Sunday, March 22, 2026

Butcher’s Block @ Raffles Hotel Singapore - Welcomes The Season of Renewal With Spring IMUA Tasting Menu

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At Butcher's Block, the latest Spring IMUA tasting menu celebrates the restaurant's signature wood-fired cooking, whole animal butchery, and zero-waste philosophy. Showcasing seasonal produce alongside returning favourites, the multi-course experience is complemented by thoughtfully curated wine pairings.

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Big Eye Ahi Poke Tartlet

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Blackmore Farms Wagyu Beef Pipikaula

The meal began with the Big Eye Ahi Poke Tartlet. Crowned with premium Osetra caviar, the bite-sized snack whetted the appetite with intense savouriness and a creamy finish. Alongside were ribbons of Blackmore Farms Wagyu Beef Pipikaula, complemented by moreish Beef Fat Fried Rice that delivered deep, umami-rich notes.

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Grilled Green Asparagus

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Smoked Ahi Pâté

The next appetiser featured slices of Grilled Green Asparagus paired with lacto-fermented white asparagus. Smoky and earthy, the dish was balanced by a panna cotta at the base, made with asparagus stems, which also added a subtle creaminess to the mouthfeel. Accompanying this was a Smoked Ahi Pâté, crafted with gently smoked tuna belly. A crunchy, burnt leek churro, savoury with a hint of sweetness, formed the tart base, slathered with the pâté and topped with slices of smoked Japanese saba. Each bite delivered layers of texture and flavour, with full-bodied richness.

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Lomi Lomi Kombu-Cured Big Eye Ahi

The following course, Lomi Lomi Kombu-Cured Big Eye Ahi, offered a punchy, citrusy, and herbaceous flavour profile that lifted and complemented the delicately Hawaiian-cured fish.

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Western Plains Kalua Pork

Next came the Western Plains Kalua Pork, a colourful representation of the traditional Hawaiian dish. Rolled in savoy cabbage, the pork was succulent, carrying a bold, salty punch and a distinctive smokiness. Balancing its hearty taste were velvety sweet potato purée and luscious coconut cream, which added a gentle sweetness and rounded out the flavours.

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Huli-Huli Dry-Aged Duck

The Huli-Huli Dry-Aged Duck is one of the restaurant's signature courses, conceptualised to showcase different parts of the Malaysia-sourced duck. For this season, the plate featured 21-day dry-aged duck breast, served alongside a duck leg foie gras terrine and a duck liver parfait tartlet topped with duck heart bushi. The level of thought and craftsmanship behind the dish was impressive. Turning the duck heart into a bushi was particularly intriguing, underscoring the restaurant's commitment to its zero-waste philosophy.

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Japanese Kinmedai

The next course highlighted Japanese Kinmedai, featuring a lightly grilled 3-day dry-aged fillet. It was topped with a layer of flavoursome nduja gratin made from the trimmings of the Blackmore Farms cattle that Butcher's Block brings in, and finished with a seaweed and fennel beurre blanc. The interplay of flavours was interesting, with the smoky richness of the nduja complementing the fish's heightened oceanic flavours.

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Blackmore Farms Full-Blood Wagyu Beef

The final main course, Blackmore Farms Full-Blood Wagyu Beef, served as a fitting finale. The dish delivered an intensely smoky Wagyu meatloaf alongside dry-aged, koji-marinated beef. Completing the plate was an indulgent potato mille-feuille fried in beef fat rendered from the same Blackmore Farms cow, tying the dish back to the restaurant's whole-animal ethos.

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Blooming of Spring

Blooming of Spring, a refreshing combination of compressed cucumber, cantaloupe sorbet, and Monkey's Milk, was served as a palate cleanser.

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Memoir

The dinner experience concluded with Memoir, a dessert inspired by the chef's personal journey. The composition brought together ponzu gelée, nori ice cream and caramel. An interesting detail about this dessert is the chef's discovery that blending nori with milk produces a flavour reminiscent of matcha, a nuance reflected in the dessert's flavour profile.

The Spring IMUA tasting menu is available from now until 30 May 2026, served at both lunch and dinner. For a more elevated experience, you may opt for the Dom Pérignon Prestige Pairing.

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Spring IMUA Tasting Menu
Lunch: S$168++ per guest
Tailored Wine Pairing: S$138++ per guest
Dinner: S$228++ per guest
Tailored Wine Pairing: S$168++ per guest
Dom Pérignon Prestige Pairing: S$408++, served for the whole table
Booking Link: https://www.sevenrooms.com/explore/butchersblock/reservations

Photos and words by Si An. A homebody who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, the smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Butcher's Block
Raffles Hotel Singapore
Raffles Arcade
328 North Bridge Road
#02-02
Singapore 188719
Tel: +65 6337 1886
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Nearest MRT: City Hall (EW, NS Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Lunch (Wed-Sat): 12pm - 230pm
Dinner (Tue-Sat): 6pm - 930pm
(Closed on Sun and Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at City Hall MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to the junction of North Bridge Road and Bras Basah Road. Cross the road. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit F. Walk to Beach Road. Cross the road. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

Saturday, March 21, 2026

Bulgogi Syo @ Suntec City - Limited Time Collaboration with Culinary Class Wars S2 Chef Jung

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For a limited time, fans of Netflix's Culinary Class Wars Season 2 can experience an exciting collaboration as Chef Jung Ho-young, one of the Top 4 finalists, makes his first overseas appearance in Singapore at Bulgogi Syo. Bringing dishes straight from the show to the table, the exclusive menu also features signatures from his popular Udon Caden, offering diners a rare taste of his culinary repertoire beyond Japan.

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Monkfish Liver Chawanmushi 4/5

The Monkfish Liver Chawanmushi ($10.90) is undoubtedly the most anticipated dish on the menu and one of the most talked-about creations from the show. Having witnessed Chef Jung butcher a whole monkfish during the launch event, just as seen on screen, adds to the appreciation of the dish. The flesh is charcoal-grilled with soy-based seasoning, while the liver, often dubbed the "foie gras of the sea," is braised with a kombu-infused soy glaze. These are then combined into a silky steamed egg custard, finished with yuzu skin and a hint of wasabi. While the custard is smooth and flavourful, the slight bitterness from the yuzu peel and the presence of wasabi may not appeal to everyone.

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Crispy Prawn Croquette 3/5

From Udon Caden, the Creamy Prawn Croquette with Sesame Sauce ($12.90 for 2pc) delights with its crisp exterior and creamy, oozy interior reminiscent of corn cream soup. Each bite reveals juicy prawn chunks, while the accompanying house-made roasted sesame sauce adds a nutty depth that ties the dish together beautifully.

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Grilled Sea Eel with Lotus Root Manju 3/5

Another highlight from Culinary Class Wars Season 2 is the Grilled Sea Eel Renkon Manju with Crab Sauce ($39.90). The eel is braised on one side and grilled on the other, resulting in a delicate yet flavourful finish. It is paired with a renkon manju, a lotus root pastry made from finely shredded lotus root, chilled and fried, and served in a luscious crab broth with sweet crab meat and a subtle ginger aroma. Accompaniments include kimchi salad, pickled radish and sotbap rice furikake. However, the eel contains many fine bones, making it less suitable for children. The lotus root manju, while unique, leans towards a soft and creamy texture that may feel somewhat one-dimensional. Diners can opt for the Grilled Codfish Renkon Manju with Crab Sauce ($29.90) as a more approachable alternative.

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Yakibuta Skewer 3/5

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Signature Beef Curry Udon 3.5/5

The Signature Beef Curry Udon ($19.90) is a comforting staple from Udon Caden. The udon noodles are chewy and springy, paired with a silky, mildly spiced curry filled with tender beef cubes and soft potatoes. For an additional $3, diners can add a Yakibuta Skewer, smoky, juicy pork belly glazed with caramelised shoyu tare. While the pork is well-executed, the leek pieces could be smaller for a more balanced bite.

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Citrus-Soy Grilled Cod 3.5/5

The Citrus-Soy Grilled Cod Fish ($25.90) highlights the fish's natural sweetness. Lightly grilled and glazed with a dashi soy lemon sauce, the cod develops a caramelised exterior while remaining buttery and moist inside. Served alongside mushrooms, lotus root and vegetables, it makes for a wholesome and satisfying dish.

In all, this limited-time collaboration at Bulgogi Syo offers a unique opportunity to taste Chef Jung Ho-young's creations beyond Jeju Island. While not every dish may appeal to all palates, the experience of enjoying dishes inspired by Culinary Class Wars, brought to life by the chef himself, makes it a worthwhile visit for fans and food enthusiasts alike.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Bulgogi Syo
Suntec City
3 Temasek Boulevard
#B1-133
Singapore 038983
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Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line), Promenade (CC, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Promenade MRT station. Take Exit C. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 6 minutes. [Map]