ilmiri @ Circular Road - Bringing Its Signature Jjimdak to Singapore

ilmiri, a renowned F&B brand in Korea, opened its first outlet in Singapore on Circular Road. Established in 2011, ilmiri is known as the leading chicken cuisine brand in Korea, with more than 200 franchise stores in the country.

Cloud Cheese Jjimdak 4.5/5

The dish that Ilmiri is known for is its Jjimdak - a hearty braised chicken dish that is well-loved by many Koreans and seen in many popular K-dramas. They are available in Soy Sauce, Red Chilli, BBQ and Truffle Jjiajang sauce. We tried the best-selling Cloud Cheese Jjimdak ($41.90), available in Soy Sauce or Red Chilli.

This modern rendition comes loaded with braised chicken, accompanied by a medley of rice cakes, potatoes, and glass noodles, along with Korean dumplings, which are hidden like bundles of treasures, all covered with melted Mozzarella cheese. There's a lot to like about this hearty dish, from the tender chicken to the juicy Korean dumplings, chewy rice cakes, and the well-caramelised leeks and onions. The melted cheese added to the fun of having it with friends and family.

Seaweed Sunny Side-up Bibim Rice

It can be a tad saltish to have it on its own. Hence, it is recommended that you pair it with Seaweed Sunny Side-up Bibim Rice.

Tofu Stew 3/5

To complement our Jjimdak, we had a simple Soybean Paste Tofu Stew with beef. While the portion was relatively small, it was generously loaded with onions and zucchini, which added a delightful touch of sweetness to the stew.

Photos and words by Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


ilmiri
25/26 Circular Road
Singapore 049381
Tel: +65 8468 8566
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Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 11pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles MRT station. Take Exit G. Walk straight to Circular Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Ureshii @ The Arts House - A Korean-Japanese Fusion Culinary Haven at the Old Parliament House

Embarking on a culinary journey that defies convention, Ureshii, the brainchild of Chef Jung from Tanoshii, presents a fusion of Korean, Japanese, and European influences. Situated at the venerable Old Parliament House, facing the picturesque Padang, Ureshii beckons with promises of a unique gastronomic adventure. Beyond its captivating dishes, the restaurant's exquisite interior weaves a sense of classic elegance with a hint of enigmatic charm.

Ureshii Kimchi Salad 4.2/5

Setting sail into our culinary voyage, we indulged in the Ureshii Kimchi Salad ($13), a refreshing starter that marries the zest of kimchi dressing with the sweetness of pear, cherry tomatoes, and capsicum. This delightful overture awakened our taste buds, paving the way for the symphony of flavours that followed.

Gujeolpan 3/5

The Gujeolpan ($38) was a majestic offering from Joseon court cuisine. Arriving in an octagon box, it showcased a harmonious assembly of nine ingredients, including meat and vegetables. To enjoy, we orchestrated our own wrap, skillfully combining a thinly fried pancake with various ingredients. This dish not only tantalized the palate but also encouraged shared moments at the table.

Monkfish Fillet Karaage 4/5

A symphony of flavours was furthered with the Monkfish Fillet Karaage ($18), an ideal companion to Ureshii's expansive sake collection and curated wines. The deep-fried Anglerfish from Jeju Island boasted a moist interior and a delicate crunch, beautifully complemented by Ureshii's tartare sauce.

Yook-hoe 5/5

A stand-out among the dishes was the Yook-hoe ($38). It is a work of art, both visually and gastronomically. The Korean beef tartare, toasted in aromatic sesame oil, danced with the sweetness of pear and the added dimension of a rice cracker. This dish was a true testament to Ureshii's fusion mastery.

Gochoojang Galbi Kimchi Taco 3.5/5

With the Gochoojang Galbi Kimchi Taco ($18 for 2pc), Ureshii seamlessly merged Mexican and Korean flavours. The generous taco is wrapped with stir-fried short ribs and kimchi, resulting in a bold and robust combination.

Osaka Okonomiyaki 4.2/5

The Osaka Okonomiyaki ($28) transported us to the streets of Osaka, its savoury pancake showcasing an ensemble of octopus, scallops, shrimp, cabbage, and egg. This dish was a symphony of textures and flavours topped with katsuobushi and a special okonomiyaki sauce.

Octopus Steak 4.2/5

From the ocean realm, the Octopus Steak ($48) shone with its perfect texture, lightly grilled for a hint of smokiness. Served with truffle mashed potatoes, romesco sauce, chickpeas, and stir-fried kimchi, this dish epitomized Ureshii's fusion philosophy.

Ureshii Tteok-Galbi 4.5/5

Gochoojang Galbi Yakiniku 4.5/5

The parade of culinary marvels continued with the Ureshii Tteok-Galbi ($38), featuring prime-grade minced beef ribs marinated in a special soy sauce and grilled to perfection. The Gochoojang Galbi Yakiniku ($38) followed suit, grilling prime-grade ribs with Ureshii's signature gochujang seasoning.

Ureshii Bibimbap 3.8/5

Adzuki Bingsoo 4/5

The Ureshii Bibimbap ($28) captured the heart of Korean cuisine with its array of vegetables and beef, served with gochujang sauce. Wrapping up our culinary escapade, we savoured the Adzuki Bingsoo, a delightful treat of shaved ice topped with sweet red beans and chewy mochi.

Garlic Butter & Cream Cheese Bread 4.5/5

Surprising us all, the Garlic Butter & Cream Cheese Bread emerged as a dessert revelation. This toasted bun, adorned with a luscious blend of garlic butter and cream cheese, was a divine conclusion to a mesmerizing dining experience.

In essence, Ureshii stands as a testament to culinary ingenuity, weaving a tapestry of diverse influences into a harmonious whole. Beyond its exceptional dishes, the restaurant's timeless ambience is an invitation to explore, and savour flavours that bridge continents and cultures. Ureshii is a celebration of the culinary arts in their truest and most imaginative form, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking an unforgettable fusion feast.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Ureshii
The Arts House
1 Old Parliament Lane
#01-02
Singapore 179429
Tel: +65 63224054
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Nearest MRT: Raffles Place (EW, NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Sun: 1150am - 230pm, 6pm - 1030pm (Closed on Mon)

Direction:
1) Alight at Raffles MRT station. Take Exit H. Walk towards the riverbank. Cross the bridge and walk to Empress Place road. Walk down Empress Place road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Dosirak @ Suntec City - Popular Korean Shake Bibimbap Opens New Outlet At Suntec City

Dosirak, fast-healthy Korean food restaurant in Singapore recently opened its third outlet at Suntec City. Reinventing traditional Korean food for modern consumers as a fast, convenient and inclusive alternative, they offer bibimbap in fun tubs with a myriad of fresh ingredients and flavours for shaking, as well as tteokbokki to complete the Korean dining experience.

Next, pick 5 sides from the array of vegetables on display, such as the cucumber, purple cabbage, spinach and bean sprouts, followed by a base (5-grain rice, buckwheat noodle and cauliflower rice). Opt for an add-on (mushroom or onsen egg).

To amp up the flavours of your bibimbap, choose from 3 of their homemade sauces such as the umami Soy Garlic Jang, spicy Omma’s Gochujang and the sweet and tangy Apple Cider Gochujang. Add in the sauce, close the lid, and give the bibimbap a good shake, until all the ingredients are nicely mixed together.

Soy Sesame Chicken Bibimbap Bowl

Beef Bulgogi Bibimbap Bowl

I tried the Soy Sesame Chicken Bibimbap Bowl and the Beef Bulgogi Bibimbap Bowl. While the flavoursome sauces gave the bowls an uplift of flavours, the meats took the limelight, well-executed with its sous-vide method of preparation, which rendered the meat tender, while retaining its moisture and juiciness.

Classic Spicy Tteokbokki

Apart from their signature bibimbaps, they also serve Tteokbokki. Choose from the Classic Spicy Tteokbokki, and their new Creamy Truffle Tteokbokki, which is exclusively available at their Suntec outlet. A modern take on tteokbokki - the truffle cream sauce was thick and creamy, with a subtle truffle aroma. Further drizzled with a truffle-infused oil to enhance the flavours of the soft, chewy rice cakes.

Creamy Truffle Tteokbokki

Photos and words by Crystal. A girl who likes to eat, photograph, and write about food and dreams about travelling around the world one day. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Dosirak
Suntec City
3 Temasek Boulevard
#B1-170
Singapore 038983
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Nearest MRT: Promenade (CC Line, DT Line), Esplanade (CC Line)

Operating Hours:
Daily: 10am - 10pm

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

2) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit A. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Sky 22 @ Courtyard By Marriott Singapore Novena - Flavours Of Korea Buffet

For a limited period from 15 March to 28 April 2019, Sky22 at Courtyard By Marriott Singapore Novena will be offering the Flavours of Korea buffet during the weekends. The Korean themed buffed is specially curated by their new South Korea Chef Hwang In Yong (Ian) and Executive Chef John Chye. Guests will be in for a feast of Korean classics as well as popular Korean street foods.

Cabbage Kimchi

Not to be missed is the housemade Cabbage Kimchi, they are so good. It has the right balance of sourish and spiciness on top of the crunchy texture. I was hoping that I can buy some of these to take home.

Spicy Seafood Tofu Soup 3/5

While my group of diners love the Spicy Seafood Tofu Soup, I have different view. The flavour is there but I felt that it lacked the heat to match its description. I really hope it can be spicier.

Braised Short Ribs 4/5

The Braised Short Ribs on the other hand was spot on. They were well infused in the sweet sauce with fall of the bone meat. A very delightful dish to go with some steamed rice.

Kimchi Fried Rice 3/5

Unfortunately I could not taste the robustness of kimchi in the Kimchi Fried Rice. The chef definitely need to improve on the dish or it will be passed off as normal fried rice.

Braised Kimchi Pork 3.5/5

Contradicting to the kimchi fried rice, the Braised Kimchi Pork Ribs came across more flavourful with the distinct kimchi flavour. As for the braised pork, it can be more tender.

Sweet and Spicy Deep Fried Chicken Cube 4/5

I actually enjoyed snacking the Sweet and Spicy Deep Fried Chicken Cube. The chicken pieces are well coated with the sticky sweet and spicy sauce, fragrant with sesame seeds. Some of the diners felt that it is a bit dry but I actually like the slightly tough texture for that bite to chew on.

Bibimbap 4.2/5

Diners at the Korean themed buffet can also have a little fun creating their own Bibimbap at the DIY  Bibim Bar. Have some fun putting the bibimbap together. The food will always taste better when you make it yourself.

Vegetable Pancake 3.5/5

I find the Vegetable Pancake will be subjective to individual liking. If you are not into greens than you will not like it. As for me I like the fact that there was not a lot of batter on the pancake, allowing me to appreciate the greens.

Korean Sweet Pancake 4/5

Complete the feast on a sweet note with Korean desserts such as Rice Cakes, Chestnut Balls and Sweet Pancakes. For the buffet spread, on top of the Korean delights, there are also a myriad of seafood from the steam & grill seafood bar to complement the spread.

Flavours Of Korea
Date: 15 March to 28 April 2019
Time: 12pm - 230pm (Sat-Sun, except Easter), 6pm - 10pm (Fri-Sat)
Price: $56++ adult, $28++ child (6 to 12 years old)
- Add $28++ per pax for free flow house pour red & white wine, prosecco, soft drinks.
- Add $12+ per pax for free flow soft drinks and juices.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Sky 22
Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena
Level 22
99 Irrawaddy Road
Singapore 329568
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Nearest MRT: Novena (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily:
630am - 1030am (breakfast)
12pm - 230pm (lunch)
3pm - 5pm (Tea)
6pm - 10pm (Dinner)

Direction: 
1) Alight at Novena MRT station. Take A or B. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

K-Tower @ Amoy Street - 9-Tier Of Fresh Seafood Straight From The Tank

K-Tower is a new seafood tower restaurant has opened at Amoy Street offering 3, 5, 7 and 9 tier tower using fresh seafood directly from the tank. While the restaurant's name may seems familiar to another similar concept at Prinsep Street, there is no association between the two restaurants.

9-Tier Seafood Tower 4.2/5

We tried the 9-Tier Seafood Tower ($298) which consists of Prawn, Scallop, Oyster, Shellfish, Fish, Sea Cucumber, Crab, Lobster, Abalone (addition of $90) with kimchi soup base (addition of $10). Other soup base available are seafood, army stew and ginseng chicken. Among the different tiers of seafood, I like the prawn, crab, clam, abalone and sea cucumber.

After finishing all 9 tier of seafood, you can choose to add on a la carte ingredients to enjoy the pot of gold at the bottom of the seafood tower which has collected all the seafood essences that have dripped down from above. For ease, we opted for the K-Tower Platter ($9.90).

The K-Tower Platter consists of Sea Urchin Ball, Fish Tofu with Cheese, Salmon Ball with Cheese, Squid Ink Ball, Fish Ball with Roe, Beancurd Skin, Golden Mushrooms, Maggie Mee. After all the seafood, it is a good chance for something spicy, soupy and comforting.

K-Tower Fried Chicken Wings 4/5

Besides the seafood tower, K-Tower has an eclectic menu offering popular Korean dishes. While waiting for the seafood tower to be served why not ordered the K-Tower Fried Chicken Wings ($7.90) to start with to layer the stomach first. The crispy chicken wings with the coat of sweet and spicy sauce is pretty enjoyable.

Seafood Pancake 3/5

Good for sharing is the Seafood Pancake ($14.90). I personally do not like the version at K-Tower. It is not the authentic type which has too much flour for my liking. It reminded me of the texture of prawn fritter or oyster fritter.

Ginseng Chicken Soup 3/5

Not into the seafood tower or you just want to grab simple meal, there is the Ginseng Chicken Soup ($17.90). While I could taste the bittersweet flavour of the ginseng in the soup, it was unfortunately on the salty side. The chicken was perfect cooked to a moist texture but I was disappointed that it was not stuffed with glutinous rice.

Shake Shake Rice Box 4/5

Served in a rectangular tin is the Shake Shake Rice Box ($9.90) which is a twist to the Korean bibimbap. Give the nostalgic childhood lunch box in South Korea a good shake to mix all the ingredients up for consumption. I thought the sauce was a bit on the sweet side but this is really enjoyable. The only let down for me is its missing the crispy burnt rice, unlike bibimbap served in hot stone.

Trilogy Rice Cake with Honey 4.2/5

For a sweet ending, a must try is the Trilogy Rice Cake with Honey ($5.90 per stick). The different colours are cheese, pumpkin and sweet potato. The chewy texture with a slight coat of crispiness on the exterior, glazed with honey for a sweet finishing.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


[CLOSED]
K-Tower
74 Amoy Street
Singapore 069893
Tel: +65 62219928
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Nearest MRT: Tanjong Pagar (EW Line), Telok Ayer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1130am - 230pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Tanjong Pagar MRT station. Take Exit G. Follow the covered walkway to the junction of Mccallum Street, Telok Ayer and Amoy Street. Turn left at the junction onto Amoy Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk down Cross Street towards Amoy Street. Turn left onto Amoy Street. Walk to destination. Journey time about 12 minutes. [Map]

Emporium Shokuhin @ Marina Square Shopping Mall

Emporium Shokuhin, at Level 1 of the new lifestyle & dining wing of Marina Square, is the first Japanese emporium in Singapore. With a sheer size of 34,000 sq ft space, it houses a Japanese gourmet grocer with live seafood market, Beef dry-aging facility and 8 dining concepts. The dining concepts range from mid-range to high-end Japanese Dining, catering to both the prestige and the mass.

The On-site beef dry-aging facility, being the first customised facility in Singapore that ages beef onsite for retail, stands out like a showpiece. Even if high-end restaurants do offer, they only do it in house for their diners, not retail purposes. With all the flavours and moisture sealed and packed across a period of weeks, it’s no surprise that orders are already coming in from the consumers.

Adjacent is the Live seafood market. With 22 specially-designed seawater tanks, it is able to provide 20 types of live fish & shell fish, and up to 10 live oyster varietals from countries like France, USA & Canada which available for on-the-spot consumption or shucked and packed for takeaway.

If you are keen to test the freshness and quality of their items, you can choose from the 8 different dining concepts. Be it high-end or mid-range, they use ingredients and food items sourced for and brought in exclusively by Emporium Shokuhin.

1. SENMI SUSHI
This mid range sushi bar that offers fresh sushi and sashimi at a very competitive pricing. The recommended dishes are Giant Chirashi ($34), which has eight kinds of seafood such as salmon and maguro, as well as their California-style maki.

2. BUROSU HONTEN
The 60-seat restaurant's signature item is its Ultimate Ramen ($17.80), where the soup is a blend of tonkotsupork bone broth and broth made from simmering crab and prawn shells for hours. Noodles used are the straight Hakata-style ramen. This place is great for solo diners as ramen is served from behind a screen, as what you will find in Japan.

3. UMI + VINO
For special occasions, 70-seat seafood and wine bar allows you to try their freshly shucked oysters (what you have seen at the emporium) or seafood platters along with fine wines and sake. The signature Umipremium seafood platter (for two to three people, above) costs $118 and includes Boston lobster, dungeness crab, oysters, mussels, prawns and clams. The seafood can also be cooked a la plancha-on a hot grill.

4. TSUKERU
The smell that diffused from this shabu shabu outlet sent me salivating. You get to indulge in your own hotpot of soul warming soup, with choices between local-style soup bases such as tom yum, bakkuttehand tomato, or Japanese ones such as konbushoyu, miso and tonkotsu.

5. GYUU+
This 106-seat grill-restaurant specialises in premium meats and dry-aged beef. Do not miss the premium Miyazaki A5 beef slices, priced between $18 and $38 for 100g, depending on the cut. We were lucky enough to try this out today.

6. TAKUJO
A high end restaurant that serves a range of premium sashimi, as well as omakase meals (from $138 a person). Their Sashimi Tairyo (for six people at $360) includes tuna belly, amberjack (kanpachi), prawn and flounder. You can also pick seafood from the seafood trolley, which will showcase the freshest catch such as Alaskan King Crab and oysters. For such a premium pricing, however, I would prefer to dine at a place that is more private and conducive.

7. KOHI-KOJI
A Japanese bakery-café that welcomes you as you enter. They have a small selection of salads (from $5.80) and sandwiches (from $8.80) is available for takeaway. The baking is done off-site in a kitchen next to it, which explains the lack of aroma in the place. I feel it needs a bit of the usual bakery aroma to make this place more enticing.

8. READY-TO-EAT
The ready-to-eat section has takeaway meals such as bentos, salads and sushi platters -priced between $5 and $10.

As mentioned, we got the chance to review Gyuu+, where we get to try their award-winning Miyazaki beef along with other premium meat cuts. I learnt that for the past 10 years, Miyazaki has produced the highest quality beef in Japan, even higher than Kobe. That explains the incredible texture of both A5 Miyazaki Jo Karubi ($38++) Yakiniku Cut and A5 Miyazaki Zabuton ($38++) Thin Slice. I prefer the Yakiniku style to the thin cut version for its bouncier texture, and I love how its delicate beefy flavour developed and spread in my mouth gradually.

After trying A5 Miyazaki, the rest became more like a substitute. However, to be fair, the rest of the meats are of good grades as well. The USDA Prime Ribeye ($28++) is great for diners who are looking for something meatier, but still having that melt-in-your-mouth experience. Beef Yukae ($18++) is also a testament of their quality. Considering that it is beef, both the texture and taste were amazingly light and subtle. Not too bad for my first time raw beef experience.

For non-beef diners, not to worry. Their pork, seafood and even vegetables are just as worth trying. Their Pork Belly ($15++) and Prawns ($13++) are pretty safe bet. To balance your meal, I would recommend having some of their juicy Eringi Mushroom ($7++).

Ishiyaki Bimbimbap ($16++) is a decent dish if you want to have some carbs. However, it is not a dish that I would go for if I want taste the real flavour and quality of the beef.

With the emporium right outside the restaurants, marketing will be the next best thing to do after a full meal. Most of you may be more familiar with products from places like Tokyo, Hokkaido, Sapporo etc, those commonly found in supermarkets. However, Emporium Shokuhin brings in Ehime prefecture’s specialties instead of the usual ones. Hence do remember to keep an eye out for it when you come by here for some decadent food and snacks!

Photograph and Written By Si An. A girl who is allured by travelling, loves the feel of freedom, smell of the rain and the aroma of fine coffee and food.


Emporium Shokuhin
Marina Square Shopping Mall
6 Raffles Boulevard
#01-18
Singapore 039594
Tel: +65 62243433
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Nearest MRT: Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 830am - 9pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take exit B. Walk to Marina Square via Marina Square Link. Walk to the destination. Journey time about 8 mins. [Map]