Have Your Fill of Chef Paik's Famous Korean Katsu Balls at Megamall

(SPOT.ph) At this point in time, most of us have had our taste of the katsu. Ah yes, that comforting breaded crispy-on-the-outside but juicy-on-the-inside pork cutlet typically served with rice and sauce. It's already a great meal on its own but renowned Korean chef Paik Jong Won took the usual katsu and gave it a Korean twist by turning the flat cutlet into a ball. Yup, folks, you read that right; there's such a thing as katsu balls. And we're getting our first taste of this Korean innovation to the classic Japanese dish starting December 10, as the first Philippine branch of the famous Korean fast-food Ball Katsu lands on our shores at the Mega Food Hall of SM Megamall.

Also read:
10 Must-Try Korean Dishes Apart From Samgyupsal
The SPOT.ph Guide to Korean Food

Check out the eats at the famous Korean fast-food chain Ball Katsu:

Don't expect a full-blown restaurant when you go looking for Ball Katsu. It's actually a part of Mega Fashion Hall's Food Hall on the fifth floor. But don't let its simple setup fool you. This food spot can bang out killer katsu balls, katsu burgers, rice bowls, and curry rice dishes. 

There aren't really a lot of choices, but it can still feel a bit overwhelming to choose what to try from this joint. They all look so damn good. Don't worry. We've got you covered. We tried out some of Ball Katsu's offerings, and let's just say we're coming back for more. 

Starting off with the burgers, which are surprisingly the lightest bite you can get from this food haunt. The three burger flavors, namely: Spicy Salsa, Tartar, and Teriyaki (P169 each), are all made from the same seasoned minced pork patty just with different fillings. If you're looking for a sweeter flavor with hints of onion, go for the Teriyaki Burger. For a fresher, slightly tangy bite with lots of cabbage, go for the Tartar Burger, and for a burger with a little bit of heat and kick, go for the Spicy Salsa burger. All these burgers can be paired with sauces on the side, but the MVP in our book is the secret sauce which is akin to a sweet barbeque sauce, just on the slightly thinner and lighter side. 

But now, onto the main star of the show, the Ball Katsu. There are two variants to choose from the OG Ball Katsu (P149/piece, P699 for a box of five) and the Cheese Ball Katsu (P169/piece, P799 for a box of five). Both balls are very filling, wherein you can just eat one and be full for the rest of the afternoon. They really don't skimp on the minced pork—it's packed tightly. If we were to guess, we'd say the ratio of meat to breading is 1:1. Both Katsu Balls are perfectly deep-fried into a crunchy, crispy golden brown ball, yet are still moist and succulent on the inside. 

Honestly, all the Katsu Burgers and Ball Katsus are worth a try. Each has its own flavor that appeals to a certain crowd. For its price points of P149 to P169, these treats make for a quick on-the-go filling snack that could power you up for a long day of shopping.

Gun to our head, and we had to choose a favorite, we'd go for the Cheese Ball Katsu. The mix of the creamy mozzarella cheese plus the well-seasoned juicy minced pork enveloped in a crispy, crunchy ball exterior makes us salivate just thinking about it. Just make sure you won't forget to take a vid once you do your cheese pull, okay?

Run, don't walk, and try out these tasty snacks from this Korean fast-food joint.  Ball Katsu started as a small store in Yeondon, South Korea. Today it has over 70 branches in Korea, with outposts in Canada and Japan.

Also read: Here's What You Should Know About Korea's "Finest Fried Chicken" Resto That's Now in BGC 

Ball Katsu Philippines is at 5/F Mega Fashion Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City . For more information, visit Ball Katsu Philippines' Facebook page.

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