If you’re craving Korean food with a side of nostalgia – especially after watching the hit K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines – there’s a new Korean barbecue joint that might fit the bill. Jeonpo Meat Shop is located at the junction of McCallum Street, opposite Amoy Street Food Centre, Korean fried chicken restaurant Daily Beer, and next to Snap Café.
The store’s design comes straight out of a Korean drama, and is reminiscent of the dated barbecue joints you’d find along Busan’s Jeonpo district – where the restaurant is named after. Bright yellow signages line its entrance, along with retro metal doors, and windows plastered with menu items written out in Hangeul. Of course, even the tables and chairs are the proprietary metal ones you’d find in old-school Korean barbecue restaurants.
Despite the hyper-Korean elements, Jeonpo Meat Shop actually originated in Hong Kong. The chain was founded by a Korean restaurateur with over 40 years of experience with the cuisine, and has since expanded to seven outlets across Hong Kong. Its newest restaurant in Telok Ayer is its first in Singapore.
The brand is brought in by Gold Moon Restaurant Group – the same F&B group that introduced several other successful Korean concepts to Singapore last year, including celebrity chef-owned Seoul Noodle Shop and charcoal-grilled tonkatsu joint Tonshou.
There’s plenty of strong competition in the area when it comes to Korean barbecue, what with popular spots like Go-KBBQ, Wang Dae Bak, Um Yong Baek, and many others just around the corner. Jeonpo Meat Shop sets itself apart with meat cuts typically found in traditional barbecue diners in Korea, such as king-cut beef short rib ($88), flower-cut pork belly ($28), flower cut pork collar ($28), and one of our favourite cuts to start the meal with – marbled beef brisket ($38).
Another must-order when dining here is the kimchi fried rice ($14) – a mandatory end to any Korean barbecue meal. Jeonpo’s version sees aged kimchi, cheese, assorted vegetables, and a signature house sauce stir-fried along with any remaining meat slices on the hotplate, followed by a drizzle of mayonnaise in whimsical shapes, whether it’s the adorable Kakao Friends character Ryan or a simple heart.
Find out more about Jeonpo Meat Shop here.
Jeonpo Meat Shop is open daily at 21 McCallum Street, 01-03, Singapore 069047.
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