Hansang Korean Family Restaurant (Square 2)

Jajangmyun (Black Bean Noodle)

Hansang Korean Family Restaurant is a restaurant offering authentic Korean Cuisine established by a Korean family in 2007. The Koreran family had moved to Singapore several years ago prior to 2007 and was unable to find authentic korean food in Singapore. Hence, this restaurant was started. The name of the restaurant "Hansang" means “a table full of food all the time” as the aim was to share the diverse cuisine of Korea with everyone.

Hansang Korean Family Restaurant currently has two outlets; at Square 2 and Holland Village. We visited its outlet at Square 2 in Novena. Interestingly, the restaurant also offers catering services!

Lunch Time Promotion Menu

Their lunch time promotion is value for money!

Sagol Hejang Guk (Double Boiled Beef Soup) $15

This is the Sagol Hejang Guk (Double Boiled Beef Soup) $15. This was very well executed. The broth which was spicy, was so tasty and flavourful! Moreover the beef slices were tender and the beansprout provided a crunchy texture. It was so good that we indulged endlessly into it and drank every single bit of the broth. This is a must try! 

A video of the dish and the side dishes.

Jajangmyun (Black Bean Noodle) $11.80

The Jajangmyun (Black Bean Noodle) $11.80, is a dish which most people are familiar with. This is the korean version of Chinese black bean noodle. You can easily get this in any Korean restaurant or food eateries, but it is hard to find one that is good. Hansang's one is damn good! 

When it first arrived, I was quite skeptical as the portion looks small and ordinary. But wow, I was impressed when I tasted it. The black bean sauce which is a make or break factor for this dish was perfect. The sweetness and savouriness were well-balanced. There was no bitterness after taste, which you may encounter at other eateries (the bitterness is from the black bean paste). Moreover, minced meat and caramelised onions were mixed in the sauce. This is another must try!

Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup) $17.80

On another occasion, we ordered the Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup) $17.80. This is a nourishing soup common eaten in summer in South Korea to the replenish the nutrients lost from sweating.

Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup) $17.80

The Samgyetang is my kind of comfort food. The broth was flavourful. Interestingly, inside the chicken, besides a small slice of ginseng, there was also a gingko nut. The chicken meat itself was folk tender. 

Champong (Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup) $11.80

The Champong (Spicy Seafood Noodle Soup) $11.80, is quite an interesting dish. The broth was spicy yet so addictive! Slurping down the noodles with the broth is bounded to ignite your taste buds!

I have been to Hansang Korean Family Restaurant a few times and I must say that their food sure is good! If you are looking for somewhere with delicious Korean food, look no further!

Hansang Korean Family Restaurant (Square 2)
10 Sinaran Drive
#03-33 Square 2
Singapore 307506
Opening Hours: Daily from 11.30am to 10.30pm

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Kim Dae Mun Korean Food (Concorde Hotel)

Spicy Beancurd Soup (Soondubu Jjigae) 순두부찌개 $7.50

Kim Dae Mun Korean Food is located in Concorde Hotel; previously known as Le Meridien Hotel. 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.

Menu

As it's name suggest, Kim Dae Mun Korean Food specialises in serving Korean cuisine. They order quite an extensive variety of dishes ranging from soup, meat, rice, ramen and side dishes. In a short time span of 4 years, the eatery has shifted located 3 times times; from the food court at level 1 to level 2 and then back to another standalone bigger unit at level. I doubt they will move further as the sitting capacity that they have now is huge!

The kitchen and counter is manned by Koreans. This is the Ahjumma who always takes the order at the counter. After taking the order, she would always relay the order to the kitchen through a mike.

Although there is always a queue, they are perfectly trained to handle the crowd. They moved with clock work precision. I waited just 10 minutes and the food was ready. Upon collection of the food, customers could choose between kimchi, anchovies or cucumbers as sides.

Spicy Beef Soup Set $8

The Spicy Soup Set is one of their most highly raved dish online. This time round I ordered the version that comes with beef; Spicy Beef Soup Set $8. The set consisted of a big bowl of spicy beef soup served with a bowl of rice and a side dish.I chose anchovies.

Spicy Beef Soup $8

The Spicy Beef Soup Set was filled with generous amounts of ingredients such as slices of beef, beancurd, vegetable, Korean (thick) vermicilli, spring onion, egg and onions. The soup was spicy and tasty - not salty (I doubt MSG was added). The combination of soup with rice was perfect. In terms of the price, it was reasonable considering the quantity and taste of the food.

Bibimbap 비빔밥 $8

The Bibimbap 비빔밥 $8 was served in traditional stone bowl.

Bibimbap 비빔밥 $8

This is the Korean's version of mixed rice, that comes with a variety of vegetables, an egg, rice, meat (in this case I had beef) and the hot chili pepper paste (also know as gochujang).

Bibimbap 비빔밥 $8

Give it a good mix to ensure that each grain of rice is well coated with  the hot chili pepper paste. With each mouthful, you would be able to to experience different texture and taste due to the assortment of vegetables (some are crunchy whereas some are soft).

Spicy Beancurd Soup (Soondubu Jjigae) 순두부찌개 $7.50

This is the Spicy Beancurd Soup (Soondubu Jjigae) 순두부찌개 $7.50. It comes in two versions, with or without the spiciness.

Spicy Beancurd Soup (Soondubu Jjigae) 순두부찌개 $7.50

Personally, I thought that the taste was just average. It was spicy but lacked flavour.

Tender Sliced Beef $10

The Tender Sliced Beef $10 is their most expensive item on the menu. This dish is also highly raved about.

Tender Sliced Beef $10

The beef was well marinated and tasty. However, certain pieces were hard and tough. At $10, I thought that the price is on the higher end (i.e. not so value for money).

Did you know that their hotplates items are cooked with water instead of oil? Yes, you heard me right!

I will certainly be back at Kim Dae Mun Korean Food to try out other dishes. I have been wanting to try their ramen. Their food is quite the tasty and authentic. Moreover, it is now no longer tough to find seats!

Kim Dae Mun Korean Food (Concorde Hotel) 

100 Orchard Road #01-03D

Concorde Hotel And Shopping Mall 

Singapore 238840 

Tel: 9112 5910

Opening Hours: 11am to 8.30pm

                           Closed on Mon

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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

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Pro Ganjang Gejang 프로간장게장 (South Korea, Seoul)

Raw Crabs Marinated in Soy Sauce (Ganjang Gejang) 간장게장 55,00 KRW (S$68)

Pro Ganjang Gejang 프로간장게장 is a restaurant that specialises in serving Ganjang Gejang - Raw Crabs Marinated in Soy Sauce (간장게장). Ganjang Gejang is a traditional korean dish dating back to the Joseon Dynasty (1392 - 1910). It is a salted fermented dish that is difficult to prepare.

The restaurant is among one of the first to open in the 1980s serving Ganjang Gejang. Back then, pro baseball athletes frequent the alley and found the Ganjang Gejang delicious. Through word of mouth, this particular alley where the restaurant is located became known as Sinsa-dong's Ganjang Gejang Alley.  You will be able to find several restaurants selling Ganjang Gejang along this alley.

Today, Pro Ganjang Gejang has a building of its own.

The interior of the restaurant is filled with photos of celebrities and sports athletes, some of whom are from Japan. Apparently, Japanese tourist like this so much that the restaurant has opened a branch in Tokyo, Japan.

 The side dishes.

Raw Crabs Marinated in Soy Sauce (Ganjang Gejang) 간장게장 55,00 KRW (S$68)

We ordered 2 small size female crabs which cost  55,00 KRW (S$68). The right way to eat the Raw Crabs Marinated in Soy Sauce (Ganjang Gejang) 간장게장 is to use your hands. It would be hard to eat it with utensils.

Raw Crabs Marinated in Soy Sauce (Ganjang Gejang) 간장게장 55,00 KRW (S$68)

Many people would also scoop some rice on the crab shell and mix it with Ganjang Gejang.

Although the crabs were fresh, the both of us did not like this dish. The meat was just so raw and soft while the sauce was on the salty end. We are probably too used to eating crabs that are cooked which are of a different texture. I doubt that we will try Ganjang Gejang again, we prefer our crabs cooked!

Steamed Egg (Gyeran Jjim) 계란찜 5,00 KRW (S$6.25)

We also ordered a Steamed Egg (Gyeran Jjim) 계란찜 5,00 KRW (S$6.25) for sharing. The difference between the korean and chinese steamed egg is that the korean version is denser and less smooth. Taste wise, this was a good dish to complement the Ganjang Gejang.

The toilet at the restaurant was impressive! There was a mouth wash dispenser! 

Pro Ganjang Gejang 프로간장게장 (South Korea, Seoul)

27-1 Jamwon-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul 

프로간장계장, 서울특별시 서초구 잠원동 27-1

Tel: +82 2 543 4126
Opening Hours: 24 hours daily
Directions: From Sinsa Station (subway line 3) Exit 4, walk down along gangnam-daero and turn right at the first alley. Then turn left at the next alley, you will see the Pro Ganjang Gejang building (with a big crab sign) in front. 

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Sinseon Seolnongtang 신선설농탕 (South Korea, Seoul)

Ox Bone Stew and Boiled Rice (Seolnongtang) 설농탕 7,000 KRW (S$8.75)

Sinseon Seolnongtang 신선설농탕 is a popular chain restaurant specialising in Ox Bone Stew (aka Seolnongtang). It has many outlets in different parts of seoul such as Myeongdong, Hongdae and Sinchon. 

We visited their outlet in Myeongdong which is opened 24 hours daily! The restaurant was nearly full at 1030am on a weekday!

Menu

The menu comes in four languages; Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese! Japanese language was added inside as the restaurant chain was featured as a must try restaurant in popular Japanese medias. It has been reported that more than 50 Japanese tourist visit the restaurant daily!

On each table, there was tubs of complimentary kimchi and radish. There was a pair of Scissors so that customers can cut them into smaller pieces.

Ox Bone Stew and Boiled Rice (Seolnongtang) 설농탕 7,000 KRW (S$8.75)

We both ordered the Ox Bone Stew and Boiled Rice (Seolnongtang) 설농탕 7,000 KRW (S$8.75). There were just way too many restaurants and Korean cuisines that we wanted to try and squeeze into our itinerary during this trip. Two hours after this meal, we would be having our lunch. 

Ox Bone Stew and Boiled Rice (Seolnongtang) 설농탕 7,000 KRW (S$8.75)

The Ox Bone Stew (Seolnongtang) is made by simmering ox bones for long hours until it becomes a white milky broth.  

Ox Bone Stew and Boiled Rice (Seolnongtang) 설농탕 7,000 KRW (S$8.75)

The Ox Bone Stew (Seolnongtang) was delicious; rich and tasty with a unique mushroom flavour. Moreover, it was not at all salty! If you need, you can added the kimchi, radish, salt, pepper or red chilli flakes into the soup to enhance the taste. I saw no need for that. There were several pieces of sliced brisket in the broth.

Ox Bone Stew and Boiled Rice (Seolnongtang) 설농탕 7,000 KRW (S$8.75)

The best way to enjoy the soup is to add the it into the rice, allowing the rice grains to soak up all the essence in the soup. Interestingly, the rice is refillable while the soup is not. 

Sinseon Seolnongtang (Myeongdong Branch) 신선설농탕(명동점) (South Korea, Seoul)

3-1, Myeongdong 10-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul (Myeong-dong 2(i)-ga) 

서울특별시 중구 명동10길 3-1 (명동2가)

Tel: +82 2 777 4531
Opening Hour: 24 hours daily

Directions: From Myeong-dong Station (subway line 4) Exit 8, Make a left and continue for 300 meters. Turn right onto Myeongdong-gil when you see the ABC Mart. The restaurant will be on your right. 

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