The South Korean-born chef who has been calling Singapore home the last seven years, and expectedly fallen in love with more than a few local specialities, shares a few recommendations
While Singapore’s ever vibrant dining scene continues to lure some of the world’s top chefs, many of today’s brightest first made their mark here. Much like how South Korean-born Sun Kim has done since moving to the island nation in 2014 to work at Waku Ghin, and eventually making his debut as executive chef at Meta in 2016.
It didn’t take long before the region’s most avid diners took notice. And just last month, one Michelin starred Meta was honoured with the 2021 American Express One To Watch Award. Selected by the organisers of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, in collaboration with its regional experts, the award is presented to a restaurant that is outside the main Asia’s 50 Best list but is identified as the rising star of the region.
(Related: How Singapore Fared at the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2021 Awards)
Kim’s progressive menu has always been about melding Asian and Western culinary inspirations, evolving to include influences from his heritage to celebrate a unique amalgamation of predominantly Korean, Japanese and French cuisines.
To be sure, this is also an elevated exploration of cross-cultural cooking that’s become increasingly prevalent across Asia. Though local pundits would not hesitate to presume the possible impact of living and working in multicultural Singapore might have had on his interpretation.
We do, nonetheless, know that Kim has developed quite a taste for more than a few local dishes—from feted stalwarts, no less. In fact, here are a few places you might find the soft-spoken rising star of mod-Asian gastronomy dining at, especially when he’s craving that quintessential Singaporean meal.
(Related: Combining Our Love For Singapore’s Hawker Food With Champagne)