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Let’s go.

Gaja Korean Kitchen in Poblacion is one of the newest and most buzzed about Korean restaurants in Metro.

Fun Fact: Gaja is Korean slang which roughly translates to “let’s go”

What they aim to do is take a centuries-old cuisine that is rooted in tradition and reintroduce it to the Filipino palate by adapting it with modern techniques to suit our evolving tastes. The food is exceptional and the ambiance when the dining area is full can be electric, but the excitement does not stop there.

Gaja Korean Kitchen
Gaja Korean Kitchen | Photo by @foodflings.ph

Hidden inside Gaja is a speakeasy, the likes of which we have not seen before. This strange yet spellbinding painting hides the secret entrance to The Odd Seoul, a unique bar that offers modern takes on Korean soju cocktails.

Gaja Korean Kitchen
Photo by @linnicole21

The Odd Seoul – Poblacion

Dimmed lighting and warm neon lights greet all those who set foot in The Odd Seoul. You are completely transported into a different world.

Gaja Korean Kitchen
Photo from Booky

Far from the vintage, Prohibition style speakeasies we’ve seen sprouting all over the Metro, The Odd Seoul is young, modern, and hip.

The atmosphere is reminiscent of the Seoul underground. This is further reinforced by the huge Seoul Metropolitan Subway Map which takes up most of the wall.

Gaja Korean Kitchen
Photo from Booky

Like most secret bars, seating here is limited. Come early if you want to score comfortable seating. Trust us, you’ll need it — their cocktails and shooters are smooth AF. If you’re not careful, they’ll surely stab you in the back.

Gaja Korean Kitchen
Photo from Booky

Soju wanna get wasted? Here are the must-tries:

Smoking Tiger

This concoction of Soju, Sherry, Guava and Lemon Juice definitely packs a punch. This cocktail is presented to you under a glass case which traps the smoke and imparts the drink with a strong, smokey flavor.

Gaja Korean Kitchen
Photo from Booky

Kimchi Sour

The true gem of their cocktail menu is their Kimchi Sour, a delicious drink with Soju, Kimchi, Almond, Lemon Juice, Egg White, Dried Rose. Who would have thought that Korea’s national dish could be made even better.

Gaja Korean Kitchen
Photo from Booky

ODD

Go the classic route with their signature Soju shooters! The presentation (in glass test tubes) is a little odd, but it works right? It may look gimmicky, but don’t be mistaken. These shooters contain a deadly combination of soju AND tequila.

Insider Tip: Start with white, get bloodied up with red, and finish off with a smooth blue.
Gaja Korean Kitchen
Photo from Booky

The Odd Seoul is sure to become your new favorite late-night spot in Poblacion. They open daily at 4PM and close at 2am from Monday to Thursday and 3am on Fridays and Saturdays. On Sundays, they’re open until midnight.

You might not be able to reserve a table for the bar, but you can still get a booking discount at Gaja Korean Kitchen with Booky. Get up to ₱500 off!

Reservations are not accepted
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8445 Kalayaan Ave., Poblacion, Makati
(0906) 493-0799

If you’re not already enjoying the offline convenience of Booky, you can download the app for FREE! Whether you’re on iPhone or Android, you get P1000 worth of savings on us. But why stop there? When you sign up for BOOKY PRIME, you can get up to P15,000 worth of Buy 1 Get 1 deals and unlimited discounts – all for just P199 a month. Your next bite is just a touch away.

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