Newly opened at UE Square, WHUCHU reimagines ssam (쌈), one of Korea’s most cherished dining traditions, as a more refined, interactive dining experience. The concept centres on freshness, fermentation, and craftsmanship, bringing together farm-to-table vegetables flown in from Korea, authentic Korean jeotgal (fermented salted seafood), and premium 100% certified Jeju pork aged in-house.
By day, WHUCHU offers a wellness-led ssambap experience, where fresh Korean greens take centre stage. In the evening, the restaurant transforms into a premium Korean BBQ destination, with aged meats grilled over high heat and enjoyed with an assortment of vegetables and fermented accompaniments.
I visited with a friend for dinner and chose the Signature Set ($188), designed for 2–3 people. The set includes a choice of two BBQ meats, Pot Rice, a choice of Cold Kimchi Noodle, Pork Belly Kimchi Stew or Beef Soybean Tofu Stew, a choice of Tofu & Stir-Fried Kimchi, Minari Pancake or Potato Pancake, and finishes with gelato for dessert.
For our meal, we picked the Aged Bone-in Pork Belly and Wagyu Beef Brisket for the BBQ meats, along with the Pork Belly Kimchi Stew and Minari Pancake.
Aged Bone-in Pork Belly 4.2/5
The Aged Bone-in Pork Belly was easily one of my highlights. Made with 100% certified natural Jeju pork sourced directly from Korea, the pork undergoes a combination of wet and dry ageing in-house. The wet ageing helps tenderise the meat, while the subsequent dry ageing concentrates the flavour, giving the pork a deeper and more developed taste.
Cut thick around the bone, the pork belly was beautifully marbled with a good amount of fat. Once it hits the grill, the fat slowly renders, crisping up the edges while keeping the meat juicy and tender. The slightly charred exterior contrasts with the rich, succulent pork within. It is the kind of cut that is delicious on its own, but even better when wrapped in fresh greens with rice and a little jeotgal.
Wagyu Beef Brisket 4.2/5
The Wagyu Beef Brisket offered a completely different experience. With its generous intramuscular marbling, the beef quickly renders its rich fat when grilled over high heat, coating the meat in its own buttery juices. The result is incredibly tender, with a rich, beefy and savoury flavour.
It is definitely on the more decadent side, with the high fat content giving each bite that almost melt-in-the-mouth texture. I found it particularly enjoyable wrapped up with the fresh vegetables, which helped cut through the richness and added a refreshing crunch.
Authentic Korean Jeotgal 4/5
One thing that sets WHUCHU apart is its emphasis on authentic Korean Jeotgal, rather than treating it as a side dish. Traditionally used as a concentrated flavour enhancer, jeotgal brings an intense hit of umami, saltiness and fermentation to the meal. WHUCHU offers a selection including Salted Pollock Roe, Seasoned Sea Squirt, Spicy Fermented Oysters and Spicy Salted Squid, each with its own distinct character. Some are rich and silky, while others are briny, spicy and deeply savoury. Enjoy them in small amounts, paired with the greens, rice, and grilled meats to create your own ssam combination.
Fresh Vegetables
And speaking of greens, the selection of fresh vegetables is an important part of the experience here. The wrap vegetables are flown in from Korea daily and include Fresh Garlic Leaves, Angelica, Red Lettuce, Perilla Leaves and Lettuce. Rather than being an afterthought to the meat, the greens form an integral part of the meal. Pick your preferred leaf, add rice, grilled meat, and a touch of jeotgal, then wrap it all into one bite. Each vegetable brings a different texture and flavour, from crisp and refreshing lettuce to the distinctive herbal aroma of perilla.
Minari Pancake 4.2/5
The Minari Pancake was another pleasant surprise. Instead of the thick, doughy pancakes you might sometimes encounter, WHUCHU’s version uses a light batter to bind a generous amount of whole minari stalks. Fried until crisp, the edges had a satisfying crunch while the minari retained a juicy bite. The Korean water parsley gives the pancake a clean, grassy, slightly peppery herbal flavour that comes through nicely without the batter masking it. It was airy, crunchy and surprisingly light rather than greasy, making it an enjoyable accompaniment to the richer BBQ meats.
We also had the Pork Belly Kimchi Stew, which brought a comforting, warming element to the meal. The tangy and savoury kimchi broth works particularly well alongside the fatty grilled meats, while the pork belly adds another layer of richness. It is the sort of dish that helps round out the meal, especially when paired with steamed rice.
For those looking for a more elevated Korean BBQ experience, WHUCHU at UE Square offers a polished take on the traditional ssam culture, with premium aged meats and Korean-sourced produce forming the heart of the experience. The Aged Bone-in Pork Belly was my favourite of the two meats, while the Wagyu Beef Brisket will appeal to those who prefer a richer, more indulgent cut. With its focus on ageing, fermentation, and fresh Korean vegetables, WHUCHU brings a more thoughtful dimension to Korean BBQ while still keeping the fun, communal nature of wrapping, grilling, and sharing.
Note: This is an invited tasting.
WHUCHU Korean Dining
UE Square
81 Clemenceau Ave
#01-18
Singapore 239917
Website
Nearest MRT: Fort Canning (DT Line)
Opening Hours:
Sun-Thu: 1130am - 11pm
Fri-Sat, PH: 1130am - 1130pm
Direction:
1) Alight at Fort Canning MRT station. Take Exit A. Turn left and walk to the traffic junction between Clemenceau Ave and River Valley Road. Cross the road. Turn left and walk down Clemenceau Ave. Walk to the destination. The journey time is about 5 minutes. [Map]
