Showing posts with label Buckwheat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Buckwheat. Show all posts

Monday, April 21, 2025

Beok Private Dining - Natural Flavors Through Korean Contemporary Cuisine

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Singapore's private dining scene continues to thrive with inventive concepts, and one of the rising stars is Beok Private Dining. Launched in May 2023, Beok offers a unique perspective on contemporary Korean cuisine, infusing traditional elements with modern interpretations in a refined, intimate setting. I finally had the chance to pen down my experience from a visit sometime back when I indulged in their carefully curated Autumn menu.

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Makgeolli Bread with Smoked Purple Sweet Potato Butter 4.2/5

The evening began on a promising note with Makgeolli Bread and Smoked Purple Sweet Potato Butter. The bread, soft with a pleasant chew and gentle rice fragrance from the makgeolli, was beautifully elevated by the subtly sweet and smoky butter. It was a warm, comforting introduction to the meal.

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Salt-grilled Prawn 4/5 and Bingtteok 4.2/5

Next came a duo of small bites – the Salt-grilled Prawn and Bingtteok. The prawn was fresh and plump, paired with a Fuji apple and lime chojang jelly that delivered a bright medley of acidity and sweetness, teasing the palate with layers of texture. The Bingtteok, a buckwheat pancake topped with kombu and finely shredded white radish, was a lovely surprise. Earthy and umami-rich with a gentle bite, it played beautifully between savoury and refreshing.

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Gam Endive Muchim 3/5

The following dish, Gam Endive Muchim, was probably the most restrained in flavour. Slightly bitter endive leaves were dressed in a date-anchovy sauce and topped with biltong and a jujube chip. The textures were interesting, but overall it leaned towards a clean, minimalist profile.

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Haemul Tang 4.2/5

Things took a heartier turn with the Haemul Tang, a spicy seafood broth that arrived brimming with flavour. Half-dried mussels, flower crab, and butternut squash added depth and sweetness to the umami-rich broth. It was warm, soothing, and satisfying.

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Perilla Noodle 4.5/5

A standout of the night was the Perilla Noodle. The hand-pulled buckwheat noodles were silky yet toothsome, swimming in a nutty, aromatic broth enriched with perilla oil. Garnished with cucumber, nuts, and a touch of jalapeƱo for a bit of heat, this dish was layered, fragrant, and completely moreish.

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Sutbul Moksal 4.2/5

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Sutbul Anchang 4.5/5

The centrepiece of the meal came next – grilled meats cooked over binchotan charcoal. First, the Sutbul Moksal, featuring Australia Bangalow sweet pork collar, was well marinated and charred just right, paired with sweet potato leaf jangajji for a tangy counterpoint. Then came the Sutbul Anchang, showcasing a marbled MB7/8 Tajima Wagyu outside skirt, grilled to a perfect medium rare. Juicy, tender, and full of umami, it was easily the highlight among the proteins. That said, the portions were rather petite – each diner only got a small tasting portion, which left us craving a bit more.

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Mushroom Gondre Sotbap 4.2/5

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Pickles and Soup

To round out the savouries, we had the Mushroom Gondre Sotbap – a comforting bowl of multigrain Korean rice infused with wild thistle and topped with autumn mushrooms. Earthy and nutty, it showcased the beauty of simplicity. A side of soup and house pickles helped cleanse the palate and tie everything together.

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Bam & Bac 4/5

Dessert came in the form of Bam & Bac, a delicate and well-composed plate featuring firm yet smooth chestnut yanggaeng, sweet poached pear, a scoop of ice cream, and an artistic fallen leaves tuile. It was a sweet ending with finesse – not too rich, but well-balanced and satisfying.

Overall, Beok Private Dining offers a unique and thoughtful exploration of Korean cuisine beyond the usual fare. The dishes are artfully plated, flavourful, and well-curated, with an elegant progression from start to finish. While some plates felt a little restrained and a couple of portions modest, the overall experience was intimate, elevated, and reflective of the Chef's evolving interpretation of Korean flavours. It is a gem worth experiencing for anyone seeking modern Korean fare with soul.


Beok Private Dining
Farrer Road
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Saturday, March 1, 2025

NA OH @ Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre Singapore (HMGICS) - A Unique Korean Fine Dining Experience at a Conventional Automotive Production Facility

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Located within the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre Singapore (HMGICS), Na Oh has quickly become one of the most sought-after restaurants in town. This exclusive dining destination is a collaboration between Hyundai and Chef Corey Lee, the first Korean chef to earn three Michelin stars for his renowned San Francisco restaurant, Benu.

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Na Oh offers a four-course prix fixe seasonal menu. Guests can opt for Jinjitsang, a traditional Korean meal setting with an array of accompaniments. We recently visited to experience their Winter Menu, a showcase of refined Korean flavours.

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Homemade Tofu with Aged Soy Sauce 4.2/5

Our meal began with the Homemade Tofu with Aged Soy Sauce. The highlight was undoubtedly the aged soy sauce, which provided deep umami notes that enhanced the soft, silky tofu, making for a simple yet elegant dish.

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Buckwheat and Mugunji Jeon 4.2/5

Next, we had the Buckwheat and Mugunji Jeon, served with a salad of freshly harvested lettuce. This was a unique take on Korean pancakes — paper-thin with a crisp exterior. The accompanying vinegary dipping sauce was essential, adding brightness and acidity that balanced the flavours.

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Chilled Hand-Pulled Somyeon 4.8/5

A light and refreshing dish, the Chilled Hand-Pulled Somyeon featured silky noodles in a lightly fermented kimchi broth, delivering a delicate tang. The dish was completed with braised octopus and beef tendon, adding contrasting textures and richness.

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For the Jinjitsang, diners can choose from three main options:

1. Grilled Jeju Beltfish with Golden Queen’s Rice
2. Galbijjim Finished Over Charcoal
3. Pheasant Mandu Soup with Freshly Milled Rice Cakes (which we did not try)

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Spicy Winter Seafood Stew with Pollock Roe and Cod Milt 4.5/5

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Grilled Jeju Beltfish 5/5

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Seaweed Gyeran Mari, Bellflower Root Muchim 4.2/5

The Grilled Jeju Beltfish with Golden Queen's Rice was a beautifully executed dish, allowing the fish's natural sweetness to take centre stage. The Beltfish was grilled to perfection, with its delicate flesh remaining moist and tender, complemented by a lightly crisped skin. Accompanying the fish was an array of thoughtfully prepared side dishes that added depth to the meal. The Spicy Winter Seafood Stew with Pollock Roe and Cod Milt stood out with its bold flavours, while the Bellflower Root Muchim introduced a slightly bitter, earthy contrast. The Seaweed Gyeran Mari, a soft rolled omelette infused with umami-rich seaweed, added a comforting touch to the meal.

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Galbijjim 5/5

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Preserved Maesil Geotjeori 4.2/5

The Galbijjim Finished Over Charcoal was equally satisfying for those who prefer a meat option. The Hanbang-style Beef Short Ribs were braised in aged soy sauce, resulting in exceptionally tender meat infused with a deep, savoury aroma, enhancing the dish's richness and making each bite incredibly flavourful. It was served alongside Chestnut and Thistle Sotbap, a nutty and earthy rice dish that complemented the robust galbijjim. The Preserved Maesil Geotjeori provided a bright, tangy contrast that helped balance the meal, ensuring that every element worked harmoniously together.

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Winter Hwachae of Jeju Citrus, Naju Pear, Pomegranate

To wrap up the meal, we enjoyed the Winter Hwachae, a vibrant Korean fruit bowl featuring Jeju Citrus, Naju Pear, and Pomegranate. Its natural sweetness and refreshing acidity made it a perfectly light and invigorating dessert.

Na Oh delivers an elevated yet deeply rooted Korean dining experience, blending traditional techniques with modern refinement. With its seasonal menus and hard-to-secure reservations, dining here is a rare treat worth experiencing.


Na Oh
Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre Singapore
(HMGICS)
2 Bulim Link
Level 3
Singapore 649674
Tel: +65 6263 1548
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Nearest MRT: Boon Lay (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Wed-Sun: 1130am - 330pm, 6pm - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Boon Lay MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to Boon Lay Bus Interchange (Stop ID 22009). Take bus number 157. Alight 3 stops later. Walk straight down Jurong West Ave 2. Turn left onto Bulim Ave. Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes.  [Map]

2) Alight at Boon Lay MRT station. Take Exit C or E. Walk to Boon Lay Bus Interchange (Stop ID 22009). Take bus number 174. Alight 5 stops later. Walk straight down Corporation Road. Cross the road to Bulim Ave.Walk to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes.  [Map]