If there's anything Korean dramas have taught us, it's that Korean food is just as drool-worthy as any venerable Hallyu co-star. There's ramyeon, jiggae, the not-so-subtle placements of Subway, KBBQ, and how can we forget Korean fried chicken? If you've ever watched the K-drama called Business Proposal starring Kim Sejeong and Ahn Hyo Seop, then you'd know how Sejeong's character and her family own a chicken business called Goobne.
In case you didn't know, Goobne is real—and here in the Philippines for the first time.
LOOK: Korean Roast Chicken Restaurant Goobne Opens in the Philippines
Goobne is totally different from the Korean fried chicken we usually see on screen as Goobne is known for oven-roast chicken. Launched in 2005, the name of the chicken place comes from the word "Goob-da" which means to roast. That way, you get a Korean chicken experience that's lighter than your usual fried bird.
They have over 1,200 outlets worldwide, in the United States, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Macao, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, and, finally, the Philippines-based branch has opened in Bonifacio Global City—right at One Bonifacio High Street.
What's on the Goobne menu
We know we're not the only ones who like to try the simplest, plainest version of their best-selling item before trying any other flavors. If you can relate to this universal food experience, you won't regret ordering the Original (P489), a Goobne oven-roasted chicken. This is available in different flavors such as Soy Garlic (P569), Sweet & Spicy (P569), Galbi (P539), Volcano (P539), and the crowd-favorite Pepper Crispy (P569).
Since these aren't served with any rice or carbs, you can go for the heftier O.M.G. (Oh, My Goobness!) Combos. You can choose a chicken flavor and have seven pieces of it paired with rice or pasta. There's the Half Chicken with Creamy Carbonara (P799), Half Chicken with Rosé Pasta (P799), Half Chicken with Creamy Risotto (P799), and Half Chicken with Rosé Risotto (P799). As for the heaviest, good-for-sharing meals, there is the UFO Chicken which is served on an iron plate for melting the cheese for dipping. There's also Galbi with Volcano UFO (P1,499), Soy Garlic and Sweet and Spicy UFO (P1,499), and the UFO Chicken Invasion (P1,899) which has rice, drinks, and a Korean pancake.
While the Goobne Philippines menu isn't as extensive as the one in Korea, the Philippines branch does have a few other dishes from tteokbokki options such as Cheesy (P499), Carbonara (P469), Rosé (P469), and Soupy (P469) variations; pajeon or Korean pancake choices such as Seafood Pancake (P369), Potato Pancake (P369), and Kimchi Pancake (P369); risotto plates like the Creamy Risotto (P449) and Rosé Risotto (P449); a noodles selection including Creamy Carbonara (P439), Rosé Pasta, and Japchae (P489); or for those that live by the rice-is-life philosophy, there's Kimchi Fried Rice (P349) and Steamed Rice (P590).
They have coffee (starting price of P99); alcoholic drinks like their famous, gimmicky Shark-Rita (P279) which is a frozen blue margarita; ice-blended fruity drinks in Ripe Mango, Watermelon, Pineapple, and Mango Pineapple (P129 each); and other beverages like Yakult Lemonade (P149) and Goobne House blend Iced Tea (P79).
If you still have space for dessert after all the roast chicken and tteokbokki you've devoured, Goobne has bingsu and ice cream on the menu for something sweet. The Korean shaved dessert comes in flavors of Strawberry Bingsu (P299), Mango & Red Bean Bingsu (P299), and Mochi & Red Bean Bingsu (P299). The ice cream flavors are limited to Goobne Affogato (P169), Chocolate (P149), Mango (P149), Strawberry (P149), and Vanilla (P149).
What we recommend at Goobne
Since we're the type of diners who like to try the classic or core flavors before exploring what else is on the menu, of course, we had to try the Original Goobne Chicken. This chicken had a pleasing, just-salty-enough flavor from its crispy golden brown skin, all the way to the juicy meat. It's the kind you can eat on its own, but if you like it with a kick, it is served with a spicy mayonnaise dip and pickled radish for a palate cleanser.
The not-so-secret secret to their juicy chicken, to which we can attest, lies in the method of how they cook the chicken: 195 degrees Celsius for 13 minutes in the oven. This is apparently all it takes to yield a moist chicken meat with a crispy golden brown skin. That, and the chicken is always fresh. According to Darrell Sia, the General Manager and Managing Director of Globalbrands Retail Specialist Inc., there's always a fresh batch of chicken delivered to Goobne for roasting.
When it came to the flavored oven-roasted chicken, we ended up ordering the UFO Chicken Invasion. It came in two flavors, six pieces of Soy Garlic and the Sweet & Spicy, and while we do have an affinity for all things spicy which meant we liked the Sweet & Spicy flavor, we ended up loving the Soy Garlic more. It had the right amount of saltiness combined with a sugary sweetness that paired well with a lot of melted cheese. Everything tastes so much better with cheese in it, and thankfully, the UFO Chicken Invasion came with a more-than-generous amount of cheese to coat all 12 pieces.
If there was anything that caught us by surprise aside from the chicken, it was the Cheesy Tteokbokki. It might just be one of the best tteokbokki we've ever tasted in the Metro. Every item on the skillet was executed great—from the chewy rice cakes, to the perfectly cooked curly noodles made heftier with added slices of fishcakes, a thick layer of melted cheese, and topping of a sliced soft-boiled egg. It's that good that we recommend skipping rice or pajeon altogether and ordering the Cheesy Tteokbokki to partner with the chicken.
How to reserve a table at Goobne
Goobne is open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., from Sunday to Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday. You can place a reservation by messaging them on Vibet at 0917-303-5979. Do take note that pets aren't allowed in the restaurant.
Goobne is located at 3F, One Bonifacio High Street Mall, Bonifacio Global City
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