so appetizing. I want to try Don Day when in Quezon City.

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  31. Wow, for a price of P299 and you have that ample selection of dishes it's more than a bargain. I have a cousin in Quezon City, I will surely ask her to bring me to this place. Thanks for sharing =)

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  32. I am not into Koreanovelas but this ones a Wow... Korean food for only Php199.00

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  33. your photos were very tempting! I'll go & choose the P199 korean buffet, mas gusto ko yung kimchi. Bawal na ang pork! Way to go :)

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  34. OMG! i really love samgyeopsal! i would love to visit this place if i go to MM. but i do hope they'll have a branch here in Cebu, that would be fantastic!!!

    PS. now i know the name of the salt-pepper-oil thing. haha i always ask the crew everytime i visit a Korean bbq House, then wolla! i can't remember a thing! haha

    #nowimcraving #samgyeopsal

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  35. Been here a lot of times because I'm a lover of anything Korean~ If you're looking for an ultimate eat all you can w/n your budget, Donday is the best. :D

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  36. I can't believe you can eat all those food for such an affordable price. Great!

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  37. wow,the food makes me hungry,i think im gonna like korean food

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  38. wow.. i love the foods.. i want to try

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  39. Thanks for sharing this. I have been hunting for buffet restos at an affordable price. Do we need to reserve to dine in this place?

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    1. Hi Jellybabe! No need to reserve, but try to go at the beginning of lunch/dinner service. The place can easily get full eh. ^^

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  40. Don Day is our go-to place whenever we crave for affordable korean grill all you can!

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