Ever since I'm back from Korea last year (stayed there for 4 months), I have been craving for Korean food, especially Jjajangmyeon (짜장면) ᅲ.ᅲ In Korea, my friends and I often ordered delivery to our uni dorms. Record was food delivery for brunch, dinner and supper! Haha I remember us going around collecting all the food delivery adverts, be it 짜장면, 피자, 파닭 etc. We practically tried the 짜장면 from all the various restaurants that offered delivery to our uni dorms! *sense of achievement* haha
So back in Singapore, I'm always on the lookout for 짜장면 that tasted like the ones in korea. I have tried several versions (that claim to be authentic) in Singapore but they were nothing similar apart from the appearance. Recently, a best friend of mine told me that her friend has recommended a Korean Chinese restaurant that offers good 짜장면!! Without much hesitation, we settled for dinner at the restaurant last Saturday (:
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| Photo Credits: HungryGoWhere |
When we arrived at the restaurant, it was around 7pm and we were greeted by friendly staff. As we were shown to our table, I observed that the restaurant was approximately half occupied and most of the restaurant customers were Koreans. Is it a sign of authentic Korean food?? Haha
First up from our order was the Fried Dumplings (군만두). No long waits for our order as the fried dumplings were served really quickly right after our order. The fried dumplings were fried till golden brown and crispy but were too oily for our liking. White vinegar saved the day or we won't be able to finish the dumplings.
Fried Dumplings 10 Pcs for $12
Next up was Sweet and Sour Pork (탕수육). We ordered the small size for the 3 of us. Given the generous portion, it can definitely feed 3-4 people well. The 탕수육 looked and tasted quite similar to the ones I had in Korea! It consists of a pile of battered fried pork topped with a sweet and sour sauce and small cuts of vegetables like carrot and cucumber. I liked it that the sauce wasn't so sweet. But be sure to have the dish when its hot as once the sauce cools down, it thickens and solidifies. >.< Or you can probably request to have the sauce in a separate bowl!
Sweet & Sour Pork (Small) $28
What's a Korean dinner without our dear friend SOJU (소주)!! For those who are not really alcohol lovers but would like to give Soju a try, do go for the brand Chum-Churum (처음처럼) as I personally find it lighter and sweeter than other brands. Shake the bottle well before opening! Apparently it tastes better that way haha
A bottle of Soju $18
Actress Go JunHee! Haha I recognise her from the Korean reality variety show "We Got Married 우리 결혼했어요".
Cheers! 건배! 원샷!!!
Okay after drinking a little, our next dish was up. Mapo Tofu with Rice (마파두부덮밥). It tasted very Chinese but it's good! The sauce and the silken tofu went really well with the rice.
Mapo Tofu with Rice $18
NOTE: the menu also has the similar a la carte version without rice and it costs $35 (if I'm not wrong). If you just want to give it a try, do order the one with rice as its much cheaper!
Lastly, our most awaited Jjajangmyeon (짜장면)!!! It is a noodle dish topped with a thick sauce (made of 춘장: black bean paste) that has diced onions, ground meat and other ingredients in it.
Jjajangmyeon $12
I wasn't disappointed! Although it still tasted slightly different, it is the best I've had in Singapore so far! The portion of the sauce and noodles was great, sauce not too salty, noodles chewy and not soggy, I really enjoyed it!!
When we were almost done with our meal, the staff served us a slice of watermelon each. So sweet! Our dinner bill totalled up to $104 after GST and service charge for 3 pax. It is pretty reasonable considering the large portions. I will definitely be back again for their 짜장면!^^
Dong Bang Hong Korean Chinese Restaurant (东方红)
#01-01, Far East Square
92/94 Telok Ayer Street S048472
(Near Raffles Place MRT)
Daily: 11.30am - 03.00pm and 05.30pm - 10.00pm
Closed on Mondays
원샷,
Mari
