Try these 4 eateries by Korean celebrity chef Baek Jong-won in Singapore

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, chances are you would have heard Baek Jong-won’s name crop up lately. 

Part of the judging duo for the popular Netflix cooking competition show Culinary Class Wars, 58-year-old Baek (or Paik, as it is sometimes romanised) is a veteran in the Korean culinary world, a seasoned television personality, and most importantly, the name behind more than 20 F&B concepts in Korea. 

Some popular concepts in Korea include Korean-Chinese restaurant brand Hong Kong Banjeom 0410, Korean barbecue spot Saemaeul Sikdang and the ubiquitous Paik Dabang, a coffee chain that’s on almost every corner of Seoul. 

But you don’t have to go all the way to Korea to try his brands: Singapore has its fair share of spots by Baek Jong-won — four to be exact. Given the popularity of Culinary Class Wars, and the fact that it’s recently been renewed for a second season, we won’t be surprised if more brands open up in the coming months.

For now, if you’re still not over the end of the exhilarating finale (like us!), we’ve consolidated a list of spots — under Baek’s name — that you can visit in Singapore until season two launches:

1. Bornga

VivoCity, 02-123/124, 1 Harbourfront Walk
Open: Monday to Sunday (11.30am to 10pm)

You might have heard of the name Bornga before, but did you know that it’s menu of traditional Korean dishes was developed by none other than Baek Jong-won himself? Bornga, a brand name known for its Korean barbecue concept, first arrived in Singapore at Star Vista in 2012, preceding many of the Korean barbecue restaurants that currently line our unofficial K-town, Tanjong Pagar. 

Bornga used to have a couple of outlets around Singapore, but only one stands today, at the busy VivoCity shopping centre. We think its location in a mall makes it more accessible than a lot of the more popular Korean barbecue spots, which are typically located in shophouses. 

While its specialty is Korean barbecue, it also serves up a comprehensive menu of Korean dishes, such as stews and soups, and value-for-money lunch specials starting from S$13.90. 

Crowd favourites: The woo samgyup (beef shortplate, S$33) is its signature dish, developed by Baek Jong-won himself. It features beef brisket sliced against the grain, and comes lightly marinated in Bornga’s special concoction so you can still taste the true essence of the high-quality beef. 

Other yummy dishes you can order with the beef include its soft steamed eggs and its crispy-yet-fluffy seafood pancake, which comes with scallions and lots of seafood. 

2. Paik’s Noodle

Multiple outlets islandwide — Suntec City, Tiong Bahru Plaza, Waterway Point, Clementi Mall
Open: Opening hours vary across outlets

One of the highlights of Culinary Class Wars was watching the various Korean-Chinese cuisine chefs battle it out. If you’re like us and craving some Korean-Chinese fare such as jajangmyeon (black bean noodles) or tang suyuk (sweet and sour fried pork), then Paik’s Noodle is a must-visit.

The brand only arrived in Singapore late last year, to much fanfare at its first Suntec City outlet. While it’s known more commonly as “Hong Kong Banjeom 0410” in Korea, it has adopted a shorter, more recognisable name here, but still serves up the same well-loved favourites. 

Crowd favourites: While the brand’s bestsellers are undoubtedly its jajangmyeon (S$11) and jjampong (spicy noodle soup, S$14), we would also recommend going for its bokkeum jjampong (S$17). The spicy stir-fried pork and seafood noodles is essentially the “dry” version of jjamppong and is loaded with wok hei, and topped with a generous serving of ingredients. 

3. Paik’s Bibim

Multiple outlets islandwide — Mapletree Business Park, Vivo City, NTU & Bedok Mall
Open: Opening hours vary across outlets

One of the original Paik-branded names to land on our shores, Paik’s Bibim has been around since 2013, serving up one of Korea’s most popular dishes, bibimbap. “Bibim” in Korean means “to mix”, while “bap” means rice. While bibimbap is its main specialty, the store also has other Korean classics such as soft tofu soup (S$9.90), and japchae over rice (S$7.90). 

Regulars swear by its convenient grab-and-go concept, and the fact that it serves up a substantial rice dish loaded with fresh veggies and protein. And if you were personally tickled by the scene in Culinary Class Wars, where chef Baek Jong-won was judging the King of Bibim’s dish, why not try chef’s Baek’s version instead?

Crowd favourites: You can’t go to Paik’s Bibim without trying its bibimbap, of course. It comes with a variety of protein toppings, with even two vegan versions with just veggies (S$8.90) alone or with marinated tofu (S$8.90). 

For something unique to spice up your workday meals quite literally, the Bul-dak chicken cheesebap (S$11.90) is a rice bowl take on the popular Buldak instant noodles. It comes with the highly addictive spicy Buldak sauce and a whole load of cheese with incredible cheese pull. 

4. Paik’s Coffee 

Mapletree Business City, 02-39, 40 Pasir Panjang Road
Open: Monday to Friday (8.30am to 8pm)

Paik’s Coffee was founded in 2006 and it arrived on our local shores a good decade later. While it is called Paik Dabang in Korea (where “dabang” is a Korean term for a place which serves non-alcoholic drinks), it uses a simpler and more straightforward moniker in Singapore. 

You might see Paik Dabang shops all over Korea, but Korean coffee lovers here will have to make do with Paik Coffee’s sole outlet in Singapore, at Mapletree Business City in Pasir Panjang. 

The cafe serves up the usuals, but occasionally also brings in trendy drinks from its Korean counterparts, such as the Pongdangccino (S$5.50), which is a dessert drink with sweet and crispy wheat pops known as Jolly Pong. 

Do note that since the cafe is located in a predominantly business area, it is only open on weekdays. It’s also located right next to Paik’s Bibim so you can grab both lunch and coffee whilst there, too. 

Crowd favourites: It’s a Korean cafe chain, so it goes without saying that you can’t leave without trying the quintessential Korean cafe favourite, the iced Americano (S$3.50). 

However, if you want something that’s uniquely Paik’s Coffee then the Paik’s original coffee (from S$3.50 for a hot version), made with Korean coffee mix, is a shoo-in. 

For more Korean-variety related spots in Singapore, check out our compilation of places the Running Man cast visited when they filmed here in 2023, as well as Seoul Noodle, a new brand in Singapore by popular Korean celebrities Hong Seok-cheon and chef Lee Won-il.

All of Baek Jong-won’s eateries in Singapore are on the GrabFood delivery service and offer free delivery (up to S$3 off) with GrabUnlimited. 

Enjoy up to 50% off when you dine with GrabFood Dine Out.

Alternatively, book a ride to these places to try Baek Jong-won’s brands in Singapore.