Popular Korean BBQ restaurant, Wang Dae Bak has opened a new outlet in Holland Village. Located at level 2 of Holland Piazza, Wang Dae Bak Grill is the restaurant’s first outlet out of the central business district. They have three other outlets at Amoy Street and Cross Street.

For a quick and casual lunch, Wang Dae Bak Grill offers several set lunches starting from S$15. Options include Grilled Saba Set, Spicy Pork Belly with Vegetables Set and Pork Katsu Set.

We do recommend going for a good mixture of marinated and non-marinated meats to get a taste of their best offerings. If you cannot decide on the meats to get, go for their meat sets which come with a variety of meats. The KBBQ Prime Set (S$98) consists of US Prime Ribeye, Marinated Bone-in Prime Ribs, and Pork Tomohawk.

You can also get Wang Dae Bak’s signature dishes such as Spicy Pork Ribs Soup, Spicy Tofu Soup, Kimchi Stew with Pork Belly, Half Half Pancake.

Wang Dae Bak Grill
Holland Piazza #02-01, Singapore 277725

If there was any good reason at all for someone to forgo their diet plans and let loose, it would be at an all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue restaurant. All-you-can-eat Korean barbecue is probably the most popular form of Korean barbecue there is.

What’s not to love? With unlimited servings (and varieties of cuts) of marinated beef, pork and chicken and a whole array of side dishes and mains to choose from, all at one affordable price point, even gym junkies with the strictest diets are bound to cave every once in a while— but do you know how to make the most of it?

Yet, more often than not, we find ourselves paying a lot more and eating a lot less than what we originally intended. We all get how frustrating that feels but don’t worry, because there’s an explanation for it. Here, we give you the lowdown on how to hack all-you-can-eat Korean barbecues.

#1 LAY OFF THE ALCOHOL

Ever wondered how a Korean barbecue that supposedly promised you an all-you-can-eat deal for not more than S$30 but ends up costing you close to a hundred? Alcohol is to blame.

Soju and beer are great accompaniments to Korean barbecue. They’re refreshing, and somehow they just make everything taste so much better but they are also how the restaurants earn more from you. A bottle of beer can set you back close to S$20 and let’s be honest, no one ever stops at just one bottle.

#2 SKIP THE RICE

As much as plain rice helps takes the edge of all those intense meaty flavours, it is probably worthing skipping if you’re looking to maximise value.

#3 DITCH THE SIDES

At any Korean restaurant you visit, the staff are bound to fill your table up with a massive amount of side dishes. While the stuff is delicious and easy to let yourself go on, they’re going to take up stomach space so go easy on them or skip them altogether if you can help it—kimchi is an exception though.

#4 AIM FOR THE BETTER CUTS

While chadolbaegi (thinly sliced beef brisket) may be popular choice due to its ability to be cooked almost immediately, these cuts are generally may not necessarily boast the best marbling let alone be of top quality in light of all the other possible meat options.

Instead, take some time to browse the menu and pick out which items generally cost more whether its a ribeye or possibly something even better and go for that. Chances are they are going to taste better and make your money worth. And just between us, these are what we call the steak cuts, and restaurants do not want you to get those cuts. SO GET THOSE CUTS.

#5 GET A HIT OF KIMCHI FROM TIME TO TIME

Maximising our money’s worth is primarily what we are trying to go for here but it probably would not hurt to take a few bites of kimchi from time to time. It’s crunchy, spicy and more importantly it has a good amount of acid which helps to cut through the intense meat and grease, balances out the palate, and adds a nice textural contrast so that you can dive right back into the meat.

#6 A GRILL THAT’S NOT HOT IS NEVER IDEAL

As far as grilling meat is concerned, the number one mistake people tend to make is rushing to throw everything onto the grill. The result of being too eager and crowding up the grill is you tend to end up with boiled meat as opposed to perfectly grilled meat.

The reason lies in the temperature of the grill. You need a high temperature to really get you that perfect, sharp sear and crowding up the grill, for one, lowers the temperature of the grill and also allows room for too much moisture on the grill—which inevitably lowers the temperature of it as well.

We always believe that the best way to barbecue meat is over charcoal. It gives it that subtle hint of smokiness that elevates its overall flavour. Wang Dae Bak has long been our go-to for a seriously good Korean BBQ meal and until this day, it is still one of our top choices when we’re craving Korean barbecue.

Most Korean BBQ places in Singapore use an electric grill where the heat can be adjusted accordingly. However, Wang Dae Bak prefers to use charcoal instead and we absolutely love it. This gives our meats a nice char and a delightful taste that far exceeds that of cooking on an electric grill.

Wang Dae Bak has been around for years but they still garner a huge crowd and snaking queues, especially during peak hours. Call ahead to reserve a seat if you want to skip the long wait. Here’s what we love about Wang Dae Bak Korean BBQ Restaurant.

Treat yourself and splurge on their premium meats because it is worth every cent. We typically go for the Boneless Prime Rib, Marinated Chicken, Pork Belly and Marinated Shoulder-Loin.

We do recommend going for a good variety of marinated and non-marinated meats to get a taste of their best offerings. Since chicken is not as flavourful on its own without seasoning or a marinade, the Marinated Chicken is a great choice, even more so when wrapped with some fresh lettuce leaves and kimchi.

The Boneless Prime Rib is, of course, a must. The gorgeous marbling of the beef creates a melt-in-your-mouth texture when cooked to a nice medium to medium-rare.

Besides their host of fantastic meats, try the Spicy Seafood Tofu Soup or Kimchi Pancake for a complete meal and a more rounded out experience.

Wang Dae Bak Korean BBQ Restaurant
22 Cross Street
#01-64 China Square Central
Singapore 048421
Tel: +65 6225 2646
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Chinatown/Telok Ayer