Ever wanted to try grilled chicken gizzards, heart and neck? We visited Song Gye Ok for its specialty chicken barbecue experience featuring six rare cuts.
Korean BBQ spots in Singapore typically spotlight the likes of samgyeopsal, galbi and bulgogi. But chicken? That’s a whole other ball game that I rarely see. When Seoul-founded Song Gye Ok came on my radar, I was curious about this charcoal-grilled chicken specialty restaurant.
Besides the usual thigh and tenders, this restaurant breaks down fresh whole chickens into six specialty cuts including the neck, gizzards and heart – I’ll admit it sounds terrifying for a non-innards lover, like myself. But can Song Gye Ok change my mind on enjoying innards? Here’s my chance to find out.
Song Gye Ok at Telok Ayer review: Details at a glance
Best for: Innards lovers, or those who are down to try unique chicken parts
Must-try items: Special grill platter; SGO cheongguk doenjang stew; Uiseong garlic fried rice
Price: Grill platters from $98; shareable dishes from $9; drinks from $4
Opening hours: Daily, 11am to 3pm; Sunday to Thursday, 5pm to 10pm; Friday & Saturday, 5pm to 11pm
Address: Song Gye Ok, 113 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068582
A hanok-style setting reminiscent of Seoul
One thing I love about restaurants hailing from South Korea is that they (almost) always nail the decor. Song Gye Ok recreates the traditional Korean hanok experience, featuring architecture and interior elements that are straight out of the Joseon dynasty. Think warm wood textures, rustic roof eaves and lattice accents.
Each grilling space is set up as a hanok-style nook, where customers dine around an open grill while a dedicated chef barbecues specialty chicken cuts right before your eyes. I highly recommend snagging a seat here over the low tables for a more immersive dining experience.
An ‘omakase-style’ chicken barbecue
For the quintessential Song Gye Ok experience, I had to try the SGO signature grill platter ($138) that features all six specialty chicken cuts. Served omakase-style, my assigned chef meticulously grilled every cut in full view and guided me on how to best enjoy it.
The first cuts of my meal turned out to be the most ‘intimidating’ of them: the heart and gizzards. I was recommended to enjoy the heart with salt, and the gizzards with minced garlic. While I braced myself for strong gameyness, the accompanying condiments surprisingly mellowed out that metallic flavour. I helped myself to a few pieces, but I’ll admit that innards may still not be my thing.
The soft bone was next on the list. Grilled to a crunchy bite, this cut was best enjoyed with the sancho soya sauce. I liked how the sweet-umami combination made it extra snackable. But my surprising favourite turned out to be the neck fillet. This unassuming cut was the most texturally layered, featuring a crisp exterior and tender meat. This is what I will be ordering, if I ever make a return visit.
Besides the more adventurous cuts, the platter also includes the usual favourites of chicken thigh and tenders. Both cuts also nailed the brief. They were tender, juicy and everything you’ll expect from a restaurant that prides itself on grilling chicken.
If you don’t fancy innards, I recommend getting the special grill platter ($98) instead. It skips the more controversial cuts like gizzards and neck, and serves up tenders, thigh, soft bone, marinated thigh and seasonal vegetables.
Save space for other impressive mains
While the grill is the main attraction at Song Gye Ok, I’d say the shareable dishes deserve to share the limelight, too.
The SGO chengguk doenjang stew ($28) is that comforting stew you’ll associate with a hearty Korean feast. Unlike the usual soybean paste stew, this version takes it up a notch by using fermented soybeans. This means stronger, more pungent and umami-laden flavours. If you love a rich, fermented flavour profile, you’ll probably enjoy it as much as I did.
Another must-try is the Uiseong garlic fried rice ($18) served with an egg yolk, cheese and crispy garlic chips. Packed with flavours and textures, this fried rice is an easy way to load up on carbs.
Want a more refreshing dish to cut through the greasiness? Order the bibim noodles ($28) instead. This cold noodle dish is vegetarian-friendly, which I reckon is a good balance to the meat-forward experience.
If you’re after a barbecue experience that’s unlike the usual, the specialty chicken barbecue at Song Gye Ok is worth dropping by for. You get an omakase-like meal with a variety of chicken cuts and a dedicated chef at every step of the way. Barbecue aside, the Korean stews and classic dishes also left me pining for more. I’ll be adding this restaurant to my rotation of food spots in Telok Ayer!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Song Gye Ok known for?
Song Gye Ok is a South Korean-founded charcoal-grilled chicken specialty restaurant. Instead of traditional beef or pork, the restaurant serves six unique chicken parts including neck fillet, gizzards, heart, soft bone, thigh and tenders.
Where is Song Gye Ok located?
Song Gye Ok has two locations at Telok Ayer and The Centrepoint. The Telok Ayer outlet is within walking distance of both Telok Ayer and Tanjong Pagar MRT stations, while The Centrepoint store is closest to Somerset MRT station.
What are the prices at Song Gye Ok?
For the dinner menu at Song Gye Ok, grill platters start from $98, shareable dishes from $9 and non-alcoholic drinks from $4.
What are the must-try items at Song Gye Ok?
Must-try items at Song Gye Ok include the signature grill platters, SGO cheongguk doenjang stew and Uiseong garlic fried rice. Tip: only get the SGO signature grill platter if you enjoy innards, otherwise opt for the special grill platter that excludes gizzards, heart and neck fillet.
