The best Korean restaurants in Singapore

For gukbap (Busan-style pork and rice soup)

The newly-opened restaurant, a well-known Korean BBQ chain in Korea, has proven to be extremely popular among Singaporeans, attracting long queues outside its Boon Tat outlet every day. Though it’s a KBBQ restaurant, the main draw here is its Busan-style gukbap, or pork and rice soup ($21) – a rare find in Singapore. Um Yong Baek’s Busan-style gukbap consists of rice and a mixture of pork cuts (cheek, collar, and belly), submerged in a clear broth. However, it’s currently only available for lunch. Only Jeju-style BBQ (also a rare find in Singapore) is available for dinner, along with other mains like stews and cold noodles. Either way, expect a queue.

For South Korean street dining

Located in Plaza Singapura, Northpoint CIty and Jem, e​xperience the essence of South Korean comfort dishes right here in Singapore at Pocha! Korean Street Dining. This restaurant is inspired by Pojangmacha, a type of colourful small tent or street stall, sometimes on wheels, commonly found on the streets of South Korea. Their latest Super Stars menu has mouth-watering recommendations that include the creamy Shin ramyeon, hangari bkkeumbab, budae jjigae and potato corndog. There’s also drink offers that allow diners to taste creative combinations of Pocha’s Korean pouch drinks and Terra beer or Chamisul soju. Diners can also craft their own unique concoctions and enjoy a memorable and fun dining experience at Pocha.

For KBBQ

Go!KBBQ is located in Tanjong Pagar, where KBBQ joints abound. What sets Go!KBBQ apart, however, are its aged meats. You’ll notice the difference immediately – the wet-aging process imparts flavour to the meat and has a tenderising effect. Can’t decide which meats to order? Try the aged black pork neck or belly ($26/150g). Or, go for one of the sets, which offer good value (from $69 for 450g of meat).

For a more upscale KBBQ experience

Chang is a KBBQ institution that’s been around since 2006 and has continued to steadily attract a loyal clientele over the past 17 years. Nestled within the verdant Dempsey enclave, it is known for churning out fresh, high-quality meats and authentic Korean dishes. Offerings here are decidedly premium – you’ll be able to order meats like Wagyu beef and Kurobuta pork. Prices are higher than the average KBBQ restaurant, but if a more upscale KBBQ experience is what you’re looking for, you can’t go wrong with Chang.

For modern Korean flavours

Quite the hidden gem is Anju Restaurant which literally translates to dishes served with alcohol. This modern Korean restaurant is both elegant and cosy. Showcasing a refined intersection between subtle modernity and tradition with muted earthy tones, leather and hazelnut wooden furnishings. From an experimental black bean mascarpone cheese on sourdough starter to the nourishing Galbi Jjim (slow-braised beef short ribs), the food here is a mix of traditional Korean dishes and their contemporary interpretations. Make your reservations early cause it's definitely not your typical Korean restaurant.

For modern Korean flavours

Chef Louis Han imbues his travels and memories of growing up into his Korean heritage, creating a modern interpretation of his hometown flavours. Settle down into his cosy 28-seater space and tuck into an episodic menu that offers a glimpse into the personal journey and psyche of the chef. A five-course dinner ($148) might see mulhwae, a celebration of summer-time flavours, where aged fish (either kampachi or seabass) is rolled with daikon, then finished with shavings of raw cuttlefish and brightened with yuzu chilli sauce; or uni somyeon paired with white kimchi bits and creamy uni trapped within tangles of slippery, savoury noodles. 

For Korean-Chinese cuisine 

While not traditionally Korean, O.BBA is known for its bowls of savoury-sweet jajangmyeon ($12) and spicy jjampong ($14). The menu here shines the spotlight on Korean-Chinese cuisine, which includes the popular tangsuyuk ($25), where deep-fried pieces of pork are served with an addictive pool of sweet and sour sauce. 

For modern Korean fine dining

The hyphenated cuisine is the right kind of marriage between French presentation and Asian flavour. An actual meal here is where reality unravels the hype. The cooking is at its best when the flavour balance is tipped towards Asia. The gently heated beef short rib with a garnish of black garlic and contrast of alliums ($28) melts in the mouth, and off-the-bone lamb chops with black olive crumble and quinoa cereal ($30) is a punchy segue to dessert which you should save room for.

For banchan... and more

The tables at Hanwoori Korean Restaurant are always packed – both with hungry patrons and endless plates of food. Every order will come with a wide variety of side dishes (more than just kimchi!) – and options of mains are equally exciting. Choose from the belly-warming ginseng chicken soup ($30) to platters of grilled meats (from $50).  

For wallet-friendly Korean fare 

Its clientele is telling of its pocket-friendly prices; this casual Korean restaurant is popular among students. Located in town, mains are in the affordable range between $6.50-$10. Choose from a wide range of protein-based options. Popular options include the fried saba fish ($8), spicy chicken ($8), and kimchi soup ($7.50) that comes with your choice of side – choose from kimchi, marinated cucumber, or anchovies.

For tteokbokki fans

There’s now a buffet dedicated to popular Korean street food, tteokbokki (stir-fried rice cakes). Priced at $18.80 for adults, enjoy your meals in two parts: feast on different kinds of rice cakes, fishcakes, and vegetables cooked in a spicy sauce, then end off the meal by making your own kimchi fried rice in the very same pot. 

For bingsu 

An affiliate of Wicked Snow Korea, a well-established bingsu (shaved ice dessert) chain with more than 70 branches in its homeland, O'ma Spoon Korean Dessert Cafe brings to Singapore its signature shaved ice desserts. The bingsu is made from premium whole milk, instead of just ice, and topped with ingredients imported from Korea. Favourites include the injeolmi bingsu ($12.90) dusted with soy bean powder, and served with soy bean rice cakes.

For Korean fried chicken

Kko Kko Nara is perhaps the OG Korean fried chicken spot (since 2008), serving owner Madam Lee's mother's signature oven-baked and Korean fried chicken wings. Glazes here include sweet and spicy, hot and spicy, garlic, and yuja (Korean for yuzu) and scallion. Punters pack in early too for the steaming beef barbecue bulgogi, collagen-rich pig's trotters stewed in Korean herbs, as well as more eclectic dishes like spicy honey bee pupa in soup. 

For hearty stew

Customisable stews are the stars of this casual Korean eatery. The beef ($18-$32), pork ($16-$29) and spicy chicken ($16-$29) stews are available in two flavours – soya or four increasing levels of spiciness – and can be supplemented with add-ons ($2) like cheese or toppoki. Try the quirky DIY rice balls ($8), or pancakes like tomato cheese kimchi ($13) or potato ($12). Other tummy fillers include spicy noodles ($11), kimchi fried rice ($8) and spicy cheese fried rice ($9).