25 of our favourite Korean restaurants in Singapore

In the past couple of years, Singaporeans have embraced everything related to Korea with an impassioned fervour – be it its dramas, songs or food. In that same vein, we’ve seen a growing number of Korean restaurants in Singapore pop up one after the other. 

Even within the space of Korean cuisines, Singapore has a myriad of options from sizzling Korean barbeque (KBBQ) joints to cosy restaurants specialising in cooked dishes. 

Stretching from our very own mini K-town in Tanjong Pagar to the heartlands, we’ve curated a list of some of our favourite authentic Korean restaurants in Singapore where you’ll find a bite of Korea without the need to fly out.

1. Itaewon Jjajang 

64 Peck Seah Street 
Open: Tuesday to Saturday (11.30am to 3pm, 5pm to 10pm), Sunday (11.30am to 3pm, 5pm to 9.30pm)

Why visit? Despite being located near what many consider the OG jjajangmyeon store in Singapore, Itaewon Jjajang has still managed to establish a loyal group of followers with some even insisting that it’s the better, more authentic version. 

Everyone has their own preference, so we’ll leave it up to you to decide which is better. However, there’s no denying that it’s an authentic, value-for-money spot with a reliable menu, and less crazy queues (for now), to boot. 

Crowd favourites: Given its name, the jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles, S$14) or jjamppong (spice seafood noodles, S$18) are obvious choices for first-time diners. Both dishes are available under Itaewon’s set A (from S$55) which also comes with tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork, S$29) and your choice of a stew for a comforting end to the meal. 

Alternatively, set B (S$65) swaps out the tangsuyuk for kanpunggi (spicy garlic fried chicken, S$39) instead. 

Want more jajangmyeon? Here’s a whole list. 

2. Charim Korean BBQ 

65 Tanjong Pagar Road
Open: Tuesday to Saturday (11.30am to 1am), Sunday (11.30am to 12am)

Why visit? Charim Korean BBQ has been a relatively low key spot compared to other big Korean restaurant names in the same stretch of road. Although it’s been open since 2021, Charim’s popularity has recently exploded thanks to its young lady boss’ TikTok page. Now, you’ll regularly see a number of patrons waiting their turn just outside the restaurant.  

Aside from delicious, high quality dishes, we also appreciate Charim’s unique menu and attentive service despite the consistent stream of diners throughout peak periods. 

Crowd favourites: Charim has a variety of set menus you can choose from, all of which feature a different combination of meats and comes with your choice of soup and a steamed egg (S$8).

For carbs, you could pair its D.I.Y. Sushi Rice (S$5 for eight pieces) with your grilled meats, or choose to have fried rice (S$15) which will be cooked on the grill in front of you after your meats are done. 

Other delicious options for sharing include the kimchi pancake (S$24) and its cold noodle (S$18). 

3. Don Dae Bak 

35 Kreta Ayer Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (11.30am to 5am)

E!Avenue, 01-302/303, 1 Pasir Ris Close, 01-302/303
Open: Monday to Sunday (11.30am to 5am)

Why visit? Best known for the excellent marinated meats available for its Korean barbecue, Don Dae Bak is another name that’s frequently mentioned when discussing the best KBBQ restaurants. It has both an a la carte menu, as well as a 90-minute buffet option (S$34.90). 

One of the key features of Don Dae Bak is its free-flow eggs: The main grill is encircled by a smaller, shallower grill used to cook eggs, so you can get your fill of piping hot eggs at any given time. This is on top of the generous servings of banchan such as kimchi, eomok (fish cake) and japchae (stir-fried sweet potato noodles).

Crowd favourites: Most patrons head to Don Dae Bak for its relatively affordable buffet option which allows you unlimited refills on banchan and an assortment of meats including marinated beef, marinated chicken and pork belly. 

On the more premium a la carte menu, you’ll find cuts like the hangjeonsal (aged pork jowl, S$38) or the LA galbi (marinated beef short ribs in soy sauce, S$48). Some more interesting orders here include its tofu kimchi (S$40), a dish where sliced tofu is served with stir-fried kimchi and pork, as well as eomuk tang (fishcake soup, S$37).

4. Kko Kko Nara

68 Tanjong Pagar Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (12pm to 1am)

Jewel Changi Airport, 02-243, 78 Airport Boulevard 
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 9.30pm)

Why visit? Allegedly the first brand to introduce soy sauce garlic fried chicken in Singapore, Kko Kko Nara is unabashedly proud of its fried chicken dishes. Crafted from a treasured recipe passed down by the owner’s mother, Kko Kko Nara’s fried chicken is a snapshot of authentic Korean comfort food in Singapore. 

The sauces here are also meticulously prepared, with some even needing hours before it’s ready. For the aforementioned garlic soy sauce fried chicken, the restaurant uses hand-crushed garlic and ingredients important from Korea too, a testament to the restaurant’s attention to detail. 

Crowd favourites: For new patrons, you’ll have to order the combo chicken (S$38 for nine pieces) to get a taste of some of Kko Kko Nara’s signature offerings. This combo includes the original crispy chicken (from S$28 for eight pieces), maneul ganjang (soy garlic, S$28 for eight pieces) and yangnyum (sweet and spicy chicken, from S$28 for eight pieces). 

While it’s got some interesting street food dishes like its sau tteok kochi (cheese sausage and spicy rice cake skewers, S$20) and it’s jjajang teok bokki (S$30), these do tend to be on the pricier end. If you’re committed to trying these, we recommend dining with a larger group to ease the cost. 

5. Han Kki

190 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh. 01-516
Open: Monday to Sunday (11.30am to 9.30pm)

Woods Square Mall, B2-02, 6 Woodlands Square 
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 10pm)

Why visit? Han Kki is an establishment that has slowly built up its reputation over the years for its comforting home-style Korean dishes at affordable prices. Unlike many Korean dining spots located in the central areas of Singapore, Han Kki found its home in the heartlands of Toa Payoh, and more recently, Woodlands. 

The restaurant is also much more focused on individual dining portions rather than the usually Korean barbecue-style communal dining. You can order items such as the Duroc grilled pork belly (S$15.90) sans smoke and smell, and for a singular diner. 

Crowd favourites: Aside from the grilled meats, Han Kki’s army stew ramyeon with cheese (S$12.90) and kimchi jjigae (S$12.90) are also popular classic options that many people gravitate towards. 

The appetisers here are the most “communal dining” aspect of its menu. Here, you can find items like haemul pajeon (seafood pancake) for a whopping S$14.90 or tteokbokki for S$8.90.

6. Sotpot

Suntec City, 03-304/305, 3 Temasek Boulevard
Open: Monday to Sunday (11.30am to 3.30pm, 5.30pm to 9pm)

Why visit? On an island full of Korean barbecue and Korean fried chicken options, Sotpot stands out as a restaurant that offers a more obscure traditional Korean dish — sotbap (or pot rice) — much needed alternative in the increasingly saturated Korean food market in Singapore. 

The dishes are cooked in individual pots typically made of metal or stone, and have a very similar concept to our local claypot rice, just without the scorched rice and dark sauce. In fact, Sotpot’s offering is on the lighter side and is a perfect option for those looking for a simple but wholesome meal. 

Crowd favourites: The restaurant essentially specialises in two things: Sotbap (from S$15.90) and phyunbaeg jjim (steamed meat, from S$34.90). The key difference for the dishes on its menu lies in its toppings.

Arguably the most popular flavour of the sotbap is its beef woodae (from S$29.90), though we found the cockles (from S$22.90), or ggomak, to be our favourite. 

Read our take on this viral sotbap spot in Singapore.

7. Obba 

Multiple stores islandwide
Open: Operating hours vary across stores

Why visit? Best known for catapulting jjajangmyeon (from S$14) into the mainstream spotlight in Singapore, the Obba brand has been in operation since 2012, and might easily be one of the oldest Korean restaurants in Singapore. Despite a multitude of Korean restaurants competing in the Tanjong Pagar area, Obba’s restaurants have stood its ground and even opened multiple outlets, specialising in slightly different items, along the same stretch. 

Aside from its Michelin-recommended Obba Jajang brand, its sister brand, Obba BBQ, is also widely famous for its Korean barbecue because of its high quality meats and variety of banchan, including its unique sweet potato mash. Service staff are attentive and cook the ordered meats to perfection. All in all, Obba’s restaurants are a really safe place to visit, be it for comfort Korean dishes or Korean barbecue. 

Crowd favourites: The meats here are a must-try and its other sharing dishes are a bit more of a bonus for us — you could opt for the more affordable Obba set (S$66) which comes with its 3cm pork belly and pork collar, with the jumeogbab (flying fish roe with rice, S$13) as a side. 

Alternatively, if you’ve got a larger group and you’d like to splurge a bit more for a premium option, the beef BBQ set (S$131) is another popular choice. It comes with five different types of beef: Traditional marinated beef, ribeye, marinated beef short rib, prime beef and 2mm of sliced beef belly. The set also includes your choice of soup and a side from a list of three.

8. ReplyK1988

200 Jalan Besar 
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (12pm to 2.30pm, 5pm to 2am)

Why visit? Inspired by the popular Korean drama Reply 1988 which revolves around the story of neighbourhood friends, ReplyK1988 fittingly specialises in KBBQ – the epitome of communal dining. 

The restaurant may not be as popular among locals as some of the bigger names out there, but it has most certainly made its name amongst Koreans living in Singapore. It does not have a very large space but thankfully, ReplyK1988 is one of the few Korean barbecue places that accepts reservations. 

Once you’re done with your meal, you can head next door to its new snack and dessert spot, Bap & Bingsoo, to get a post-meal sweet treat, too. 

Crowd favourites: If it’s your first visit, perhaps opt for the beef and pork set B (S$74) which contains its sliced beef short plate (S$29), duroc black pork belly (S$22) and marinated LA beef (S$36). This set also comes with a choice of soup, banchan, leek salad and lettuce to pair with your grilled meats. 

If you’re in the mood for some a la carte dishes, try its tteok man du guk (S$18), a new and relatively unique dish on its menu which contains beef, seaweed and egg in a rice cake and dumpling soup. 

9. Dalcomhan Bam Korean Restaurant 

East Village, 01-66, 430 Upper Changi Road 
Open: Monday to Sunday (11.30am to 2.30pm, 5.30pm to 10pm)

Why visit? Most times, finding authentic Korean cuisines means heading to the bustling central areas, but Easties are in luck as Dalcomhan Bam Korean Restaurant is a pretty authentic spot located near Simpang Bedok.

While it’s best known for its comforting and homely menu, Dalcomhan Bam Korean Restaurant also serves up unique dishes you don’t often find in Singapore, such as corn cheese as a dish.

Overall, the restaurant is quite affordable as well. If you’re lucky enough to work near the area, the restaurant has lunch sets featuring rice, meats and stews starting from S$10.90. 

Crowd favourites: Its barbecue is quite well-received with the herb-infused pork collar BBQ priced at just S$19.50. Note that every BBQ order comes with one serving of lettuce, and that it isn’t free-flow.

The establishment has also got some very interesting dishes, including its rose tteokbokki (S$18.50) and cream cheese apple pie roll (S$10.90), but that’s not to say it doesn’t do its classics well. The silken tofu soup (S$14.50) has a light but flavourful broth which is perfectly soothing for rainy days.

10. 88 Chicken 

The Venue Shoppes, 01-24, 2 Tai Thong Crescent 
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (11.30am to 2.30pm, 5.30pm to 10.30pm)

Why visit? A Korean fried chicken specialty spot, 88 Chicken is known for its crunchy and juicy fried chicken. Despite being located in the relatively quiet neighbourhood of Woodleigh,  the restaurant draws snaking queues during mealtimes. 

While fried chicken is the star here, 88 Chicken also does a variety of a la carte dishes such as toppoki (S$19) and army stew (from S$27), as well.

Crowd favourites: The fried chicken here is available in four flavours: The original 88 fried chicken (from S$15), 88 yang nyeom chicken (from S$17), 88 soy sauce chicken (from S$17) and 88 cheetos chicken (from S$18). 

You can get these in different cuts, too: Whole chicken, boneless thigh, wings and drumlets or drumsticks. We’re impartial towards the convenience of the boneless thighs, especially since 88 Chicken’s version isn’t dry at all. 

For more Korean fried chicken choices, check out our list here.

11. Onggii

Suntec City, 02-300, 3 Temasek Boulevard 
Open: Monday to Friday (11.30am to 3.30pm, 5.30pm to 9pm), Saturday and Sunday (11am to 3pm, 5pm to 9pm)

Why visit? Specialising in nourishing Korean comfort food, Onggii serves up gomtang, a traditional Korean beef bone soup, as well as many other soup-based dishes. Not many Korean restaurants in Singapore specialise in this, so Onggii naturally stands out as a restaurant.  

If you’re looking for something clean, healthy but still flavourful, Onggii is a fantastic meal option that’s not overly pricey. In truth, the fact that these soups take arduously long hours to simmer down makes it worth every cent, and every minute of the wait, to us. 

Crowd favourites: The menu is rather simple, consisting of gomtang and a la carte dishes for sharing. We recommend the naju gomtang (beef soup, S$20.90) for its light but rich flavours, though the dweji gomtang (pork soup, S$16.90) is equally popular amongst diners too. 

If you’d like to order a side to share, we found the kimchi jjim (S$22.90) to be an interesting option. It’s similar to a “dry” version of the kimchi stew, where the flavour of the kimchi and pork shines through instead. 

12. Nana Bunsik

Newest Mall, 01-84, 1 West Coast Drive 
Open: Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday (11.30am to 9pm), Thursday to Saturday (11.30am to 1am) 

Why visit? Feeling a little peckish for Korean food? Nana Bunsik is a Korean restaurant in Singapore specialising in some of our favourite Korean snacks: Think tteokbokki, kimbap and ramyeon. It’s the ideal place if you don’t feel like overindulging yourself on Korean food. 

When you dive into the meaning behind the word “bunsik”, you get a clear understanding of the items on its menu. Originally meaning “food made from flour”, the term has evolved to mean “snacks” instead. 

Of course, the place also serves dosirak (Korean packed meal, from S$15.80), rice bowls (from S$15.80), bibimbap (from S$17.80) and a variety of stews (from S$16.80) if you’re feeling a little hungrier. 

Crowd favourites: The gimbap (from S$10.80) is a standout, being the star example of bunsik. We particularly enjoyed the spam kimchi gimbap (S$12.80), though we were certainly intrigued by more innovative flavours like the  crabmeat mayo gimbap (S$13.80).

Another must-try is its tteokbokki (S$7.80) with mozzarella cheese (S$2.20) added on. Nana Bunsik is one of the few places we know that adds on blow-torched cheese, so you get the smokey, wok-hei flavour that elevates the spicy tteokbokki sauce.

Here’s a full review of Nana Bunsik.

13. Pohang Seafood & Butchery 

Aperia Mall, 02-10, 12 Kallang Avenue 
Open: Monday to Sunday (11.45am to 3pm, 5.30pm to 10.20pm) 

The Hillford, 01-52, 182 Jalan Jurong Kechil
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (11.30am to 3pm, 5pm to 10.30pm)

Why visit? If you love all things seafood, you might find yourself being a new fan of Pohang Seafood & Butchery. Not only is it one of the few places in Singapore that serves  Korean seafood, it’s also got some of the lowest prices for raw marinated crabs here. 

As its name suggests, it doubles as a butchery: You’ll be able to find a variety of barbecue meats here to cook at home or to enjoy at your table for dinner, too. 

Do note that prices for dinner are slightly higher than lunch, so we recommend coming down for the latter if you can. 

Crowd favourites: The seafood here is flown in twice a week directly from Korea, so while the sashimi set (from S$120) sounds pretty pricey, you get a really decent amount of sides along with the sashimi platter itself. 

Korean sashimi is typically enjoyed with a variety of dips, so on top of soy sauce and wasabi, you’ll also get sesame oil and more. You can also wrap it up in perilla leaf or a piece of lettuce, much like how you would enjoy your meats at a Korean barbecue spot.

For the adventurous foodie, Pohang also serves quirkier items like sannakji (S$45), a live octopus dish typically enjoyed in Korea, and gaebul (S$30), a spoon worm dish.

14. Dookki

Suntec City, B1-107, 3 Temasek Boulevard 
Open: Sunday to Thursday (11.30am to 10pm), Friday and Saturday (11.30am to 10.30pm)

Why visit? There are few Korean foods as well-loved as tteokbokki in Singapore. These chewy rice cakes are terribly fun to eat due to their pillowy soft texture. Dookki brings this ingredient to the spotlight with its tteokbokki hotpot buffet that ends with kimchi fried rice prepared on the grill.

The restaurant has also included a variety of fried dishes and Korean fried chicken on its buffet menu. You’ll get a choice of yangnyeom, cheese seasoning, sweet and sour or soy chicken. 

Crowd favourites: Dookki only offers a buffet option at S$20.80 per adult. For an additional S$12.80, you’ll also be able to enjoy the cheese ring, though we find that to be a superfluous addition to your meal. 

Perhaps some of the highlights would be its customisable tteokbokki sauce, as well as the variety of shapes and flavours the tteokbokki is available in. Some of our favourite tteokbokki flavours would be the sweet potato tteokbokki and the tteokbokki with cheese.

15. Seoul Bunsik

Far East Plaza, 01-01, 14 Scotts Road  
Open: Sunday to Thursday (11am to 9pm), Friday and Sunday (11am to 10pm) 

Funan, 02-02, 107 North Bridge Road
Open: Monday to Sunday (10am to 10pm) 

Why visit? Despite only opening its first outlet at Far East Plaza in January, Seoul Bunsik has recently unveiled a new location at Funan, too — a testament to its goodness. The restaurant is run by an ex-camera director from Korea and specialises in Korean street food. 

You’ll find a lot of Korean classics here such as fried chicken (from S$19.80), gimbap (from S$6.40 for half a roll, from S$13.80 for a full roll ) and odaeng (fish cake, S$2.50 per piece).  The recipes used at Seoul Bunsik were passed down to the owner’s wife by her family who owns a restaurant in South Korea, so you can be sure you’re getting an authentic taste of Korea. 

Crowd favourites: The half and half fried chicken (S$23.80) has been quite well-received, along with the spam cheese gimbap and tuna gimbap (S$6.90 for half a roll, S$13.80 for a full roll each). If you have the stomach for it, the tteokbokki corndog (S$16.90) is also a wonderful indulgence. 

Those working in the vicinity will be glad to hear that Seoul Bunsik also has lunch sets starting from S$12.90. We think lunch set B (S$14.90) would be a treat if you’re craving for authentic but affordable Korean food during lunch. It features half a gimbap, a smaller serving of tteokbokki (S$13.80) and some fried chicken.

16. Redholic

88 Tanjong Pagar Road
Open: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (11.50am to 11.30pm), Wednesday and Sunday (11.50am to 11pm), Friday and Saturday (11.50am to 12am) 

Why visit? With a striking red exterior, Redholic has a fun and retro vibe to it. The eatery specialises in Korean street food and brings some of the most well-loved Korean dishes together into one spot.

Despite being located in the ever-competitive Tanjong Pagar district, Redholic has held its own, serving up a vastly different menu from the many barbecue spots that dot the street, and even earned itself a loyal fan base of Koreans living in Singapore. If you ever have an itch for a taste of Korea, Redholic is the ideal dining spot. 

Crowd favourites: The star of its menu is unquestionably its tteokbokki hotpot. It’s available in four flavours: Plain (S$33), rose (S$36), jjajang (S$38) and finally, mala (S$38). If you’re a true blue Singaporean who’s a fan of all things painfully spicy, all flavours except jjajang is also available in “very spicy” mode.

For something less carb heavy, Redholic’s cong bul (S$43) comes highly recommended. This is a soy bean sprouts and bulgogi dish from Korea which is also quite rarely found in Korean restaurants in Singapore. 

Round up your meal with a Chantilly cream croffle (S$11.90), the restaurant’s signature flavour, or, if you have the space for it, its gold mango snow bingsu (S$28.90). This sounds like an exorbitant amount, but the dessert is meant to be shared between two people and features fresh, thinly sliced mangoes on top of a bed of shaved ice. 

17. Mul Gogi Korean BBQ

48 Tras Street 
Open: Monday to Friday (12pm to 2pm, 5.30pm to 10.30pm), Saturday and Sunday (12pm to 10.30pm)

Why visit? Mul Gogi, which literally means “water meat” when translated from Korean, is usually referred to as fish, but in this case, it refers to how Mul Gogi Korean BBQ wet-ages its meat in water. This supposedly tenderises the meat, giving it a more melt-in-your-mouth texture, though we suppose only the most discerning individuals will be able to taste the difference. 

The restaurant is relatively small so we recommend trying to reserve a table where possible. However, the small space allows the staff to pay greater attention to patrons who’ve sung praises about the thoughtfulness of the staff here. 

Those working near Mul Gogi Korean BBQ will also be pleased to hear that they have S$9.90 lunch sets every weekday. Options are decent and include spicy stir fried squid or pork with rice, beef soup with rice, kimchi pork cutlet, jjajangmyeon or kimchi udon. 

Crowd favourites: If you’re there in a party of three or four, we recommend ordering set A (S$78) so you can get a taste of a little bit of everything. The set features pork belly (S$24), pork collar (S$26), pork jowl (S$26) and your choice of stew. 

If you still have the stomach space for it, the crispy seafood pancake (S$28) is a popular option amongst diners for its generous addition of prawns and squid within the pancake.

18. Mukjja

Novena Regency, 01-07, 275 Thomson Road 
Open: Wednesday to Monday (11.30am to 2.30pm, 5pm to 9pm)

Why visit? Mukjja is a Korean restaurant that’s been in operation since 2020, and the restaurant’s longevity, through the Covid-19 pandemic, is a mark of its exceptional fare. It’s nestled in the quieter enclave of Novena and says it is one of the best Korean-Chinese restaurants in Singapore, a claim you’ll have to test for yourself. 

Mukjja, which means “let’s eat” in Korean, has a homely environment and has become a hotspot for both locals and Korean expats living here. It’s much quieter compared to the places located around Tanjong Pagar, so we recommend this spot for those seeking a more relaxing dining experience. 

Crowd favourites: Some regard Mukjja as the original purveyor of jjajangmyeon (S$14) in Singapore, and the closest you’ll get to this iconic Korean dish without hopping on a plane. Of course, jjamppong (S$17) often comes hand-in-hand with jjajangmyeon, and we’ve heard that Mukjja’s version is perfect for spicy buff.  

To complete the holy trinity, the tangsuyuk (from S$27) at Mukjja is another must order. The batter is perfectly fried and drenched with a generous amount of sweet and sour sauce. 

19. BHC Chicken

Multiple outlets islandwide
Open: Operating hours vary across stores

Why visit? If you’ve been to Korea, you’ve probably heard of BHC Chicken. It’s the number one fried chicken brand in Korea, and it opened its doors in Singapore just last year. Since then, the brand has further expanded to two other outlets in Singapore to cater to its huge crowds – an outlet at Kinex and one at Taste Orchard. 

Short for “Better and Happier Choice”, BHC Chicken is best known for its crisp chicken skin and flavourful batter. There are over eight different types of flavours to choose from, and an array of sides and dishes to accompany the star of the show. 

Crowd favourites: While bburinkle (from S$28.90) and macho king (from S$28.90) are the most popular flavours, we always recommend the classic original fried chicken, retro (from S$26.90), as a test of the restaurant’s mettle. Being able to do an authentic rendition of this simple dish is a true measure of its authenticity. 

Notable sides include its bburing sotteok (S$8.90 for two pieces) which combines two of our favourites – sausages and rice cakes. If you’re looking for something more substantial, though, BHC Chicken also serves a sinful bowl of rabokki (from S$12.90).

20. Jeju Sanghoe

74 Tras Street
Open: Monday to Friday (11.30am to 3pm, 5.30pm to 10pm), Saturday and Sunday (11.30am to 3pm, 5pm to 10pm)

Why visit? If you’re looking for a dose of authentic Korean food from Jeju, Jeju Sanghoe’s menu will bring you straight to the scenic coasts of South Korea’s most popular island with its unique menu. 

As its name suggests, Jeju Sanghoe is a Korean restaurant that specialises in the traditional flavours unique to Jeju island. It may have opened only earlier this year, but it has quickly become a favourite amongst the Korean community in Singapore with its warm and comforting atmosphere. 

Crowd favourites: The standout dish here is the Halla mountain braised pork spare rib (S$79, an additional S$10 for the spicy version). This is an impressive looking dish wherein the ribs are artfully stacked atop one another to mimic the grandeur of Jeju’s iconic Mount Hallasan — who says food can’t be art? 

Jeju is also well-known for its seafood, so we highly recommend a comforting bowl of Jeju style abalone porridge (S$30), especially after a long day or work. If seafood isn’t your thing, the Jeju style pork noodle soup (S$29) is another soulful dish that’s very popular here.

21. Anju

62 Tras Street 
Open: Tuesday to Saturday (6pm to 10.30pm)

Why visit? Anju is a Korean term for dishes served with alcohol, and that is the basis of this contemporary Korean restaurant’s menu. While the food is good enough to be eaten on its own, pairing it with its curated list of alcohol elevates the entire dining experience. After all, these bottles are carefully sourced and imported directly from Korean distilleries. 

While the word “contemporary” may raise some alarm bells, Anju’s menu doesn’t feature anything too quirky — there are small twists to some dishes, but the integrity of the dish’s flavours remain. 

Crowd favourites: One of the more popular fusion dishes here is the black bean mascarpone (S$16) which features sourdough, sliced so thinly it mimics crackers, and a dollop of a black bean mascarpone cheese mix. Anyone who has tried it has nothing but praise for this incredibly creamy and buttery dip. 

Another more substantial dish is the bossam (S$50). The fatty cuts of pork belly can easily be overwhelming, but Anju’s rendition does not disappoint. It was slightly sweet from the braising and paired nicely with the other sides. 

22. Market Blue

Tanglin Mall, B1-122/123/124, 163 Tanglin Road 
Open: Monday to Sunday (10am to 9pm)

Why visit? Market Blue is a slice of Korea located right on our little island. This spot tends to switch up its offerings depending on what’s trending in Korea and as of July 2024, it’s handmade noodles and sotbap. 

The space currently serves up a menu backed by popular Korean celebrity chef Lee Won Il and Korean celebrity Hong Seok Cheon, under the brands Seoul Noodles and Jeonpo Meat Shop. Both were here during the opening weekend in mid-July, but we hear that the friendly and meticulous Korean chef Lee Won Il still flies in from time to time to do his own quality checks. 

Crowd favourites: The yukgaejang noodles (S$18.50) with spicy beef was an absolute showstopper with its chewy, bouncy noodles and robust broth. Those after unique Korean dishes should try the perilla noodles (S$16.50) in a thick, milky broth.

If you’re not over the sotbap trend, we’d recommend the abalone sotbap (S$28.50) to make the most of your experience there. Round everything up with a makpuccino (a makgeolli-cappucino concoction, S$24.50) for a special finisher. 

23. Guum Contemporary Grill

29 Keong Saik Road 
Open: Tuesday to Thursday (5.30pm to 10.30pm), Saturday and Sunday (11.30am to 2.30pm, 5.30pm to 10.30pm)

Why visit? A new casual Korean dining concept launched by chef Louis Han — the same mind behind the Michelin-Starred Naeum — Guum was met with lots of trepidation, and understandably so given Naeum’s stellar reputation. Its name means to grill, roast or bake when translated from Korean. 

The restaurant is much more casual than its sister restaurant and, as its name suggests, has grilled foods as the start of its menu. Compared to other restaurants on this list, Guum is a bit pricier, so we recommend saving it for special occasions. 

Still, the menu is excellently executed by chef Han and his team. It’s a contemporary take on traditional and well-loved Korean dishes, but with creative-enough twists to pique your interest. 

Crowd favourites: If you’re sceptical, Guum has a weekday lunch set (S$68 per person) spanning four courses to get a peek of its full menu. You can get a taste of its grilled meats and its oft raved-about cinderella glass noodles (S$24). 

If you were to ask for our recommendations, we wouldn’t know where to begin, but we’ll try: The yukhwae jeon (S$32) is a clever interpretation of the Korean pancake dishes while the nacho dakgalbi (S$26) impressed us with its medley of flavours. 

For the grill, we thoroughly enjoyed the yin yang pork collar and belly (S$98). If you’d like something different, Guum also serves NZ butterflied quail (S$48 per slab) on its grill, which doesn’t taste too gamey or overwhelming. 

24. Wang Dae Bak

Multiple stores islandwide 
Open: Operating hours vary across stores

Why visit? Since its establishment in 2011, Wang Dae Bak has cemented its reputation as one of the best Korean barbecue spots in Singapore. As firm Korean cuisine lovers since the K-wave dawned on our islands, we can say with certainty that this is one of the OG Korean spots that you can’t quite go wrong with. 

All meats are expertly cooked by the servers, so you don’t have to worry about balancing a conversation whilst cooking your meat. You will have to keep an eye out for the free flow egg omelette that’s cooked in a pan surrounding the main grill, though. 

Crowd favourites: You’ll be surprised to hear that the banchan is actually some of the crowd’s favourite part of the meal here. Aside from the usual kimchi, cucumber and bean sprouts, Wang Dae Bak’s banchan also includes a block of tofu that’s particularly loved for its silky and delicate mouthfeel. 

Another thing we love is the option of a half half pancake (from S$20) which features half a kimchi pancake and half a seafood pancake. In our opinion, this should be mandatory at all Korean restaurants so we won’t have the dilemma of which to order. 

If you’re looking for value, the special soul meat set (S$152) is perfect for larger groups. While it’s recommended for three to four persons, we think you could easily sneak an additional person and still have your fill. It comes with flower pork belly (S$22), Duroc pork belly (S$27), marinated pork collar (S$24), marinated chicken (S$21), the half half pancake and a large soup of your choice. 

25. Bap & Bingsoo Cafe

204 Jalan Besar 
Open: (Tuesday to Sunday) 12pm to 11pm

Why visit? While we often saw bingsu cafes in Singapore back in the 2010s, they seem to be less hyped in recent years, so chancing upon a new brand such as Bap & Bingsoo Cafe was a pleasant surprise.

Located right next to its sister restaurant, ReplyK1988, the eatery mainly specialises in the Korean dessert, bingsoo. This milk-based dessert typically features shaved ice with a variety of sweet toppings. 

Its menu also seems to feature a variety of bunsik specialty foods such as kimbap (from S$9.90) and tteokbokki (from S$12.90) 

Crowd favourites: The menu features pat bingsoo (S$10.90), a red bean shaved ice dessert that is the most common flavour in Korea. It adds a little twist by incorporating a fish-shaped taiyaki packed with sweet bean paste, perched atop the bed of red beans. 

Other bingsu flavours here include injeolmi (from S$14.90), Oreo (from S$12.90), watermelon (S$14.90) and mango (S$16.90). 

We’ve shortlisted some of the best spots for bingsu in Singapore.

For the latest on the food scene, check out our round-up of the most interesting coriander items you can find in Singapore or visit some of our most favourite cafes for a relaxing cuppa. 

All eateries, except for Itaewon Jjajang, Sotpot, Onggii, Seoul Bunsik, Mukjja, Jeju Sanghoe, Guum and Bap & Bingsoo Cafe, are on the GrabFood Delivery Service and offer free delivery (up to S$3 off) with GrabUnlimited. 

 Do explore the GrabFood Dine Out service for awesome deals.  

Alternatively, book a ride to get to these authentic Korean restaurants in Singapore.