Kimpson's Table @ Far East Square - From Home-Based Delivery to Full-fledged Restaurant

Ten years after arriving in Singapore from Korea, Chef Patrick Kim is embarking on a new chapter with the opening of Kimpson’s Table at Far East Square. What started as a humble home-based delivery business has now evolved into Chef Kim’s first permanent restaurant, bringing his take on comforting Korean home-style cooking to the heart of the CBD. Drawing inspiration from the convivial atmosphere of traditional Korean eateries and the contemporary energy of Seoul’s Seongsu district, Kimpson’s Table centres on Hansang dining — a Korean tradition where rice, nourishing mains, and an assortment of freshly prepared banchan come together as a complete, satisfying meal. The menu is rooted in familiar Korean flavours, but what stood out to me was Chef Kim’s focus on dishes that are comforting, wholesome and made with plenty of care. Here are some of the dishes we tried.

Dak Kalguksu 4.2/5

One dish I enjoyed was the Dak Kalguksu ($15), which makes its debut at Kimpson’s Table. For those unfamiliar, Kalguksu is a traditional Korean noodle dish featuring hand-cut wheat noodles served in a comforting broth. Chef Kim describes it as the Korean cousin of Singapore’s ban mee, and I can see why. The noodles have that pleasant, chewy bite, while the warm chicken broth makes the dish especially comforting. The broth itself gives Dak Kalguksu more depth. It is made using the same signature chicken broth as Chef Kim’s Samgyetang, simmered for up to five hours with a combination of ingredients to extract a rich, savoury flavour. The noodles are served with shredded chicken and leeks, keeping the bowl relatively simple and letting the broth take centre stage. Despite its simplicity, it has a satisfying depth, with the tender chicken adding texture and substance to every mouthful. It is the sort of bowl that feels particularly comforting on a rainy day — warm, nourishing and uncomplicated.

Dak Bibim Kalguksu 4/5

If you prefer something with more punch, the Dak Bibim Kalguksu ($15) offers a dry and more intensely flavoured take on the dish. The same hand-cut wheat noodles are tossed in Chef Kim’s house-made sauce, which includes gochujang and a blend of other ingredients. The noodles are then topped with shredded chicken, cucumber and sesame seeds. Compared to the soup version, this has a much bolder personality. The sauce brings a savoury and mildly spicy kick, balanced by a touch of sweetness, while the fresh cucumber cuts through the richness and adds a refreshing crunch. The chewy noodles also work particularly well with the sauce, making this a satisfying option for those who enjoy their Korean food with a little more heat and flavour.

Samgyetang 4/5

The Samgyetang ($18) remains the signature dish at Kimpson’s Table and is the very dish that helped build Chef Kim’s following during his home-based days. The bowl comes with half a French chicken immersed in a nourishing broth simmered for up to five hours with ingredients such as red dates, garlic, and ginseng. The chicken is tender and falls easily from the bone, while the broth has a gentle herbal character without being overly heavy or medicinal. Despite the long cooking process and rich ingredients, it remains surprisingly light and easy to drink. Interestingly, this very broth also forms the foundation of the Dak Kalguksu, creating a nice connection between the two dishes. For me, Chef Kim’s Samgyetang appeals because of its simplicity. No excessive seasoning or embellishment, just tender chicken and a deeply flavoured broth that feels wholesome and comforting.

Boneless Fried Chicken 4.2/5

Of course, no Korean meal feels quite complete without fried chicken. Kimpson’s Table offers its Boneless Fried Chicken in four flavours — Original ($15), Yangnyeom ($16), Soy Garlic ($16) and the new Bburinkle Cheese ($17). We tried the Original and Soy Garlic flavours. The bite-sized boneless pieces are fried until golden and crisp on the outside, while staying juicy and tender inside. The Original lets the fried chicken itself take centre stage, with a light, savoury seasoning that makes it dangerously easy to keep reaching for another piece. The Soy Garlic, meanwhile, brings a more pronounced savoury sweetness, with the fragrant garlic complementing the crispy chicken nicely. For those who enjoy more adventurous Korean fried chicken flavours, the Bburinkle Cheese is also worth checking out. Meanwhile, the Yangnyeom should appeal to fans of the classic sweet-and-spicy Korean fried chicken combination.

Potato Pancake 4/5

The Potato Pancake ($12) is a simple but enjoyable addition to the table. Pan-fried to order, it comes with a crisp, golden exterior while retaining a softer, more tender centre. A pleasant potato sweetness peeks out from beneath the savoury crust, making it a good sharing dish alongside the other stronger-flavoured items.

Cheese Potato Pancake 4/5

For something a little more indulgent, the Cheese Potato Pancake ($14) takes the same potato pancake and adds a layer of cheesy richness. The crisp edges and soft potato interior work well with the melted cheese, giving the pancake a moreish quality without making it overly heavy. There is also a Kimchi Pancake ($12) available for those who prefer something with a tangier and more savoury kick. Freshly pan-fried to order, the trio of pancakes makes for easy sharing and rounds out the meal nicely.

What I enjoyed about Kimpson’s Table is that the food does not try too hard to reinvent Korean cuisine. Instead, Chef Patrick Kim focuses on familiar dishes that are comforting, nourishing and rooted in the flavours he grew up with. The introduction of Dak Kalguksu is particularly interesting, especially for diners who may not have tried this Korean staple before. Its broth, made from the same painstakingly prepared stock used for the signature Samgyetang, also gives the menu a sense of continuity. With its Hansang-inspired approach to dining, Kimpson’s Table feels suited for both casual meals and gatherings where dishes are shared around the table. From comforting bowls of noodles and Samgyetang to crispy fried chicken and freshly made pancakes, the menu offers a strong mix of hearty, approachable Korean favourites.

Note: This is an invited tasting.



Kimpson’s Table
Far East Square
134 Amoy Street
#01-01
Singapore 049963
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Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am - 3pm, 5:30pm - 9pm
Sat: 12pm - 7pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit B. Cross the road and walk to The Clan Hotel. Go around the corner of the hotel and walk to the lane behind. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]

Heartland by Enjoy @ Tampines - Introduces New Dishes With Familiar Flavours That Comes With Creative Twists

Tucked away in the heartlands, Heartland by Enjoy has expanded its menu with new dishes that blend familiar local flavours with modern café-style influences. From crispy sharing bites and fusion mee pok creations to hearty rice sets, comforting fish curry, and indulgent desserts, we dropped by to see whether these latest additions are worth the trip.

Block Party Mac & Cheese 2/5

New on the menu is the Block Party Mac & Cheese ($6.90), a fun little sharing dish made with breaded and deep-fried mac and cheese bites. They were nicely fried with a crisp exterior; however, we were expecting the centre to be much creamier and gooier. Instead, the filling was a little dry for our liking, so it unfortunately didn’t quite hit the spot for us.

Ultimate Garlic Mee Pok 3/5

Mee Pok Carbonara 2/5

Out of curiosity, we tried both fusion mee pok dishes on the menu. The Ultimate Garlic Mee Pok ($15.90) comes with smoked duck and has a pleasant garlicky aroma, though we were hoping for a bolder garlic flavour. The Mee Pok Carbonara ($14.90), on the other hand, is topped with an egg that adds richness and creaminess, giving it a flavour profile closer to an authentic carbonara.

While both dishes offer an interesting fusion twist, we found the mee pok a little too soft, with the alkaline taste coming through more than we’d like. Cooking the noodles to a firmer, more al dente texture would greatly improve the overall experience.

Ayam Gepuk Berempah Set 4/5

Another new addition is the Ayam Gepuk Berempah Set ($13.90), which we found to be really good value for money. The set comes with BBQ chicken thigh, fragrant coconut rice, a fried egg, peanuts, ikan bilis and three different sauces on the side.

Our chicken portion was a little dry that evening, although we were assured this is not usually the case. We really enjoyed the rice. It had a lovely coconut fragrance, and the use of basmati rice kept every grain nicely separated instead of clumping together. A hearty and satisfying option for the price.

Kampung Barra Fish Curry 4/5

One of our favourite dishes from the evening was the Kampung Barra Fish Curry ($27.90). A whole piece of barramundi fillet is used, which means you get to enjoy the fish without having to deal with bones. The curry was rich and comforting, with a nice balance between sweetness and spice without being overly heavy. It also comes with tofu, tofu puffs and vegetables that soak up the curry beautifully. We also liked the crispy tofu skin served separately on the side. It added a nice crunchy contrast and was especially good dipped into the curry.

Drinks 4/5

We tried three drinks — the Coconut Smoothie ($7.90), Avocado Gula Melaka Smoothie ($7.90) and Coconut Coffee Ice Blend ($7.90). All three were enjoyable, with rich flavours and just the right amount of sweetness. A refreshing option which made them easy to drink alongside the heavier dishes.

Sago Gula Melaka 5/5

The Real Chendol 5/5

We ended our meal with two desserts — the Sago Gula Melaka ($5.90), which is new to the menu, and The Real Chendol ($6.90). Both were excellent and easily our favourite sweet treats of the evening. The standout was undoubtedly the gula melaka, which was rich, fragrant and tasted authentic without being overly sweet. These are definitely worth saving some room for.

Heartland by Enjoy’s newest menu offerings are a mix of hits and misses, but there are certainly dishes worth returning for, like the Kampung Barra Fish Curry and desserts.

The restaurant itself has a cosy neighbourhood charm, although the dining area is quite compact with tables placed close together. It also gets very busy during peak meal hours, so be prepared for a short wait if you’re dropping by. Overall, it’s a worthwhile spot for comforting local flavours, especially if you’re in the area and looking to try something new.

Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Heartland by Enjoy
Blk 481 Tampines Street 44
#01-267
Singapore 520481
Tel: +65 87766757
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Nearest MRT: Tampines East (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 10:30am - 12midnight

Direction:
1) Alight at Tampines East MRT station. Take Exit A. Cut across the HDB blocks and walk to Tampines Street 42. Cross the road and walk down Tampines Street 44. Walk to the destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]