Mashisoyo! Korean Food

In the mood for Naeng Myeon, hence, I finally got down to visiting Noodle Star K. My second ever time having it, my first being in Seoul, and I am glad to say that their rendition was really similar to the one I had in Korea - slurpy and refreshing. The broth of the Mul NaengMyeon ($15.80) was pleasantly tangy and savoury - overall pretty mild tasting so if you need that extra oomph you got to add the vinegar and mustard sauce. Thin, springy, and chewy, the noodles were also really unique and had a great bite. There were sweet slices of Korean pear to counter the tanginess of the broth too. However, as expected, the beef slices were nothing to shout about. Love the complimentary warm beef broth that came in a cup, being both comforting and umami. The subtle peppery taste went superbly with the cold noodle and helped warm up the belly a little.

Though the Sweet and Sour Pork stole the show, their Noodle with Black Bean Sauce ($11/ ala carte) was also really decent. Light and slippery, the noodles were rather thin, had a nice chew, and were not too jelat. The sauce well studded with bits of meat was not too strong with a gentle sweetness and a delicate black bean taste. The portion was substantial as well, good for sharing. And at MukJja, to get the best of both worlds, they have a couple of Sweet & Sour Pork Sets to choose from!

Having tried a handful of Tangsuyuk, I must say MukJja’s Sweet and Sour Pork ($24/ small, ala carte) was one of the better ones. Firstly, the batter wasn’t too starchy or too thick. Served piping hot, the deep-fried pork strips had a great bite, partly due to the coat of batter and the way it was sliced in my opinion. Cut into relatively thin strips, it made eating more enjoyable with the bite-size pieces and that each was able to get just the right dose of sauce. Secondly, even after they cooled, the pork retained a good amount of crunch. Lastly, the flavourful sauce which came with onions, carrots, black fungus, and red cabbage had a great consistency. There was a good balance of savoury, sweetness, and sourness; the tanginess being sufficient to counter the heaviness of the protein. Also, if you are like me and like to enjoy Tansuyuk with the sauce on the side, be sure to tell them in advance while ordering. 

Apart from their stellar Korean fried chicken, Ahtti’s Seafood Pancake ($14) is a must-order. Fried to utter perfection, the dish was served piping hot and not greasy at all. Chock-full of vegetables and seafood, the pancake’s ultra-crisp edges were so satisfying. I also love the fact that it was of a slightly thinner variant thus it wasn’t too doughy or cloying and retained its crunch. The shrimps and chunks of squid were fresh tasting and provided a nice chew too.

With solid Korean fried chicken delivered right to my doorstep, Ahtti was one of the best finds during Circuit Breaker. Thanks, Zhi Hui! Crisp, crunchy, moist and utterly flavourful, their Ganjang Boneless Whole Chicken ($34) was really toothsome and morish. Of course, I am partial to the boneless option as I always found wings and drumlets to be a hassle to eat. Hence, perfect for my K-drama marathons, each chunk was also bursting with the natural flavour of chicken and great with the lick of savoury-sweetness from the coating of soy! The glaze was slightly sticky but well-balanced. The batter was not greasy, tasted light even with the sauce, and retain it’s crunchiness hours later. Each order also comes with a can of Coke and pickled radish. I can once again say "West side best side"!

*To order, you can find them on GrabFood or WhatsApp them.

Loading well-executed proteins and colourful medley of vegetables into their signature "pints”, Dosirak is run by passionate individuals that work towards creating an inclusive menu which people of different dietary requirements can enjoy. Hence, now brighter and larger, the new store at 313 Somerset is set to bring customizable bibimbaps to the town-goers.

Having tried some of the options available, the Soy Citrus Salmon would be my top pick, followed by Beef Bulgogi. Flaky and fresh tasting, the salmon was first cured for the extra depth and later torched for that melty soft texture. Seasoned with their house-made marinate, the chunks were pleasantly savoury though mild in citrus. The beef, on the other hand, packed more meaty flavour but also coupled harmoniously with the crunchy add-ons. As for the sauces, the Apple Cider Gochujang was a tangy play on the traditional chili paste and catering to those who can't handle spice, the Soy Garlic Jang was simply a crowd-pleaser. Then, complete your substantial bowls (can enjoy with Burpple Beyond 1-for-1) with their belly-warming soups such as their heavenly seaweed soup which was slurp-worthy and full of umami goodness.

Thank you @dosiraksg for hosting us and @burpple for the invitation!

Surfing the Korean wave with their newly launched lineup, Sky22’s Korean Fare Buffet is helmed by their Junior Sous Chef from Daegu - Hwang In Yong. Available on Saturdays, Sundays (except on Easter weekend) and for dinner on Fridays till 28th April, the spread is priced reasonably at $56++/ adult and $28++/ child.

Though Korean BBQ often comes to mind when you think of Korean buffets, the extensive selections at Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena features Korean Classics on rotation. Think Braised Kimchi Pork Ribs, Seafood Pancake and House-made Kimchi. And not forgetting their D.I.Y Bibim Bar with an array of over 20 ingredients to customize your perfect bowl of Bibimbap as well as a Steam & Grill Seafood Bar to get your money's worth.

My favourite out of those that we tried was their Galbi Jjim (Braised Beef Short Ribs). Prepared using Chef In Yong’s mother home-recipe, the sweet yet savoury dish was well-executed with the tender and juicy chunks of beef short ribs. The saucy item would go wonderfully with a steaming bowl of white rice. A close second, the heat offered by the Sundubu Jjigae (Spicy Seafood Tofu Soup) was the ideal rainy day comfort food. Flavourful and almost addictively spicy, the sweetness of the seafood was distinct and paired nicely with the smooth curds. But of course, to end the meal on a high note, I would recommend the Hotteok. The warm Korean sweet pancake was a crisp, cinnamony dream.

Thank you @courtyardsingapore for the warm hospitality!

Filled with ingredients and best shared among a few friends, jazz up your weekday lunch with The Gogi at Alexandra Central’s Budae Jungol (Army Stew). A slurp-worthy option, the item features a tantalising savoury soup base striking a great balance in terms of intensity and has just the right consistency; as to me the main differentiating factor between competing restaurants is always its base. Their version also comes adequately spicy without having the natural flavours of the broth taken away. With the usual suspects thrown in, the hot bubbling mix of mushrooms, tofu, rice cake, sausages, luncheon meat and ramyeon spells a good time too.

A dish seen on almost every table, NY Night Market's Rosti & Beef ($10.90) was an easy crowd-pleaser as there are no better match than potatoes and beef! Giving the unfailing pan-fried potato fritter a boost with the garlicky and sweet Korean staple, the thin bulgogi beef slices were well-marinated and tender. The shredded russet potato pancake, absorbing some of that fragrant and savoury sauce, was also perfectly seasoned. Crisp on the outside and moist within, the combination was a sure winner. Finished off with a dollop of sour cream, the mild tanginess was able to break the richness of the meat and a bit of the greasiness-making it a super tasty fry up!

Sticking to the well-loved staples at The GOGI, I finally got to curb my cravings for KBBQ - Filling my belly up with Pork Belly, Prime Beef Ribs, Seasoned Chicken, Cream Cone and Doenjang Jjigae (surprisingly good).

Though I have a strong dislike for kimchi, I may have found a new appreciation for it through kimchi pancakes! A nice balance between the overly dry and the excessively doughy ones, The GOGI’s Kimchi Pancake doesn't overwhelm you with the greasiness or spiciness. Enjoying the gentle crunch of the kimchi, I really liked the crispy edges and slightly chewy center too.

And for something soup-ish and less guilty, the Vongole Ppong ($16.80) offers quite a spicy and flavourful kick (so a tip is to get their life-saving Lychee Yogurt to douse the heat). Great as a rainy day comfort food, the white wine and garlic base was a heavenly combination that tied in superbly well with the sweetness of the clams.

Thank you Burpple for the invite, Rachel for hosting us and @NipongNaepongSG for feeding us~~~