Manila Town

Not long after opening in mid-November, Manila Town soon began to receive rave reviews. With just one visit, it is easy to see why it got so much attention so quickly. Serving delicious Filipino food in a comfortable setting, Manila Town is one of the best new restaurants to come to Gwangju in a while.

Atmosphere and Service

Manila Town occupies a small space, but the service is some of the friendliest in town. The owner welcomes guests and instantly makes them feel at home. There is no menu to look over, as the restaurant features only one meal set, making this the perfect place to take someone who suffers from menu indecision.

Food

The one meal set available includes roasted pork, chicken and lumpia, or fried spring rolls, along with soup, rice and a drink. What the restaurant lacks in selection, they make up for in quality. The soup served has the first hint of this. Deceptively simple, the soup was not much more than a rich chicken broth with a few slices of leek and a hint of lemony sourness. It was a great way to open the meal and chase away the chill of a cold winter night. The chicken was another highlight. Every bite was tender and juicy with a fair amount of crispy skin. Several pieces had small bits of bone hidden in them, so eat carefully. The roasted pork was also good, with a slightly sweet soy glaze.
Two of the best things on the plate were the fried spring rolls. Fresh and crisp without being greasy, the spring rolls were filled with vegetables and soft chunks of meat. While a lot of spring rolls tend to have a mushy filling that tastes suspiciously like the inside of a freezer, these were obviously homemade and cooked with care. They came with a sweet chili sauce, but really needed no accompaniment. Just savor each crunchy bite and try not to start any fights by stealing from your dining partners.

The set menu costs 9,900 won and includes a soft drink. A small range of beer is also available.

Directions

Enter Chungjang-ro at the police station (충파). Walk toward the post office. Manila Town is located down a small alleyway to the right across from Zara. Just look for the red and blue sign.

Address: 광주 동구 충장로 3가 26-3/ 26-3 Chungjang 3 Dong-gu Gwangju

Tel: 010-2470-7326

Hours: Monday – Friday 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. – 12 a.m. (midnight)

Bus: 7, 9, 36, 39, 49, 51, 57, 61, 80, 95, 518, 1187, 1000 (Geumnam-no 4ga Stop)

Subway: Geumnam-no 4ga