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Sundays are default family time, and what could be better than bonding over delicious food? So last Sunday, after spending two hours at the church, our family went out to lunch. This particular weekend, we decided to try a Korean restaurant. Here’s my review of Kogi & Vegi, a Korean Restaurant in Smallville Boardwalk Park.

How to Go to Kogi & Vegi Korean Restaurant, Smallville Riverside Boardwalk Park

Kogi & Vegi is in a prime location beside business centers and is accessible to people taking a stroll along the Esplanade. If you’re driving from SM City, one of the largest malls in Iloilo City, located along Diversion Road or Benigno Aquino Avenue, proceed straight towards the Taytay Diversion (bridge). Before reaching the actual bridge, turn right towards Dra. Rizalina V. Bernardo Avenue. A few meters along and you’ll start seeing restaurants. Kogi & Vegi is on the left side, and for convenience, there are parking slots right outside the restaurant.

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Kogi & Vegi Korean Restaurant Ambiance and Overall Feel

It was our first time dining at a Korean restaurant as a group of six, and the place looked promising from the start. To begin with, most of its decor is Korean-inspired or neutral—think abstract wood elements—that create a calm, cohesive vibe. The venue was spotlessly clean, bright, and welcoming, which encouraged a relaxed mood as soon as we walked in. In addition, it appeared airy, with glass panels serving as walls that enhanced the sense of openness.

However, I’m conflicted about the glass walls due to their lack of privacy. On the other hand, the second level was equally bright and quite nice, offering a similar ambiance. Moreover, the section facing the Esplanade is open, so you’re very welcome to dine with a view of the Iloilo River.

They host many Korean guests who seemed at home, happily enjoying the native dishes they love. Consequently, we felt excited to try something new ourselves.

Kogi & Vegi Korean Restaurant Menu and the Service

We were not familiar with the food aside from the popular ones, so we completely relied on the menu. A couple of waiters tried to assist, and we appreciated their attempt to answer some of our questions, but felt that they also needed to learn more about their menu. It would’ve also helped if they were smiling more; it would’ve definitely made them appear friendlier and more accommodating.

As for the menu, Korean cuisine truly shines with its color. The dishes looked irresistibly appetizing, with a lively mix of red and orange hues that hint at bold flavors and some spicy options—think kimchi-inspired heat. The venue offers group-friendly BBQ selections, including grilled pork and beef. Main dishes featured a variety of bulgogi (marinated meat), bokkeum (stir-fried in savory sauces), ramen, and both meat- and vegetable-based stews. Plus, the first batch of banchan (side dishes) is complimentary.

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Kogi & Vegi Korean Restaurant Food and Flavors

Kogi & Vegi offered a wide variety of Korean food, and below are some of the foods we ordered for sharing:

Side Dishes

A few minutes after we sat down, we were already enjoying the complimentary side dishes. We came as a group of six, and our food came with two servings of side dishes: japchae (stir-fried potato noodles with vegetables), sliced hard-boiled eggs, cabbage kimchi (a very popular traditional Korean dish made from fermented vegetables, in this case, cabbage), and Mung bean sprouts. After approximately 20-30 minutes of waiting, the rest of our food followed.

Dolsot Bibimbap

Dolsot Bibimbap literally means “mixed rice” (Wikipedia). It’s a combination of hot rice, seasoned sauteed vegetables, chili pepper paste, and other seasonings, meat, and topped with fresh or fried egg. You should mix all ingredients before eating.

Bibimbap is one of the most popular Korean foods locally, mainly because, aside from it being a complete meal, it’s also similar to Filipino flavor. This dish is also frequently available in Korean-themed fast food restaurants in mall food courts. Sadly, though, Kogi & Vegi’s serving of Dolsot Bibimbap was too small for its price. The taste was something I also would not consider outstanding, though worth a second try. The photo below was taken after mixing the ingredients.

Hoedupbap

This is a Korean dish of steamed rice topped with tuna sashimi, flying fish roe, and vegetables. Just like Bibimbap, you should mix all ingredients before eating.

What a wonderful dish this is to the eyes. I loved the presentation and the green of the lettuce, the orange of fish roe, and the pinkish red of tuna. It looked just like Christmas! It’s very appetizing, yet it’s a dish you wouldn’t want to eat for fear of ruining it. The taste was refreshing, and I really enjoyed the combination of vegetables, the savory sauce and the fish roe. This dish could feed one to two guests.

Gamja Tang

This is a spicy Korean stew, and the main ingredient is the spine of a pig. Kogi & Vegi’s Gamja Tang also contained potatoes, crystal noodles, cabbage, crushed perilla seeds and leaves, spring onions, and other spices.

Gamja Tang was my favorite! I’m not really into spicy food, but this stew is just wonderful. The pork was so tender it almost melted in my mouth. The crushed perilla seeds, the spring onions, and the balanced spiciness with the aroma elevated the hot broth to a different level. We enjoyed this stew with servings of rice. It’s also good for groups, as this could feed five to six guests. Because it has potatoes and cabbage leaves, it can be eaten even without rice and will still be perfect. This is a must-try.

Kogi & Vegi Korean Restaurant Value for Money

I came to the place not having high expectations, and I was pretty much satisfied with my overall experience. I liked the ambiance and the fact that most of the dishes contained vegetables. We also enjoyed some of their drinks and Korean ice cream and paid a little over Php2, 000. Not bad for a meal for six, but there’s definitely room for improvement, especially when it comes to food servings and the quality of service.

Before we left, we agreed that we’re definitely going back and try out some more of their dishes, maybe the grilled beef and pork BBQ with side dishes next time. Let’s see if I’ll score Kogi & Vegi differently. This time, I’m giving them an average score of 3 stars.

Review: Kogi & Vegi Korean Restaurant Rating