Sansok Korean Grill & Hansang @ Hougang Mall - Netflix Culinary Class Wars Chef Yohan Min Brings Korean Home Cooking to the Heartlands

A new Korean dining concept has opened at Hougang Mall, bringing the comforting flavours of traditional Korean home cooking to the heartlands. Sansok, by Chef Yohan Min, who appeared on Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars Season 1, introduces Han-sang — a complete Korean meal comprising rice, soup, banchan, and a main dish.

Rooted in the meals Chef Min grew up with, Sansok draws inspiration from his mother’s home cooking and the rich tradition of Korean side dishes. Throughout his culinary journey, Chef Min has developed more than 1,000 banchan recipes, bringing his experience and appreciation for Korean food culture to an approachable restaurant designed for everyday dining.

At Sansok, the focus is on charcoal-grilled meats and fish, prepared over high heat to develop a smoky char while retaining their natural juices. These are served alongside comforting soups, sotbap rice and a free-flow banchan bar featuring a curated selection of Korean side dishes. With Han-sang sets starting from $15.90, diners can enjoy a complete Korean meal without breaking the bank.

Spicy Braised Mackerel Stew 4.5/5

One of my favourites was the Spicy Braised Mackerel Stew ($18.90), a hearty dish featuring thick chunks of mackerel and white radish simmered in a rich, fiery-red broth made with gochujang and gochugaru. Despite its vibrant colour, the stew delivers balanced heat that warms rather than overwhelms. The mackerel’s natural oils meld into the broth, giving it a deep savoury flavour with subtle sweetness. The fish remains firm and moist, with a clean taste that pairs well with the robust sauce. The white radish is another highlight, braised until soft and thoroughly infused with the spicy broth. It soaks up the flavours beautifully, making it just as enjoyable as the fish itself. Be mindful of the bones when tucking into the mackerel. Served as a Han-sang set with sotbap rice and six varieties of banchan, this is a satisfying choice for those who enjoy bold, comforting Korean flavours. The rice is particularly useful for soaking up the delicious broth, making every mouthful count.

Salt-Cured Mackerel 4.2/5

For those who prefer their fish with fewer distractions, the Salt-Cured Mackerel ($21.90) showcases Sansok’s charcoal-grilling technique. The whole mackerel is prepared à la minute over premium binchotan charcoal, and diners can watch the chefs at work in the open kitchen. The live-fire cooking gives the fish a smoky aroma and lightly charred exterior, while the flesh within remains moist and flaky. Mackerel is naturally an oily fish, and the charcoal heat helps render its fat, concentrating its savoury flavours without drying out the meat. The salt curing further enhances its natural umami, creating a clean, briny taste that needs little embellishment. The contrast between the smoky skin and tender flesh makes this a straightforward but satisfying dish. Paired with rice, soup and banchan, it is a good option for diners who appreciate the natural flavours of well-prepared fish.

Tteokgalbi & King Oyster Mushroom 4/5

The Tteokgalbi & King Oyster Mushroom ($18.90) brings a traditional Korean beef preparation to the charcoal grill. Unlike a conventional hamburger steak, tteokgalbi is made from minced beef, traditionally shaped into patties and seasoned with a sweet-savoury mixture of soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil and fruit. The patties are grilled over binchotan charcoal, developing a caramelised exterior with a distinct smoky aroma. The beef has a tender yet slightly chewy texture, while the marinade lends a gentle sweetness that complements its savouriness. The charcoal grilling adds another layer of flavour, keeping the patties from tasting overly sweet.

Grilled alongside the beef are king oyster mushrooms, which contribute an earthy aroma and a firm, meaty bite. Their natural flavours work well with the smoky beef, making this a balanced combination for those who enjoy both meat and vegetables in their meal.

Spicy Jeyuk Pork 4.2/5

Pork lovers can opt for the Spicy Jeyuk Pork ($16.90), featuring thinly sliced pork shoulder coated in a gochujang-based marinade with garlic and other aromatics. The pork is first cooked with the spicy seasoning, then finished over premium binchotan charcoal. This two-stage preparation lets the marinade cling to the meat, while the final grilling adds smoky notes and caramelisation to the edges. The result is pork that is savoury, tender and full of flavour, with a pleasant contrast between the spicy marinade and the charred edges. Although the sauce has a vibrant red hue, the heat is relatively gentle, delivering a warming kick rather than an overpowering burn. The pork’s sweet-savoury seasoning makes it especially enjoyable with a spoonful of sotbap rice. For those who like Korean grilled meats with a little spice, this is a dependable choice that delivers plenty of flavour in a familiar, comforting format.

Smoked Beef Bulgogi 4/5

A familiar Korean favourite gets a charcoal-grilled treatment in the Smoked Beef Bulgogi ($18.90). Traditionally, bulgogi is prepared by marinating thin slices of beef in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, garlic and other seasonings before cooking them on a pan or hotplate. At Sansok, the beef is grilled directly over binchotan charcoal, adding a pronounced smokiness that deepens the classic sweet-savoury profile. The direct heat caramelises the edges of the thinly sliced beef, adding a lightly charred flavour that complements the marinade’s sweetness. The beef remains tender, while the smoky notes help balance the richer, sweeter seasoning. That said, the dish retains the familiar sweet undertone associated with traditional bulgogi, making it an approachable option for those who prefer milder Korean flavours. It may not suit diners seeking a particularly savoury or spicy profile, but it offers a comforting take on a well-loved staple.

Sansok brings a thoughtful take on Korean home cooking to Hougang Mall, with its Han-sang sets offering a complete meal of charcoal-grilled proteins, sotbap rice, soup, and banchan. Rather than focusing solely on grilled meats, the concept embraces the balance and variety that define a traditional Korean dining table. With sets starting at $15.90, Sansok offers an accessible way to enjoy a more complete Korean meal without visiting a specialist Korean barbecue restaurant. The free-flow banchan bar adds to the appeal, allowing diners to round out their meals with a variety of Korean side dishes.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Sansok
Hougang Mall
90 Hougang Ave 10
#03-09A
Singapore 538766
Tel: +65 8980 3520
Instagram
Nearest MRT: Hougang (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Hougang MRT Station. Take Exit B. Walk to the destination. Journey time is about 3 minutes. [Map]

Les Bouchons @ Rochester Park - Is the $68++ Unlimited Feast Worth It?

I haven't been back to Les Bouchons at Rochester Park in quite a while, so it was nice to revisit this French steakhouse tucked away in a charming heritage setting. While Les Bouchons has several outlets around Singapore, the Rochester Park outlet remains my favourite for its unique ambience. Housed in a 1940s two-storey black-and-white bungalow and surrounded by lush greenery, it offers a dining experience that feels a world away from the city's hustle and bustle.

One of the main reasons for my return was its Unlimited $68++ Promotion, which lets diners enjoy free-flow grilled meats, fries, and selected sides. Available daily for both lunch and dinner, this promotion is exclusive to the Rochester Park outlet and looks like an attractive proposition for meat lovers looking to indulge in a French steakhouse feast.

However, there is a little catch. While the promotion is unlimited, the selection is restricted to Grilled Australian Wagyu Onglet MS4/5, BBQ Half Spatchcock Chicken, Homemade Agria Potatoes French Fries, Mushroom Soup with Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Homemade BBQ Sauce and Mesclun Salad. Although the food quality is commendable, I would have appreciated more variety in beef cuts or additional grilled meat options to make the experience more exciting.

Grilled Australian Wagyu Onglet MS4/5, 4.2/5

The highlight of the unlimited feast was the Grilled Australian Wagyu Onglet MS4/5. Also known as hanger steak, the onglet is a butcher's cut prized for its robust, beefy flavour and satisfying texture. The Australian Wagyu, with its marbling score of 4/5, offered a good balance of richness without being overly fatty.

Grilled to develop a beautiful char on the exterior, the beef was tender and juicy, with a deep, beefy flavour that came through in every bite. I enjoyed the contrast between the lightly smoky, caramelised surface and the succulent meat within. For those who appreciate a good steak with plenty of character, this was a satisfying choice, especially considering that it is included in the unlimited promotion.

BBQ Half Spatchcock Chicken 4.2/5

The BBQ Half Spatchcock Chicken was another worthy addition to the feast. Flattened before grilling, the chicken developed a nicely charred exterior while retaining its natural juices. The skin carried a smoky aroma, while the meat remained succulent and flavourful.

Paired with the homemade BBQ sauce, the chicken had a pleasant balance of savoury and smoky flavours, with a touch of sweetness from the sauce. It also offered a welcome alternative to the beef, though I would have liked more grilled meat options to round out the selection.

Mushroom Soup with Extra Virgin Oil 4.5/5

Among the sides, the Mushroom Soup stood out and earned the highest rating of the unlimited selection. Rich, earthy, and comforting, the soup had a velvety consistency, with the deep, savoury flavours of mushrooms coming through beautifully. A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil added a fragrant finish, lending a subtle fruity note that complemented the earthiness of the mushrooms. It was a comforting start to the meal and something I would happily return to, even outside the unlimited promotion.

Mesclun Salad 4/5

The Mesclun Salad offered a refreshing contrast to the heavier grilled meats. A mix of tender baby greens was tossed in a tangy vinaigrette, delivering a light, crisp bite that helped cut through the richness of the beef and chicken. Simple but effective, it served its purpose as a palate cleanser and added some freshness to an otherwise meat-centric meal.

Homemade Agria Potatoes French Fries 4.2/5

No steakhouse feast would be complete without a serving of fries, and the Homemade Agria Potatoes French Fries did not disappoint. Made with Agria potatoes, known for their suitability for frying, the fries came with a golden exterior and a satisfying crunch. The insides were fluffy and light, creating a pleasing textural contrast. They were enjoyable on their own or dipped into the homemade BBQ sauce, and having them available for free-flow made it easy to keep the sides coming throughout the meal.

Homemade Foie Gras Terrine 4/5

Beyond the unlimited promotion, I also ordered a few items from the à la carte menu, starting with the Homemade Foie Gras Terrine ($28). The terrine offered the rich, buttery character expected of foie gras, with a smooth, indulgent texture that melted pleasantly on the palate. It was served with onion chutney and toasted bread, which provided a welcome contrast to the richness of the duck liver. The chutney's sweetness balanced the foie gras, while the toasted bread added crunch and made each bite more enjoyable. It was a decadent appetiser that brought a touch of classic French indulgence to the meal.

Classic French Onion Soup 5/5

Another highlight was the Classic French Onion Soup ($20), served with a crouton generously topped with melted Emmental cheese. The soup had a deeply savoury broth enriched with the sweetness of slowly caramelised onions. The long cooking process allowed the onions to develop a mellow, concentrated flavour that blended beautifully with the beef stock. Each spoonful was comforting and full-bodied without losing the natural sweetness of the onions. The cheesy crouton was the finishing touch. The Emmental cheese was melted until gooey and golden, adding a nutty flavour and creamy texture to the dish. Breaking through the cheesy topping to reach the steaming broth beneath was particularly satisfying. This classic French bistro staple was executed well and was one of my favourite dishes of the meal.

Creme Brulee 4.2/5

For dessert, I had the Crème Brûlée ($15), a timeless French classic featuring silky baked custard beneath a layer of caramelised sugar. The highlight was the crisp sugar crust, which cracked satisfyingly under the spoon to reveal the smooth, creamy custard beneath. The custard had a rich vanilla flavour, while a subtle citrus note added brightness and helped balance the sweetness of the caramelised topping. It was a comforting and well-executed dessert that stayed true to the appeal of this classic French favourite.

Signature Homemade Traditional Tiramisu 4.2/5

The Signature Homemade Traditional Tiramisu ($15) rounded off the meal on a sweet note. Made with espresso and Amaretto-soaked ladyfingers layered with whipped mascarpone, it offered a lovely combination of coffee, cream and subtle almond notes. The mascarpone was smooth and airy, giving the dessert a light, cloud-like texture despite its richness. The espresso brought a pleasant bitterness that balanced the creamy layers, while the Amaretto added a gentle aromatic sweetness. It was a familiar and comforting rendition of the Italian classic, making it a pleasant way to end the meal.

Les Bouchons Rochester Park remains a charming destination for French steakhouse dining, with its heritage black-and-white bungalow and lush surroundings adding plenty of character to the experience. The Unlimited $68++ Promotion offers good value for diners who enjoy grilled beef, chicken, and classic sides, especially with the option to return for more of the included items. That said, the limited selection does take away some of the excitement of an unlimited feast. While the Grilled Australian Wagyu Onglet and BBQ Half Spatchcock Chicken were both enjoyable, I would have liked to see more beef cuts or other grilled meats on offer.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Les Bouchons Rochester
10 Rochester Park
Rochester Commons
Singapore 139221
Tel: +65 69048972
Facebook
Instagram
Website
Nearest MRT: Buona Vista (CC, EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Thu: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 10pm
Fri: 12pm - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sat: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 1030pm
Sun: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Buona Vista MRT station. Take Exit C. Take the sheltered walkway and walk towards Star Vista. Turn left onto Rochester Drive. Walk to the traffic junction of Rochester Drive and Vista Exchange Green. Turn right onto Vista Exchange Green. Walk down Vista Exchange Green and walk to the destination. Journey time is about 6 minutes. [Map]