Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Bancheria @ Concourse Skyline (Beach Road) - Where Banchan Meets Tapas, First Korean X Spanish Concept in Singapore

Chorizo Tteokbokki 1

Singapore has seen its fair share of fusion concepts, but Bancheria sets itself apart as the first Korean x Spanish dining experience. Cosy yet vibrant, the restaurant is a playful stage where tapas and banchan meet, creating bold, unexpected flavour pairings. Bancheria feels both familiar and adventurous, precisely the kind of place where you'll want to bring friends to eat, drink and explore.

Signature Bancheria Banchan Platter 1
Signature Bancheria Banchan Platter 4/5

Our meal began with the show-stopping Signature Bancheria Banchan Platter ($12 per guest), a colourful spread of nine in-house banchan. Seasonal and ever-changing, the platter promises a different mix with every visit. Highlights from our visit included the crunchy pickled mustard greens, Spanish tortilla, Jeju mandarin kimchi and spicy jamón cucumber. The platter is priced per head, must be ordered by the whole table and comes with up to three refills. This makes the perfect bite over drinks.

Bancheria Mozzeralla Balls with Kimchi Tomato Jam 1
Bancheria Mozzarella Balls with Kimchi Tomato Jam 4/5

Bancheria Paaprika Fried Chicken Wings 1
Bancheria Paaprika Fried Chicken Wings 4/5

If there's one thing Bancheria does well, it's fried food. We sampled two signature tapas: Mozzarella Balls with Kimchi Tomato Jam ($7 for 3 pcs) and Paprika Fried Chicken Wings ($12 for 2 pcs). The mozzarella balls are exactly what you'd expect - hot, stretchy cheese encased in a crisp shell, but the kimchi tomato jam takes them up a notch, cutting through the richness with a tangy-sweet bite. The chicken wings were a revelation with crispy skin and juicy meat. Totally unexpected for wings to taste this good.

Bancheria Jamon Fries with Broken Egg 1

Bancheria Jamon Fries with Broken Egg 2
Bancheria Jamon Fries with Broken Egg 3.8/5

The Bancheria Jamon Fries with Broken Egg ($18) is indulgence done right, starting with the fries themselves, which are crispy, golden and easily some of the best fries I've had in a while. The creamy broken egg ties everything together, coating each fry in a rich, velvety layer. A generous snowfall of shredded cheese adds nutty depth while the jamón brings a punch of savoury-salty flavour that keeps things exciting. This is a great alternative to the usual truffle fries.

Iberico Bulgogi & Pipparas Montadito 1
Iberico Bulgogi & Pipparas Montadito 4/5

Soy Crab Salad Montadito 1
Soy Crab Salad Montadito 3/5

Next came the Montaditos, open-faced bites served on crusty bread. The Iberico Bulgogi & Piparras ($8) was an instant favourite with tender, savoury bulgogi elevated by the kick of fresh piparras peppers. The Soy Crab Salad ($8) had generous chunks of crab, which I appreciated, though my dining partner found it a touch fishy. A squeeze of lime would have brightened the flavours and brought balance.

Chorizo Tteokbokki 2

Chorizo Tteokbokki 3
Chorizo Tteokbokki 5/5

For something heartier, the Chorizo Tteokbokki ($22) is a must-order. Chewy tteokbokki (Korean rice cakes) are coated in an addictive gochujang cream, layered with broken manchego and finished with aged sherry vinegar. The dish also hides pieces of Korean fish cake for extra texture and nostalgia. It's rich, bold and utterly satisfying that we cleaned the plate in minutes. It's no surprise this is Bancheria's bestseller; it's the dish we're already craving to return for.

Hotteok with Honey 1
Hotteok with Homemade Honey Selections 3.8/5

Churros 1
Churros with Plum & Cinnamon 3.8/5

Desserts at Bancheria are as playful as the savouries. The Hotteok ($5 per pc) arrives with a tasting flight of housemade honeys, each infused with unique flavours like orange peel, barley, corn, peppermint and even garlic. We loved the crispy pancake skin with its gooey brown sugar centre, especially paired with the orange peel honey.

The Churros ($4 per pc) are dusted with plum and cinnamon, an inventive twist that’s intriguing, though we still prefer the classic cinnamon-sugar (which is also available). A new Gochujang Chocolate Dip is in the works, which we’ll definitely be back to try. For cheesecake lovers, keep an eye out as Basque Burnt Cheesecake by Michelin-starred chef Albert Adrià will soon debut on the menu as well!

Solmija Cocktail
Solmija

House Sangria (Red)
House Sangria (Red)

Be sure to check out Bancheria's cocktails, priced at a very approachable $12. We tried the Solmija (gin, lemon, mint, omija, egg white), which is refreshing with a touch of herbaceous complexity and the House Sangria (Red), a fruit-infused wine topped with a foamy crown of red wine. Both were easy-drinking and perfect complements to the bold flavours of the food.

Restaurant

Bancheria is more than a fusion restaurant — it's a creative playground that makes you excited to see what's next. With a cosy, friendly vibe, pet-friendly outdoor seating and a menu that evolves with seasonal banchan and new creations, it's the kind of spot that rewards repeat visits. Just make sure to book ahead as tables are limited, especially on weekends.

PS: By popular demand, the full menu will be available all day on weekends starting 6 September 2025. Weekday lunch features lunch sets alongside selected tapas.

Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Bancheria
Concourse Skyline
302 Beach Road
#01-06
Singapore 199600
Tel: +65 8788 3337
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Nearest MRT: Nicoll Highway (CC Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon, Wed-Sun: 1130am - 9pm
(Closed on Tue)

Direction:
1) Alight at Nicoll Highway MRT station. Take Exit A. Take the overhead bridge and walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

GUPSHUP @ The Serangoon House - The Great Indian Feast, 1-for-1 Promotion

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GUPSHUP at The Serangoon House presents the vibrant, diverse flavours of Indian cuisine, elevated with contemporary finesse, under the guidance of Chef Jolly, a former MasterChef India judge and an award-winning culinary personality with over 25 years of global experience. The restaurant is tucked discreetly in the basement of The Serangoon House. Its intimate space, designed in Indian colonial style, carries a sense of grandeur with a touch of mystery. Chef Jolly's curation of regional dishes is wholesome, and some of which may be unfamiliar to the local palate. It is best experienced through the newly launched The Great Indian Feast, an unlimited à la carte dining journey spanning India's rich culinary tapestry.

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Lotus Papdi Chaat 3.5/5

The Feast features 13 dishes, beginning with three appetisers: Pani Poori, Bhindi Amchur, and Lotus Papdi Chaat. The Pani Poori was an absolute standout, with paper-thin semolina shells filled with crushed potato and chickpeas. Served alongside were tamarind and spicy mint shots, which were sharp and tart, making each mouthful a punchy delight. The Lotus Papdi Chaat delivered a creamier contrast with yoghurt, pomegranate-mint sauce, and the satisfying crunch of lotus crisps.

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Bhindi Amchur 3/5

The Bhindi Amchur are okra fries, dusted with chickpea flour, cumin, and mango powder, leaning more towards crisp finger food than juicy bites, but made for moreish nibbles.

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Amritsari Chole 4.5/5

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Tandoori Kulcha 4/5

From the Small Plates, the signature Amritsari Chole and Tandoori Kulcha stood out. The curried chickpeas were deeply spiced and hearty, well stewed to tender and soft, while the kulcha, stuffed with spiced potatoes, coriander, lime, and dried pomegranate seeds, was delicious even on its own.

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Chicken Chettinad Curry & Parotta 4/5

Chettinad cuisine is renowned for its rich, chilli-driven gravies, and the Chicken Chettinad Curry exemplifies South India's bold, spice-laden profile. The curry carried a robust depth with tender chicken. Unfortunately, the handmade parotta fell short, seemingly undercooked and lacking the full layering of a well-made parotta.

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Gosht Seekh Kebab 4/5

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Chicken 65 4/5

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Chicken Keema Kal Dosa 3.5/5

Other savoury highlights included Gosht Seekh Kebab, featuring tender lamb mince skewers flavoured with garlic, coriander, and mild chillies; Chicken 65, a South Indian classic of spiced, crispy fried chicken morsels; and Chicken Keema Kal Dosa, offering homely rice flatbread topped with spiced minced chicken.

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Chilli Paneer 4.5/5

One dish that intrigued me the most was Chilli Paneer, one of the most well-known dishes in Indo-Chinese cuisine. The flour-coated fried paneer is tossed in a Tangra-style sauce that is sweet, spicy, tangy, and garlicky. The flavoursome sauce was a sharp yet delicious contrast to the gentle, milky sweetness of the paneer.

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Kulfi Falooda 4/5

For desserts, we had Kulfi Falooda, featuring a house-made frozen reduced milk with almond and pistachio, fragrant with cardamom and rose, topped with vermicelli, holy basil seeds and a drizzle of raspberry sauce.

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Other than The Great Indian Feast, GUPSHUP has also launched a refined menu of small plates, hearty mains, and creative desserts, ranging from street-style favourites such as chaat to elevated tandoor-grilled specialities and regional delicacies.

Promotion from 1 Sep to 15 Oct 2025
1-for-1 on The Great Indian Feast, $59++ for 2pax (limit to 90mins)
Only valid on Fri, Sat and Sun lunch

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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.


GUPSHUP
The Serangoon House
301 Serangoon Road
Basement 1
Singapore 218224
Tel: +65 8866 0947
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Nearest MRT: Farrer Park (NE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 12pm - 3pm, 6pm – 10pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Farrer Park MRT Station. Take Exit A. Walk down Rangoon Road to Serangoon Road. Turn right onto Serangoon Road. Walk down Serangoon Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]