Manna Korean Restaurant (NTU Hall 13 Canteen)

There are quite a few hidden gem; cheap and good food stalls in Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Most of us seldom enter the university unless we are studying or working there. Since it was a rare chance that I was at the university, I had to make full use of the opportunity by having a meal there. The Korean stall called Manna Korean Restaurant at Hall 13 Canteen was strongly recommended by a member in our group.

Hence, we visited Hong Yun, more commonly known as Hall 13 canteen. 

Although it was during the semester break, the canteen was packed when we left. In addition, the Korean stall which was wanted to try was opened. 

The Korean Stall; Manna Korean Restaurant is operated by Koreans. As it was lunch time, we had to wait a fair bit as there was several NTU staff / students in front of us. 

Menu

The menu with a wide variety of korean food to choose from. 

BBQ Beef Set $4.50

I ordered the BBQ Beef Set $4.50 which consisted of hotplate BBQ Beef served with rice, soup and a very small serving of kimchi. The  rice, soup and kimchi were ordinary. Hence, I shall not write about them.

BBQ Beef Set $4.50

The hotplate BBQ Beef with cabbage and Korean rice vermicelli with sesame seeds sprinkled on top deserved some airtime. They were very generous with the ingredients, particularly the BBQ Beef slices. The beef slices were well marinated. The only issue I had was it was a tad too dry. More sauce could have been added. At $4.50, it was quite value for money as it would have easily cost $7.50 or more at food courts. 

BBQ Chicken Set $3.90

The rest of the items were ordered by others in the group. The BBQ Chicken Set cost $3.90.

BBQ Chicken Set $3.90

Unlike the BBQ Beef, there was no rice vermicelli in the BBQ Chicken. The BBQ Chicken was well marinated and it was the spicy version. It went very well with the rice. In addition, there were so many pieces of chicken and there were lots of sauce at the bottom of the hotplate. 

Bulgogi Beef (Korean Traditional BBQ)$4.70

The Bulgogi Beef (Korean Traditional BBQ) was quite good. This version is the soup version. The beef meat were marinated and then fried / BBQ with other ingredients (e.g. onion). Then the ingredients were poured into this Korean pot and cooked with golden mushroom and rice vermicelli. 

Bulgogi Beef (Korean Traditional BBQ)$4.70

Again, they were so generous with the ingredients. The amount of beef slices given was just so much. The soup was flavouful, though a tad too sweet. 

Dolsot Bibimbab (Chicken) $4.50

Dolsot Bibimbab (Chicken) $4.50

The Dolsot Bibimbab (Chicken) cost $4.50. Can't comment on this as I did not try.

Overall, I must say that the prices here are really cheap and the food are not bad. Yes, the main reason for the so reasonable prices was because this is a university and most customers are students. Hence, there's a need to ensure that its affordable. Worth a try if you are within the area. 

Manna Korean Restaurant (NTU Hall 13 Canteen)

Nanyang Technological University, Hall 13
32 Nanyang Crescent, Pioneer 
Singapore 637658

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Kko Kko Nara 꼬꼬나라 (Tanjong Pagar)

Kko Kko Nara 꼬꼬나라 a Korean restaurant located at Tras Road, is only a stone throw away (i.e. five minutes away) from Tanjong Pagar MRT station. It is located close to the Maxwell Food Centre too. 

Korean Fried Chicken

Kko Kko Nara specialises in Korean cuisine and their signature dish is their Korean Fried Chicken which has been highly raved. 

The restaurant was cozy and air conditioned. They have quite a small sitting capacity. When we visited during lunch time on Saturday, the restaurant was fully packed. I took this photo as we were leaving at 230pm, by then most of the customers had left and the restaurant was closing (230pm). 

Each table has a box of tissue paper utensils and a metal bin for disposal of bones. I like their menu cover. It was artistically and colourful. The fried chicken looks so appetising! 

Ban Chan / Side Dish (반찬) 

The Ban Chan / Side Dish (반찬) were just normal - average. One of the rare occasions where I did not ask for more side dishes. 

Combo Chicken Set (S) $20 (clockwise from top: Sweet, Special Garlic Soy Sauce, Original)

Since we were here, we just had to order the the signature Korean Fried Chicken! The Combo Chicken Set (S) $20 consisted of 9 pieces of chicken - 3 pieces of 3 different flavours chicken. The flavours were namely Original, Sweet and Special Garlic Soy Sauce Chicken. We notice that the price of this dish during dinner time was $25 instead of $20.

Left to right: Special Garlic Soy Sauce, Sweet

Having tried the Fried Chicken, I now understood why it had been so highly raved about. Each piece was crispy, crunchy, well marinated and fried. The meat were tender, and had the right blend of spices and sauces. In addition, the immense flavour had penetrated all the way into the meat. My favourite was the Special Garlic Soy Sauce Fried Chicken which was made of hand-crushed garlic and 41 kinds of ingredient with soy sauce. 

In terms of execution, I thought that they did quite well. It's a common perception that its easyto cook chicken wings. But its hard to make one that's nice, well seasoned (with the flavours penetrating into the meat) and not oily. 

Bu Dae Ji Gae (부대찌개) $35

We also ordered the Bu Dae Jji Gae (부대찌개) to shared. The Bu Dae Jji Gae when translated, literally means The Army Stew. It was named this way as this dish originated during the Korean War. Back then, the Americans who assisted in the war brought their own food such as spam (canned meat), baked beans, sausages and hot dogs which was not introduced in Korea before. As the Koreans were facing a food shortage, they cooked a spicy stew which consisted of kimchi and gochujang (red chili paste) and mixed the American's surplus food into the stew. This was how The Army Stew / Bu Dae Jji Gae came about.

Kko Kko Nara's Bu Dae Jji Gae consisted of noodles, spam, sausages, mushroom, korean rice cake, baked beans, tofu, kimchi, gochujang and a mixture of vegetables. Red and Green Chilli were added to further enhance its taste. 

Bu Dae Ji Gae (부대찌개) $35

Mix the Bu Dae Jji Gae and once it boils, this is how it should looks like. After that you can let it simmer and slowly savour it. The best part is that the longer the stew simmers, the more robust and flavourful it becomes. Kko Kko Nara's Bu Dae Jji Gae was 맛있어요 (delicious)!! We indulged endlessly into it. The more we dig into it, the more we love it. 

Although the Ban Chan / Side Dish were average, the Special Garlic Soy Sauce Fried Chicken and Bu Dae Jji Gae were just simply delicious! I will definitely be back to fulfill my Korean cravings at Kko Kko Nara 꼬꼬나라 again. Price wise, although some may feel that its on the expensive end, I thought its quite value for money considering the taste and quality of food. 

Kko Kko Nara 꼬꼬나라 (Tanjong Pagar)

#01-0157 

Tras Street

Singapore 078996

Tel:  6224 8186

Opening Hours: Daily 11am to 230pm, 5pm to 3am

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Spicy Chicken Soup Set at Kim Dae Mun Korean Food (Concorde Hotel)

Kim Dae Mun Korean Food is located at the basement food court at Concorde Hotel; previously known as Le Meridien Hotel. (come to think of it, when has there ever been a food court in a Hotel? The norm should be restaurants.) If you are wondering where is Concord Hotel, it is located along the Orchard Shopping Belt, in between Dhoby Ghuat (Plaza Singapura) and Somerset (Orchard Plaza) MRT stations.

As it's name suggest, Kim Dae Mun Korean Food specialises in serving Korean cuisine. It is probably the most famous stall in the food court. I have heard many people raving about their food. Hence, after a period of procrastination, I decided to visit this food court on a weekday evening for dinner. 

It was easy to spot the stall with its distinct blue signboard. Moreover, with a queue of more than 10 persons, it would be hard to miss this stall. I was quite surprised to see the long queue considering that it was a weekday. I joined the queue and waited 20 minutes before I was able to order. After that it was another 5 minutes of wait for my food. To be fair, the staff were quite efficient considering the crowd. 

Spicy Chicken Soup Set $6.50

I ordered the Spicy Chicken Soup Set  $6.50 which was widely raved about online. The set consisted of a big bowl of Spicy Chicken Soup served with a bowl of rice and a side. For the sides, customers could choose between kimchi, anchovies or cucumbers. I chose anchovies.

Spicy Chicken Soup Set $6.50

Spicy Chicken Soup Set $6.50

The Spicy Chicken Soup Set was fill with generous amounts of ingredients such as chunks of chicken, beancurd, vegetable, korean (thick) vermicilli, spring onion, egg and onions. The soup was spicy and tasty - not salty (I doubt MSG was added). It was awesome combining the soup with the rice! In terms of the price, it was reasonable considering the quantity and taste of the food. 

If I am ordering this the next time I would request for a less spicy version (overheard a customer requesting this). 

Kim Dae Mun Korean Food is one of the few korean stalls in food courts worth a try. I will certainly be back. For the record,  I seldom ordered Korean food in a food court. Besides the Spicy Chicken Soup, many others have raved about their potato pancake, tender beef sliced set and spicy shredded chicken. 

Did you know that their hotplates items are cooked with water instead of oil? Yes, you heard me right! A healthier choice! What are you waiting for?

Kim Dae Mun Korean Food (Concorde Hotel)
100 Orchard Road

Level 1 Concorde Food Court

Concorde Hotel And Shopping Mall

Singapore 238840

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