Blog Anniversary Giveaway #2: Chef's Noodle Rob Magnolia

As much as I love eating at hole-in-the-wall Korean restaurants, I can't deny there are times I just find it troublesome. Since I live way up in the northern metro, I can say I don't really have easy access for a quick fix. However, a trip to Chef's Noodle, a fast casual dining restaurant all the way from South Korea, can definitely solve the problem for me.
Chef's Noodle Robinsons Magnolia Interior

Sure, Chef's Noodle doesn't really offer traditional Korean fare as it specializes in serving noodles, sushi, and rice meals. However, I can't deny that it satisfies my Korean food craving in a certain way. When I'm just needing my dose of kimbap or japchae, it's reassuring to know that Chef's Noodle has it. No need to go all the way to Korea Towns in Quezon City, Manila or Makati as Chef's Noodle can easily be found in malls.

Last year, I got to try Chef's Noodle for the first time in its first store inside University Mall along Taft Avenue. Fast forward to 2013, it now has 3 additional branches: Atlanta Centre in Greenhills, San Juan, SM City North EDSA, and Robinsons Magnolia.

Chef's Noodle Robinsons Magnolia Restaurant Interior

A few months ago, I got to visit Chef's Noodle at Robinsons Magnolia located on the lower ground floor and sits just beside Robinsons Appliances. Unlike the one in University Mall, this particular branch has catchy contemporary design. The moment my sister and I went in, our eyes were instantly captured by the pops of yellow here and there.

Chef's Noodle Condiments

Although I usually go for couches, we decided to settle on one of 3 the high tables. Surprisingly, it was comfortable all thanks to the cushioned high chairs. Anyway, every table has a set of condiments, as well as a call device which you can use to easily call the staff's attention. (Sorry, the call button's blocked by the sauce containers.)

Starking Fire Sushi (P160)
✓ Starking Fire Australian Beef Sushi (P160)
To start off our late lunch, we ordered the Starking Fire Sushi which is my ultimate favorite item from Chef's Noodle. This signature dish by South Korean celebrity Chef Choi In Sun, has 5 pieces of raw beef on sushi rice. The server then cooks the beef on the spot using a blowtorch, and according to your preferred doneness. And this dish isn't just all gimmick! It tastes good, tender and flavorful. No need to add wasabi anymore.

Kimbap (P95)
Kimbap (P95)
As if we didn't get enough of the sushi, we had the Kimbap which is another kind of Korean sushi. Every serving comes with 10 generous pieces of nori-wrapped sushi rice with Korean ham, eggs, cucumber and pickled daikon radish. It's also topped with mayo and sesame seeds, and comes with soy sauce, wasabi and even some free kimchi.

Chef's Noodle (P150)
✓ Chef's Noodle (P150)
For our main course, we had the Chef's Noodle which is the restaurant's signature noodle dish. This bowl has flat noodles cooked al dente in a flavorful and mildly spicy beef broth. It also has generous amounts of toppings -- beansprouts, fried tofu, kuchay, beef bulgogi and egg roll. Although this noodle dish is not really extraordinary, this is definitely a good fill for its price as it can easily satisfy taste-wise and portion-wise.

Ddukbokki Carbonara (P199)
✓ Ddukbokki Carbonara (P199)
Since my sister loves anything carbonara, she jumped into ordering the Ddukbokki Carbonara upon seeing it on the menu. We were in luck though as this is a new item at Chef's Noodle. If you didn't know yet, ddukbokki are soft Korean rice cakes usually eaten with a spicy sauce. In this case though, it was given a pasta treatment as it's immersed in a creamy carbonara sauce complete with bacon slices and mushrooms. And although I'm not really a white sauce lover, I liked it, while my sister loved this!

Kimari Twigim (P99)
Kimari Twigim (P99)
We also had the Kimari Twigim -- a serving of japchae wrapped in nori then fried with tempura batter. While this is a really nice dish on its own since it's crunchy on the outside and soft and japchae-y on the inside, the dip (read: banana ketchup) that it comes with put me off. I'm not sure if they already serve this with a different dip, but I think I would've enjoyed this more with either a tempura dipping sauce or even with some Japanese mayo. Hot sauce might be okay too, but what I did was eat these with kimchi.

Gelato (P95)
Gelato (P95)
If I'm not mistaken, Chef's Noodle doesn't offer desserts the last time I visited them (last year). This time though, I was really happy that they started offering Gelato or Italian ice cream. I'm not sure about the other flavors they offer, but as far as I know, they have Pistachio, Coffee Cappuccino, and Cookies and Cream, all of which are creamy, subtle in flavor and not so sweet; my kind of ice cream if only it wasn't as icy.

Chef's Noodle Robinsons Magnolia Menu
Click the photo to enlarge menu.

THE VERDICT

For the second time, Chef's Noodle has proven to be a trusty fast-casual Korean restaurant serving good food without breaking the budget. For more or less P100, you can already get a pretty filling meal! The Robinsons Magnolia branch had some hiccups in terms of service though as some staff were less alert. But given they're no longer on soft opening now, I'm hoping that service had already improved. Nevertheless, I see myself coming back again for another fast but enjoyable Korean meal as Chef's Noodle definitely knows how to give a good bang for the buck.

Taste - 3.5/5
Ambiance - 4/5
Service - 3/5
Price - 4.5/5
Overall Value - 4/5


Chef's Noodle, Robinsons Magnolia
LG/F Robinsons Magnolia (beside Robinsons Appliances)
Aurora Blvd., Kaunlaran, Quezon City
Metro Manila, Philippines
(02) 544-2469; (0925) 870-7175
Official Website
Facebook Page
Twitter

Other Branches:
2/F University Mall, Taft Ave.,
Malate, Manila
(02) 405-0129; 708-9520; (0932) 871-5560

G/F Atlanta Center, Annapolis St.,
Greenhills, San Juan
(02) 234-0840; 576-5054


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Now that I got to try Chef's Noodle not just once but twice, I'm giving you the chance to get a taste of affordable but good Korean fare. So join now as I raffle off a P1,000 gift card to 1 very lucky winner who can well treat not just him/herself to Chef's Noodle's dishes, but also bring along the family, the barkada, or the special someone.

Chef's Noodle Robinsons Magnolia Gift Card
Prize: (1) winner of P1,000 Chef's Noodle gift card valid for food and drinks at the Robinsons Magnolia branch until November 24, 2013.

PLEASE READ!
Guidelines to enter the giveaway raffle:

  1. Be a Metro Manila resident or someone (even not within Metro Manila) who can actually use the prize before its expiry, or have a person you'll give the prize to in case you can't use them.
  2. Follow the Rafflecopter mechanics below to join.
  3. Make sure you do all the first seven mandatory steps to be eligible.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The giveaway raffle will run from today until November 11, 2013. The winner will be drawn, announced and contacted the next day, November 12. So what are you waiting for? Join now and get a taste of South Korea's Chef's Noodle!

Disclaimer: The prize was provided by the good folks from Chef's Noodle Philippines.

47 comments:

  1. Name: Kristine Joy de Vera
    Email: krisjen_7@yahoo.com
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  2. Robert Jonathan Chan
    robertjonathanchan88@yahoo.com
    GFC: Robert Jonathan Chab

    https://www.facebook.com/robertjonathan.chan/posts/464808876973686
    https://twitter.com/RobertJChan/status/398608364675940352

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  3. I super like the kimari and japchae!!!
    Bedalyn Aguas
    dbedalyn@yahoo.com
    https://www.facebook.com/bedalyn.aguas/posts/749708018377201
    https://twitter.com/dbedalyn/status/398638802698121217
    Bedalyn Aguas
    @dbedalyn

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  4. Name: sherry ann gole cruz
    Email: khryza1022@yahoo.com
    FB Post Link:https://www.facebook.com/sherryann1022/posts/10200600324522262 Tweet Link: https://twitter.com/annkharize/status/398642326051885057
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  5. Name: Ma. Eddielli R. Bungay
    Email: eddielli.bungay@gmail.com
    FB Post Link: https://www.facebook.com/eddielli/posts/10151990027844727
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    GFC Name: Eddielli Bungay
    Instagram ID: @eddielli

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  6. name: may ongsioco
    email: may.ongsioco@yahoo.com
    https://www.facebook.com/m.ongsioco/posts/251290021687803
    https://twitter.com/CUTELLA08/status/398645005268422656
    gfc name: may ongsioco

    ReplyDelete
  7. Which Chef's Noodle dish or dishes would you like to try the most?
    To be honest I haven't eaten in any korean restaurant so this will be another first and I would love to try Starking Fire Australian Beef Sushi and Ddukbokki Carbonara.

    Name: Marie Katrina Bronozo
    Email: ynayns023@yahoo.com
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    GFC Name: yna bronozo
    Instagram ID: yna yns (@yns023)

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  8. I would like to try everything!!!! Well, let's start with the Ddukbokki Carbonara :))

    Name: Jawaher Banico
    Email: jawsmayobanico@gmail.com
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    GFC Name: Jawaher Banico
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  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Name: Michelle Katherine Tan
    Email: michellekatherinetan@gmail.com
    FB Post: https://www.facebook.com/mitchkat/posts/10201314979450036
    Tweet: https://twitter.com/mitchkatsytan/status/398653939576369152
    GFC: Michelle Katherine Tan
    Instagram: miiiiits

    I would definitely try their japchae (one of the first thing i would order in a korean resto), jjampong and their gelato as well i wont say no to a good dessert.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Khristel Anne Vital
    vkhristel@yahoo.com
    https://twitter.com/vkhrstl/status/398661193054711810
    GFC: khristel Anne Vital
    IG: @vkhrstl

    ReplyDelete
  12. Which Chef's Noodle dish or dishes would you like to try the most?
    Starking Fire Sushi is the one I'd like to try out cause I'm always up for a really good bite of any sushi any day :)

    Name: Cristine Nicole Paler
    Email: cristinenicolepaler@gmail.com
    FB Post Link: https://www.facebook.com/nick.bloodlust/posts/10200219829098551
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    GFC Name: (If you did this step) nicole
    Instagram ID: (if you did this step) cristinepaler

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  13. Sheryl An Mungcal
    email: sheryl100485@gmail.com
    FB post link:https://www.facebook.com/sherylan.mungcal/posts/1389814517926715
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    GFC:Sheryl An Mungcal
    IG:@dadz_angel

    ReplyDelete
  14. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Theresa Cruz-Escaros
    drterecruz@yahoo.com
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    GFC: Theresa Cruz
    Instagram: @TereCruzEscaros

    ReplyDelete
  16. i would like to try the Chef's Noodle!

    Name: Joel D. Trinidad
    Email: joerux@gmail.com
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    Instagram ID: joerux
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    ReplyDelete
  17. I would like to try Chef's noodle and Ddukbokki carbunara
    Maricris T. Abarabar
    maricrisft@yahoo.com
    FB: https://www.facebook.com/maricris.t.abarabar/posts/10201185151054000
    twitter: https://twitter.com/MTAbarabar/status/398717940817620992
    IG: @nickole27
    GFC: Maricris Abarabar

    ReplyDelete
  18. I would like to taste the chef noodles
    Maricel Fajardo
    m_mendiola08@yahoo.com
    https://www.facebook.com/emcel.fajardo/posts/388606701241647
    https://twitter.com/m_mendiola08/status/398741083326148609

    ReplyDelete
  19. Name: Mayla Lagrimas
    Email: mayla_lagrimas@yahoo.com
    FB Post Link: https://www.facebook.com/mayla.lagrimas/posts/633916409988264
    Tweet Link: https://twitter.com/maymaxnin/status/398752608283684864
    GFC Name: Mayla Lagrimas
    Instagram ID: @maylalagrimas

    ReplyDelete
  20. Name: Aleya Albert Rama
    Email: iamaarama@gmail.com
    FB Post Link: https://www.facebook.com/thealeyashares/posts/10202622304021814
    Tweet Link: https://twitter.com/thealeyatweets/status/398757699858345984
    Instagram ID: @thealeyapics

    ReplyDelete
  21. Ddukbokki Carbonara and sushi! :)))

    Name: Joana Marie Urbano
    Email: joanamarieurbano@gmail.com
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  22. I would love to try their Starking Fire Australian Beef Sushi! They look so awesome!
    Name: Vivian Aguilar
    Email: vvaguilar2003@yahoo.com
    FB Post Link: https://www.facebook.com/vvaguilar/posts/10201813466089908
    Tweet Link: https://twitter.com/vvaguilar/status/398812106767609857
    GFC Name: divine_viva

    ReplyDelete
  23. Would like to try their Starking Fire Australian Beef Sushi
    Jan Karen Ku
    jan.karen.ku(at)gmail.com
    FB Post Link: https://www.facebook.com/khawen/posts/10151754035116645
    Tweet Link: https://twitter.com/Kaarrreen/status/398797231832064000
    Instagram ID: @kaarrreen

    ReplyDelete
  24. I wanna try the Chef's Noodles. :)
    NAME: Mara Jerimee Galang
    EMAIL: boa_makura@yahoo.com
    FB LINK: https://www.facebook.com/maki.yosh/posts/548529051890188
    TWITTER POST LINK:https://twitter.com/marchyde078/status/398850625699463168
    IG: @makurayosh

    ReplyDelete
  25. i want to try their chef noodles

    caryn morales
    caryn_cariaga@yahoo.com
    gfc: yen morales
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    https://twitter.com/yenmorales/status/398914074374705152
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    ReplyDelete
  26. camille quiambao
    quiamoi_tres@yahoo.com
    twitter: https://twitter.com/cgquiambao/status/398957588907171840
    facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notyourordinaryteacher.tumblr/posts/451254024985719

    GFC: notyourordinaryteacher

    ReplyDelete
  27. I would love to try Chefs Noodle's Ddukbokki Carbonara!

    Kirsten Allysandra San Juan
    kirstally@gmail.com

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kirsten.sj.5/posts/196138740572254
    : https://www.facebook.com/kirsten.sj.5/posts/196139520572176

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/KirstAllys/status/399047632670040064
    : https://twitter.com/KirstAllys/status/399049565250134018

    ReplyDelete
  28. Maria Corazon LetadaNovember 9, 2013 at 2:09 PM

    Name: Maria Corazon Letada
    Email: corazonletada@gmail.com
    FB Post Link: https://www.facebook.com/mariacorazon.letada/posts/1414766168755233
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    GFC Name: Maria Corazon Letada
    Instagram ID: @coraletada

    ReplyDelete
  29. Name: Kimberly Camille Tiu
    Email: purple_kimy37@yahoo.com
    Tweet Link: https://twitter.com/kimtiu37/status/399060754436878337

    ReplyDelete
  30. Which Chef's Noodle dish or dishes would you like to try the most? Kimbap!

    Name: Alta Infante
    Email: alta.infante(at)yahoo.com
    FB Post Link: Tweet Link: https://twitter.com/itsaltainfante/status/399129058987892738
    GFC Name: Alta Infante

    ReplyDelete
  31. Name: Jenny Esplana
    Email: jenny.pinayformoda@yahoo.com
    FB Post Link: https://www.facebook.com/jesplana009/posts/734856056528955
    Tweet Link: https://twitter.com/jesplana009/status/399132000235184129
    GFC Name: Jenny Esplana

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'd like to try their signature dish which is the Chef's Noodle.
    Name: abigail Sy
    Email: gaylesy38@yahooc.com
    FB Post Link: https://www.facebook.com/gayle.sy/posts/582680278446971
    Tweet Link: https://twitter.com/abbysy11/status/398675336327471104
    GFC Name: gayle sy
    Instagram ID: @abbysy11

    ReplyDelete
  33. I'd love to try Ddukbokki Carbonara looks yummy!!

    Name: Melanie Joyce Rebleza
    Email: mjbrebleza@yahoo.com
    FB Post Link: https://www.facebook.com/joylabstracenjao/posts/10200823265044293
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    GFC Name: joy rebleza
    Instagram ID: @joy022

    ReplyDelete
  34. Name: Patricia Louise Mendoza
    Email: itspatricialouise@yahoo.com
    Tweet Link: https://twitter.com/ohlouisee/status/399425463270912001

    ReplyDelete
  35. Name:Say Yap
    Email:say_yap@ymail.com
    FB Post Link: https://www.facebook.com/say.yap.71/posts/253058131511401
    Tweet Link:https://twitter.com/SAYjazzy9/status/399441856309633024
    GFC Name: Say Yap
    Instagram ID: sayjazzy9
    I'd like to try their signature dish.. Chef's Noodle!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Margaret S. Chan
    compromise88@yahoo.com
    GFC : compromise88

    I would like to try the fried chap chae
    https://twitter.com/compromise88/status/399464971219656706
    https://www.facebook.com/margaret.chan.771/posts/678877198813717

    ReplyDelete
  37. Which Chef's Noodle dish or dishes would you like to try the most?
    Answer: Starking Fire Australian Beef Sushi! Just seeing how it looks from your blog makes my mouth droooool~

    Name: Ma. Rosario S. Racho
    Email: racho.rio@gmail.com
    FB Post Link: https://www.facebook.com/riodesu/posts/10201506309433933
    Tweet Link: https://twitter.com/riodesu/status/398679638714490881
    GFC Name: Ma. Rosario Racho
    Instagram ID: riodimusica

    ReplyDelete
  38. ddukboki carbonara looks interesting It will be on top of my list if ever we get to eat there.

    Name: Rosanna Bronozo
    Email: osang36@yahoo.com
    FB Post Link: https://www.facebook.com/marioosang.bronozo/posts/624583744247732
    Tweet Link: https://twitter.com/Osang36/status/399481618336710657
    GFC Name: osang felipe
    Instagram ID: osang36

    ReplyDelete
  39. I would love to try the Starking Fire Australian Beef Sushi and Kimbap.. Looks so delicious.. hmm.. yum! yum!

    Name: Emilie Udasco
    Email: elicious@rocketmail.com
    FB Post Link: https://www.facebook.com/ElieciOus/posts/10200980568739721
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    GFC Name: Elie Udasco
    Instagram ID: @eliecious

    ReplyDelete
  40. Which Chef's Noodle dish or dishes would you like to try the most?
    ddukboki carbonara :D
    Name: Riel Jane Tanyag
    Email: rieltanyag@gmail.com
    FB Post Link: https://www.facebook.com/rjtanyag/posts/656663797689215
    Tweet Link: https://twitter.com/rieltanyag/status/399546019714564097
    GFC Name:riel tanyag
    Instagram ID: reilistic

    ReplyDelete
  41. Name: Michael Caparas
    Email: guy_jerk@yahoo.com
    FB Post Link: https://www.facebook.com/mc.cap.1/posts/1394886464083739
    Tweet Link: https://twitter.com/mwehs_revenge/status/399565843064815617
    GFC Name: (If you did this step) guy_jerk@yahoo.com
    Instagram ID: (if you did this step) @mwehs_revenge

    ReplyDelete
  42. I want to try the house specialty, Chef's Noodle

    ReplyDelete
  43. I would like to try the Starking Fire Australian Beef Sushi. The presentation looks very nice

    Name: Mark Pineda
    Email: koiye05@yahoo.com
    FB Post Link: https://www.facebook.com/kohtwoeye/posts/10201901167266298
    Tweet Link: https://twitter.com/colocoy/status/399692215619829760
    GFC Name: colocoy
    Instagram ID: @cocoyococ

    ReplyDelete
  44. Name: Lovely Joy Merced
    Email: bundlesofjoy@rocketmail.com
    FB Post Link: Tweet Link: https://twitter.com/Joyluck_614/status/399870390618439681 https://www.facebook.com/lovelyjoymerced/posts/580203515380786
    GFC Name: (If you did this step) Joy Merced
    Instagram ID: (if you did this step) @joyluck_614

    ReplyDelete
  45. there's Chef Noodles near my place here in Taft. Hope it's as good as the one you've tried. :)

    ReplyDelete
  46. If I'm not mistaken, Chef's Noodle doesn't offer desserts the last time I visited them (last year). pakistani silk suits online , 2 piece suit for ladies This time though, I was really happy that they started offering Gelato or Italian ice cream. I'm not sure about the other flavors they offer, but as far as I know, they have Pistachio, Coffee Cappuccino, and Cookies and Cream, all of which are creamy, subtle in flavor and not so sweet; my kind of ice cream if only it wasn't as icy.

    ReplyDelete

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