If that latest K-drama binge has got you craving some spicy kimchi, we’ve got your back with our guide to the best restaurants for Korean food in Singapore.
The Hallyu wave has swept through our Lion City with top-notch Korean dramas, amazing K-beauty products, best of K-fashion and lip-smacking food. Where do we start with Korean cuisine? From K-BBQ and piping hot stews to bibimbap and Korean fried chicken, we’re spoilt for choice. To make your culinary dilemma a little easier, our guide gives you the full lowdown on authentic Korean food in Singapore.
Best Korean food in Singapore
1. Meokja by Jungga
We bet you didn’t know there’s halal Korean food in Singapore. This eatery started as a home-based business before taking the leap and opening a physical store in Dhoby Ghaut. The menu runs the gamut, from fried chicken bibimbap and jjampong (rice or noodles in spicy seafood soup) to bulgogi cold noodles and eomuk tang (fish cake soup). Go for the combo set if you have difficulty deciding what to eat.
Meokja by Jungga, #02-03, Gr.id, 1 Selegie Road, Singapore 188306
2. Noodle Star K
Anyone into noods? Noodles, that is. If you can’t tell, this authentic restaurant specialises in handmade naengmyeon (Korean cold noodles). Patrons can choose between the cold broth and spicy sauce versions; both come with beef brisket, half a boiled egg, sliced radish, and cucumber. They’ve got japchae and jjolmyeon (Korean chew noodles) too, if you want something warmer. Don’t forget to order the dumplings!
Noodle Star K, multiple locations including Tanjong Pagar and Funan
3. Kelim Dakdoritang
This popular South Korean restaurant, specialising in dakdoritang (spicy chicken hotpot), launched its first international outpost in Singapore last year to much fanfare. The dish consists of potato chunks and fresh chicken with rice cakes, leeks, and chives. Not a fan of spicy stews? Go for the dakhanmari, a non-spicy alternative. Adventurous eaters should have a go at the dakbal (spicy chicken feet) and dakttongjip (fried chicken gizzards).
Kelim Dakdoritang, multiple locations including Serangoon Gardens and Tiong Bahru
4. HoHo Korean Restaurant
Clementi dwellers, y’all are so lucky to have this food spot in your neighbourhood. Its menu is chock full of legit Korean delicacies such as sundubu (spicy tofu soup with seafood), yangyeom fried chicken, army stew, and more. Be sure to try jjampong, jam-packed with various seafood, and cheolpan dakgogi, pan-fried chicken which comes in spicy or plain variations.
HoHo Korean Restaurant, #01-58/60, 106 Clementi Street 12, Singapore 120106
5. Dookki
If you have the stomach for two meals, join the queue at Dookki. It offers a 90-minute tteokbokki buffet with your choice of sauce and various toppings. There’s fried food for you to nibble on while you wait for everything to be cooked. Crazy about cheese? Level up your meal by adding the cheese ring. And, if you’re still hungry after your feast, add rice to your leftovers, fry everything up, and voila – your second meal.
Dookki, #B1-107, Suntec City, Singapore 038983
6. Mukshidonna
Here’s another Muslim-friendly Korean food establishment that deserves more attention. Mukshidonna, which roughly translates to “have your food, pay, and leave”, is well-known for its tteokbokki budae jigae (rice cake army stew) and signature sauce. The best part? You can customise your stew further by adding ramen noodles to make it a filling meal.
Mukshidonna, #01-30/31, Kinex, 11 Tanjong Katong Road, Singapore 437157
7. Hanwoori
Serving authentic Korean food in Singapore since 2011, this place has classics like kimchi jjigae (kimchi stew), samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) and spicy tofu stew. Just like any Korean eatery, it offers side dishes that are topped up for free. If you’re ravenous, dig into the BBQ combination. The best thing about it is you don’t have to do any of the cooking! The friendly staff will serve you a heaping plate of fully cooked meat in bite-size portions.
Hanwoori, 76 Serangoon Garden Way, Singapore 555972
8. Todamgol
After a night of revelry at Keong Saik, you’ll be pleased to know of this non-fast food option for post-beer munchies. Open until 11pm, the rustic restaurant is your best bet for late-night Korean nosh. Todamgol serves almost every Korean classic you can think of, including bibimbap, Korean pancake, BBQ dishes and the quintessential banchan (assortment of side dishes). In addition to the standard plates, the restaurant features an extensive menu of rice wines if you’re still up for a nightcap after supper.
Todamgol, 27 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088454
9. Pink Candy
Housed within a food court at Beauty World Centre, this stall is an expert when it comes to kimchi. With 10 years of experience in kimchi-making, there are five versions to try: apple, radish, spring onion, cucumber and the traditional cabbage one. Not only that, but the food is pretty affordable too. Dishes like tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), kimbap and seafood or kimchi pancakes don’t go above $15. We’d recommend you head down during dinnertime so you can soak in the picturesque rooftop views at the alfresco area.
Pink Candy, #04-60, Beauty World Centre, 144 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 588177
10. Wang Dae Bak
Unlike most Korean BBQ places that use gas grills, Wang Dae Bak elevates itself by offering charcoal grills, imparting a characteristically smoky taste to its BBQ offerings. For those who prefer meats cooked on an iron grill, you can pop on over to its sister restaurant Wang Dae Bak Pocha BBQ. Apart from melt-in-your-mouth meat cuts including boneless prime rib and pork belly, the restaurant offers a full range of homely Korean dishes like spicy seafood tofu soup and the crowd-pleasing kimchi pancake.
Wang Dae Bak, multiple locations including Amoy Street and Cross Street
11. Big Mama
You definitely want to make a booking here. Why? The restaurant’s eponymous Korean boss has made a name for herself among Koreans with her homely cuisine, attracting crazy lunchtime crowds. You’ll find no MSG in the dishes as well, so that’s an added bonus. Oh, and it’s worth visiting in a group as Big Mama offers large sharing dishes like dak-galbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) and samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup). If you’re all by your lonesome, don’t worry. Just tuck into a hearty portion of bibimbap served in a hot stone bowl.
Big Mama, 2 Kim Tian Road, Singapore 169244
12. Super Star K
Like Wang Dae Bak, Super Star K swaps the usual gas grill for a charcoal one. You’ll have a full selection of your favourite meats, including bulgogi pork and beef brisket. All that is complemented by a tantalising selection of non-BBQ dishes like soybean paste stew and a massive serving of seafood pancake.
Super Star K, 75 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088496
13. 8 Korean BBQ
More upscale than most, this Korean BBQ restaurant takes its name from its signature 8 Colour Set. It consists of thick, long strips of Mangalitsa pork belly flavoured in eight ways: Original, wine, curry, garlic, miso, herb, kalbi and red pepper paste. But like any all-rounded resto, that’s not the only cut of meat worth having here. There are also top-notch beef and seafood selections like Japanese wagyu, Atlantic salmon and king prawn. Plus, let’s not forget the crispy pancakes, truffle steamed egg and a variety of stews.
8 Korean BBQ, multiple locations including Clarke Quay and Orchard Road
14. Kim Dae Mun Korean Food
Thanks to Kim Dae Mun Korean Food, we can satisfy our K-drama induced cravings without breaking the bank. But this isn’t a showy eatery with fancy creations and pretentious-sounding menu items. Expect only simple, authentic Korean dishes like kimchi soup, bean paste soup, grilled pork and bibimbap.
Kim Dae Mun Korean Food, #01-03D, Concorde Shopping Mall, 100 Orchard Road, Singapore 238840
15. The Boneless Kitchen
Don’t despair if you’re a vegetarian with a weakness for Korean food. At this K-joint, all dishes are 100% vegetarian and vegan. That means dishes are made entirely from scratch, including kimchi and gochujang (so you won’t find garlic or fish sauce in there!). On the menu, you’ll see familiar favourites like spicy kimchi stew and bibimbap, only with plant-based proteins.
The Boneless Kitchen, #01-31, The Commerze@Irving, 1 Irving Place, Singapore 369546
Happy feasting on authentic Korean food in Singapore at these restaurants!
[This article was originally published in 2016 and updated in 2024 by Sufyan Saad.]
