Too Long Till Your Next Korea Trip? Savour The Flavours At This Korea Fair In S’pore
Korea is a place of enchantment, and many Singaporeans could easily write a love letter to the beautiful country once they’ve seen it in person.
Between steeping in its rich culture visiting centuries-old palaces, catching up with K-pop and K-fashion at the trendy districts, and being awed by divine coastal landscapes at Jeju Island—there’s definitely something to draw you back again.
And to save the best for last, Korean cuisine alone is a good enough reason to book that 7-hour flight.
Army stew, topokki, bulgogi beef, and Korean fried chicken with beer are some of the best creations in the world. We bet that unmistakable spicy, tangy taste of kimchi has already seeped into your mind.
If you’re saving up for your next trip, or you’ve already planned it but just can’t wait, here’s how you can get your cravings fixed real quick while you’re still in Singapore.
Let The Korean Feast Come To You
Cold Storage is bringing the flavours of Korea to us in a two-week Korea Fair from now till 10 October 2019.
When you’re craving Korean food daily but don’t feel like eating out, the best solution will be to whip up some dishes in the comfort of your home.
Don’t worry if you have limited skills in the kitchen, because many of the items available at Cold Storage Korea Fair can stack up to make a grocery list of easy-to-cook (or even ready-to-eat) dishes. Thank the heavens.
They also have a selection of snacks, drinks and even fresh fruits from Korea to top it off, so you’re well covered!
Kimchi ramen noodles
Classic staples never go wrong, and kimchi ramen is a testament to that. You don’t need anything too fancy when you have a comforting bowl of noodles, swimming in sour and spicy kimchi soup.
For Korean food lovers, this is like the ‘starter pack’ you keep returning to. Time after time, its warmth and satisfaction reaches right to your fingertips again.
Grab yourself a few packs of Jongga Kimchi Ramen Hot & Spicy, since we know you won’t just be eating this once!
On days when you need something heartier, you could give your ramen that extra touch by adding some Chung Jung OneDumplings with Kimchi & Vegetable or Hot Pepper Japchae fillings.
Topokki – spicy rice cakes
Koreans deeply treasure their topokki, a stir-fried dish of rice cakes and vegetables topped with spicy sauce. Their delightful chewiness can kind of get addictive.
While topokki is popular in Korea to add some heat to their cold winters, we on the other hand, just salivate for anything spicy, no matter how hot it is in Singapore.
You can pick up an instant cup that takes just minutes to cook, with flavours like Dongwon Spicy & Sweet Topokki and Cheese Topokki.
A hard-boiled egg and some garnish will complete your topokki perfectly!
Rice porridge
When you want to ease into a great morning, a tasty bowl of porridge soothes all troubles away. If anyone says it’s an ‘old lady food’, tell them to call us up.
Dongwon Yangban Rice Porridge has really hit it up as a popular breakfast food in Korea, especially when they have Red Velvet’s Wendy and Irene endorsing it! Preparing a bowl is as easy as a quick pop into the microwave.
Unlike the typically salty (but equally heavenly) Cantonese congee we usually eat, Korean porridge can be either savoury or sweet, like the glutinous rice option with red bean and chestnut.
Sweet potato
Sweet potatoes may come humbly from the earth, but they should really be celebrated for satisfying stomachs for centuries.
Did you know they actually come in various flavours too? We didn’t, till now.
Korean Sweet Potato comes in chestnut and pumpkin ‘flavours’, which give you different appearances, taste and character.
The chestnut variant packs vitamins and fibres in its rich purple skin, while pumpkin sweet potatoes are smaller with yellow flesh and taste delicious even eaten raw.
That gives you two ways to whip up a serving of goguma mattang (candied sweet potatoes)!
Kimchi fried rice
Fried rice takes us to paradise—it’s simple to prepare and frankly just irresistible to wolf down.
It could also well be a universal language across many Eastern cultures, just cooked a little differently from one place to another.
With kimchi as the starring flavour, it’s both the familiar comfort of fried rice we always love, and a taste to make you feel closer to the second home in your heart.
To make things better, you won’t even have to whip out a wok and get to work in the kitchen. You can just pick up Jongga Kimchi Fried Rice which comes deliciously ready-to-eat!
Snacks, fruits and drinks
The happiest five minutes you’ll spend in a supermarket—okay make it 30, no judgement here—is when you walk down the snack aisle. You’ll light up at your old favourites, yet still always get to chance upon new discoveries to try.
Snacks are highly up to individual preference, but Cold Storage Korea Fair has quite a selection.
For those who love it savoury, Paldo Crab Chips and The Kims Crispy Laver Chip (laver is a type of seaweed) are some great options to have when it comes down to ‘crunch’ time.
If you’re a sweet creature, you’ll enjoy sinking your teeth into a soft fluffy bite of Haitai Oh Yes! Chocolate Coated Cake, or get addicted to Cosmos Honey Twist.
Of course, there’s an in-between too where sweet and savoury collide, and Lotte Popping Corn Chips in Original, Grilled Corn and Sweet & Spicy flavours can fill that gap.
Besides snacks, people love to eat lots of fruits in Korea since the country’s climate makes it perfect for harvesting top quality seasonal produce.
When you need to sweeten up your day, juicy yellow peaches, musk melon and shine muscat grapes from Korea are both refreshing and healthy.
Plus, don’t forget the drinks to accompany your heavenly Korean spread! Morning meals will be complete with a cup of Barista Rules coffee—try the Mocha Presso or Caramel Deep Presso if you feel like making a fun choice to start your day.
At the day’s end, it’s time to wind down, pop a can of Ark Pale Ale, and start counting down till you make your next visit to the land of the morning calm.
Earn A Holiday Through Your Shopping Spree
Cold Storage Korea Fair launched on 28 September with an exciting opening ceremony at Great World City, graced by the Republic of Korea Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Ahn Young-jip.
Attendees got to see the unveiling of a Giant Bibimbap (it left us drooling with envy!), and were treated to a live cook-off between two esteemed chefs: Park Joon Woo, 1st runner up of MasterChef Korea 2012, and Gen Lee, 1st runner up of MasterChef Singapore 2018.
To top it all off, we got into the groove with a sleek K-pop dance performance to some of our favourite songs.
Don’t miss the fair while it runs at all Cold Storage, Market Place and Jasons stores from now till 10 October!
As you make your shopping rounds, you can also hit up the sampling booths to experience as many different flavours as possible. In-store sampling will be popping up in the Takashimaya, Bugis, Plaza Singapura, Compass One and Causeway Point Cold Storage stores from 4 to 6 October, 11am – 7pm daily.
You’ll also stand a chance to enter a lucky draw and win prizes when you spend a minimum of $25 in a single receipt, including at least two participating Korean products.
One lucky winner will score the grand prize of 100,000 KrisFlyer Miles, which is worth two economy class redemption tickets to Korea! Ten other lucky winners will also each get 10,000 KrisFlyer miles in the bag.
And as a PSA for the huge K-pop lovers, you may be in for a great surprise if you stick around on 5 October and get to catch one of the K-pop flash mobs that will appear in selected stores!
Click through here to learn more about the ‘Seoul’ delicious deals you can get at Cold Storage Korea Fair.
Annyeong!
This article was written in collaboration with Cold Storage.
Header Image Credit: Pickled Plum, Instazu, My Korean Kitchen
Also Read: Feast On Food From All Around The World Without Leaving The West – Here’s How
OCBC Is Offering 100 1-For-1 Dining Deals – Take A Pal To Feast On These 10 We Picked
When we’re out for a day with friends, family or a significant other, the question we always ask is not “what to do?”, but “where should we eat today?”.
Because having good food
is undoubtedly the favourite Singaporean activity that anchors everything else
we do.
Some may even say the
mission is to hunt down and try as many great food places as possible each time
we make a trip out.
Hitting one
gastronomical delight after the next is a sure way to satisfy our souls and
make it all seem right in the world, but the only problem will be the hole that
burns in our wallets.
If you’re often bursting
your budget on food, split the cost with a pal next time, because anytime is a
good time for a hearty meal when you can tap on more than 100 1-for-1 dining
deals in Singapore! Only with OCBC Cards.
Ready to feast? We’ve compiled 10 deals for you to start with.
1. Limoncello
From idyllic Amalfi, to
the bustling Singapore River, the owners of Limoncello have brought
their team over from the famous Italian coastal town itself.
Bringing the flavour
right from its origins, they promise an authentic spread of traditional Italian
fare. Needless to say, you can expect they check all the boxes like homemade
pastas, wood fired pizzas and charcoal-grilled meats.
Limoncello may not give
you a view of green hills and crystal blue waters, but they offer plenty of
alfresco seats, and even private dining rooms where you can raise your glass to
the fancy life.
Dishes like linguine
aragosta (lobster linguine) and costolette di agnello alla griglia
(grilled lamb chop) can be a mouthful, but you won’t be fretting over the
pronunciation once you actually dig into them.
If you think dining by
the riverside along Robertson Quay is certain to rack up a big bill, you’ll be
surprised that you can indulge in a 3-course set lunch for just $35++ per pax.
Limoncello
Address: 95 Robertson Quay, #01-19/20, River Gate Condominium, Singapore 238256
Opening hours: Mon – Tue: 5:30pm – 10:30pm, Wed – Sun: 12pm – 2:30pm; 5:30pm – 10:30pm
2. Kyoaji Dining
It’s all in the name: Kyoaji
means “tastes from Kyoto”.
Among the endless
plethora of restaurants around Orchard, this hidden gem is tucked away inside
TripleOne Somerset where you can take a breather from the busy shopping crowd.
It’s helmed by Executive
Chef John Phua who has almost 30 years of experience in authentic Japanese
cuisine. Previously, he served at Fukuichi Japanese Dining, and he’s keeping
some of his old fan favourites alive after its closure.
Decked out in modern
furnishings, Kyoaji features a live sushi bar so you can watch Chef John and
his team cook up a storm before your eyes.
While they’re known for
their decadent assortment of sashimi and sushi, Kyoaji also dishes out a
refreshing experience with less common items like gyuniki fagura sauce
(grilled beef with goose liver sauce) and hiyashi gyomen (fish meat
noodles).
Kyoaji Dining
Address: 111 Somerset Road, #02-05/06, TripleOne, Singapore 238164
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 11:30pm – 3pm; 5:30pm – 10:30pm, Sat – Sun & PH: 11:30am – 10:30pm
Get 1-for-1 Grilled Lobster With Garlic Sauce Here.
3. The Chop House
Meat lovers come to The
Chop House to get their mouths watering over a great selection from steaks
and burgers, to baby back ribs and pork knuckles.
With their creators
hailing from the highly praised Wooloomooloo Steakhouse, The Chop House is a
more laidback rendition, bringing a range of mains and sharing dishes perfect
for hanging out with a group of pals.
Just like the first
outlet at VivoCity, its second branch at I12 Katong is decorated with an
industrial woody interior that eases you into a cosy mood.
Its hidden secret? This
location houses the legendary Southbend broiler from the US; the same one used
by the chefs at Wooloomooloo to make magic with their famous steaks.
When you’ve cleaned off
your plateful of chunky chops, hit up the bar to wash it all down with ice cold
beers, wine, or cocktails.
The Chop House
Address: 112 East Coast Road, #01-13, I12 Katong, Singapore 428802
Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 12pm – 12am, Sun: 10am – 12am
Get 1-For-1 Baby Back Ribs With 2 Pints Of Beer Here.
4. Commons
Nestled in the expansive
‘integrated community’ of Our Tampines Hub, Commons (previously
Commonground) prides itself for creating memories with its customers in the
neighbourhood.
Its warm lights and
leafy fronds give the eatery a welcoming vibe for casual get-togethers at any
time of day. Fancy a nice breakfast with your tribe of early-risers? No
problem, they’re open from 8am on weekends.
Truly a place to eat in
good company, their signature is the Commons meat platter hero loaded
with a medley of roast chicken, beef tenderloin, lamb chop, Italian sausages,
mashed potatoes, beetroot coleslaw and grilled tomatoes.
Commons
Address: 51 Tampines Ave 4, #01-103 Our Tampines Hub, Singapore 529684
Opening hours: Mon – Thu: 11am – 10pm, Fri: 11am – 11pm, Sat: 8am – 11pm, Sun: 8am – 10pm
Get 1-for-1 Pizza And Pasta On Weekdays Here.
5. Pietro Ristorante Italiano
Pietro
Ristorante Italiano takes
residence along a row of old shophouses in the peaceful Seletar area.
Settle yourself in among
the traditional decor, and you’ll soon be greeted with warm hospitality and a
complimentary plate of herb-baked bread with garlic dip.
Aside from the familiar
thin crust wood fired pizzas (try the bismark: honey baked ham, feta,
mozzarella and rockets topped with a sunny side up) and pastas cooked in
parchment paper, Pietro also boasts a melt-in-your-mouth pork belly with
porcini kidney beans as its must-try item.
Pietro Ristorante Italiano
Address: 12 Jalan Kelulut, Singapore 809030
Opening hours: Mon – Sun: 11am – 2:30pm; 6pm – 10:30pm
Get 1-for-1 Pasta, Pizza Or Mains Here.
6. Chicken Up
The comforts of Korean
fried chicken never fail, and if you’re already a fan of the cuisine, then Chicken
Up is likely to evoke involuntary ‘mmm’s.
Since they opened in
2010, their fried chicken wings in ganjang (soy) and yangnyum (spicy)
flavours have been considered a reliable favourite among many Korean food
lovers in Singapore.
When it comes to the
temptation of sides like bulgolgi and kimchi fries, yangpa bomb
(fried blooming onion), and toppoki (spicy rice cakes), we’re sorry to
say there’s no way you can win this battle—so go on and indulge in your sins.
And if you and your
friends come with a big appetite, there’s nothing more quintessentially Korean
than sharing a UFO stew along with Chicken Up’s watermelon soju,
served right in the watermelon husk!
Chicken Up
Address: 277C Compassvale Link, #01-13 (Unit No.2A), Singapore 543277
Opening hours: Sun – Thurs: 11am – 11pm, Fri – Sat: 11am – 2am
Get 1-for-1 Chicken Wings Here.
7. Masons @ Gillman Barracks
Tucked away in the artsy
locale of Gillman Barracks, the extra walk in (or drive) to get to Masons is
totally worth it.
Housed in a fully
restored black and white 1935 colonial bungalow and shrouded in lush greenery,
the restaurant gives you an uncommon chance to picture yourself in a time of
classic European luxury.
Between their main
dining hall and the serene alfresco verandah, visitors love coming to the
exclusive location to sneak away for a romantic date, or to celebrate an
occasion. It’s no surprise that many choose this venue to tie the knot too.
Mason’s kitchen is
headed by Executive Chef Jack Woolner, who has gone through training under Michelin-star
chefs and served at acclaimed restaurants in the UK.
Among a grand spread of
European cuisine peppered with local Singaporean influences, Masons highly
recommends their house special pizza and duck pasta.
Masons @ Gillman Barracks
Address: 8 Lock Rd, #01-17, Gillman Barracks, Singapore 108936
Opening hours: Mon – Sun: 11:30am – 11pm
Get 1-For-1 Handmade Fresh Italian Pizza Here.
8. MeatSmith Telok Ayer
With glass windows
embellished like a gentleman’s barber, a ‘rustic garage’ interior, and the
tunes of classic rock and blues, MeatSmith Telok Ayer is the ultimate
smokehouse diner in the CBD.
It’s the brainchild of
Chef Andrew Baldus and General Manager Emmanuel Bernados, who are here to prove
that a real-deal American barbecue can exist in our part of the globe too.
Chef Andrew spent most
of his life working in Southern style restaurants in Nashville and Memphis, and
he’s now brought over two Southern Pride smokers from the States to Meat
Smith’s kitchen.
Meat is taken super
seriously here, with mouth-watering homemade sausages, stuffed
suckling pig, and pork ribs slowly smoked over hickory wood for up
to 14 hours.
Beef lovers shouldn’t
miss out on their beef brisket, perfectly charred on the outside, fatty
and tender on the inside, and of course packed full of smoky flavour.
Meat Smith
Address: 167-169 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068620
Opening hours: Mon – Thurs: 11:30am – 3pm; 5:30pm – 10:30pm, Fri – Sun: 11:30am – 10:30pm
Get 1-For-1 Beef Brisket Here.
9. The Fine Line
The
Fine Line is comfortably nestled
in Holland Village, a popular chill-out spot that draws young Singaporeans and
expatriates to its dining and bar scene.
Head over to unwind
after a long day of work, or ring in the weekend with some well-deserved toasts
to the backdrop of rustic red brick walls and live music performances.
While some bars are
thought to offer food just to be paired alongside their main attraction of
drinks, The Fine Line doesn’t cut the slack in the kitchen, serving a
delectable spread from brunch to dinner and late night snacks.
The gastro bar’s
signature dishes include their Fine Line burger, angus steak, and
a perfectly balanced plate of salt and pepper squid.
The Fine Line
Address: 23 Lor Mambong, Singapore 277682
Opening hours: Mon – Thu: 3pm – 1am, Fri: 1pm – 1am, Sat: 11am – 2am, Sun: 11am – 1am
10. Kanpai Izakaya
Kanpai!
Also at Holland Village,
this casual establishment is another laidback joint to raise your glass, and a
great fit for those who have a taste for Japanese cuisine and drinks.
Lifting spirits with
their all-day happy hour till 10pm (except on Fridays and public holiday eves),
Kanpai Izakaya offers a range of Japanese sake, whisky and beer.
As the food here is
served izakaya style, you’ll want to sample a variety of different bites.
Make your meal an entire
journey, starting with classics like their recommended bara chirashi or tuna
crown don.
Then dive into more
adventurous terrain to try the also popular chicken heart skewers and blowfish
seasoned with sweet sake!
Kanpai Izakaya
Address: 40 Lor Mambong, Singapore 277695
Opening hours: Mon – Sun: 12pm – 2pm; 5pm – 1am
—
All OCBC Credit/Debit
Cardmembers can enjoy the full selection of over 100 1-for-1 dining deals.
Click here to see the full list.
If you’re not an OCBC Cardmember, but don’t want to get FOMO (fear of missing out) over these 1-for-1 deals, it’s easy to sign up for their OCBC 365 Credit Card, which also gives you 6% cashback on all your dining spend (capped at S$80, and subject to a minimum total monthly spend of S$800 per calendar month).
On top of that, the fastest fingers get the most spoils, as new OCBC Credit Card applicants who sign up by 30 September 2019 and get their card approved by 31 October 2019 will also receive a S$50 cashback!
Get instant approval right away when you sign up here.
This article was written in collaboration with OCBC Bank.
Header Image Credit: Pietro, Kanpai Izakaya, Chicken Up
Also Read: Feast On Food From All Around The World Without Leaving The House – Heres How
Feast On Food From All Around The World Without Leaving The West – Here’s How
Singaporeans are truly spoilt for choice when
it comes to food and shopping.
Gone are the days when we need to travel long
distances from our homes in the heartlands for a shopping spree, or to feast on
cuisines we cannot find at neighbourhood kopitiams.
For one, the folks at Westgate want to satisfy
all your cravings without you needing to take that long train ride to town.
If you’re looking for some recommendations for F&B places to check out during your next visit to the mall, Westgate is running a ‘Tantalising Treats Are Made Of These’ campaign showcasing the diverse flavours that they have to offer.
From mouth-watering Korean barbeque to an indulgent xiao long bao feast, there’s something for every craving!
Here’s a breakdown of
some of Singaporeans’ most favourite cuisines, and the eateries that you can
visit.
Chinese Cuisine
Move aside salted egg, mala is the flavour for the year 2019.
We’re all familiar with the tongue-numbing
goodness of a huge bowl of mala xiang guo,
but have you tried mala tang?
The soupy variation of the unofficial Singapore dish of the year, Gong Yuan Ma La Tang’s (#04-07) piping hot bowl of mala soup is the perfect complement to a cold, rainy day.
For those unable to take too spicy food, Gong
Yuan also offers soup bases like pork broth and pickled vegetables.
Regardless, we would still recommend that you
try out their signature mala soup
base with a selection of your favourite ingredients for a unique mala experience you can tell your
friends about!
Still need more mala in your life?
Pop by Ooh (#02-K1) and grab a pack (or ten!) of
their signature mala potato chips, a
perfect match for your Netflix marathons.
If you want to indulge with a little less
guilt, Ooh also offers mala cassava
chips.
Known to be a healthier alternative to potato
chips, cassava is said to be a good source of protein and vitamin K!
Digging into a whole grilled fish over a flame
is the new steamboat, and TANYU (#B1-02) is one of the more well-known
brands serving that option in Singapore.
Westies will be glad to know that TANYU now
has an outlet in Westgate, and fans will be able to savour 12 different kinds
of grilled fish flavours on its menu.
If you’re into more traditional eats, all-time
favourites Paradise Dynasty (#02-13) and Crystal Jade (#04-42) are also there to whet
your appetite.
Since a round of xiao long bao is already a given, why not add on a plate of
fragrant fried rice to end off the feast?
Korean Cuisine
You don’t have to be a fan of K-Pop to enjoy
the bold flavours of Korean cuisine.
In the spirit of communal dining, grab some
friends and cook up some spicy chicken galbi
at the ever-popular Yoogane (#03-08).
Don’t forget to add the cheese ring!
Cool all that spicy chicken off with naengmyeon, a chilly and refreshing bowl of buckwheat noodles in a slightly savoury broth topped with slices of sweet Korean pear and cucumbers. We guarantee that your tastebuds will thank you for the break!
If you’re looking for Korean fare with a twist,
why not check out NY Night Market (#01-08) for some
Korean-Western fusion fare?
Hailing from Seoul, NY Night Market brings you
to Korea and the US with every morsel.
Want to try something that will definitely
leave your dining buddies in awe? Try their 50cm Baguette!
An intimidating-looking 50cm-long baguette
loaded with beef, salsa, cheese, jalapeno and more, the experience that comes
with sharing one with friends is one that cannot be missed.
Cool it all off with over 15 different
flavours of bingsu at Nunsaram (#04-37). From the classic injeolmi flavour to local favourites
like Milo, there’s a bingsu flavour
for every preference.
To recreate the experience of snacking at a
roadside cart in Korea, Nunsaram also sells savoury dishes like tteokbokki and fried treats.
We’d recommend you to try Nunsaram’s Special Tteokbokki, which comes with rice cakes,
fishcakes, fried dumplings, seaweed rolls and half a roll of gimbap!
Japanese Cuisine
For fans of the all-time popular Japanese
cuisine, head down to Gochi-So Shokudo (#01-02) for some next level
rice bowls.
Using Iberico Pork, Gochi-So Shokudo grills
their meat over charcoal, resulting in a delectably smoky flavour in every
bite.
Did you know: The Premium Iberico Pork they
use in their delicious rice bowls contains oleic acids which have a beneficial
effect on blood cholesterol levels!
Craving for a hearty bowl of ramen? Ippudo
(#03-03) is a renowned ramen chain which has captured the hearts and stomachs
of ramen lovers all around the world!
Try out Akamaru Shinaji, where Ippudo’s
signature tonkotsu soup is enhanced by fragrant black garlic oil, which adds
depth to the already rich broth!
Indian Cuisine
Delight your taste buds with the wonderful
world of Indian cuisine!
If you can’t decide between North or South
Indian cuisine, Anjappar
(#04-08) has got any craving you have covered.
Bringing Singaporean foodies the best that the
cuisine has to offer, we suggest you get their Chicken Briyani which
comes with chunks of flavourful chicken and fragrant basmati rice.
For a garlic naan and butter chicken feast, check out Zaffron
Kitchen (#01-20) for mouth-watering dishes that will leave you hungry for
more.
Once you’re done, wash it all down with a cup
of Teh Halia, which mixes milk tea
with ginger for a comforting combination.
Did you know: South Indian cuisine tends to
use rice and rice-based items while North Indian cuisine leans towards breads
like naan and chapati?
Western Cuisine
We’ve covered Asian favourites – what about
some Western-style cuisine?
Check out homegrown brand COLLIN’S (#01-05) for some delicious yet wallet-friendly
steaks, pizza, pastas and chicken chops.
If you’re looking for a little treat, try out
COLLIN’S Grilled Tiger Prawns and U.S. Scallops, which comes at a rather
affordable price tag of $22.
For something more indulgent, order a sharing
platter and a round of chilled beer at Brotzeit (#01-04) and get immediately
transported to Germany!
A sharing platter comes with crispy pork
knuckles, pork ribs and a generous variety of sausages so get your fill of
meaty goodness at Brotzeit!
If you’re bored of froyo, check out the
IG-worthy acai bowls at An Acai Affair (#B1-30).
With every bowl packed with fresh fruits,
organic ingredients and superfoods, who says healthy food needs to be drab?
Share Your IG-Worthy Photos And Win
$50!
Westgate is holding a
photo contest and you can be one of the 5 lucky winners to win $50 worth of
Crystal Jade vouchers if you’re selected!
All you need to do is
snap a photo of your meal and include the hashtag #WestgateSGEats
for a chance to win.
For the entire dining selection at Westgate, click through this link!
Westgate
Address: 3 Gateway Drive, Singapore 608532
Opening Hours: Daily, 10am – 10pm
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Header Image Credit: Yoogane, Collins, Gong Yuan Mala
Also Read: 6 Experiences At This M’sian Island Paradise – And It Costs Less Than SGD100 To Fly There
Seoul Garden’s New Takeaway Kiosk Offers Korean-Inspired Sandwiches For Under $9
Thanks to the K-wave that swept the nation back in the early 2000s, Singapore is now home to many Korean food establishments, with many more continuing to pop up.
Korean food is also one of the more popular cuisines among Singaporeans, with the food portions being easily shareable and comforting. I mean, have you ever had Korean Army Stew? That’ll warm you right up on a rainy day.
Now, the Seoul Garden Group has come up with a new concept in the form of Seoul In A Sandwich.
The Taste Of Seoul In A Sandwich
This kiosk in the basement of Century Square might be small (okay maybe not that small), but the sandwiches sure come in big flavours.
[caption id="attachment_35841" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
Image Credit: Seoul in a Sandwich[/caption]
As its name suggests, it serves up sandwiches with a Korean twist. Expect western sandwiches with Korean flavours.
Like this Bulgogi Cheesesteak ($8.50). It’s basically a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich, but it uses grilled Bulgogi beef instead.
[caption id="attachment_37228" align="aligncenter" width="1464"]
Image Credit: Seoul in a Sandwich Facebook[/caption]
The result is a sweeter flavour than the usual savouriness you’d get from a Philly Cheesesteak, that’s further accentuated by the sautéed onions and peppers.
The Seoul Street Toast ($6.50) is a neat stack of onion and cabbage omelette, chicken ham, and sliced cheese on white bread.
[caption id="attachment_35843" align="aligncenter" width="645"]
Image Credit: Burppler Natalie Wong[/caption]
If you’re looking for something more comforting, how about going for the Kimchi Grilled Cheese ($5.50)? Cheddar and Mozzarella and Kimchi bits are sandwiched between 2 slices of white bread and grilled to cheese heaven.
[caption id="attachment_35844" align="aligncenter" width="1080"]
Image Credit: @seoulinasandwichsg[/caption]
But the most ambitious crossover sandwich has got to be the Army Stew-ich ($8.50). Just look at this monster of a sandwich.
[caption id="attachment_35845" align="aligncenter" width="1988"]
Image Credit: Seoul in a Sandwich[/caption]
This sandwich has stewed chicken hotdogs, chicken luncheon meat, tteokbokki, and daikon slaw slapped between ciabatta toasts. This already sounds filling to me.
On a side note, I’m bothered that they didn’t call this the “Bread-ae Jjigae”.
Seoul Sandwich has a few other sandwiches on their menu, including 2 sweet ones – the Matcha White Chocolate ($3.50) and the Citron Cream Cheese and Asian Pear ($4.50).
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Image Credit: Seoul in a Sandwich[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_35847" align="aligncenter" width="1988"]
Image Credit: Seoul in a Sandwich[/caption]
For first-timers, you can always approach any of the staff and they’ll give you recommendations on what to try.
As someone who loves their bread, and by extension, sandwiches, this makes me very happy.
Seoul in a Sandwich
Address: 2 Tampines Central 5, Century Square #B1-23, Singapore 529509
Opening Hours: Daily: 10am – 10pm
Contact no.: 6260 4339
Website
(Header Image Source: Seoul in a Sandwich)
This Affordable Korean Army Stew In A Hawker Centre Will Leave You Feeling Seoul Shiok
Korean food has seen a surge of popularity ever since the rise of KPOP nearly a decade ago. With multiple Korean food chains popping up all over Singapore, it’s easy to satisfy any Korean food cravings.
From fried chicken to Korean BBQ, we’re really spoilt for choice. However, most Korean restaurants are pricey. What we need, is good and affordable Korean food.
Located at Fareground, on the 2nd level of the Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre, this humble hawker stall serves up authentic Korean food at affordable prices.
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Fareground at Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre[/caption]
Meet Seoul Shiok.
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Seoul Shiok[/caption]
Seoul Good, Seoul Shiok
Having opened their first stall in Sengkang, Seoul Shiok now brings their affordable Korean fare to Pasir Ris.
We’re all familiar with those days when we’re craving Korean food but the coffeeshop downstairs only sells the cheap, overly salty “Korean” kimchi ramyeon and hotplates. (Is it just us or does every coffeeshop nowadays have a stall like that?)
Seoul Shiok aims to bridge that gap and provide authentic and affordable Korean fare.
Seoul Shiok serves up 3 different sizes of Korean Army Stew. There’s the Mini Army Stew ($7.90 without cheese, $9.40 with cheese), the Army Stew ($24.90), and the Army Stew with Cheese Dip ($29.90).
The Mini Army Stew is perfect for 1 person and comes with a generous portion of ramyeon, luncheon meat, hot dog, artificial crab stick, kimchi, and pork belly slices.
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Mini Army Stew ($7.90, $9.40 With Cheese)[/caption]
The broth, while not overly spicy, does still work up a sweat on our foreheads. Maybe it was just a really warm day. Either way, the Mini Army Stew is satisfying and filling.
If you’re coming with a group of friends or family, Seoul Shiok also allows you to completely customise your Army Stew With Cheese Dip from a list of ingredients.
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Customise Your Meal At Seoul Shiok[/caption]
For sides, we highly recommend their Korean Fried Chicken Wings (2 pieces for $3.90, 6 pieces for $11.50, 12 pieces for $22.90) which come in 3 flavours, Original, Spicy, and Soy Garlic.
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Korean Fried Chicken Wings ($3.90 for 2, $11.50 for 6, $22.90 for 12)[/caption]
Our favourite is the Soy Garlic-flavoured chicken wings which are twice-fried to perfection in a chunky, crispy batter, before being dunked in a sweet soy sauce and garlic marinade. Each bite is Seoul Shiok!
The chicken wings are fried twice. First to cook the chicken wings, and the second time to crisp up the batter, so your chicken wings stays crispy.
Other items on the menu include various rice bowls, kimchi soup, soy bean soup, ramen, and even tteokbokki with cheese!
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Seoul Shiok’s Extensive Menu[/caption]
If you’re ever in the area, drop by Seoul Shiok at Fareground, on the 2nd level of Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre!
UPDATE
Now if you’re craving for Korean Army Stew, you can order your own and Seoul Shiok will deliver it straight to you!
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Image Credit: Seoul Shiok[/caption]
No, this isn’t part of any food delivery service, it’s the Seoul Shiok team that’s offering to deliver their food to you. Talk about DEDICATION.
What’s more, it’s islandwide delivery, with free delivery for orders over $100.
There are 3 different sets that you can choose from, depending on the number of people you’re ordering for – the Buddy Meal ($29.90), the Mahjong Khakis ($55.90), or the largest, House Party ($88.90).
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Image Credit: Seoul Shiok[/caption]
You can even order their signature Korean Fried Chicken Wings to go with your Army Stew!
For delivery + set up, the delivery fee is $50. For delivery of orders without set up, the delivery fee is $25.
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Image Credit: Discover SG[/caption]
Order your Army Stew from Seoul Shiok today by calling 8685 2025 or 9028 3925!
So….anyone craving for Army Stew?
Seoul Shiok
Address: Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre, #02-20, Singapore, 519641
Opening Hours: Thu – Tue: 11.30am – 10pm, Wed: Closed
Also read Picnic In The Park? Too #basic. How About Concert In The Park This March?
(Header Image Source: Seoul Shiok)
Make Your Heart Go “Dookki Dookki” At Singapore’s First Ever Tteokbokki Buffet
Omo-ya, it’s Singapore’s first ever tteokbokki buffet!
If you’ve ever watched a Korean drama, you would definitely have salivated watching your favorite actors feast on tteokbokki, a spicy stir fried rice cake dish that can be eaten as a snack or as a meal in itself.
Dookki, one of Korea’s leading tteokbokki places, has set up shop at Suntec City. The best part about Dookki is that you can customize your own tteokbokki down to the sauce at their free flow bar stocked full of Korean dishes.
Dookki directly translates to ‘two meals’ in Korean, as Koreans like to start off their meal with a hotpot dish and finish off with a kimchi fried rice.
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Anything goes with tteokbokki – ramen, cheese, eomuk… (Image Credit: mandyzn_)[/caption]
Tteokbokki your way
Instead of providing a base sauce, Dookki lets you create your sauce from scratch. Go crazy on the spice – you can make it as spicy or as salty as you want!
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You can’t complain that the tteokbokki ain’t good cos you mixed it! (Image Credit: dookki_sg)[/caption]
If you don’t know where to start, there is a DIY guide sheet at the sauce station which marks out the ratio of Dookki sauce, tteokbokki sauce, gungjung sauce and flame sauce for the various spiciness levels.
Most people are accustomed to the red, spicy tteokbokki sauce, but the original tteokbokki was made stir-fried with soy sauce.
After mixing your sauce and leaving it to boil, move on to the tteokbokki station to pick out your rice cakes. Besides the typical cylinder-shaped rice cake that is commonly served by Korean eateries, the tteokbokki station also has options like Flat, Slim, Square, Hollow, Special, Square Wheat, Potato Sujebi.
The Potato Sujebi has a little surprise in the middle – each piece of tteok is stuffed with a creamy sweet potato filling. Bonus: see if you can find the heart-shaped tteok!
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The widest selection of tteokbokki under one roof! (Image Credit: dookki_sg)[/caption]
Load up on leeks and onions for an added layer of sweetness. There are also mushrooms and other veggies to jazz up your tteokbokki creation. Hardboiled eggs are also a huge hit with tteokbokki lovers.
Other than tteokbokki, Dookki also has counters overflowing with other popular Korean street foods like Kimmari (fried seaweed spring rolls) and eomuk (fish cake skewers). The fried chicken and mandu always runs out really quicky, so be sure to get them while they are hot!
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Fishcake on sticks! (Image Credit: dookki_sg)[/caption]
It’s like having a free flow buffet at a Korean street cart!
Say CHEESE
If you are addicted to cheese, add on a double cheese ring for just $9.80. The cheesy dip comes with corn in it for an extra crunch when you dip your tteok or sausages in it.
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SHIOKKKK (Image Credit: dookki_sg)[/caption]
The stretchy cheesy dip also makes for good photos – but make sure to stir your cheese from time to time so that it does not harden too quickly.
Round 2 anyone?
Once you’re done stuffing your face with tteokbokki, clean up all the leftover sauce by adding some rice, kimchi, seaweed and corn and frying it all together. Drizzle some sesame oil for a nuttier finish.
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Trust me, it tastes better than it looks! (Image Credit: stalker_jiaan)[/caption]
If you prefer noodles, Dookki also has instant ramen that you can add into your tteokbokki broth as well. Just remember to leave out the flavor packet, as it might ruin the taste of your delicious tteokbokki soup!
With the buffet going at just $18.80 for adults and $10.80 for children, you can stuff your face with as much tteokbokki and eomuk as you want without emptying your wallet. The only catch is that you need to finish your entire meal in 90 minutes.
Dookki screams of comfort food, and is the perfect place to go to when its raining and you are just craving some warm, hearty soup. We hear that the lines can be rather long during peak hours, so go early!
Dookki Singapore
Address: Suntec City, 3 Temasek Boulevard #B1-107 (East Wing), Singapore 038984
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun, 11.30am – 10.30pm
Contact: 6266 2425
Website
Also read This Bar Is Serving Yakitori With A Mala Twist That’s Sure To Make You Chikin Out
(Header Image Source: Dookki Singapore Facebook)
Young, Wild And Free – Live It Up This Youth Month At These Places Because You Are Only Young Once
Young, wild and free – a motto we all wish we could live by, but unfortunately, often find it difficult to because of the many stresses of living in Singapore.
Between struggling to maintain a good grade – or to pass that horror module – and juggling the expectations of all the people around us, it’s easy to forget how young we are and how these should be the best years of our lives.
For the month of July, we celebrate youth. Our youth years should be vibrant, fun and carefree, so let’s bring all that back into our lives! For the entire month, many of the places and experiences we love, or have always wanted to try, will be offering exclusive promos just for youths – thanks to the National Youth Council!
This month, let’s live it up at these 7 places. And don’t worry, each of them comes with a super sweet deal.
1. Bounce
If you haven’t heard of Bounce, where have you been? The largest trampoline park in Singapore, this grown-ups playground lets you jump, somersault, do twists and all kinds of crazy tricks!
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Image Credit: Kiasu Parents[/caption]
With a variety of trampoline zones and a Ninja-Warrior-like obstacle course, X-Park, test your mental and physical limits at Bounce.
Jump and play to your heart’s content at the Free Jumping Area, a large area comprising 28 interconnected trampolines that includes long tumble tracks and banked walls. Here, you can even defy gravity and run up walls!
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Image Credit: Coconuts[/caption]
Looking to try something that pushes your body even further? Attempt the insane X-Park! An obstacle course that combines elements of climbing, jumping and free-running, discover abilities you never knew you had at X-Park.
If reading this has got you raring to go, gather a bunch of your best friends and make plans to head down together! Conveniently located at Cathay Cineleisure, put your youthful energy to good use at Bounce.
Youth Month Promo: Enjoy 10% off on weekdays throughout the month of July. This promo only applies for general admission tickets and student session tickets. Use this to enjoy your promo.
Bounce Singapore
Address: Cathay Cineleisure, #09-01, 8 Grange Road, Singapore 239695
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 10am – 10pm; Fri: 10am – 11pm; Sat: 9am – 11pm; Sun: 9am – 10pm
Contact no.: 6816 2879
Price: General Access: $25 first hour, $20 each additional hour | Students: $21 first hour, $16 each additional hour
Website
2. Concrete Everything
Get creative this July with a material you’ve probably never worked with before – concrete.
Started by a fellow youth with a deep passion for design, Concrete Everything doesn’t just sell beautifully crafted homeware in the natural colours and texture of cement; it also conducts workshops teaching you how you can make them!
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Image Credit: Concrete Everything[/caption]
From luxe marble lamps to concrete versions of Darth Vader and StormTroopers, the items on their slim catalogue is a minimalist’s dream.
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Image Credit: Concrete Everything[/caption]
Courses they offer include marbled planter casting, concrete mini stool casting, marble square lamp casting and more. You even get to make your own Vader and StormTrooper! Each workshop will last 2 days, and everything you need to create your own concrete masterpiece will be provided.
It’s time to unleash your creativity and get crafty at Concrete Everything!
Youth Month Promo: Enjoy 10% off all products and workshops throughout July. Workshops need not fall in the month of July, and need only be booked and paid for during July. Use this to enjoy your promo.
Concrete Everything
Price: Workshops from $45 – $110
Website
3. Climb Central
Always wanted to try indoor rock climbing, but find it too expensive? This July, you’ll be able to enjoy the sport without burning a hole in your pocket!
Climb Central is the tallest indoor climbing venue in Singapore, boasting about 1,000 square meters of climbing wall space. Fully air-conditioned, it is conveniently located in Singapore Sports Hub.
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Image Credit: TimeOut[/caption]
First timers, you’re in for a real treat because for the month of July, you get a 20% discount on all off peak First Timer Sets. That’s about $7 off the $32 adult entry fee that includes registration, 1 adult day pass and 1 equipment set!
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Image Credit: this to enjoy your promo.
Climb Central Looking for an experience you’ve NEVER tried before? We bet you’ve never played Bossaball, and boy are you missing out.
Address: #B1-01 Kallang Wave Mall, 1 Stadium Place, Singapore 397628
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 11am – 11pm; Sat, Sun & PH: 9am – 9pm
Contact no.: 6702 7972
Price: Click 4. Bossaball
Image Credit: 
Image Credit: this to enjoy your promo.
Bossaball
Address: 10 Raeburn Park #02-08, Singapore 088702
Contact no.: 6100 6292
Price: Public Session (2 hr): $20 Per Pax | Private Group Session (2 hr): $600 (20 pax)
Website
5. HolyCrab
If gorging on delicious food is your idea of living it up, Holy Crab! We’ve got just the place for you.
HolyCrab is a cosy restaurant located along charming Tan Quee Lan. Big enough to seat only 24 people, this diner is always packed with foodies with an appetite for Holy Crab’s next level Singapore-style crabs.
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Image Credit: 
Image Credit: Chope[/caption]
Made with the freshest crab from the shores of Singapore, Holy Crab is the place to go for an affordable plate of quality crab.
Youth Month Promo: Enjoy 10% off your total bill throughout the month of July. Use this to enjoy your promo.
HolyCrab
Address: 2 Tan Quee Lan Street, #01-03, Singapore 188091
Contact no.: 8444 2722
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6.00pm – 10:30pm; Sun: 6.00pm – 10.30pm
Website
6. 8 Korean BBQ
If you love pork belly, you’re in for a feast at 8 Korean BBQ, a Korean BBQ franchise that serves 8 different flavours of decadent pork belly including Original, Wine, Ginseng, Garlic, Herb, Curry, Miso Paste, and Red Pepper Paste.
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Image Credit: 
Image Credit: Burpple[/caption]
A tender, juicy meat that’s seasoned with a variety of perfected flavours, treat yo’ self this month with this unique K-BBQ experience!
Youth Month Promo: Enjoy 10% off your total bill throughout the month of July. Use this to enjoy your promo.
8 Korean BBQ
Address: 6 Eu Tong Sen Street, #02-79/90 The Central, Singapore 059817
Contact no.: 8692 1188
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm; Sat – Sun: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Address: Shaw Centre #04-20/21, 1 Scotts Rd Singapore 228208
Contact no.: 9018 9212
Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm; Sat – Sun: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Website
7. Joo Bar
No list on living it up is complete without at least one watering hole for you and your buddies to knock back a few.
Fans of Korean alcohol and Korean fare in general must check out Joo Bar, Singapore’s first Makgeolli Bar & Restaurant. Located within a heritage shophouse, Joo, which means ‘alcohol’ in Korean, offers modern Korean bites and creative drinks in an edgy setting.
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Image Credit: 
Image Credit: Joo Bar[/caption]
Order their multi-coloured Makgeolli sampler if you can’t decide on just one makgeolli! For a sweeter experience, go for their Makgeolli cocktails! The bites here aren’t shabby too, with tasty finger food like Baby Eel Paper, Warm Kimchi with Tofu and Spam, and more!
Drink and eat to your heart’s content at Joo Bar – just make sure you’re 18 and above!
Youth Month Promo: Enjoy 10% off your total bill throughout the month of July. Use this to enjoy your promo.
Joo Bar
Address: 5 Tan Quee Lan Street, Singapore 188094
Contact no.: 8138 1628
Opening Hours: Daily, 5.30pm – 12am
Website
This is just the tip of the iceberg. There is a total of over 40 brands collaborating with the National Youth Council to bring you exclusive perks in celebration of Youth Month.
With brands like Lazada, Crossfire Paintball, GoPro, Klipsch, The Juicy Way, Udders and more participating to give you great deals, there’s no better time than now to live it up!
For all promotions, check out Youth Month Perks 2017.
The Entertainer App
If you’re all about getting good deals and making the biggest bang for your buck, The Entertainer is an app that will make all of that much easier.
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Image Credit: Flora Isabelle[/caption]
An app that gets you amazing deals on food, attractions, spas and even hotels in Singapore, live it up every month of the year with The Entertainer.
As part of Youth Month, you get to purchase The Entertainer app for just $70 (U.P. $125)! All you have to do is use to promo code ‘SHINEWITHUS’ when you download The Entertainer App. You can also purchase the Cheers app (The Entertainer app for alcohol) at a discounted $40 (U.P. $125) when you quote the promo code ‘CHEERSHINE’.
Another app that will come in handy in your hunt for some of the best deals in town is the Lazada app, which gives you access to app only deals (daily!), app only vouchers, and app first updates!
With all these handy tools at your fingertips, enjoying the good things in life will come at a drastically reduced cost, making your experiences all the more sweeter!
They often say youth is wasted on the young, and that’s true for the most part, especially when you live in Singapore.
Let’s not be in such a hurry to grow up. Have fun, live a little, do crazy things you might regret! There will come a time when we must grow up, when we become responsible for other people, other lives, and when the stakes are truly high. But that time is not now.
We are only young once, so let’s enjoy ourselves while we can and live a life with no regrets.
To enjoy all the above promotions, make sure flash the appropriate e-vouchers to participating merchants, or use the promo code(s) stated within the relevant e-voucher. Make sure to read the fine print for all Terms & Conditions.
This article is written in collaboration with National Youth Council.
Also read Here’re 7 Of SG’s Best Prawn Mee – Soupy, Flavourful, Fragrant
(Header Image Source: Chope)
Korean Food Is All The Rage Now – Here Are 11 Ways To Eat And Drink Like A True Korean
K-dramas, K-pop, Korean food… It seems Singaporeans are crazy for all things Korean, and for good reason.
Their heart wrenching drama storylines tug at our heartstrings. Their very successful reality-variety shows like Running Man leave us in fits of laughter. Their virally catchy pop tunes stick in our heads and are fun to sing along to.
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Image Credit: 
Traditional Korean food on display at e2i’s Taste of East Asia event[/caption]
But although Singaporeans do enjoy Korean food, do you know that some of us may unknowingly be flouting Korean table manners?
To help us better appreciate their cuisine and get the full Korean dining experience, here are 11 ways you can eat and drink like a true Korean.
How Koreans Eat
In Korea, rice is a staple food with most of South Korea’s agricultural policies centred on rice. Though we are seeing more unique Korean food creations, the Koreans still love their usual meal of rice with side dishes.
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Image Credit: 
Image Credit: The Spruce[/caption]
This is one act we are guilty of. While it’s that much more shiok to hold up your soup bowl for big gulps of the soup, it’s not recommended to do so in public, especially not so when you’re having Korean food – you’ll just seem rude.
3. Don’t reach across the table for food
As mentioned, a traditional Korean meal consists of a wide assortment of small side dishes that usually fill up the table. While it may seem normal for us to reach across the table for dishes placed further away, it isn’t for the Koreans.
It’s considered poor manners to extend your arm across the table to reach for food. The general rule is to bring the dishes closer to you, and if you really need to, get your friends to pass the food over to you.
4. When you’re done with your meal, place your utensils on the table
Once you’re finished with your food, don’t stick your chopsticks into your bowl, because they look like joss sticks offered to ancestors. It is regarded as disrespectful and a sign of bad luck. Place your utensils back on the table instead. But only do it after the elders have placed their utensils on the table, and make sure that you place them neatly.
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Image Credit: 5. You must drink the soups and stews before trying any rice and side dishes
As Koreans like to start off a meal with alcohol, the soup or stew acts as a way to cleanse their palates from the ‘bitter alcohol aftertaste’ before digging in on the side dishes and rice.
It’s such a common culture that this is still practiced even with meals without alcohol.
How Koreans Drink
Korea has a strong drinking culture and you’ll often see Koreans pairing their food with a drink or two.
In the Korean eateries in Singapore, you’ll notice three types of Korean alcohol feature most prominently on the drinks menu: Soju, Makgeolli, and of course, beer.
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From left to right: Maekju, Makgeolli, and SojuCredit Image:
Image Credit: 
Image Credit: Kwon Soon Woo[/caption]
Always wait for everyone to have their glasses ready before you toast and drink up together.
4. Do not refuse alcoholic drinks
The Koreans consider it rude when someone turns down a drink, especially when the elders offer it to you. So… bottoms up!
Remember to also hold your cup or glass with both hands when someone is pouring drinks for you.
5. Turn sideways when you drink liquor
Like the Japanese, Koreans emphasise a lot on societal ranking. One way that juniors show respect to elders, especially those higher in the corporate ladder, is to turn away when drinking.
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Image Credit: Dayre[/caption]
6. Alcohol-food pairings
Did you know that some Korean alcohols were meant to be eaten with specific foods?
Korea has a long history of having alcohol when celebrating special occasions. Besides long-stemmed beliefs (like consuming Soju during the new year as a way to drive away bad spirits and illnesses), these alcohols actually make Korean cuisine that much more enjoyable.
Soju + Anju
While Anju is a general term for side dishes consumed with alcohol, Anju is most commonly paired with Soju.
These side dishes aren’t just any kind of foods. These are usually finger foods like nuts and fruits, or salads like Golbaengi-muchim (a mix of moon snails and vegetables).
[caption id="attachment_28127" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
Image Credit: Pinterest[/caption]
Soju is also best paired with grilled meat like Samgyeopsal (pork belly).
Makgeolli + Jeon
The best food to eat with your makgeolli is Jeon, a fried pancake that at its most basic, consists of meat and/or vegetables, coated in flour and egg.
You can find all kinds of jeon—crispy, soft, doughy, and less doughy jeons versions, and they all pair deliciously with makgeolli.
Beer + Chicken
If you haven’t already heard of Chimaek, it’s about time you learnt of this.
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Image Credit: Trazy[/caption]
A combination of “chicken” and “Maekju” (beer), Chimaek very literally means chicken and beer. The Koreans love their chicken with beer, particularly spicy and fried chicken. There are even Korean restaurants like Chir Chir that specialises in selling just that.
Learning from Asian Masters at e2i’s Taste Of East Asia
Wondering where we learnt all of this? It was at e2i’s Taste Of East Asia event that happened in May 2017, where Dr 
Dr Kim Sang-woo, Chairman of the East Asia Cultural Project[/caption]
A session intended to introduce people to the cultural, economic and political aspects of Korea, Dr Kim gave us a peek into Korean food and cultural traditions that went beyond the glitz and glamour we’ve all come to associate with the country.
We Singaporeans love Korean food, and so does the rest of the world. Interestingly, food is one of the mediums through which Korea has forged closer, friendlier ties with other nations.
[caption id="attachment_28130" align="aligncenter" width="467"]
Taste of East Asia[/caption]
Taste of East Asia is one of many masterclasses organized by the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) to help working people.
For Taste of East Asia, people working in the F&B industry attended the professional development workshops by Korean, Japanese, Sri Lankan and Hong Kong masters, to increase their knowledge and mastery of food techniques.
Attendees also got to mingle with the masters, participants and booth exhibitors to expand their professional networks.
To find out more about future e2i events, you can contact e2i here.
This article is written in collaboration with e2i to help trade professionals upskill and network via trade events such as curated masterclasses.
This Korean BBQ Joint Serves Up Premium Meats So You Can Treat Mum Right This Mother’s Day
While it’s no secret that Tanjong Pagar is a hot spot for Korean BBQs, we’ve discovered a new gem. You won’t have to travel into the CBD for this one.
Nestled in a corner of Plaza Singapura, this restaurant can be easy to miss. Seorae is known for its interesting mix of authentic Korean cuisine as well as creative twists on familiar favourites.
Unlike most other Korean BBQ spots where gas canisters are used, customers at Seorae get to enjoy premium meats grilled over flaming charcoal, which adds that extra oomph and fragrance to the dishes.
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Entrance of Seorae[/caption]
Aside from its unique charcoal grill, this Korean eatery has also made a name for itself in Korea as a leading barbecue chain selling the much-loved skirt meat, or galmaegisal.
Recently, Seorae has also revamped its menu to include sizzling new selections, sharing sets, soju cocktails and makkoli mixes.
Needless to say, we couldn’t resist a taste.
1. Galmaegisal – $21.90
The very first Korean BBQ joint in Singapore to serve galmaegisal, Seorae is pioneering this tasty trend by offering up 3 flavours of the much-loved cut-garlic soy sauce, spicy and original.
Once served exclusively to Korean royalty, now you too get to feast like a king with Seorae’s signature dish, premium pork skirt meat marinated with authentic Korean spices.
[caption id="attachment_25920" align="alignnone" width="4991"]
Galmaegisal (Image Credit: Seorae)[/caption]
Grilled to perfection using a unique ‘circle grilling’ technique, the galmaegisal is reminiscent of wagyu beef–rich in flavour with a tender and juicy bite.
[caption id="attachment_25952" align="alignnone" width="2880"]
Galmaegisal[/caption]
Meat lovers, chew on this: The precious galmaegisal meat, located between the rib and belly, amounts to only 250 grams of a full-grown pig. That’s how precious it is!
2. Mixed Kkochi Platter – $21.90 (a la carte)
Next up, we got a taste of this platter that caters to even the most fickle of eaters. It was a sensational experience, with charcoal-grilled skewers of melted cheese, kimchi and spicy enoki wrapped in samgyeobsal (premium pork belly) and woosamgyeob (US prime beef shortplate).
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Mixed Kkochi Platter (Image Credit: Seorae)[/caption]
It even came with skewers of pyogo buseot (shiitake mushroom), which were tasty and juicy, serving as a much welcomed palate cleanser among the wide array of meat skewers.
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Pyogo buseot (shiitake mushroom)[/caption]
Silky Egg and Gooey Melted Cheese
Surrounding the grill are silky grilled egg and melted cheese, which allow diners to add a delicious mix of texture and flavours to their meal.
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Silky egg…[/caption]
Despite being left on the grill for quite some time, the egg remained extremely fluffy and moist, with a soft and smooth, pudding-like texture. The top layer of the egg, on the other hand, was crispy and aromatic. Diners get 4 free refills of egg, so don’t hold back!
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…and gooey cheese[/caption]
The creamy, buttery flavour of the stretchy cheese added an explosive umami burst to the galmaegisal and samgyeobsal, a lethally tasty combination.
3. Woosamgyeob – $22.90
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Image Credit: Seorae[/caption]
With a good ratio of lean meat to fat, woosamgyeob, otherwise known as US beef shortplate, is characterised by a rich flavour and pleasant bite.
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Woosamgyeob[/caption]
Marinated with Seorae’s in-house sauce, the beef strips were nicely browned on the grill and dripping with flavour. We were pleasantly surprised as the beef remained juicy and tender instead of being tough and dry.
4. Spicy Samgyeobsal – $17.90
Crisp, sweet and perfectly browned, the slices of samgyeobsal kept our chopsticks busy.
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Spicy Samgyeobsal[/caption]
If you’re not a fan of spicy food, this samgeyobsal will offer the flavours of chilli without the searing heat. The other options are regular and hangari samgyeopsal.
5. LA Galbi – $29.90
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LA Galbi[/caption]
These succulent prime beef short-ribs called out to us to sink our teeth into them, and we gladly agreed.
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LA Galbi[/caption]
The meat fell off the bone easily, and was sweeter and more flavourful than the other cuts of meat as the meat was cooked with the bone.
6. Sundubu Jjigae – $14.90
If there was a go-to dish for a cold, rainy day, this would be it. A rich soup that nourishes and revitalises, this is Seorae’s secret: their special spicy soft tofu stew has a broth full of minced pork, fresh vegetables, clams and eggs.
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Sundubu Jjigae[/caption]
We were initially worried the clams would be fishy, but the broth captured the sweetness of the clams without any hint of fishiness. The egg was beautifully cooked, partially gooey and slightly runny. Mixed with the flavourful soup and tofu, it was comfort food at its best.
7. Budae Jjigae – $35.90 (a la carte)
Unlike most other army stews, this version tasted much more wholesome, with a cleaner flavour. Simmered in a specially prepared Gochujang spicy sauce, the stew contained all the essentials and more. There was sausage, spam, fish cake, tteokboki, beans, and even bacon! They also included fresh vegetables to balance out all the meat.
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Budae Jjigae (Image Credit: Seorae)[/caption]
If you’re not a fan of soggy ramyeon, Seorae’s staff can cook your ramyeon just right, making sure the noodle stays springy and chewy.
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Budae Jjigae[/caption]
8. Cheese Mandu Tteokbokki – $35.90 (a la carte)
Guess what, more cheese! Not that we’re complaining.
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Cheese Mandu Tteokbokki[/caption]
Otherwise known as rambokki (ramyeon + tteokbokki), this Cheese Mandu Tteokbokki covers all the bases. It consists of Korean rice cake cooked in Seorae’s hot sauce, served on a hot pan with fried fish cake, egg, corn-cheese mandu (dumplings), ramyeon and pineapple. The ramyeon and tteokbokki is meant to be stirred into the hot sauce, where tasty, gooey cheese lies within.
Cheese lovers, you will not be disappointed by the corn-cheese mandu, a crispy golden packet that gives an audible crunch when you bite into it. It oozes stringy melted cheese, sprinkled with bits of sweet corn. We’re definitely ordering this again the next time we’re here!
9. Pineapple Soju Cocktail – $22.90++
A Korean BBQ feast is not complete without some soju. Accompanying our feast was this refreshingly fruity twist on the conventional Korean soju. This summery drink featured an entire pineapple spiked with soju, laden with fresh pineapple bits scooped straight from the husk. We downed one glass after another, keeping pace with our fervent feeding frenzy.
Enjoy Seorae’s Mother’s Day Promotion!
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Image Credit: Seorae[/caption]
This Mother’s Day, grab the opportunity to treat your mum to some delicious, authentic Korean cuisine at Seorae! A Mother’s Day promotion will be going on from 12 – 14 May, and you’ll get a FREE Pineapple Soju (worth $22.90++) with every reservation made.
Seorae offers much more in terms of taste and variety than the typical Korean BBQ restaurant. What really awed us were their fruity sojus and their famed galmaegisal. We’ll definitely be back, and very soon too!
Seorae
Address: Plaza Singapura #02-01, 68 Orchard Road, Singapore 238839
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 11.30am – 10pm; Fri – Sat: 11.30am – 11pm; Sun: 11.30am – 10pm
Contact no.: 9181 2709
Website
Also read This Korean Cafe Serves Pork Ribs Wrapped With Stringy Cheese – And It’s Grate
This Korean Cafe Serves Pork Ribs Wrapped With Stringy Cheese – And It’s Grate
Ever lamented the need to travel to a separate cafe for a decent Korean Patbingsoo (red bean shaved ice), because the Korean restaurant you’re at doesn’t serve desserts?
Now you can have the best of both worlds at Patbingsoo Korean Dining House, and at incredibly affordable prices!
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Patbingsoo Korean Dining House entrance[/caption]
Located at Basement 2 of Plaza Singapura, where the old aquarium shop used to be, Patbingsoo Korean Dining House features an impressive array of both the sweet and the savoury. Opened in December last year, the restaurant prides itself in flavours inspired by the food streets of Seoul, adapted to local tastes.
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Spoiled for choice![/caption]
This restaurant knows exactly what its customers want, providing us 2 full pages of fold-out Bingsoo menu items, and unique, fusion dishes.
That means dishes like Tteok Carbonara, Patbingsoo Buritos, and Seafood Sundubu Pasta!
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A teaser of what you can eat here[/caption]
During our visit, we decided to stick with the more classic flavours in an attempt to transport ourselves to Seoul.
We started off with some alcoholic beverages: the Lychee Makkoli, Green Tea Soju, and the Grape Yoghurt Soju ($11.90).
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L-R: Lychee Makkoli, Green Tea Soju, Grape Yoghurt Soju[/caption]
If you prefer your alcohol sweet, these are perfect for you!
More importantly, they pair really well with the Spicy and Honey Garlic Chicken Wings, our first appetisers of the day.
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Lychee Makkoli + Honey Garlic Chicken Wings = THE BOMB[/caption]
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Honey Garlic Chicken Wings on the left, Spicy Chicken Wings on the right[/caption]
The smell of the roasted garlic hits you first, before suffusing your taste buds with its sweet, garlicky flavours. As for the Spicy Chicken Wings, they’re great even if you’re not too good with spices. Strong aromas with none of the pain!
Next up was the Fried Samgyeopsal ($6.90), deep fried pork belly slices served with a vibrant honey mustard dipping sauce.
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Look at the colour of that honey mustard![/caption]
Crispy and peppered with a world of seasoning, this sinful pleasure was able to mask its unhealthiness by leaving out that overly greasy taste fried food tends to have.
Next up was the restaurant’s signature dish: The Rolling Cheese Pork Ribs ($38.90)!
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Rolling Cheese Pork Ribs[/caption]
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Everyone couldn’t stop staring as our waiter wrapped the pork rib with cheese. No one can resist that cheese pull![/caption]
One of the more expensive items on the menu, this dish can be shared by anywhere between 2 to 4 people, depending on how many ribs you’re willing to sacrifice.
That’s because once you’ve taken a bite of this tender, sweet and spicy marinated pork rib that’s been lovingly wrapped in a mix of melted cheddar and mozzarella, you’ll want them all to yourself!
Couple that with a whole array of sides such as cream corn, potato chips, pineapple slices and fries, plus a generous serving of the best garlic mayo I have ever tasted, and you’ve got yourself a meal fit for a king!
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A mixture of sides[/caption]
Next, we moved on to the House Special Ramyeon ($11.90). At this point, we were starting to get full, but the moment the piping hot, spicy ramyeon came to our table, our appetites were whet all over again.
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Can you say “love at first sight”?[/caption]
With a creamy, eggy broth that wasn’t too spicy, this yummy ramyeon disappeared as quickly as it appeared. That’s another thing about Patbingsoo Korean Dining House: their service was extremely quick! We barely had to wait before each dish arrived, and their service was polite and incredibly helpful.
At last, our final savoury item made its appearance: the Dynamite Spam ($11.90).
Spam is a staple of many Korean dishes, such as the classic Army Stew. Brought into South Korea during World War II, it was often smuggled back home from army bases as a treat. One mishmash of Korean stews and spam later, it is now a nation-wide beloved food item.
Patbingsoo Korean Dining House serves their spam with several slivers of raw onion, a generous serving of gochujang mayo and several seaweed rice balls. This is then torched right at your table, leaving you with an intoxicating flavour that ruins regular mayo for you from here on.
At first bite, you’ll immediately notice the sharp tang of the raw onion, before it is blanketed by the tangy, torched gochujang mayo sauce. The seaweed is very fragrant as well, helping to tie everything together in an umami bomb of flavour.
After all these savoury, carb- and protein-heavy dishes, we were more than ready to cleanse our palates with some sweet treats.
We were graciously provided with 2: The Incheon Bingsoo ($11.90) and the Hoegi Patbingsoo ($10.90).
The Incheon Bingsoo is shaved ice with tiramisu coffee, rum and coffee ice cream. Definitely a must for tiramisu lovers, this Bingsoo was extremely light as well.
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Incheon Bingsoo[/caption]
The mascarpone was light and fluffy with a hint of coffee, and the lady finger biscuits provided a nice crunch.
As for the Hoegi Patbingsoo, it came with fruits, jelly, red bean and red bean ice cream, all on top of shaved ice.
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Hoegi Patbingsoo[/caption]
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I’d be lying if I said the best part was anything but pouring on that evaporated milk[/caption]
For those of you who typically eat fruits after a meal, you’ll be ecstatic with this Bingsoo as it comes with strawberries, mango, grapes and honeydew. It’s also a more classic version of Bingsoo, with a nice dollop of sweet red beans under a scoop of ice cream.
(P.S. That’s what the ‘Pat’ in Patbingsoo means: Red Beans!)
Overall, we had an amazing time trying out just a small selection of their huge menu. Insanely affordable with amazing quality food, this is one place I’m definitely going to make a regular dinner spot.
Patbingsoo Korean Dining House
Address: Plaza Singapura, #B2-47, 68 Orchard Road, Singapore 238839
Contact no.: 9181 3038
Operating hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11am – 10pm; Friday – Saturday: 11.30am – 10.30pm
8 Best Places In Singapore With Pizzas That Look And Taste Like Heaven!
(Top Image Credit: Burpple)
