Romantic Baboy: The Best Unlimited Samgyupsal in Metro Manila

Korean barbecue is hands down one of my all-time favorites. I crave it so much that I make it a point to indulge at least once a month. With so many Korean BBQ spots over the metro, I’m always on the lookout for the best unlimited Samgyupsal near me. That’s how I stumbled upon Romantic Baboy, a Korean BBQ restaurant in Quezon City. With all the hype surrounding it, I just had to check it out for myself!

About Romantic Baboy

Romantic Baboy first opened its doors on January 19, 2018, with its flagship branch in Tomas Morato. They were one of the pioneers in Metro Manila’s Korean barbecue scene, offering unlimited pork and beef with cheese. A combo that quickly won over Filipino foodies.

Curious about what sets them apart from other KBBQ spots, I asked the owner what makes their restaurant different. He shared that they took inspiration from authentic, modern-style Korean barbecue, crafting their own unique meat cuts and recipes to elevate the experience.

But what really makes them stand out? Their goal was to create a KBBQ place that resonates with Filipinos, which is why they went with the name “Romantic Baboy.” A fun and catchy twist on the usual Korean restaurant names. And honestly? It worked.

In just a few weeks after opening, they became very famous because of their unlimited pork and beef with cheese for only 599 pesos. Not only that, they also offer a no-time-limit-policy! Sulit na sulit? Definitely!

Restaurant Ambiance

The restaurant has a modern Korean ambiance. Entering the glass door opens up to a room with black wooden chairs and tables, personalized grill with the restaurant’s logo, wall design with Hangul. It was an interior that feels inviting. And because Filipinos are going gaga over anything Korean (KPop and KDrama), the gigantic HD TV playing KPop songs was a nice addition.

Banchan Options

Like any other Korean barbecue experience, we automatically received tiny bowls of side dishes delivered to our table. They’re called banchan. Depending on the restaurant, the amount of banchan you’ll get varies. We got 6 side dishes – Kimchi, Coleslaw, Scallion Salad, Stir-fried Fish Cakes, Fried Chicken and Jap Chae (Korean glass noodle stir fry). If you’re a group, these side dishes won’t be enough so you can always ask for more. They’re free.

Unlimited rice and Gochujang Jjigae (sweet-and-spicy fermented red pepper soup) and unlimited green ice lettuce, which we used for our traditional Korean BBQ wrap, were also provided. And of course, it won’t be a complete Korean barbecue experience without the Ssamjang (thick, spicy paste made from fermented bean), sesame oil, salt and pepper sauce.

Want to eat like Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo?

If it’s your first time to eat samgyupsal, don’t eat too much rice or else you will get full early. Eat the grilled meat first then the marinated grilled meat next. Of course you have to make your lettuce wrap with ssamjang to get the full experience. You may also add some grilled garlic and kimchi. When you’re getting a bit full, order the must-have, rice! Finally, cleanse your palate with cold noodles.

Overall Experience

Unlimited pork and beef with lots of gooey cheese for only 599 pesos plus no-time-limit policy? Romantic Baboy for the win! Although it has gain a reputation for long queues that can last for hours, the owners successfully opened other branches to manage the demand. They have also implemented an efficient queueing system to manage the entry of the customers. Overall, this restaurant has been my go-to place whenever I’m craving for Korean BBQ.

Hours of Operation: 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM (every day)

Romantic Baboy Branches

• Main Branch – CKB Centre, Tomas Morato Avenue Corner Scout Rallos Street, Laging Handa, Quezon City
• Antipolo Branch – Xentro Mall, Antipolo, Rizal
• Fairview Branch – Upper Ground U073 Fairview Terraces, Ayalamall (02) 799 4657
• Centris Branch – Centris Walk (Behind Yang Chow), Eton Centris, Quezon Avenue, Quezon City (02) 729 4238
• Don Antonio Branch – The Rock Lifestyle Hub, 2nd floor. Holy Spirit Drive, Batasan Hills, Quezon City 0977 162 0329
• Timog Ave. Branch – Ground Fl. Caswynn Tower, Timog Ave, Quezon City (02) 374 7948
• Sta. Rosa, Laguna Branch – Solenad1, Sta. Rosa, Nuvali 0956 557 6281
• Banawe Branch – 625 NS Amoranto corner Palali 2nd floor, Quezon City (02) 756 9409
• Mandaluyong Branch – Ground Fl. SMDC Light Mall, MRT Boni Station, Mandaluyong Globe: 0926 731 9815 Smart :0939 180 7779
• San Juan Branch – 2Fl. G-Square, Greenhills, Wilson, San Juan 0967 206 9570
• Congressional Ave. Branch – #23 Ground Fl. Congressional Town Center, Congressional Ave West, Quezon City 0927 1558 073
• Ortigas Branch – Ground Fl. Ortigas Home Depot, Dona Julia Vargas Ave, Pasig 0999 871 7121
• BF Homes Branch – #319 Aguirre Ave. BF Homes, Paranaque 0915 027 0942
• Subic Branch – The block 47 Center, Rizal Highway, SBFZ, beside lyceum 0921 323 9504
• Bacoor Branch – Zem Commercial Center, Talaba, Bacoor, Cavite 0956 614 5735
• SM North Branch – Epifanio de los Santos Ave, SM City North EDSA (02) 374 7948
• Marikina Branch – Marikina Heights Ayalamall, Liwasang Kalayaan, Marikina (02) 374 7948
• Cubao Branch – Alimall Cubao, P.Tuazon Boulevard, Cubao (02) 294 6754
• UP Town Center Branch – UP Town Center, Quezon City 0956 729 3223
• Batangas Branch – Grovepark Commercial Center, 2nd Flr Jp Laurel Highway, Barangay Santiago Malvar, Batangas 0956 162 8551
• Mindanao Ave. Branch – Brittany Sqaure, Mindanao Ave. Novaliches, Fairview, Quezon City

Have you tried Romantic Baboy? Let me know what you think in the comment section below!