MANILA-based company No Limits, Inc. has expanded to Cebu, with the opening of its Korean restaurant KPub BBQ at the Ayala Center Terraces.
KPub BBQ is the brainchild of president and proprietor George Pua, who said that the restaurant is the result of his culinary adventures in Korea.
“You have to love what you serve. This (Korean) is one of my favorite dishes,” Pua said.
Jay Lazaro, vice president, said the restaurant would benefit from the growing Korean pop (K-pop) culture in Cebu.
“You see more Korean-inspired food, more Korean dramas and telenovelas on the TV, and we’re hearing a lot more songs,” he said.
“Korean (culture) has really taken off and now we want to bring the whole thing here,” he added.
KPub Cebu is the third of its kind in the Philippines, and the first outside Manila.
The first outlet was established at The Fort, Global Bonifacio City in June 2013, while the second one was opened in the Trinoma mall in December 2014.
A fourth KPub is expected to open by April or May this year at the Glorietta mall.
With about 600-sq.m. in floor area and 350 seating capacity, KPub Cebu is the second largest among the chains, Lazaro said.
Pua said KPub is able to “transport the total authentic Korean experience to diners.”
“We want to impart that kind of experience to the Filipino diners. All ingredients of Korean culture are here– food, music and service,” he added.
Found inside the restaurant are three large video screens. Korean pop music, or K-pop, is blasted from speakers.
The restaurant makes use of innovative, smokeless infrared grills, which not only eliminates the need for bulky exhaust systems, but also prevents the meat from sticking to the grills and burning.
Apart from its main dining room and stage area, there are six VIP rooms and a balcony area for another Korean food brand called Oppa! Chicken which will open in June.
Two stand-alone stores for Oppa! Chicken will also open in June in Manila.
Lazaro said the restaurant is not purely for Korean customers, who comprise approximately 30 percent of their captive market, but especially for Filipinos who want a taste of Korean culture.
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