928 Yishun Laksa (Yishun Central) 3rd Post

Laksa $2.80

Posting about this well-known laksa outlet in Yishun for the 3rd time. I have been eating this laksa since I was in Secondary School (that is more than  17 years ago)! You will not see any shop name but you will be able to know that you are at the right stall when u spot everyone eating the Laksa in a red bowl! Also, at the stall menu statues "Laksa" clearly. Over the years, this stall gained a following through word of mouth among those living in the north (Yishun). Gradually, everyone started calling this laksa stall as '928 Yishun Laksa' as the stall is located under Blk 928 in Yishun. This laksa stall is located just behind the Yishun Interchange, a stone throw away from Yishun MRT station.

I visited on a Sunday afternoon at 330pm. I normally visit at this timing as this is normally the timing with the least people; I can escape squeezing/queuing with the lunch/dinner crowd. But I was wrong that day. There was a long queue of more than 9 persons in front of me! Amazing how popular this stall gets through word of mouth!

 It was a 20 minutes wait.

The price of the Laksa has increased recently to $2.80 or $3.30 (for a bigger portion). Used to be $2.20 and $2.50 for the smaller bowl of laksa.

Dessert Menu

There also offer dessert. But I have never try their dessert before. If you want any dessert, you should just pop over to the next shop as the dessert stall there is more popular. Most people would have their laksa at this stall and then go over to the next shop for dessert. In the past, both the laksa and dessert stalls were located in the same shop.

Laksa $2.80

This is my bowl of Laksa which cost $2.80. It consists of fish cakes, crab sticks, dried toufu, hum (cockles), beansprouts, hard boiled eggs and thick bee hoon. The laksa gravy was light and rich. With fresh coconut milk, chilli and lots of dried shrimps that made the gravy so tasty and fragrant yet spicy. Also, the gravy was not oily. Despite the spiciness, the more gravy you savour, the more you will love it. It was so addictive that I would always finish the whole bowl of laksa gravy (not something which I normally do as its not healthy).

Do note that this eatery is not air-conditioned. Also, there are few fans. You will likely sweat, so wear something comfortable! This is worth sweating for! Still the best Laksa in Yishun.

Laksa $3

I also packed a bowl of laksa back home. The good news is that you can request for the gravy to be packed separately!

928 Yishun Laksa (Yishun Central) 

Blk 928 Yishun Central 1 

#01-155

Opening Hours: Tue to Sun 11am - 7pm

                         Closed on Mon

View FoodieFC's Singapore Food Map in a larger map

Ya Kun Kaya Toast: 1 For 1 Ice-Blended Frostyz Promotion (6, 13, 20 Jun 2015)

Source: Ya Kun Kaya Toast

Ya Kun Kaya Toast: 1 For 1 Ice-Blended Frostyz Promotion (6, 13, 20 Jun 2015)
Choice of Hazelnut Coffee Ice-Blended Frostyz or Milo Tiramisu Ice-Blended Frostyz

- While stocks last

Must Try Grilled Pork Ribs from Jobakjip 조박집 (South Korea, Seoul)

Grilled Pork Ribs (Galbi) 돼지갈비

If you are a fan of BBQ / Grilled Pork Ribs, the best place to have it in Seoul is in Mapo 마포 at Mapo's Dwaeji Galbi & Dwaeji Jumulleok Alley. In the 1950s, the Mapo port was busy with cargo boats that carried timber and grains down the Han River to the many sawmills and granaries in Mapo. There were many hungry seamen and workers looking for cheap filling food and booze to get over their strenuous day. With a growing demand, many eateries started popping up selling grilled pork and Makgeolli (Korean rice wine). Even after the port closed down, the blue collar workers were replaced with white collar workers (e.g. office workers). The office workers would frequent these eateries for the Makgeolli and Soju after a stressful day at work. The youngest employee in the group would normally be tasked (arrow-ed) to grilled the meat. Today, there are many barbecue restaurants (some having been opened before the dock was closed) along this particular alley.

My Korean friend brought us to this particular eatery known as Jobakjip 조박집 at the Dwaeji Galbi & Dwaeji Jumulleok Alley (aka Mapo BBQ Alley). Along the way, we spotted several barbecue restaurants and in fact, there was a hint of smokey barbecue smell in the air in this alley! Jobakjip 조박집 is 5 to 10 minutes walk away from Mapo Station (subway line 5) Exit 1.

When we entered the eatery, I was surprised that the eatery was nearly full (considering the competition). 

Menu

Focus on the menu, not the guys... The menu was mainly in Korean and English language. It was also simple and straight to the point. There was just two mains in it; (i) Hanwoo Grilled Seasoned Meat (Beef Jumulleok) 한우 주물럭 and (ii) Grilled Pork Ribs (Galbi) 돼지갈비. There were also Rice,  Radish Water Kimchi Noodle (DongChimi Noodle) 동치미국수 and Alcoholic Beverages. 

Interestingly, this is a non-smoking eatery. The eatery is well-ventilated and the place is not smokey unlike some other barbecue restaurants. But do note, your clothes will still definitely smell. 

All the wooden tables in the eatery had a charcoal fire pit in the middle as all the customers here would definitely be here for the barbecue food.

This was the spread we ordered, some food items are not shown in this photo. As usual, there would always be complimentary side dishes.

Each person would be served a bowl of salad.

Another side dish for sharing. There was also preserved radish.

Grilled Pork Ribs (Galbi) 돼지갈비

I was told that this eatery is well known for its Grilled Pork Ribs (Galbi) 돼지갈비. No need to worry about the fats as they would melt in the heat and help ensure that the meat is tender. The excessive fats would drip down into the grills.

The meat is normally marinated in a concoction of soy sauce, sliced scallions, garlic, ginger juice, sugar, sesame seeds, sesame oil and pepper. It would typically be scored to allow the meat to adsorb the marinade easily. 

Grilled Pork Ribs (Galbi) 돼지갈비

The Grilled Pork Ribs (Galbi) 돼지갈비 was indeed delicious. It was well marinated and succulent, of great quality and flavour. The smokey flavour from the charcoal stove was locked in the meat too. This is a must try! 

The garlic can be grilled too. The sauce at the left is the gochujang sauce. Not too sure what the sauce at the top is.

The locals would normally not eat the meat alone. They would take a piece of lettuce, spread the gochujang sauce on it, add a grilled garlic on top.

Then they would take the piece of cooked Galbi and drip it into this special sauce before adding the meat onto the lettuce and wrap it up. This is how they would eat this.

Radish Water Kimchi Noodle (DongChimi Noodle) 동치미국수

We also ordered a bowl of Radish Water Kimchi Noodle (DongChimi Noodle) 동치미국수 each. This is water based, non spicy kimchi and is traditionally consumed during winter. Today, koreans consume this all year round. It was served chilled. The broth was clear and was refreshing while the radish was crunchy.

Hanwoo Grilled Seasoned Meat (Beef Jumulleok) 한우 주물럭

We also ordered the Hanwoo Grilled Seasoned Meat (Beef Jumulleok) 한우 주물럭. Compared to the Galbi, this is normally lightly marinated in a concoction of sesame oil, salt, garlic and pepper. Instead of scoring the meat, the concoction would be rubbed over the meat.

Hanwoo Grilled Seasoned Meat (Beef Jumulleok) 한우 주물럭

The staff would change the grills before this is grilled. The marbling on the meat looks great. However, looks can be deceiving. The appearance and price of the Beef Jumulleok, mismatch the taste. It was not as tasty and flavourful as the Galbi (which was way cheaper). 

Fermented Soybean Paste Stew (Doenjang jjigae) 된장 찌개

Towards the end of the meal, we were given a complimentary small pot of Fermented Soybean Paste Stew (Doenjang jjigae) 된장 찌개. We place it on top of the charcoal stove and heat it up further. This was tasty and delicious. We really enjoyed the soup. 

It was worth our time travelling down specially to Mapo to try the Grilled Pork Ribs (Galbi) 돼지갈비 from Jobakjip 조박집. This is worth a visit if you are in Seoul. Do not miss this!

Namecard

This is the name card of the eatery.

Jobakjip 조박집 (South Korea, Seoul)
Yonggang-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
서울특별시 마포구 용강동 40-1번지
Tel: +82 2 712 7462

View FoodieFC's South Korea Food Map in a larger map