Annyeong Hi There! - From the Busy Streets of Seoul to the Peaceful Shores of Siquijor
Annyeong! Hi There!
What happens when a guy from Seoul trades the fast-paced streets of South Korea for the slow, peaceful island life of Siquijor?
Well, sometimes he opens a Korean restaurant!
Welcome to Annyeong Hi There!, a Korean restaurant in Siquijor bringing authentic Korean flavors, familiar comfort food, and a little piece of Seoul to the island.
Considered by its team to be Siquijor's only fully Korean restaurant, Annyeong Hi There! has something that makes its story especially interesting - behind it is an actual Korean who left his home country to build a completely different life in the Philippines.
But before we get to his story, let's talk about the food!
IslaMove's Top Picks - A Taste of Korea in Siquijor
Korean Fried Chicken - The Ultimate Korean Comfort Food
You can't talk about Korean food without mentioning Korean fried chicken!
Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated in deliciously flavorful sauces, this Korean favorite is practically impossible to resist.
Annyeong Hi There! serves up generous portions of golden fried chicken, including beautifully glazed pieces that look every bit as tempting as the fried chicken scenes in your favorite K-dramas.
Perfect for sharing with friends, although we won't judge if you keep the whole plate to yourself.
Ojingeo Bokkeum - For Those Who Love a Little Spice
Now here's something for adventurous food lovers!
Ojingeo Bokkeum is a traditional Korean spicy stir-fried squid dish, cooked with vegetables and coated in a rich, fiery red sauce.
It's bold, savory, a little spicy, and packed with the distinctive flavors that make Korean cuisine so exciting.
Pair it with steamed rice, and you've got yourself a satisfying Korean meal.
Gimbap - Korea's Favorite Grab-and-Go Comfort Food
Colorful, neatly rolled, and filled with delicious ingredients, gimbap is one of Korea's most beloved everyday foods.
Wrapped in seaweed with seasoned rice, vegetables, and savory fillings, every slice offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures.
Think of it as Korea's answer to the perfect portable meal.
Whether you're trying Korean food for the first time or you're already a fan, gimbap is always a good place to start.
Meet Young - The Seoul City Guy Who Fell in Love With Siquijor
Every restaurant has a story, but this one begins thousands of kilometers away.
Meet Young, a Korean city guy from Seoul.
Like many people living in a bustling metropolis, Young eventually grew tired of the fast-paced lifestyle back home.
The busy streets, the constant rush, and the everyday routine made him wonder what life might be like somewhere else.
He dreamed of traveling the world, discovering new places, meeting different people, and experiencing life beyond the city he had always known.
And where did he decide to begin his adventure?
The Philippines!
Young began exploring the country, traveling from island to island, discovering beautiful destinations, and experiencing Filipino hospitality along the way.
His travels became a cycle of adventures - visiting the Philippines, returning home to Korea, and then coming back again to explore somewhere new.
Until one of those trips brought him to a little island called Siquijor.
And just like that, something changed.
The Island That Made Him Stay
It wasn't just Siquijor's beautiful beaches or tropical scenery that captured Young's heart.
It was the people.
The culture.
The peaceful atmosphere.
And perhaps most importantly, the feeling that life didn't always have to move so fast.
For someone accustomed to the busy streets of Seoul, Siquijor offered something completely different.
Here, life moved at its own pace.
People had time to smile, talk, and enjoy the simple things.
Young continued traveling back and forth between Korea and the Philippines, but Siquijor had already made a lasting impression.
Eventually, he reached a decision.
Enough traveling back and forth. It was time to call Siquijor home.
He left Korea behind and began building a new life on the island that had unexpectedly captured his heart.
But settling down was only the beginning.
Bringing a Little Piece of Korea to His New Home
Young noticed something interesting about Filipinos.
They absolutely love Korean culture!
From K-pop and K-dramas to Korean fashion, beauty, and especially food, the Korean wave had already found a special place in Filipino hearts.
And Young saw an opportunity.
Why not bring the flavors of his homeland to the island he now called home?
Together with a Filipina business partner, he established Annyeong Hi There!, creating a place where locals, tourists, and fellow Korean food enthusiasts could enjoy Korean cuisine right here in Siquijor.
What makes the restaurant particularly special is its connection to Korea through Young himself.
It's not simply a restaurant inspired by Korean trends. It's a restaurant built by someone who grew up with the culture, knows the food, and wanted to share a taste of home with his new community.
And the name couldn't be more welcoming.
Annyeong is a casual Korean greeting meaning hello or goodbye.
So Annyeong Hi There! is practically saying hello twice!
A cheerful greeting that perfectly suits a restaurant born from one man's love for two countries.
Korean Food, Island Style
The restaurant itself reflects the simplicity of island living.
With a spacious, open-air dining area, white tables, and warm-colored chairs, Annyeong Hi There! offers a relaxed setting for enjoying Korean comfort food.
There's no need for anything fancy.
Just pull up a chair, bring your appetite, and enjoy.
And for those who want to bring a little Korean flavor home, the restaurant also offers Korean food products such as kimchi, crispy seaweed snacks, and luncheon meat.
A small but delightful addition for anyone who loves Korean cooking and snacks.
Two Cultures, One Island, and a New Beginning
Perhaps the most beautiful part of Annyeong Hi There!'s story isn't just the Korean food.
It's the journey that brought it here.
A man from one of Asia's busiest cities traveled across the region looking for new experiences, only to discover that what he truly wanted was a slower, simpler life on a small Philippine island.
And instead of leaving his Korean roots behind, he found a way to share them with the community that welcomed him.
Today, Annyeong Hi There! is more than another place to eat in Siquijor.
It's a little connection between Korea and the Philippines, built around food, friendship, and the unexpected places life can take us.
So whether you're a Korean food lover, a curious traveler, or simply someone looking for a delicious meal in Siquijor, drop by and say hello.
Or better yet...
Annyeong!
And if you're craving Korean food without leaving the comfort of your home, discover Annyeong Hi There! and other local restaurant partners through IslaMove, your food delivery service in Siquijor.
IslaMove - Delivery done differently.