Korean Restaurants in Singapore

A guide to Korean restaurants in Singapore

Korean food is popular in Singapore, from smoky table grills to quiet tasting-menu dining rooms. The Korean restaurants in Singapore on this list cover both. Most are best for dinner with people who like to share. Use this guide to pick a style, learn what to order and plan your meal.

Styles of Korean dining

Korean barbecue

Korean barbecue, or KBBQ, means grilling raw meat at your table. Each table has its own grill. Staff often help to cook the meat and cut it with scissors. You then wrap each piece in a lettuce leaf with garlic, chilli and ssamjang, a thick soybean and chilli paste.

Seorae Korean Charcoal BBQ is a Korean barbecue spot in the Orchard & River Valley area. Super Star K is a Korean barbecue restaurant in Chinatown & Tanjong Pagar. See Korean BBQ for more grills.

Korean fine dining

Some chefs turn Korean flavours into a tasting menu. A tasting menu is a set meal of many small courses chosen by the chef. Nae:um is a Korean fine dining restaurant in the Marina Bay & CBD area. Book well ahead and mention any allergies when you reserve. For more set-menu dinners, see Fine Dining.

Korean fusion

Vatos Urban Tacos in Bugis & Kampong Glam mixes Korean and Mexican food. Think tacos with Korean flavours such as kimchi, a spicy fermented cabbage. It suits a relaxed meal with friends. More options are on the Mexican page.

What to order at a Korean restaurant

• Banchan: small side dishes that come with your meal, such as kimchi, seasoned bean sprouts and pickled radish.
• Samgyeopsal: thick slices of pork belly, grilled at the table.
• Bulgogi: thin slices of beef in a sweet soy marinade.
• Galbi: marinated beef or pork short ribs.
• Bibimbap: rice topped with vegetables, meat and an egg. Mix it with gochujang, a sweet and spicy red chilli paste.
• Kimchi jjigae: a hot, sour stew of kimchi, tofu and pork.
• Naengmyeon: cold buckwheat noodles in a chilled broth. They are a cool way to end a barbecue meal.

Spice levels vary a lot. Ask staff which dishes are mild if you do not eat much chilli.

How to choose and book

Pick by occasion

• Group dinner: choose a Korean barbecue place. Sharing grilled meat works well for four or more people.
• Special night out: choose a tasting menu. Expect a long, calm meal of many courses.
• Quick, casual meal: choose fusion food or a rice and stew set.

Best areas

Tanjong Pagar Road has many Korean restaurants and cafés. Locals often call it Singapore's Koreatown. Tanjong Pagar MRT station is a short walk away. Read the Tanjong Pagar & Keong Saik guide to plan the rest of your evening. Malls along Orchard Road also have Korean food, which is handy after shopping.

Rough costs

A Korean barbecue dinner often costs around S$30 to S$70 per person. A fine dining tasting menu costs much more. Prices change, so check menus before you go.

Tips and etiquette

• Wear easy clothes. Barbecue smoke can cling to hair and clothes. Some places give you covers for bags and jackets.
• Let staff help. Servers often turn the meat and tell you when it is ready. Pork should be cooked through.
• Share dishes. Korean meals are made for sharing. Order a few meats and one stew for the table.
• Check minimum orders. Some barbecue places ask for at least two portions of meat per table.
• Mention allergies. Many sauces contain soy, sesame, seafood or pork. Tell staff about your diet before you order.

FAQs about Korean restaurants in Singapore

Where is Koreatown in Singapore?

There is no official Koreatown. But Tanjong Pagar Road, near Chinatown, has many Korean restaurants. Visitors and locals often call it Koreatown.

Are banchan side dishes free?

Usually, yes. Banchan come with your meal at most Korean restaurants, and staff can often refill them. Ask if you are unsure.

Is Korean food very spicy?

Some dishes are, such as kimchi stew and tteokbokki, which are chewy rice cakes in chilli sauce. Others, like bulgogi, galbi and grilled pork belly, are mild.

Can vegetarians eat at Korean restaurants?

It can be hard. Kimchi often contains fish sauce or salted shrimp, and stews may use meat stock. Bibimbap without meat is a good choice. Ask staff to check each dish.

Do I need to book Korean barbecue?

Book for weekend dinners and groups. Walk-ins are often fine at lunch or early on weeknights.