Over the years, East Coast Road has established itself as a dining destination with its sheer number of food and beverage tenants. Two-week-old Nyam Nyam Chicken & Beer is the newest addition to the bustling stretch and we reckon it makes a perfect dinner spot.

East side dwellers rejoice – you no longer have to travel all the way to Tanjong Pagar to satisfy your Korean food cravings.

We initially ordered the Tongdak Chicken, but the lady boss of Nyam Nyam Chicken & Beer politely rejected our order.

“It’s not good, order these instead,” she insisted. Wow, her honesty is seriously commendable!

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It turns out that the restaurant will be modifying its menu soon based on customers’ feedback. While nothing is set in stone yet, we are hoping that she will keep the Nyam Nyam Wings!

We got the Soy Nyam Nyam Wings (S$10+) which came in a portion of three drumlets and three wings. The succulent chicken wings – slathered in a thick and sweet marination – were deep-fried to perfection.

These sticky and juicy wings are then sprinkled with sesame seeds. Just in case you were wondering, we devoured them instantly. Talk about finger licking good!

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The Nyam Nyam Wings are also available in Original (S$8+) and Yangnyum (S$10+) flavours.

We were also recommended the Hot Spicy BBQ Chicken (half – S$18+, whole – S$32+). These chunky chicken were served atop a sizzling plate and boy, they were indeed hot and spicy! Those who have a low tolerance for spice should skip this.

Unfortunately, the flesh was a tad too dry and this dish certainly pales in comparison when compared to the mouthwatering Soy Nyam Nyam Wings.

Chicken & Beer aside, the Korean restaurant serves a comprehensive selection of Korean classics such as Kimchi Pancake (S$8+) and Budae Soup (S$25+). We highly recommend the pancakes; they are crisp on the outside and delightfully starchy inside.

Nyam Nyam Chicken & Beer
214 East Coast Road
Singapore 428913
Tel: +65 6344 1224
Daily: 5.30pm – 11.30pm
Nearest Station: Eunos

While it is relatively easy to find Korean restaurants in Singapore, it is difficult to find a truly outstanding place that will make you go back again and again to try everything else on the menu that you have not tried. Big Mama Korean Restaurant at Kim Tian Road is one of the few that belongs to this category. The food is generally good, and addictive enough to make you return on a regular basis.

It is better to go to Big Mama in a big group as many of their signature dishes come in big hearty portions. One of the most popular dishes which you will see every table ordering is the Dakgalbi ($15/pax, min 2 pax). Pan-fried chicken with vegetable, rice cake, sweet potato cooked in a spicy sauce. There is also the Pan-Fried Bulgogi ($50) which is a savoury combination of well-seasoned beef and rice cake. The remaining two dishes on the Big Mama’s recommendation list are Pan Fried Pork Belly ($40) and Suyuk ($25/40), pork belly boiled in water and served with various sauces.

While the prices of the signature dishes seem steep, the portions are meant for sharing. So it works out to be a decent meal that is not too gruelling on the wallet. But even if you are not in a big group — and one of the reasons why I love Big Mama — the menu offers plenty of choices.

There are the usual favourites like Ramyeon ($8), Pork Bulgogi ($13), Bibimbap ($14), Kimchi Fried Rice ($12), Seafood Soft Bean Curd Soup ($14), Kimchi Soup ($14). If you like Kimchi Pancake, you will love Big Mama’s rendition ($15) with finely chopped kimchi and seafood.

Big Mama also offers BBQ Meat like Grilled Pork Belly ($18), Grilled Boneless Beef Rib ($28) and Grilled Pork Collar ($18). While the meat was well-marinated and cooked to a good standard, it did not take our breath away.

The star of the menu was the Jjambbong Jeongol ($25/40) – a delicious spicy hot pot of mussels, prawns, clams, squids and kimchi which you see in the first photo of this post – with its balanced medley of savoury, sweet and spicy flavours. This is simple and honest food that I can eat on a regular basis, especially on rainy days.

I was not particularly fond of the Fish Cake Hot Pot ($20/35). Perhaps because it paled in comparison to the spicy seafood stew, and perhaps because it was too overwhelming to have a whole pot of fish cake.

Big Mama is extremely popular, so getting in without a reservation is very difficult, especially during dinner. The food is addictive and familiar, and it is a place that deserves more recognition.

Big Mama
2 Kim Tian Road
Tel: +65 6270 7704
Daily: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm