Daejim

No doubt that Tanjong Pagar has already established itself as the spot for the best KBBQ, with an endless number of Korean restaurants lining its streets. Now, add another to the list with newly-opened restaurant Daejim which mimics the casual street food of traditional Korean pojangmacha – that’d be the tent-covered eateries you see in your fave K-dramas. 

As it goes, Daejim itself is inspired by “dwaeji” which simply means pork. Cuts of juicy pork belly makes an easy favourite for all Korean barbecues, but at this joint by Craig Road, they also have super fresh air-flown seafood directly from Korea itself. When it includes the likes of abalone, scallops, and oysters, it’s hard to say no. 

Try the Seafood Set ($118) which comes with all the above, along with grilled mackerel and spicy squid. When it comes with gyeranjjim (steamed egg) and a bowl of soup, you can be sure that it makes a satisfyingly hearty meal. It’s the ganjang gejang (from $40) that’s a specialty here too – raw crabs that’ve been marinated in soy sauce for days, that goes perfectly with plain rice and seaweed. 

Make sure to also try the honeycomb makgeolli (from $38) that comes poured in a traditional rice wine bowl and a generous slab of honeycomb. Soju cocktails are on the menu too, featuring flavours like plum and blood orange.