Kdrama-inspired Dinner Date Ideas You'll Swoon Over
From grilled clams and soju to homemade mandu, here are some love-worthy date ideas you never even considered, but are so good
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Crash Landing On You (2020)
Any K-drama junkie worthy of the name will be familiar with CLOY (aka, Crash Landing On You) and it's numerous kilig food scenes. But we're going to be a bit different now and look at one of our favorite mouthwatering scenes and how it's inspired us.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Grilled Clams and Soju
Remember that scene when Captain Ri's soldiers grills clams on a chilly North Korean evening then urge Seri to eat with just soju? "It's sweet," she exclaims in surprise. Well, how about a romantic date over grilled clams and other seafood, with your favorite bottles of soju? And, being Pinoy, you'll need rice. Lots of rice.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Grill your own clams
You can have a DIY version by ordering fresh clams from Marvs Seafood Delivery, which is our go-to, absolutely trusted merchant for our seafood. DM @marvsboqueria.ph on Instagram for inquiries, or Viber (0917) 851-2732, and get your delivery via Lalamove. (Photo: Antonio Mendes for Unsplash)
Photo Credit: ORDER HERE
Goryeo's upscale Korean grill
Or, let the pros do it for you. Goryeo, the high end Korean grill restaurant at Okada Manila, can easily put together a grilled feast, from seafood to meat. Call (02) 8555-5799, email restaurantreservation@okadamanila.com, or follow @okadamanila on Instagram.
Photo Credit: @okadamanila
The King: Eternal Monarch (2020)
Remember that scene when Lee Min Ho cooks rice for Kim Go Eun? I could never get over the fact that he's washing rice in a brilliantly white uniform that's so vulnerable to dirt!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
The King: Eternal Monarch (2020)
And then he serves her personally!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Crab Rice from Infini Kitchen
Taking inspiration from that scene, we say why not serve rice all leveled up, like this unbelievable Crab Rice made with glutinous rice, scallops, conpoy, shiitake mushrooms. So flavorful and decadent. Order from @infini_kitchen on Instagram.
Photo Credit: ORDER HERE
Dinner Mate (2020)
Two strangers meet by accident and decide to become "dinner mates." That is, platonic friends who meet up for dinner. If ever there was a recipe for romance, this is it. We already know they'll end up together. We just want to see the food they'll be eating along the way to romance.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Steak
In the beginning, the heroine is on an awkward date with her partner (and soon to be ex) over steak. They are clearly unhappy. But by episode 7, an incident over steak transforms it to mean healing in a relationship. We won't say any more except to recommend the best selling USDA prime dry-aged steaks at @wolfgangsteakhouseph. Check their IG for contact info of their branches.
Photo Credit: ORDER HERE
Mandu (Korean dumplings)
Convenience store mandu brings on happy memories and becomes a doorway to love and healing. Make your own happy memories with Bibigo Mandu dumplings that you can buy frozen from any neighborhood Korean grocery.
Photo Credit: @bibigo.official
Something in the Rain (2018)
In Korean, it's title translates to "Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food." Son Ye Jin plays the Noona, which translates to "ate" or an older girl, and it's the story of a boy who falls in love with his older sister's friend.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food (2018)
The meals are his excuse to meet her. It's pretty fun watching this romance develop. Hee!
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Coffee and pastries
Anyway, on to the food. Lots of scenes occur in Korean cafes which inspirse us to go on a coffee date! Choose your favorite K-cafe, like @coffeesmith.ph and order coffee or tea, and something sweet like this Strawberry Banana Bingsu. Get to know each other without the pressure. And it feels casual and young.
Photo Credit: @coffeesmith.ph
Chimaek
The classic fried chicken + beer pairing is called chimaek. If you want a date that feels comfortable and is all about relaxation, this is just the thing, like @gochugang's fried chicken.
Photo Credit: ORDER HERE
Itaewon Class (2020)
If ever a plot was built around a dish, it has to be the the Kimchi Soondubu Jjigae (soft tofu stew) in Itaewon Class.
Photo Credit: Hancinema
Kimchi Jjigae
This warm and spicy stew is just what you need in the still-chilly evenings of February. Order from @noriterchickenandbeer.
Photo Credit: ORDER HERE
Lead photo: Hancinema
