Good Luck Bagels brings Korean-style bagels and burger melts to Hong Lim Complex

Chinatown has become a hotspot for trendy cafes recently, with Pretty Good Muffins still drawing long queues and Tian Bakehouse winning fans for its shio pan and sourdough.

One of the neighbourhood’s newer additions is Good Luck Bagels, a bakery and baking studio serving freshly baked Korean-style bagels in a charming space. 

Korean bagels tend to be fluffier and less dense than their American counterparts, and feature more modern, fusion flavours.

Inside, the bakery has a cosy, homey feel, with a vintage-inspired look and pretty red accents. It’s designed mainly for takeaway but has a few indoor seats if you’re lucky. The space can fit around 10 people, with three two-seater tables and a standing counter that appears to double as a table for baking classes.

The bagels seem to sell out quickly, too. When I visited around 2pm on a weekday, most were already gone, so come earlier for a wider selection. 

Bagels worth talking about

Expect a mix of sweet and savoury bagels, with the selection changing regularly. The bagels are satisfying and reasonably priced, too: A spread for three to four people, including drinks, came to about S$60.

My favourite right away was the smoked salmon egg melt (S$16) from the Bur-Bagel (burger bagel) menu. It isn’t displayed in the glass case, so you’ll have to order it from the menu. It takes about ten minutes to prepare, but it’s worth the wait if you’re craving something savoury. The toasted bagel is filled with smoked salmon and scrambled eggs for a rich, creamy bite.

For another savoury and satisfying pick, the mentaiko bagel (S$7.20) is worth a try. Mentaiko lovers will enjoy the generous filling, while its creamy richness may win over those who aren’t fans of the ingredient. 

I also had my eye on the jalapeno ham melt (S$4.80), tomato egg mayo (S$6.80), and pistachio crumble (S$4.50), but they had sold out by the time I visited. 

Prefer sweet bagels? The Royal Tokyo (S$12) is a pretty pick, served chilled and filled with matcha cream, then topped with strawberries, chopped pistachios, pomegranate seeds, and dried flower petals. I’m not usually a matcha fan, but I enjoyed its gentle flavour, which still felt rich and indulgent.

Shio pan is on the menu, too, including a blueberry version (S$3.80) with a buttery, lightly salty bite that balances the berry’s sweetness. 

Other flavours include plain and truffle, with a chocolate version coming soon.

Besides the bagels, the drinks menu is worth a look, too. It includes options such as Spanish latte and mocha (S$6.50 each), matcha (S$7), and more unusual picks — Korean choco yuzu (S$8.50) and honey Cloud lychee oolong (S$7). 

The Korean choco yuzu sounded like an unexpected mix, but I enjoyed its bright, citrusy flavour. The honey Cloud lychee oolong was more subtle, pairing nicely with the savoury bagels.

Craving bagels? Good Luck Bagels is worth checking out if you’re in Chinatown. I’d happily go back for more, but would get there before the lunch crowd if there’s a flavour you have your eye on.

For more on what to eat, check out Um Yong Baek’s newest outlet at Suntec City, and Rawr Cafe by the team behind Wunderfolks.