Popular K-BBQ concept Flower Pig 360 opens new outlet, Kott-Don 360, at Paya Lebar

If you head to Tanjong Pagar regularly for your K-BBQ fix, you’d probably have seen or even dined at Flower Pig 360, the neon-green restaurant situated at the cross junction of Duxton Hill and Tanjong Pagar Road. 

It may have opened two years ago, but it continues to draw crowds regularly every evening, all there for its unique “flower-cut” aged meats.

Not been there yet, and curious what an aged “flower-cut” meat tastes like?

You’re in luck because the concept has just opened a new outlet at Paya Lebar, under a new name — Kott-Don 360 — but with the same meats, good flavours, and signature neon-green interior. 

Its new name is a combination of the Korean words for “flower” and “money”. The former is a nod to its unique cuts on its meats, while the latter points towards spending money on what brings you joy — in this case, good food. 

“Don” also means “pork” in Korean, a fitting callback to its original name at Tanjong Pagar.

If you’ve never heard of a “flower-cut”, the pork is essentially scored with angled cuts with a knife, before it is dry-aged. The cuts form a unique flower-like pattern, hence the name. 

These are also referred to as “diamond cuts” in other establishments, though we understand that it is not commonly practiced, owing to how time-consuming it is to score each slab of meat by hand. 

After the cuts are done, the meats at Kott-Don 360 are then dry-aged for 360 hours, to produce the rich, tender, and juicy K-BBQ meats you get on your table. 

[related articles]

Same menu, same vibes, but more convenience 

Given its shophouse beginnings, the brand’s pivot to a shopping mall for its second outlet might seem unusual. 

But Kott-Don 360’s co-founder and CEO Frank Jin wanted more diners to be exposed to its specialty meats and unique preparation method, and heading into malls seemed like a natural next move. 

Frank and his business partner chef Jeon Woohyun have high hopes for the brand. They hope to turn it global, and see its move to more commercial malls as a good testing ground, given the high foot traffic.  

We can’t help but agree.

Its location at PLQ Mall, situated right outside Paya Lebar MRT station, couldn’t be any more convenient.

There haven’t been too many authentic K-BBQ spots in malls where you can grill your own meats tableside — just a handful so far. (There’s 8 Korean BBQ or Seorae, both of which have some outlets that dot the island.)

And if you’ve been a long-time fan of the Flower Pig concept, then all the better, because you now have another avenue to satisfy those K-BBQ cravings.

Those new to Kott-Don 360 will do well to try its curated sets, which start from a very manageable S$75.90 for non-members, or S$68.90 for members, for its pork set A for two diners. This comprises aged black pork belly (300g) and aged black pork neck (150g). 

Despite specialising in pork, the restaurant has beef sets, too, such as its beef set A (S$129.90 for non-members, S$125.90 for members), which comes with aged premium short rib (300g) and aged wagyu brisket (180g). 

Other not-often seen items, aside from its flower-cut pork, is its wagyu beef tartare (S$45.90 for non-members, S$39.90 for members). This is a Korean take on the raw meat dish, known as “yukhoe”, and the K-style aged garlic makchang (S$55 for non-members, S$45 for members).

Makchang refers to the tail end of the small intestine, which tends to be chewier. While it is popular in Korea, Korean-style dishes with innards aren’t as commonly available in Singapore, so seeing it on Kott-Don 360’s menu was a welcome surprise, especially for someone who loves the dish. 

Now, if you’re wondering why there’s a distinction in prices for members and non-members, fret not, there’s no special club or joining fee. 

It’s a free membership programme by Kott-Don 360 — just provide your details to join, and enjoy discounted rates as well as birthday soup, too! (As for what that is, you’ll just have to join to find out.)

The menu also comprises the usual Korean restaurant classics such as stews, pancakes, fried chicken, and of course, cold noodles. 

There’s a cold kimchi noodle version, priced at S$16.90 for non-members, S$14.90 for members that’s best enjoyed after a satisfying K-BBQ meal.

And if you need something to wash it all down with, there’re also soju and makgeolli slushie cocktails (both priced at S$18, with assorted flavours) on top of the regular arsenal of alcoholic beverages, such as beer and soju. 

Not too keen on alcoholic drinks to round up your meal? Kott-Don has free Haagen-Dazs mini ice-cream cups for your post-meal enjoyment. Yes, free. In this economy. 

We also hear Kott-Don 360 has just launched wallet-friendly lunch sets starting at just S$14.90, giving you ample reason to pop by, even if you’re not planning on a long-drawn K-BBQ meal. 

And yes, you still get the ice cream with the lunch sets.

No reason not to go, really, especially if you love K-BBQ, good value-for-money nosh, and live in the east. 

This was a hosted tasting.

For more new openings around town, check out our monthly round-up as well as the new bars that opened in Singapore this year.