Royal Host @ Jewel Changi Airport - Pioneer of Japanese-Western Food Opens Its First Direct Store Outside Japan

Renowned as the pioneer of Japanese-Western food, Royal Host boasts over 200 stores in Japan and a legacy spanning over 50 years. Now, this beloved household family restaurant has opened its first direct store outside Japan at Jewel Changi Airport. With its extensive history and reputation for delicious Japanese-Western comfort food, Royal Host brings a much-anticipated culinary experience to Singapore.

Onion Gratin Soup 4.2/5

We commenced our dinner with a comforting bowl of Onion Gratin Soup ($7.80). This homemade consommé, sweetened by caramelized onions, features a slice of toasted baguette loaded with melty Gruyère cheese. I recommend leaving the baguette to soak up the delicious soup for a bit longer for an even richer experience. This soup is a long-standing bestseller of Royal Host, gaining fame when Marilyn Monroe praised it during her honeymoon to Japan in 1954.

Kale Salad 3/5

For a healthier option, we tried the superfood Kale Salad ($19.80). This crunchy kale salad is complemented by plant-based meat, blueberries, and a special peanut oil salad dressing that adds an aromatic finish. It's a refreshing and nutritious choice that perfectly balances the meal.

Omurice with Demiglace Sauce 4/5

The Omurice with Demiglace Sauce ($26.80) is a must-try. Fresh eggs flown all the way from Kyushu prefecture create a creamy omelette that tops fluffy Japanese ketchup rice. For a unique twist, there's a Singapore-exclusive version featuring Singapore Chilli Sauce and Snow Crab on top. The dish combines traditional Japanese flavours with a local touch, making it a standout item on the menu.

Hamburg with Brown Butter Sauce 4.5/5 

Royal Host's signature item is their Japanese Hamburg. We sampled the "ROYAL" Hamburg Steak with Brown Butter Sauce ($29.80), served sizzling on a hot plate. Made using premium-quality beef typically reserved for steaks, the hamburg is seared to perfection, achieving a beautiful exterior char while maintaining a succulent and juicy texture. There's also a Singapore-exclusive Black Pepper Sauce version for those who prefer a bit of heat.

Parfait and Hot Fudge Sundae 4.5/5

We indulged in the Parfait and Hot Fudge Sundae ($18.40) to wrap up our meal. The dessert menu offers three categories: Parfait, Ice Cream, and Cake. Our choice, the Parfait and Hot Fudge Sundae, was delicately layered with tantalizing flavours in each layer, providing a delightful end to our dining experience.

Royal Host's debut in Singapore at Jewel Changi Airport is a delightful addition to the local culinary scene. With its rich history and dedication to quality, the restaurant offers a unique blend of Japanese-Western comfort food that is both nostalgic and innovative. Whether you're craving a hearty bowl of soup, a nutritious salad, or a sizzling hamburg steak, Royal Host promises a memorable dining experience that brings the best of Japan to Singapore.

Note: This is an invited tasting.


Royal Host
Jewel Changi Airport
78 Airport Boulevard
#03-219
Singapore 819666
Tel: +65 6908 5591
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Nearest MRT: Changi Airport (EW Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 1030am - 10pm

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

Um Yong Baek @ Telok Ayer - Second and Bigger Outlet to Enjoy the Popular Pork & Rice Soup

The popular Um Yong Baek on Boon Tat Street has expanded with a new, larger outlet on Telok Ayer Street. This new location offers the same signature Dwaeji Gukbab (Pork & Rice Soup) for lunch and Korean grilled meats for dinner. Eager to try their famed Dwaeji Gukbab, I finally got the chance to visit the new outlet, which conveniently allows reservations.

Busan Style Daejigukbab 4.5/5

We began our meal with the Busan Style Daejigukbab ($21). This version boasts a broth made by roasting aged pork and then boiling it for long hours to draw out the deep, savoury flavours of the meat into a clear broth. The dish includes various cuts of pork, each boiled separately to retain their distinct taste and texture. Even the rice is prepared using a traditional Korean method to remove starch, allowing the savoury broth to permeate each grain. This meticulous preparation results in a lighter, cleaner taste that highlights the original flavours of the pork.

Milyang Style Daejigukbab 4.2/5

Next, we tried the Milyang Style Daejigukbab ($21). The main difference lies in the broth, which is made from various pork bones to achieve a thicker, richer pork flavour. While both styles are delicious, I preferred the Busan style for its lighter, cleaner taste, allowing the original pork flavours to shine more distinctly.

The meal is accompanied by complimentary banchan, with the kimchi standing out in particular. It effectively cuts through the richness of the pork broth, refreshing the palate and enhancing the overall dining experience.

Ohsorigamtoo Sooyuk 4.8/5

The lunch menu offers other delightful dishes in addition to the pork and rice soup. We sampled the Ohsorigamtoo Sooyuk, which features generous portions of boiled pork maw. The pork maw was clean and had a delightful chewy texture. What truly surprised me was the accompanying sauce, which paired excellently with the pork maw, elevating its flavour.

Ohgyeopsal Sooyuk 4.5/5

We also tried the Ohgyeopsal Sooyuk, which is a boiled pork belly with skin. The pork belly had a nice, bouncy gelatin texture and didn't feel fatty at all. It came with sides of tofu, garlic, and chives, which offered a unique and delicious way to appreciate the boiled pork belly. Eating the pork belly in four different ways with these sides was a novel and enjoyable experience.

Um Yong Baek's new outlet on Telok Ayer Street successfully brings the essence of authentic Korean cuisine to Singapore, offering a delightful journey through the flavors of Busan and Milyang Dwaeji Gukbab. The attention to detail in the preparation of each dish, from the broth to the banchan, ensures a memorable dining experience. Whether you prefer the lighter Busan style or the richer Milyang style, Um Yong Baek is definitely worth a visit for an authentic taste of Korean Pork & Rice Soup.

Note: THis is an invites tasting.


Um Yong Baek
80/82 Telok Ayer Street
#01-01
Singapore 048466
Tel: +65 8122 3498
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Website
Nearest MRT: Telok Ayer (DT Line)

Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat: 11am - 330pm, 530pm - 10pm

Direction:
Alight at Telok Ayer MRT station. Take Exit B. Cross the road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 minutes. [Map]