A new fine-dining destination has opened at Royce Hotel & Casino in Clark, Pampanga, offering guests a refined take on traditional Korean cuisine. Huwon by Kiwa, the latest addition to the hotel’s culinary lineup, aims to set a new standard for high-end Korean dining in Pampanga.
“Apart from world-class gaming and Filipino hospitality and service, the hotel also serves as a destination for global flavors,” said Poch Teves Zenarosa, marketing head of Royce Hotel & Casino. “Huwon by Kiwa blends modern and traditional Korean cuisine, creating a unique and delightful dining experience.”
Zenarosa acknowledged the challenges faced in bringing the restaurant to life. “This journey has not been easy,” he said. “We at Royce are very selective with our partners, ensuring that they align with our values of excellence and quality. We saw these values in Dr. Shim and his team, which is why we are proud to welcome Huwon by Kiwa into the Royce family.”
Huwon’s menu highlights a selection of carefully crafted dishes. Appetizers include chadolbagi (pan-fried beef brisket salad), modum-jeon (assorted pancakes with skewered fish, pork, and beef), haemul kimchi jeon (kimchi seafood pancake), japchae (pan-fried glass noodles with vegetables and beef), saeu-twigim (shrimp tempura), dakgangjeong(deep-fried chicken with sweet sauce), and dongchimi (cold radish kimchi).
For main courses, guests can enjoy yangnyeom galbi (beef short ribs marinated in a special sweet sauce), dak BBQ(spicy chicken barbecue), and samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly). Hearty soups and stews, such as galbitang (beef short rib soup with glass noodles and fresh ginseng), kimchi-jjigae (kimchi stew with pork), and chadol doenjang-jjigae(soybean paste stew with beef brisket), further showcase the depth of Korean flavors. The experience is completed with pat bingsu, a refreshing shaved ice dessert with sweet red beans and cornflakes.
For those seeking a more private and exclusive setting, VIP dining rooms are available, making Huwon an ideal venue for intimate gatherings and special occasions. With its commitment to authenticity, innovation, and fine dining, Huwon by Kiwa offers a sophisticated yet immersive Korean culinary experience, redefining Seoulful dining in Clark.
For Dr. David Shim, chief executive officer and owner of Kiwa, the restaurant’s opening represents years of planning and dedication. “Many of you may know me from the movie and entertainment industry rather than the restaurant industry,” Shim said. “For over 30 years, my main focus has been in film and entertainment, not restaurants. That’s another story for another time. But today, I want to talk about Huwon by Kiwa.”
Shim said the concept had been in development for years. “Mr. Bong’s family had long envisioned creating an authentic and high-end Korean dining experience within Royce,” he said. “After a series of trials and challenges, the project came to my attention, and I took on the challenge of bringing it to life.”
This is not Shim’s first venture into fine dining. A decade ago, he launched Kiwa at Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque, a restaurant known for its high-end Korean cuisine and innovative smokeless grill system.
“Through constant innovation and refinement, I perfected that model,” he said. “When I took on Huwon by Kiwa, I applied everything I learned to create a space that combines authentic Korean architecture, world-class dining, and an unparalleled culinary experience.”
Shim said his goal is to make Huwon a premier destination. “My ambition is for Huwon by Kiwa to become the best fine-dining restaurant in Pampanga,” he said. “I hope that as you experience the ambiance and taste our dishes, you will agree with that vision.”
The journey to the restaurant’s opening, he added, was not without its twists and turns. “The process felt almost like a Korean telenovela — full of challenges and surprises,” he said.
