Cover Doeji-galbi bap at Naeum
Doeji-galbi bap at Naeum
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Get a taste of South Korea’s rich culinary history at these top restaurants on the island
The Korean new wave that’s currently sweeping the globe is showing no signs of stopping. It’s a good thing for lovers of Korean food in Singapore, as there’s no shortage of Korean establishments to satisfy your cravings for kimchi, bulgogi, budae jjigae (army stew), or classic Korean barbecue. With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to discern which restaurants truly shine with the unique tastes of Korea. Here’s our guide to the finest Korean restaurants that are guaranteed to take you back to the Land of Morning Calm.
Don't miss: The Best Korean Barbecue Restaurants in Singapore, According to Local Chefs
1. Anju
Sip on top-shelf tipples as you savour delicate Korean delicacies at Anju. With head chef Marco Kim’s dedication to elevating anju cuisine, a term meaning food consumed with alcohol, you’ll see an extensive Korean beverage menu alongside an array of hot and cold dishes to ignite your palate.
If you’re looking for premium offerings in limited quantities, go for the sotbap instead, which sees scorched rice paired with charcoal grilled sea bass. Or go for the uni scallop, which sees bivalve served with uni ice cream, kimchi radish, and drizzled with dill, chervil, lemon and truffle oil. It’s an unusual presentation of uni that bursts with salty and acidic flavours. In the drinks menu, soju sits beside lesser known spirits like chungju (rice liquor) and takju (grain liquor). Whatever you choose, rest assured you are getting quality spirits to elevate your meal.
Anju, 62 Tras Street, S(079001), +65 6612 1172
2. Meta
Chef Sun Kim marries his Korean heritage with Japanese and Western technique at Meta, a blend of influences that has earned the Keong Saik Road mainstay one Michelin star. In elaborate tasting menus, Kim presents his brand of east-meets-west cuisine that pays homage to his Korean roots.
For dinner, you can expect seasonal red sea bream served with premium white asparagus and avocado, then balanced by the light acidity of yuzu. Elsewhere, feast on blue lobster served with artichoke and zucchini flower, as well as an elevated Korean barbecue lamb offering served with gangdoenjang (thick fermented bean paste stew) with kale kimchi. Top up for a full wine pairing or a half Korean pairing to complete the experience.
Meta, 1 Keong Saik Road, S(089109), +65 6513 0898
3. Naeum
Above Somyeon at Naeum
Somyeon at Naeum
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Critics and gourmands have praised chef Louis Han’s brand of contemporary Seoul cuisine with modern Western techniques, a philosophy that recently bagged Naeum a spot on the top 20 restaurants list at the Tatler Dining Awards 2023. Every few seasons, Han releases episodic menus that reflect the best seasonal ingredients of the hour.
Head down for dinner to indulge in Han’s ongoing Episode 5 menu, themed ‘Front Yard Barbecue’, which will go on till the end of summer. The somyeon featuring buckwheat noodles, kimchi and grilled black pork belly is a highlight, but the doeji-galbi bap is unmissable. It sees multi-grain rice paired with overnight-braised Duroc pork ribs and grated black truffle, making this a filling and savoury offering that hits all the right spots. For dessert, you’ll love the melon lime punch, a combination of lime, mint and melon sorbet atop a granita of soju, lemon juice and vanilla yogurt mousse, which provides a refreshing end to the meal.
Naeum, 161 Telok Ayer Street, S(068615), +65 8830 5016
Read more: Naeum chef-owner Louis Han recalls memories of front yard barbecues in his latest menu
4. Sura
Sura is an understated gem in Tanjong Pagar that takes its name from the Korean word sura-sang, the palace cuisine of the Joseon dynasty. It serves up hanjeongsik multi-course menus usually reserved for royalty on classic bronzeware plates, making sure you’ll feel pampered as you indulge in a plethora of classic side dishes and mains.
You can’t go wrong with a classic bulgogi, which literally means ‘fire meat’ and sees strips of marinated beef grilled on a hotplate. Or go for the barley-aged dried yellow croaker, which brings to the table a salty and complex taste from its maturation in barley. Don’t forget classic banchan (side dishes) like japchae (stir-fried sweet potato starch noodles), kimchi, and ganjang gejang (soy marinated crabs).
Sura, 60 Tanjong Pagar Road, S(088481), +65 6223 2289
5. Seoul Korean Restaurant
Above Banchan buffet spread at Seoul Korean Restaurant (Photo: Seoul Korean Restaurant)
Banchan buffet spread at Seoul Korean Restaurant (Photo: Seoul Korean Restaurant)
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Located in the plush halls of Conrad Singapore Orchard is Seoul Korean Restaurant, offering a range of premium charcoal barbecue options alongside several à la carte dishes that present an authentic taste of Korea.
For an indulgent barbecue, go for the Wagyu beef striploin, prized for its tenderness and intricate marbling. The Seoul galbi, which is soy-marinated, prime grade boneless beef short rib, is another excellent option. Don’t like beef? Opt instead for the maewun chicken marinated in a hot and spicy sauce, or the dwaeji galbi, a soy-marinated preserved pork prime rib that bursts with flavour.
Seoul Korean Restaurant, 1 Cuscaden Road, 03-02 Conrad Singapore Orchard, S(249715), +65 6338 8548
6. So Seoul
Above Seafood platter at So Seoul (Photo: So Seoul)
Seafood platter at So Seoul (Photo: So Seoul)
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Let Seoul native Nam Hyun, head chef of So Seoul, take you back to the vibrant streets of Seoul with its both authentic and innovative twists on Korean fare, as well as an eclectic cocktail menu.
So Seoul is famous for its soy-marinated crabs, and for good reason. The crab is sweet, tender and juicy, with an intensely flavourful brine that’s never overpowering. If you can’t get enough of it, you must try the soy-marinated abalone as well. Don’t forget crowd-pleasers like the truffle scallops carpaccio, which are essentially raw scallops luxuriously drizzled in truffle oil and topped with caviar and tobiko. For a premium barbecue experience, you won’t want to miss out on the signature Wagyu beef set including A4 Kagoshima ribeye and A5 Hokkaido snow beef.
So Seoul, 49 Tras Street, S(078988), +65 9896 2928
About
Ethan is a dining writer with Tatler Singapore. Trained in literary arts and filmmaking, their work has previously been published in Esquire Singapore, Men's Folio, and with the Asian Film Archive and the Singapore International and Film Festival, across a wide range of interests from gastronomy to fashion and arts criticism.
Work
Ethan writes about exciting news in the F&B industry, specialising in fine dining, exclusive spirits launches, and new restaurants. They are always looking for riveting voices to bring something fresh to an already-dynamic industry.
Follow them on Instagram at @faustiangourmand.
