Ryan Bang has spent years making Filipinos laugh on television. But if you ask him what makes him most excited these days, it’s not a new show or a comedy skit. It’s food.

During the Zeen & Tasted Food Festival Spotlight Talk: K-Food Craze with Ryan Bang, the television host and entrepreneur shared how a simple kimchi business during the pandemic eventually became PalDo Korean Restaurant, which now has two branches and continues to grow. At the event, PalDo was also recognized as Zeen’s Top Pick Korean Restaurant for the Youth.

“The Zeen & Tasted Food Festival is about discovering stories behind the food we love. Ryan’s journey shows how food can bring cultures closer and create real connections with people,” said Real Florido, Editor in Chief of Zeen Magazine.

For Ryan, none of it was part of the plan.

During the pandemic, he called his mother in Korea and asked her to teach him how to make kimchi from scratch. After Vice Ganda mentioned and endorsed it on television, the orders poured in.

That was when Ryan realized there was room to introduce more authentic Korean food to Filipinos.

Before opening PalDo, he launched DuCup, a Korean rice meal served in a cup for just ₱99.The  price wasn’t random. “Gusto ko kasi kahit taxi driver, kaya bumili,” Ryan said. His father worked as a taxi driver in Korea, and he wanted affordable Korean food that ordinary workers and students could enjoy. 

The restaurant’s name also carries a story.

Many Filipinos hear “PalDo” and immediately think of the Filipino word associated with earning a lot of money.

Ryan laughed. “Pero sinadya ko rin ’yun kasi pareho ang word. Iba lang ang meaning sa Korea at sa Tagalog.”

In Korea, PalDo means the country’s eight provinces. The restaurant’s menu takes inspiration from each one, allowing diners to experience regional Korean cuisine in one place.

Its signature Surasang features dishes representing the eight provinces, including Grilled Plate Pork Belly from Pyeongan-do, Traditional Seoul-style Bulgogi from Gyeonggi-do, Braised Pork Back Ribs from Gyeongsang-do, Dakgangjeong or Dakgalbi from Gangwon-do, Roasted Cutlassfish from Jeolla-do, Royal Modeum Jeon from Hwanghae-do, Doenjang Jjigae from Hamgyeong-do, and Soy Sauce Marinated Crab from Chungcheong-do.

To make the food as authentic as possible, Ryan brought Chef Pyo from Busan, the same city where his mother is from.

“Hindi siya zombie, taga-Busan lang siya,” Ryan joked, drawing laughter from the audience.

Chef Pyo said they serve traditional Korean dishes, although some recipes are adjusted slightly to suit Filipino tastes. “Most of the time kailangan mag-adjust kasi gusto ng mga Pilipino mas tasty.”

Ryan admitted that many customers still see him more as the celebrity than the owner. “Maraming pumupunta doon at gusto ako na umupo at maki-order. Nakakalimutan nila na ako yung may-ari,” he laughed.

Beyond the menu, PalDo has become known for its ₱499 Korean buffet, attracting groups of friends and entire families. Watching those families eat together is something Ryan never takes for granted.

“Nakikita ko mga Pinoy kasama buong family, pati lolo at lola. Hindi lang sila anim, minsan sobrang dami. Kaya malalaki ang tables namin.” 

Then his tone softened. “Hiwalay kasi parents ko, only child ako. Kaya naiinggit ako sa mga Pinoy na nakakasama ang buong family sa pagkain. Natutuwa ako na nagiging way ang restaurant ko para magkaroon sila ng family moments.”

Ryan also revealed what’s next.

Soon, he will open Yoajung, one of Korea’s most popular yogurt brands, at SM Mall of Asia. He also hopes to build a cooking school where Filipinos can learn authentic Korean cuisine directly from Korean chefs.

As he accepted Zeen’s Top Pick Korean Restaurant for the Youth award, Ryan thanked everyone who helped PalDo reach this milestone.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa Zeen dahil first time naming magkaroon ng award. Salamat din sa Madlang People sa suporta ninyo. Punta kayo sa PalDo—magha-hi ako, pero hindi ako magbibigay ng discount!” he joked, earning one of the biggest laughs of the afternoon.

From homemade kimchi during the pandemic to building a restaurant that celebrates Korea’s eight provinces, Ryan Bang has shown that good food doesn’t need a complicated story.

Sometimes, it starts with a phone call to your mother, a ₱99 rice meal, and a dream of sharing home with someone else.