The appetite for Korean fare has barely dimmed since the K-wave hit over a decade ago. New restaurants seem to open every weekend, while existing ones launch new menus in tandem. If you're looking for where to try authentic grilled meat or hearty stews, these four options take trending food to new heights.
K-bbq is quintessential to the cuisine, and times when you prefer to sit back and be served like a Joseon Dynasty monarch, GU:UM (yes, sister of NAE:UM) has just the set for that. The 'Hanwoo & Namul' menu (from SGD168) celebrates the establishment's second anniversary with four-part starters, a feast of mains and a sweet finish.
Signature Yukhwae Jeon brilliantly combines two great Korean dishes: beef tartare and fried pancake; while new creation Leek & Doenjang reminds of a certain Michelin-starred restaurant's famed dish. After one-bite wonder Karae Chicken Tart, the Nokcha Guksu is a petite delight of mustard kimchi and pork jowl suyuk atop oil-tossed noodles.
As one of the few steakhouses in Singapore to offer premium Jeju Hanwoo lower loin up to grade 1++, they lavishly include it alongside Jeju Handon Pork Collar, Tiger Prawns and Dalkochi (chicken skewers). We can attest the meat quality here is upheld by a combination of freshness and grill expertise. Leafy greens and banchan are expected accompaniments, but the Namul Bap and Galbi Tang (inspired by bak kut teh, by the way) are fantastic bonuses. Finally, hwachae for dessert leaves you feeling adequately satiated.
GU:UM is located at 29 Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089136.
It's clear that this particular Korean dish is trending of late, but this franchise is no newcomer. Since 1991, it has been perfecting the art of herbal ginseng chicken soup with honest ingredients. After over 80 locations across Korea, Shanghai and Sydney, JIHO Hanbang Samgyetang is now here thanks to another recognisable brand—SBCD Korean Tofu House.
Backstory aside, if you want to try a variety of renditions, this is the place. Samgyetang here comes in Healthy, Spicy, Beauty, Mung Bean, Black Garlic and Perilla. After the classic i.e. Healthy, Perilla was easily the creamy crowd favourite.
Each come with a whole chicken where tender meat—apologies for lazy but accurate description—falls off the bone. Perhaps it was the long hours of boiling, but the complementing salt and pepper blend was necessary to season the meat. The glutinous rice encased, however, we could eat in doles. Another alternative offering on the menu you may want to try is the samgyejuk, essentially the dish in porridge form.
JIHO Hanbang Samgyetang is located at 18 Cross Street #B1-01, Singapore 048423.
This one's a little out the way, but it offers Korean favourites in one set. The Naengmyeon uses a different noodles for added tang, and the broth boasts 12 hours of slow simmering. With it, a side of premium beef brisket and short ribs. If it's still a warm dish you defer to, the Onmyeon serves the same cuts of meet with full-flavoured broth.
There are a slew of meat-centric bansang available; GOCHU being a barbecue diner, ultimately. Still, the interior impresses the most, featuring textured stone walls and natural curves that echo the inside of a cave. This frames the golf green that sits right outside. So if you ever happen make a trip up north, it's a nice setting to spend a longer meal.
GOCHU is located at 1 Orchid Club Road, Singapore 769162.
The seemingly permanent queues at its first outlet might give way to its larger second branch. Or not, considering the expanded menu of 12 flavours, also slow-simmered for 12 hours (we're sensing 12 as the magic number for samgyetang). The 12 options are divided into classic, and signature premium and specialty. Unfortunately, we did not have 12 stomachs to try everything, and between the Yin Nourishing and Yang Vitality, the latter came up stronger.
New flavours include Chicken & Premium Seafood, Scorched Rice, Wild Mushroom (which we've heard some raved about), and Truffle. Similar to GOCHU, the space takes the cake with its Hanok-inspired space. Paper-latticed doors and all the wooden beams in the world. Do opt for the booth seats as the large, main table makes for somewhat awkward dining. When you're done, dessert is a no-brainer with Tofu G right next door.
MODU High is located at 96 Amoy Street Singapore, Singapore 069916.
