Don Dae Bak Korean BBQ along Kreta Ayer Road offers a Korean BBQ buffet with unlimited meats, sides and steamed eggs at only S$27.90++/pax on weekdays.

What we love most about Don Dae Bak Korean BBQ is that the Korean restaurant uses charcoal grill instead of the usual gasoline grill. That sure makes a lot of difference to our meats!

This small outlet is just like any usual Korean BBQ place—round communal tables that are surrounded by kimchi and side dishes (free flow), all your sauces and chilli, and loud Korean pop songs on repeat mode. They use beef and pork belly from USA and Australia, as well as chicken that is sourced locally.

Don Dae Bak’s Korean BBQ Buffet includes:

• Beef Bulogi
• Beef Brisket
• Pork Belly
• Spicy Pork Belly
• Shoulder Loin
• Marinated Shoulder Loin
• Marinated Chicken
• Spicy Marinated Chicken
• Korean sides
• Steamed eggs

Other than the meats, the Korean BBQ buffet also comes with six free-flow Korean sides and unlimited steamed eggs.

The cherry on top is the pocket around the grill, where egg custard is poured and steamed egg is made. It is so simple, yet nothing short of comforting; just like the great Korean BBQ meals we’ve had in Seoul, though more often than not, steamed egg is a free dish they offer to diners.

Don Dae Bak Korean BBQ Restaurant
35 Kreta Ayer Rd
Singapore 089000
Tel: +65 6226 1727
Weekday: S$27.90++/pax, weekend S$29.9++/pax

Known for serving affordable and authentic Korean dishes, Ajumma’s Korean Restaurant has closed down its original outlet at The Cathay recently and it has officially opened its new location at Bukit Panjang Plaza on 21 Dec 2021.

Ajumma’s is a casual Korean eatery where you can get Korea homestyle cooking minus the frills (and service charge).

Most of the dishes on Ajumma’s menu are affordably priced under S$10 and they include options such as Chicken Bulgogi, Bibimbap, Spicy Ramyeon, and House-Smoked Mackerel.

The Beef Bulgogi (S$10.50) set comes with plump white rice and an assortment of small side dishes. The marinated grilled beef was juicy and savoury, best eaten with rice to balance the saltiness.

The Kimchi Ramyeon (S$8.90+) has a generous portion of noodles, meat, tofu and vegetables.

The opening of Ajumma’s Korean Restaurant at Bukit Panjang Plaza is definitely great news for those who are staying in the west of Singapore.

Ajumma’s Korean Restaurant
1 Jelebu Road
#03-10A Bukit Panjang Plaza
Singapore 677743

Jangsu Korean BBQ is a humble Korean restaurant located in Serangoon and it is run by a Korean couple. The restaurant serves affordable and super yummy food and pride themselves in using 100% aged meats that are juicy, tender and fresh. You can also expect flavourful seasoned meats that have been marinated with their secret recipe there.

Serangoon is filled with a myriad of good food and this Korean restaurant adds to the list. Here’s why you have to be sure to visit this restaurant for an authentic Korean BBQ experience!

They offer 3 different type of BBQ sets that differ in the types of meat and marinade. We had Set C (S$54) that comes with Beef Sirloin, Soy Sauce Pork Shoulder, Pork Belly and Spicy Chicken, and it also includes complimentary Steamed Eggs and choice of soup (Kimchi Soup, Soybean Soup or Tofu Soup).

The Kimchi Soup was one of the better ones we’ve had in recent times as many places tend to water down their soup too much. It was so rich in flavour, not too sour, slightly spicy, and had chunks of tofu and pork belly.

The meat were all so tender. Even when the beef was left on the grill for a longer period of time, it did not get tough nor become a jaw-breaker.

The samgyeopsal (pork belly) was just cut to the right thickness and had a good ratio of meat to fat. The pork juices were well-retained which brought out the fragrance of the meat immensely. The burst of flavours made every bite so pleasant.

Some oyster mushrooms and onions were served alongside the meat, wrap them up in a lettuce wrap to add textures for a satisfying mouthful.

We have not tasted pork shoulder so tender that it was almost soft before. However, still with a good bite to it. It had a sweet taste that lingers on your tongue but nothing too overbearing! The lady boss told us that no sugar was added in this marinade, however we think it might have been honey that was used to bring out the sweet flavours.

The Spicy Chicken had just a teeny-weeny kick of spice, suitable even for those who cannot take spice.

A special mention for their amazing banchan (side dishes) – there were braised potatoes, oyster mushrooms, kimchi, beansprouts, tofu in soy sauce, oden and a salad. We always appreciate a Korean restaurant that’s generous with their banchan.

Perfect for small group gatherings and indulgent dinners, we highly recommend you guys to check this underrated place out for an authentic Korean food fare with your friends and family!

19 Teck Chye Terrace
Singapore 545725
Tel: +65 6289 4104
Mon to Sun: 11:30am to 2:30pm, 5pm to 11pm

Honey Night is a Korean bar and bistro where you can get refreshing drinks on a hot day, Korean street snacks and mains to satisfy your hunger pangs. It is conveniently located in Grandlink Square, just walking distance from Paya Lebar MRT.

Gulp down a somaek tower, bite on chewy spicy rice cakes and indulge in hearty soups, while bobbing and singing along to K-pop hits. You don’t have to fly to Korea for that ahjumma’s kimchi stew anymore because you’re in for a treat at Honey Night with their authentic tasting Korean food fare!

We had the Deep Fried Boneless Chicken (S$13 for 3pcs). It was tender and the seasoning was kept to a minimum which brought out the fragrance of the meat itself. However, the batter was a little too thick, causing some mush underneath but still crunchy on the outside.

A thinner batter that was coated more evenly would’ve been better, but the sweet and spicy sauce that came along with it tasted oh-so-good with the chicken! Have it with a piece or two of the seasoned radish and you’ll overlook the flaws of the batter.

A must-order at every Korean restaurant, the Kimchi Stew (S$12) here was pretty well done – with just the right amount of spice with robust flavours of kimchi that warms your heart, especially on a rainy day.

Flavours were 10/10, and it was as authentic as it can get. Brownie points for the generous ingredients in the soup, including tofu, glass noodles, pork belly, kimchi and onions! You know a Korean restaurant is good if they can do kimchi stews well because it is a simple dish that is hard to perfect.

The Beef Bulgogi Set Meal (S$13) is a crowd favourite! It came with a bowl of short grain rice, seaweed soup and kimchi. Can we just say that the seaweed soup was one of the best seaweed soups we’ve had because normally seaweed soup tastes bland and smells of the sea, but this was so light yet flavourful and helps to cleanse your palette.

The beef was sweet, infused with natural flavours of the onions and is a match made in heaven with short grain rice. We enjoyed it but we felt that this dish would have been perfect if the beef was slightly more tender, maybe with a fattier part and had some sweet potato noodles added in just like those you can get in Korea.

Honey Night is a hidden gem in the Paya Lebar area and the prices are slightly lower than other Korean restaurants.

Honey Night
511 Guillemard Road
#01-08, Grandlink Square
Singapore 399849
Tel: +65 8671 1443
Nearest Station: Paya Lebar

It is no secret that Singaporeans are addicted to Korean food. Ever since the K-wave hit us a few years back, we have never stopped craving for Korean food. It also goes without saying that our favourite kind of Korean food comes in the form of Korean fried chicken.

Chik Soo Korean Chicken at Punggol Drive Oasis Terraces specialises in Korean Fried Chicken—if their name isn’t already obvious enough. And hearing so much about it, we were excited to see how their Korean chicken tasted compared to other famous brands such as Nene Chicken, Chicken Up and 4 Fingers. Here’s what we thought.

The entrance of Chik Soo is not hard to spot, and it is located right smack under the giant Samsung television in the main area.

The interior of the place is quite small and dim, but it made for a cosy environment that is great for intimate get-togethers with family and friends.

The wings came in 3 flavours: Soya Sauce, Sweet Chilli and Hot & Spicy Wings. All of these were priced at S$12 per plate of 4 wings. We decided to opt for their Hot and Spicy Wings because we were curious to see how spicy they really were.

The fried chicken was much bigger than we expected it to be, and the 4 large wings were jostling with each other for space on the plate. Each wing was generously drenched in a copious amount of spicy, chilli sauce, and the sight of it definitely made our mouths water.

The chicken skin was incredibly crispy and crunchy while maintaining a good tender inside that was cooked thoroughly. The spicy sauce, we were sad to say, was not very spicy, so people who can’t take spice can order this without fear. However, we didn’t mind the lack of spice as it was still deliciously tangy and sweet.

Besides chicken, they also sell a number of other classic Korean dishes like Army Stew, Bibimbap and Ginseng Chicken Soup. We also tried the Army Stew set as they were having a promotion where any choice of stew came with a plate of gyoza for only S$36.80.

The army stew has 3 levels of heat, so you can choose how spicy you want it to be. It came in a large pot and had delicious ingredients such as spam, crab rolls, chicken, sausages, tofu, corn and spicy paste mixed in.

The stew had just the right amount of spiciness and tanginess, and we love how all the ingredients soaked up all the goodness of the broth. It definitely is an incredibly satisfying dish that is great to slurp down on a cold, rainy day.

For the gyoza, we had the ones with kimchi and pork fillings. The gyoza was deliciously crisp and golden and made a satisfying crunch sound when we bit into it.

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Chik Soo Korean Chicken
Blk 681 Punggol Drive Oasis Terraces, #01-07
Singapore 821669
Tel: +65 6909 7465
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Oasis LRT

Yoogane Singapore is one of the most popular chicken galbi restaurants in South Korea. Having been established in Busan, South Korea nearly 3 decades ago with over 130 outlets, there is no doubt that this is a restaurant worth visiting for authentic Korean food that is both delicious and comforting.

For the uninitiated, chicken galbi is a tasty and spicy pan-fried dish comprising marinated chicken, fresh assorted vegetables, and tteokbokki (Korean rice cake). Simple in preparation, this iconic cold-weather staple is a must-try for all—spring, summer, autumn, winter alike.

Aside from their highly acclaimed chicken galbi, Yoogane in Singapore also features a myriad of stellar dishes such as Army Stew, Dosirak, and newly launched Korean-style fried chicken that features three lip-smacking flavours.

For the true taste of Korea without actually being there, head down to Yoogane Singapore today! And now through September 2017, quote ‘ladyironchef’ when placing your orders to enjoy a 15% discount off your entire bill.

There are a total of five Yoogane outlets in Singapore right now—more to come, of course.

The ambience in Tampines Mall, in particular, is modern, with the use of wood adding a subtle rustic feel. It features an open concept that is both welcoming and comfortable—an ideal setting for communal dining.

There is also a salad bar that guests can indulge in either prior to their meal as a starter or during as an accompaniment.

A meal at Yoogane is not complete without an order of their highly acclaimed Chicken Galbi, but if like us, you prefer having variety, then their Seafood and Chicken Galbi (S$52.90 for 2-3pax & S$59.90 for 3-4pax) is the way to go! We’d do this combo again and again.

Be spoiled for choice with this glorious medley that comprises tender chicken meat, baby octopus, squids, prawns and mussels all beautifully melded together in their unique spicy sauce marinade. Stir it up and enjoy them piping hot!

New on Yoogane’s menu is the Korean fried chicken that comes in 3 different flavours—Galbi, Honey Citron and Bulgogi.

Yoogane’s chicken wings are marinated for a minimum of 12 hours to ensure that the flavour penetrates deep into the meat and is then coated with a light home-made batter. The end result is perfectly deep-fried chicken that is crunchy, juicy, fresh and flavourful—as authentic as Korean-style fried chicken gets.

An alternative to consider should you wish to elevate your fried chicken experience is to opt for the Fried Chicken Cheese Pool (S$13.90 for 6 pieces)—which is essentially three of the aforementioned flavours served atop a pool of warm, melty cheese filled with sweet corn for an added crunch.

Using a unique blend of sauces and seasoning, Mr Spicy or the Galbi Chicken Platter (S$10.90 for 6 pieces) features Yoogane’s signature Galbi sauce that is spicy, savoury and sweet. If you fancy a good kick out of your chicken then this is one to get.

The Zesty Boss or Honey Citron Chicken Platter (S$10.90 for 6 pieces) is a non-spicy option that is perfect for children or people who do not particularly fancy spicy food in general.

Hand-brushed with their homemade honey citron recipe, be prepared to be blown away by the zest and tanginess from the citron and well-balanced sweetness from the honey. The melted cheese adds a nice savouriness to the dish which balances out the sweetness really well.

Among the three options, we were most impressed by Sweet Chick or Bulgogi Chicken Platter (S$10.90 for 6 pieces). It features a specially crafted Bulgogi sauce that is rich and aromatic, encompassing strong flavours of soy and sesame. A simple concoction, yet the balance between sweet and savoury was struck beautifully.

Another of Yoogane’s more popular option for communal dining is the Army Stew (S$49.90) which delves away slightly from how it is traditionally done with the addition of succulent crab sticks and cheese-oozing chicken meatballs.

The taste of this everyday Korean comfort food is elevated with the addition of their signature chicken galbi, surrounded by a ring of mouth-watering melted cheese with mushroom and corn which did well to inject an element of crunch and savouriness.

Amidst all the spicy foods going around the table, a good dish to tune it down a notch is the Naengmyeon or cold noodles (S$11.90).

Chewy, slippery buckwheat noodles are served with a chilled broth flavoured with vinegar and mustard. Mix the runny yolk from the egg over the vegetables for a richer mouthful. Overall, this dish was refreshing and a great palate cleanser to have to round off the spicy meal.

The Seafood Pancake has generous portions of seafood. The sauce that comes with it is not too salty and complements the pancake really well. This is a good and hearty side, more appropriate for sharing as it can get rather filling after awhile.

Another popular item here at Yoogane is the Dosirak (something like a bento box) that features 3 different types of meat—Chicken Bulgogi (S$12.90), Beef Bulgogi (S$13.90) and Chicken Galbi (S$12.90).

Each lunchbox comes served with either one of the meat choices, crispy chicken luncheon, a sunny side-up and more Korean side dishes. With so many ingredients packed into a small rectangular tin, this is a bento on steroids. It is perfect as a meal on-the-go if you do not have the luxury of time for a proper sit-down lunch.

With so many options available at Yoogane Singapore, lovers of Korean food fare are truly spoiled for choice. And as if this stellar line up of dishes is not enticing enough, a new Christmas dish is currently in the works, so stay tuned!

Meanwhile, for all of you lovely readers of ladyironchef, enjoy an exclusive 15% discount off your entire bill (except lunch sets) when you quote ‘ladyironchef’ when placing your orders. You are also required to like Yoogane Singapore on Facebook to qualify for the discount.

Do note that this discount is only valid from Mondays to Fridays, exclusive of PHs. The discount is valid from now until 30 Sep 2017.

Yoogane Singapore
4 Tampines Central 5,
Singapore 529510
Tel: +65 6544 1098
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tampines

This post is brought to you by Yoogane Singapore. 

Tucked away in Sunset Way’s enclave of cafes, eateries and restaurants is Hoho Korean Restaurant, an under-the-radar family eatery in Singapore that serves pretty decent Korean cuisine.

Can we interest you with their value-for-money set lunch and the array of banchan?

From the ever popular Jjajangmyeon to Cheese-Buldak (Fire Chicken with Cheese), honest yet tantalising Korean dishes await you at Hoho Korean Restaurant.

For those who like sharing but still seek a value-for-money meal, opt for Hoho Korean Restaurant’s lunch set menu (S$19) that comprises a BBQ meat, soup and rice. Choose from the Hot Plate Chicken, Hot Plate Pork or Hot Plate Beef for your BBQ meat and Kimchi Jjigae, Doenjang Jjigae or SoonTofu for your soup.

This set menu also comes with complimentary banchan, a collection of small Korean side dishes we cannot do without.

The Hot Plate Pork features pan-fried pork with red pepper sauce and vegetables. The meat was tender, juicy and bursting with flavour. 

We paired our lunch set menu with the SoonTofu Soup, a spicy tofu soup with seafood. The generous portions of seafood and tofu in the soup kept us happy, whilst also being a great accompaniment to the Hot Plate Pork.

One of the signature dishes at Hoho Korean Restaurant is the Haemul-Pajeon (S$19), a green onion pancake with seafood. Often, Pajeon is either too thick or floury and thus it was a pleasant surprise to discover that the Haemul-Pajeon was crispy and delicious.

Visit Hoho Korean Restaurant if you are looking for a casual Korean eatery to satisfy your Korean food cravings.

Hoho Korean Restaurant
Blk 106 Clementi Street 12, #01-58/60,
Singapore 120106
Tel: +65 6250 3908
Daily: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clementi

One casual Korean eatery in the Dhoby Ghaut area where you can get Korea homestyle  cooking minus the frills (and service charge) is Ajumma’s.

Hidden at a corner of The Cathay’s basement, we got to know of this place by word-of-mouth recommendations. Diners can find many classic Korean main dishes that are below S$10. Have a meal here before or after a movie or pop by during your lunch break.

Beef Bulgogi (S$8.90+) set comes with plump white rice and an assortment of small side dishes served in plastic containers. The marinated grilled beef was juicy and savoury, best eaten with rice to balance the saltiness.

If you are looking for something simple and comforting, this is what you will get with Ajumma’s Beef Bulgogi.

Our next dish was Kimchi Ramyeon (S$8.90+) which also came with the same side dishes. Hearty eaters will delight in its generous portion of noodles, meat, tofu and vegetables. We found ourselves slurping away the rich kimchi broth which was not too spicy for our taste buds.

Other star dishes to try out at Ajumma’s are Cpicy Chicken Bulgogi (S$8.90+), Grilled Norwegian Mackerel (S$8.50+), Bibimbap (S$11.90+), Oxtail Beef Ramyeon (S$7.90+) and more.

Ajumma’s 
2 Handy Road
#B1-23, The Cathay
Singapore 229233
Tel: +65 9780 3772
Daily: 11.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

Su Superstar Korean Cuisine is a casual Korean eatery in *SCAPE that is popular among students and youngsters who hang around the area.

With 12 varieties of Korean ramyeon that are priced below S$10, it is no wonder why the Korean eatery is mostly packed during lunch and dinner hours. If you are looking for a quick Korean fix without burning a hole in your pocket, give Su Superstar Korean Cuisine a try.

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The first thing you will notice is the spacious seating environment where long tables are joined together. This arrangement makes communal dining easy for both small or large groups.

As Su Superstar Korean Cuisine runs a semi self-service concept, diners have to collect their own utensils and complimentary iced tea which are placed at the side of the shop.

Among the myriad of choices we had, we decided to try out their Seafood Ramyeon (S$8.80+). It is a comforting dish that came piping hot within ten minutes of waiting time. While we wouldn’t go as far to say that the food here is outstanding, it is what we would expect for its price.

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Alternatively, you can also have a taste of other ramyeon dishes such as Chicken (S$6.80+), Kimchi (S$6.80+) and Fish Cake (S$8.80+).

Those who like cold noodles are not forgotten either—choose between the Cold Soup (S$7.40+) and Cold Dry (S$7.40+).

In addition, you can add more toppings to make your ramyeon much more satisfying. Options include minced meat (S$1.50 – S$2.80), Cheese (S$2) and Tofu (S$1.50).

Su Superstar Korean Cuisine
2 Orchard Link
#02-18/18A/28 *SCAPE
Singapore 237978
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Somerset