Ajumma's (Funan)

Ajumma's is a casual Korean restaurant on the basement level of Funan, the shopping mall on North Bridge Road in the City Hall area. It serves filling, home-style Korean meals, from marinated beef and pork to stews, rice dishes and street snacks. The name is the Korean word for a married or middle-aged woman, much like "auntie" in English.

Dominic Tan started the brand in 2014, taking his cue from the filling food sold at street stalls and markets in Korea. It now has six outlets across Singapore, and Funan is the only one in the city centre. City Hall MRT station is a short walk away.

What to order

The Signature Beef Kalbi is the dish most people come for. It uses boneless USDA Prime beef rib, marinated in a home-made sauce and tossed in a hot wok. It is sweet and savoury rather than spicy, so it suits children and anyone who avoids chilli.

Add the Fluffy Steamed Eggs on the side. The eggs are cooked in a stone pot until light and airy, and there is also a version with cheese. Other good picks include bulgogi made with beef, chicken or pork, kimchi fried rice with shrimp and egg, and grilled Norwegian mackerel.

The menu also has Korean stews, such as a kimchi stew with pork belly and tofu. Street snacks include kimchi pancake and fried chicken with crispy toppoki, which are chewy rice cakes. Ramyeon noodles and Korean desserts round things off. Many mains come with rice and four small side dishes, known as banchan.

The setting

The restaurant is a small, open space in the mall's basement, with a quick and casual feel. Service is simple and meals arrive fast, which makes it an easy lunch stop between sights. It is popular, and queues often form at peak meal times.

Good to know before you go

• Queues: arrive early or late in the lunch or dinner period to cut the wait.
• Spice: the kalbi and steamed eggs are mild, while dishes with kimchi or spicy marinades carry more heat.
• Takeaway and delivery: you can order online for takeaway or for delivery across Singapore.
• Groups: the brand also offers catering if you are planning an event.

Nearby

Funan sits in the Civic District, so museums and old churches are within walking distance. The Armenian Church is a few minutes away, and the National Gallery Singapore is a short walk further. For Korean barbecue by the river, book Hanjip Korean Grill House at Clarke Quay. If you want to stay right here, Lyf Funan Singapore is in the same development.

Our Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay guide has more ideas for the area. You can also browse more Thai, Korean and Asian restaurants or see all restaurants in City Hall and Clarke Quay.