Hello Arigato @ Seng Poh Road - Japanese-Inspired Sandos, Comforting Pasta and Casual Dinner Bites

Since 2021, Hello Arigato has been serving Japanese-inspired sandos that keep diners coming back for more. With six outlets across Singapore, each offering its own outlet-exclusive dishes, the homegrown café has refreshed its menu to bring together some of its most-loved creations from across the neighbourhoods, alongside updated recipes and new additions. The refreshed menu features signature sandos, beloved pasta dishes, savoury sides, and favourites from its matcha and coffee line-up, now available across all locations.

Arigato Fried Chicken 5/5

We visited the Tiong Bahru outlet, which has recently introduced a dinner menu featuring Japanese-inspired tapas and alcoholic beverages, offering diners a chance to wind down over casual bites and drinks. We started with the Arigato Fried Chicken, featuring deboned chicken wings stuffed with juicy tsukune filling. The batter was crunchy and well seasoned, while the chicken stayed juicy and succulent with every bite.

Tomato & Watermelon Salad 3/5

The Tomato & Watermelon Salad ($16) featured dashi-marinated mixed tomatoes and compressed watermelon, served with stracciatella cheese and golden raisin purée, and finished with extra virgin olive oil. The combination of compressed watermelon and creamy stracciatella was refreshing, though I found the dashi-marinated tomatoes slightly unusual.

Big Fish Sando 4.5/5

Moving on to the brand's signature sandos, the Big Fish Sando ($22), previously exclusive to the Joo Chiat and Cross Street outlets, has become one of Hello Arigato's best-selling offerings. It was easy to see why. The halibut fish katsu was moist and flaky, complemented by Japanese tartar sauce, tobiko mayo, American cheddar, pickled onions and shredded cabbage, all sandwiched between soft Japanese milk bread. The combination of textures and sauces made this a satisfying bite.

Porkatsu Sando 3/5

The Porkatsu Sando ($24) features 12-hour sous vide Kurobuta pork collar katsu with a special tonkatsu sauce. The sauce gave the sando an addictive umami flavour, though the pork was a tad dry at the edges.

Wild Kinoko Pasta 4/5

From the pasta selection, the Wild Kinoko Pasta ($18) is a vegetarian-friendly option featuring spaghetti tossed in shoyu butter sauce with assorted mushrooms. I appreciated the savoury shoyu butter base, which offered a welcome alternative to the cream-based mushroom pastas commonly found elsewhere. Crispy kale and mushrooms added extra textural contrast.

Kurobuta Ragu Pasta 4/5

Another pasta worth trying is the Kurobuta Ragu Pasta ($22), updated with ribbons of mafalda pasta in place of rigatoni. The chewy pasta ribbons worked well with the rich, slow-cooked pork ragù, enriched with confit garlic and stracciatella cheese. Basil coulis added freshness, balancing the sauce's richness.

Yuzu Highball, Ginger & Lemon Highball

For alcoholic beverages, the highballs are particularly affordable during happy hour, and we tried the Yuzu ($10) and Ginger Lemon ($10) versions. Both made refreshing accompaniments to the food.

Coconut Orh Nee Cloud, Matcha Orh Nee Cloud

We also tried 2 Tiong Bahru-exclusive drinks: Coconut Orh Nee Cloud ($5.50), an aromatic concoction of 100% natural coconut water topped with Taro Cold Foam. We equally enjoyed the Matcha Orh Nee Cloud ($8.50), featuring Matcha Latte topped with Taro Cold Foam.

The Tiong Bahru outlet's dinner menu adds another dimension to the cafe experience, with Japanese-inspired bites and wallet-friendly happy hour highballs, making it a great option for a casual evening out.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Hello Arigato
58 Seng Poh Road
#01-15
Singapore 160058
Tel: +65 8027 2558
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Nearest MRT: Havelock (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 9am – 4pm, 530pm – 9pm
Sat-Sun: 8am – 4pm, 530pm – 9pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Havelock MRT station. Take Exit 1 or 2. Walk down Zion Road to Tiong Bahru Road. At the traffic junction of Zion Road and Tiong Bahru Road, cross the road and turn right onto Seng Poh Road. Walk down Seng Poh Road. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 6 minutes. [Map]

Bomul @ Scotts Square - Opens Second Outlet with New Organic Samgye Baekban and Speciality Noodles

Drawing long queues since its debut in Singapore, Korean restaurant BOMUL has expanded with a second outlet at Scotts Square, bringing its nourishing Korean-style ginseng chicken soup to the Orchard shopping belt. The new outlet offers its signature samgyetang and introduces Northern Korean-style Organic Samgye Baekban, a traditional dining concept gaining popularity in Seoul, alongside an expanded menu of speciality noodles made fresh daily and served à la minute.

With a wider selection of samgyetang, hearty Kalguksu, and even a zero-calorie Konjac Noodle option, there's more to explore at BOMUL Samgyetang beyond its signature ginseng chicken soup.

Organic Samgye Baekban 4.5/5

One highlight at the new outlet is the Organic Samgye Baekban ($29.90), a Northern Korean-style dining tradition that serves the components of a chicken rice meal separately. Rather than serving everything together in a single bowl, the set includes tender shredded chicken, premium Korean aromatic rice, and a rich gomtang-style chicken broth on the side.

The broth comes from more than 12 hours of slow simmering with whole chicken, plus blended chicken for extra body and depth. Cultured Wild Ginseng further enhances it, lending an earthy aroma and a delicate bitterness. The set also features Uiseong Six-Clove Garlic, slow-cooked until soft and mellow, adding another layer of natural sweetness.

You can enjoy this set in two ways. You can savour the tender chicken and aromatic rice with the comforting broth on the side, or dip the chicken into either of the two house-made sauces – Ginger Scallion Sauce or Hanbang Sauce – before pairing it with the rice. I particularly enjoyed the latter, as the sauces add different dimensions of flavour to the naturally delicate chicken.

The rice deserves a mention too. BOMUL uses Suhyangmi, a premium Korean aromatic rice prized for its naturally nutty fragrance and warm roasted-corn notes. Completing the spread are fresh ginseng kimchi, sweet-and-spicy pickled garlic, soy-pickled radish and green chillies. These accompaniments provide a refreshing mix of acidity, sweetness and spice, balancing the richness of the chicken and broth. It is a comforting yet thoughtfully composed meal that offers a different way to appreciate Korean chicken soup.

Abalone Perilla Bibim Noodles 4.5/5

Beyond its samgyetang offerings, the new Scotts Square outlet introduces a speciality noodle series featuring homemade buckwheat noodles, hearty Kalguksu and even konjac noodles for those looking for a lighter alternative.

For something refreshing, the Abalone Perilla Bibim Noodles ($26) is a good choice. The chilled homemade buckwheat noodles are tossed in fragrant roasted perilla oil and a savoury bibim sauce, creating a lovely combination of nutty, aromatic and umami flavours. Topped with grilled fresh abalone, the dish gets an additional touch of indulgence. The abalone is cooked to a tender bite, offering a delicate brininess that complements the earthy fragrance of the perilla oil. The buckwheat noodles also have a pleasant springiness, making this a refreshing alternative to the restaurant's more substantial soup-based offerings.

Nourishing Abalone Kalguksu 4.2/5

For a heartier noodle dish, the Nourishing Abalone Kalguksu ($26) features homemade noodles served in BOMUL's signature herbal chicken broth. The soup is slow-simmered with a blend of traditional Korean herbs and premium whole ginseng aged between four and six years, with one whole ginseng used for each pot. The broth carries a comforting herbal fragrance, with natural sweetness and depth developed through slow cooking. A grilled chicken thigh adds another layer of savouriness, while the sweet caramelised onions bring a gentle sweetness to the bowl. Charred shishito peppers complete the dish with a subtle smokiness, providing a pleasant contrast to the nourishing broth. The homemade Kalguksu noodles have a satisfying bite and soak up the soup's flavours well. This is a comforting bowl for those who enjoy the more traditional herbal flavours of Korean cuisine.

Spicy Cure Konjac Noodles 4.2/5

For diners looking for a lighter noodle option, the Spicy Cure Konjac Noodles ($22) is an interesting addition to the menu. Instead of conventional wheat or buckwheat noodles, this bowl uses konjac noodles, offering a zero-calorie noodle alternative with a slippery, springy texture. The noodles are served in BOMUL's signature Spicy Cure broth, which delivers warming, savoury heat with a rich, comforting finish. A tender whole organic chicken thigh accompanies the noodles, adding substance to what would otherwise be a relatively light bowl. While konjac noodles naturally have a different texture from traditional noodles, they pair well with the bold, spicy broth, making this a good option for those who want a comforting bowl without the usual noodle calories.

Spicy Octopus & Prawn Kalguksu 4/5

For those who prefer a punchier flavour, the Spicy Octopus & Prawn Kalguksu ($24) is another option. This is quite different from the restaurant's nourishing soup-based Kalguksu, with the noodles stir-fried together with tender octopus and succulent prawns in BOMUL's signature spicy sauce. The homemade Kalguksu noodles have a satisfying al dente bite and are well coated in the smoky, savoury sauce. The seafood adds a natural sweetness and a pleasant contrast to the heat, while a fragrant hint of perilla helps round off the flavours. This is a more robust, flavour-forward noodle dish for those who enjoy a little spice.

Anti Ageing Organic Samgyetang 4.2/5

Of course, a visit to BOMUL isn't complete without exploring its signature ginseng chicken soup offerings. Among the selections is the Anti Ageing Organic Samgyetang ($48), a more premium rendition of the restaurant's nourishing chicken soup. The bowl is loaded with premium ginseng, tender octopus, and fresh abalone, bringing together land and sea ingredients in a nourishing herbal broth. The ginseng lends its characteristic earthy fragrance, while the seafood adds another layer of flavour. The result is a more luxurious take on the traditional Korean samgyetang, especially for diners who enjoy their chicken soup enriched with premium ingredients.

Grilled Fresh Abalone 4/5

For a simple seafood addition to the meal, the Grilled Fresh Abalone ($9.90 per piece) is available with a minimum order of two pieces. The fresh whole abalone is gently pan-seared in fragrant butter until golden, allowing its natural sweetness to shine through. The cooking preserves the abalone's delicate tenderness while the butter adds a subtle richness. This straightforward preparation makes a worthwhile add-on, especially if you are sharing a few dishes at the table.

With its second outlet at Scotts Square, BOMUL Samgyetang has expanded its offerings beyond the traditional Korean ginseng chicken soup that first drew long queues at its debut outlet. The introduction of Northern Korean-style Organic Samgye Baekban provides a different way to enjoy its slow-cooked chicken and nourishing broth. At the same time, the new speciality noodle series adds more variety to the dining experience.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Bomul
Scotts Square
6 Scotts Road
#B1-08/09
Singapore 228209
Tel: +65 89859838
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 1. Walk to Scotts Road. Turn right onto Scotts Road. Walk down Scotts Road. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]