The Korean wave has firmly established itself in the Philippines. From the popularity of K-dramas that dominate streaming services to the infectious beats of K-pop groups filling music charts and social media feeds, Korean entertainment is a constant presence. Korean beauty trends, with their focus on skincare and natural looks, have reshaped local cosmetic preferences. Similarly, Korean cuisine, from spicy kimchi to savory barbecue, has found a place in the Filipino palate, influencing restaurant menus and home cooking alike. This cultural exchange has created a strong connection between the two nations, impacting everything from fashion to food. Riding this wave and bringing a taste of authentic Korean flavors to the country is Kim Singson, heading KAS Restaurant Group Inc. and daughter of former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson, who is steering BBQ Chicken’s expansion in the Philippines with a focus on quality and community connection.
Kim Singson, CEO of KAS Restaurant Group Inc. and daughter of former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson
Kim with Tanya Llana, Vice President of Genesis BBQ Asia
The 15th branch opened on April 7 is located in Robinsons Antipolo (Lower Ground floor)
Former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, daughter Rep. Richelle Singson, and other VIPs participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony
Spacious New Location
The recently opened Robinsons Antipolo branch marks an important step in this expansion. This 15th location boasts a design that caters to a wide range of needs. “Right now, we have the biggest VIP area. So that’s one. You can have private functions good for 20-30 [people]. And we also have a mezzanine which can have children’s parties, events. Now, we are hosting government meetings and everything. So it’s actually one of the bigger spaces with maximized efficiency in terms of seating,” explained Tanya Llana, VP of Genesis BBQ Asia, highlighting the versatility of the new space.
Behind Kim and Tanya is the VIP area
The women behind BBQ Chicken’s success in the Philippines entertained questions from the press
Commitment to Quality
Maintaining the authentic taste and high standards of BBQ Chicken is a top priority for the leadership. “We’re super focused on quality so, actually, me and my siblings, Tanya, and some of our heads from here, we traveled to Korea and we stayed there for about three weeks. And we studied in their Chicken University. It’s like their school where they teach all the staff to how to properly cook everything, how to manage the stores, so that we can maintain the quality throughout the stores. Because, actually, we have over 3,500 stores all over the world. People that go to the Chicken University, they go there to maintain the quality all over the world,” stated Kim.
Tanya further elaborated on this dedication: “So, aside from that, we also have Koreans that visit our stores. So, they maintain the quality that Kim was talking about. During our training, Kim, me and her siblings, we were really cleaning everything. The sides, the flooring, everything. So, they were teaching us how to make everything clean, and then the food – high-quality. And I think that’s the difference with all the other brands here in the Philippines.”
Integrating Local Flavors and Culture
Looking ahead, the team has ambitious plans that extend beyond simply opening more restaurants. “We also want to bring in more of the Korean culture in terms of tie-ups, maybe collaborations, with K-pop artists, K-drama artists. So we’re looking at that as well,” Tanya revealed.
The 15th branch opening was well-attended by the media, key opinion leaders, and celebrities
What we were served in the media area:
The wide selection of BBQ Chicken offerings:
This vision also includes a focus on incorporating the unique tastes of different regions in the Philippines. “But definitely, we have a lot of collaborations with known or popular chefs coming up, that’s one. ‘Cause we want to target per area. Like, for example, we will get a really good chef from Antipolo so we will have flavors of Antipolo and with his knowledge of the city and province,” Tanya added.
This strategy has already seen its initial success. “Chef Tatung was our first one for the Independence Day flavor which was adobo. We’re also looking for Antipolo, Pampanga, Laguna to incorporate, maybe, kesong puti and stuff like that. So there’s a lot of different things we’re planning for this year,” Tanya explained.
@randomrepublika #BBQChickenPH just opened its 15th branch and it’s in Robinsons Place Antipolo (Lower Ground)!🐔 Established in Seoul in 1995, BB.Q Chicken prides itself on its “Best of the Best Quality” approach, which combines traditional Korean cooking methods with modern research. Their signature fried chicken is hand-brushed, hand-battered, and fried at lower temperatures for a longer time, resulting in an irresistibly crispy texture. A variety of signature sauces complements the chicken perfectly. @bbqchickenphofficial #friedchickenph #foodph #foodieph #foodtok #foodtokph #koreanfood #koreanrestoph #koreanfriedchickenph #chavitsingson #richellesingson ♬ Daleng Dale – GAT
To keep the menu fresh and exciting, BBQ Chicken also introduces new flavors every two months, with current bestsellers being the Cheeseling Chicken and the Secret Chicken.
Visit the newest branch of BBQ Chicken at Robinsons Antipolo Lower Ground floor.
