Crystal Jade Korean Ginseng & BBQ Restaurant @ Takashimaya Shopping Centre

Crystal Jade is a household name in Singapore but little did I know that the group actually runs a Korean cuisine restaurant established since 2004. Celebrating its 10 years anniversary, Crystal Jade Korean Ginseng & BBQ restaurant has relocated from the 4th floor of Takashimaya Shopping Centre to its new prime location next to the atrium area at the basement with a larger seating capacity and expanded line up of authentic home styled Korean food.

Banchan 4/5

One of the  reasons why patrons enjoy Korean cuisine is the various complimentary banchan or side dishes that are served before the mains. Do note that the side dishes at Crystal Jade Korean Ginseng & BBQ is chargeable. The set of 6 different Banchan ($10) are changed daily, others are available separately at $4 per servicing. Although chargeable, they are refillable.

Authentic Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup 4.2/5

The Authentic Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup ($28) has been one of the signature dishes for the past 10 years. This is a summer dish whereby the Koreans believe that ginseng can help to cool one from the summer's heat, detox and rejuvenate the body. Using whole chicken, four years old ginseng root, glutinous rice, red dates and gingko nuts, the chicken soup is slow cooked for hours to fully extract the goodness and flavours of the ingredients. The portion served is good for 2-4 pax. I felt that the soup is well balanced without the ginseng taste overpowering it.

Stewed Top Grade Beef Short Rib 4.8/5

The other popular dish at the restaurant is the Stewed Top Grade Beef Short Rib ($29). This is a special dish that will only be served during celebratory and significant occasions. Using prime Australian beef ribs, the dish is braised for several hours in a accompaniment of rock sugar, pepper, sesame, red dates, ginger, garlic, apples, pears, carrots and radish developing a very delish flavour. This is extremely delicious and it is a must try here.

Korean Imperial Hotpot with Assorted Vegetable 4/5

New in the menu is the Korean Imperial Hotpot with Assorted Vegetable ($39). The hotpot which is good to serve up to 4 pax comes with a choice of chicken, beef or pork. Accompanying the flavourful soup stock is a generous servicing of ingredients such as sweet corn, carrots, cucumbers, black fungus, silken tofu, golden enoki mushrooms and straws mushrooms. This is definitely a luxurious and healthy hotpot for sharing.

Korean Handmade Noodles  4.5/5

If you prefer noodles over rices, you can order these Korean Handmade Noodles ($3 per servicing) to enjoy together with the hotpot. Made using eggs and high grade Korean flour, the noodles were very springy. Even being soaked in the hotpot for a while, it still retained a delectable bite in texture.

Crystal Jade Korean Ginseng & BBQ restaurant offers 12 types of marinated meat dishes and two combination sets for its barbeque. A worthy note is the special grilling stations with vacuum capability on the side of the grills, sucking the fumes away. I would say this is the few rare occasions where I can step out a barbeque restaurant without any of the smoky smell on my clothes.

Marinated Beef Short Rib 4.5/5

Pork Collar 4.2/5

Ox Tongue 3.8/5

For the barbeque, I tried the Marinated Beef Short Ribs ($28 per servicing), Ox Tongue ($25 per servicing) and Pork Collar ($22 per servicing). The marinated beef short ribs is my favourite among the three which is marinated similarity as the stewed top grade beef short rib which is extremely flavourful. The ox tongue although juicy and succulent can be a bit gamy for some. The pork collar on the other has a very nice tender bite after it has been grilled.

Double Boiled Snow Pear 4.5/5

The Double Boiled Snow Pear ($5) available in either hot or cold is the perfect dessert particularly after the barbeque or a spicy meal. Doubled boiled with Chuan Bei or fritillaria extracts, dried longans and rock sugar, this soothing yet refreshing dessert helps to cook off the heat as well as cleanse the palate from all the greasiness. This dessert is also known for its remedy for colds and coughs.

I was told by my friend that the food at Crystal Jade Korean Ginseng & BBQ is really good before my visit. After trying it I have to agreed with her. While the food and quality is good, I could not get over the fact that the restaurant is charging for banchan and soup refill. I understand the restaurant is running a business but as a consumers I would compare it with other Korean restaurants. Moreover it kind of taken away the basic enjoyment of Korean cuisine.


Crystal Jade Korean Ginseng & BBQ Restaurant
Takashimaya Shopping Centre
391 Orchard Road
#B2-36A
Singapore
Tel: +65 67333229
Website: http://www.crystaljade.com/
Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 10pm

Direction: 
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit D. Cut through Wisma Atria. Take the pathway between Wisma Atria and Takashimaya. Walk to Takashimaya. Proceed to destination. Journey time about 8 minutes. [Map]

Todai @ Marina Bay Sand (MBS)

It has been 2 years since I last visited Todai, popular for its selection of fresh seafood and Alsakan Snow Crabs. For the month of July, Todai has launched a Longevity Section (长生不老) to promote healthy living with a variety of healing foods. The buffet line will feature 10 of the finest healing food known to boost the immune system, strengthen vital organs and promote a longer life.

Sea Eel BBQ 3/5

Available on weekdays dinner and both lunch and dinner on weekends, is the Sea Eel BBQ. We hardly get to have Sea Eel in Singapore. Most we had at restaurants are farm bred eel. The sea eel barbecued on spot at the live station was very meaty and fat compared to the usual farm bred eel. The rich in vitamins eel is ideal for the Singapore heat aiding in rejuvenating the body. However the fatness was a bit too much for my liking.

Abalone Ginseng Chicken Soup 4/5

Abalone has the benefits of building and protecting healthy muscle tissues while ginseng chicken soup has energizing properties. The Abalone Ginseng Chicken Soup combines both health benefits.

Korean Abalone 4/5

Todai has also specially imported these beautiful Korean Abalone for the Longevity (长生不老) promotion. The abalone was fat and firm with a nice chewy bite to it.

Known as Mother of All Seafood Buffets, you can count on Todai to serve up a selection of freshest seafood. It is hard for one to resist them especially the wide variety of delicious snow crabs at the All Day Snow Crab Buffet.

I saw this beautiful piece of prime ribs and I could help getting a slice of it. At Todai, there are so many different types of cuisines and selections that you may not know where to start with.  Todai restaurants are family oriented and offer a wide varieties of quality and fresh food. Senior citizens above the age of 60 get 20% off on the dinner buffet bill every Monday and Wednesday. Customer who made their reservation via Todai office website are also entitled to a special 10$ discount on their lunch buffet bill on any day of the week. Todai has different dining promotion on different day of the week, so do check their website for more information first.

Prices
Lunch
Mon, Wed: $42++ (adult), $22++ (child*)
Tue, Thu, Fri: $46++ (adult), $26++ (child*)
Sat, Sun, PH Eve and PH: $64++ (adult), $26++ (child*)
Dinner
Mon, Wed: $58++ (adult), $26++ (child*)
Tue, Thu, Fri: $68++ (adult), $26++ (child*)
Sat, Sun, PH Eve and PH: $68++ (adult), $26++ (child*)
*Child below 130cm


Todai Singapore
The Shoppes @ Marina Bay Sands
10 Bayfront Ave
#B2-01
Tel: +65 66887771
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TodaiSingapore
Website: http://www.todaisingapore.com/
Nearest MRT: Bayfront (CC Line, DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 1130am - 3pm (lunch), 530pm - 10pm (dinner)
Sat: 1130am - 3pm (lunch), 5pm - 1030pm (dinner)
Sun: 1130am - 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Bayfront MRT station. Take Exit D. Proceed to basement 2. Walk towards the other of the building and turn left. Todai is located at the far left of The Shoppes @ Marina Bay Sands. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Kkongdon Korean BBQ @ Marina Square (Marina Link)

Kkongdon Korean BBQ is a new food and beverage establishment brought to you by JP Pepperdine Group. If you don't know JP Pepperdine Group, they are the one that brings you Jack's Place, Seafood Harvest, Eatzi Gourmet, Brewbaker's and Restaurant Hoshigaoka to the local food scene.

Kkhongdon in Korean literally means best price value. The history started back with the first Korean BBQ restaurant in Sinchon, Seoul in January 2005. To date there are 67 outlets in Korea providing high quality Korean BBQ at reasonable price.

The restaurant is nicely spaced with extendable air suction pipe. It also has an air purifier placed in corner to freshen the air in the restaurant so customers do not smell like BBQ after dining.

Free flow Kimchi and Korean side dishes are available at the buffet counter but rather limited selections.

Aaron the restaurant manager cooked us some kimchi and bean sprouts saying that it tasted better when it is warm. Indeed it did and I will do so when I next visit another Korean BBQ restaurant.

Raspberry Rice Wine 3/5

As I wanted to try something different on the beverage menu, Aaron recommended me the Raspberry Rice Wine 360ml ($19). Unfortunately I did not know how to appreciate it. I should have just stick to my beer.

Beef Skirt 4/5

Beef Fingers 4/5

On the beef menu, I tried both the Beef Skirt ($16) and Beef Fingers ($16). The beef was directly imported from JP Pepperdine's own Silver Fern Farms in New Zealand. These are the same beef used for Jack Place's steak. The beef was tender and succulent.

Pork Belly 4/5

Knowing my weakest for Pork Belly ($16), I would always prefer them over the beef. The beautiful layers of fat and meat when grilled were simply sizzling yummy.

Spicy Pork Belly 4/5

They have the spicy version too. The Spicy Pork Belly ($16) was just as good but it was a bit too mild in the spices. I did not get the hot rush I was expecting.

Bibimbap 3.5/5

Beside the Korean BBQ, the restaurant also offers authentic Korean dishes on the menu prepared by the lady Korean chef. Being a rice person, the Bibimbap was served at the right time to fill my stomach. We asked Aaron how come there was no egg and it was not served in hot stone? He told us this is from the lunch set menu. Without the hot stone cooking the rice, the crisp and burnt rice at the bottom was missing which was the delectable part of it.

Seafood Pancake 4.2/5

The Seafood Pancake ($12) had a nice thin crust on both the top and bottom while the inside was moist and fluffy. Topped with seafood it was quite a sumptuous pancake.

Kimchi Pancake 3.8/5

For kimchi lover, the Kimchi Pancake ($10.80) is definitely one pancake for you. With a generous amount of kimchi in between the flour batter, each bite of the crunchy kimchi inside was an enjoyment.

Ginseng Chicken 4/5

It was a cold night and the Ginseng Chicken ($18) was perfect for warming the body. A well executed dish that was hearty and comforting. If I want to be picky, the soup was lacking the ginseng flavour.

Kimchi and Pork Belly Stew Hotpot 4.5/5

The Kimchi and Pork Belly Stew Hotpot ($22) is the most popular Korean dish. The well fermented kimchi with tasty pork belly worked harmoniously in the bowl of spicy broth. Besides the soft and tender pork belly, the hotpot also comes with soft and silky tofu.

Steamed Egg 4/5

The Steamed Egg ($6) was quite flavourful with custard like texture topped with scallions and carrots. I couldn't tell what's the broth used to thin the egg mixture but it definitely lifted the taste and dimension of this humble dish.

Overall I think Kkongdon Korean BBQ is worth a visit with good quality meat. On top of that, there are a good selection of authentic Korean dishes. It would be nice if they can expand the selection of free flow kimchi and side dishes. I still left the restaurant smelling of BBQ so it probably need to install a few more air purifiers.


Kkhongdon Korean BBQ
Marina Square (Marina Link)
6 Raffles Boulevard
#B1-01/02
Singapore 039594
Te1: +65 63362580
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kkongdon.sg
Nearest MRT Station: Esplanade (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 11am - 1030pm

Direction:
Alight at Esplanade MRT station. Take Exit B. Walk to Marina Square Link. The restaurant is at the end of the link near the escalator exiting to Marina Square. Journey time 3 minutes.

Hansang Korean Family Restaurant @ Novena Square 2

It has been years since I last visited the restaurant. The restaurant comes in two sections. One section for Korean BBQ while the other for Ala Carte. My friends opted for the ala carte and we ordered the set menu.

When the first servicing came, I was feeling disappointed that the varieties of side dishes in Korean cuisine have shrunk to just 3 small portions on a single plate. It turned out that the restaurant served some sort of Amus Bouche which was unexpected for a Korean restaurant. It has potato salad, anchovies (Ikan Bilis) and black peas on the plate. Both the potato salad and anchovies were ok but nothing Korean. The black beans were hard which I do not really know how to appreciate it.

Now this is the best part of Korean cuisine. The spread of side dishes.

The pancakes were a bit tasteless to me but they were nice and not too floury.

Korean Pancake 3.8/5

Ginseng Chicken which is known as Samgyetang in Korean is a summer dish that consists of a whole chicken stuffed with glutinous rice and cooked in Korean ginseng broth. At first I was worried that the soup will be too heavy with ginseng flavour but it turned out not. The chicken was also nicely cooked and tender.

Ginseng Chicken 4.2/5

I have never eaten Mackerel cooked in Korean style and I love it a lot. It was my favourite for the night. I think I ate three quarter of the dish alone. However this dish is not suitable for children. There were a lot of fish bones and care has to be taken eating this dish.

Mackerel 4.5/5

The Bulgogi Pork was a bit small in portion and tiny sliced. It came with a plate of lettuce so you can wrap the meat with the lettuce and eat it as a whole. The lettuce gave the dish a freshening texture and balanced the oiliness of the meat.

Bulgogi Pork 3.8/5

Han Sang Korean Family Resaurant
Novena Square 2
10 Sinaran Drive
#03-33
Nearest MRT: Novena (NS Line)