EAT & TELL

As we see in most Korean restaurants in Singapore, Bi bim bap is always one of the menu staples. It seems relatively easy to prepare with rice or bap as the base, topped with meat, vegetables and a special sauce. Variations of these ingredients like the addition of egg, choice of colorful veggies and their presentation on a hot stone bowl make the difference. Not to forget the bibimbap chilli sauce aka Gochujang that gives the rich and fermented taste just like kimchi. Speaking of kimchi, being the most famous, array of side dishes or banchan is also very common in the cuisine.

Aside from hot stone rice, they also have a number of dishes perfect on hot plates like beef bulgogi and godenguh. One more thing consistent I noticed among Korean food installments is their BEEF! I think I never had a bad experience with beef in any Korean restaurant I've been to and it was always an easy choice whenever faced with meat options. Thus, from now on, I shall call it the K-Beef ! =)

One last and important part of their food culture enjoyed by Koreans and non-Koreans alike is Korean BBQ! Who doesn't love deliciously marinated and freshly grilled meat? They are basically for everyone. They are everywhere. Usually in buffet and sometimes including salads (rather kimchi or other ferments), pre-cooked food or desserts.

Scroll on for photos of Korean food we had last month!

Enjoy & be hungry!

DAEBAK - Wilkie Edge

Bi bim bap 1 @ Dae Bak

Bulgogi Beef in hot stone plate

Aloe Vera Drink

Above: famous K-POP albums
Right: Daebak from outside of Wilkie Edge

HELLO KOREAN - POMO

SEOUL GARDEN KOREAN BBQ - Bugis Junction

Bulgogi (Beef) and Dak Bulgogi (Chicken)

Korean Teriyaki Beef and Chicken

I love sliced beef!

SEAFOOD: baby octopus and praws

In general, A and I have always loved japanese food since Uni days back in Elbi Square to SM food courts in Manila and until now in Singapore whether it be in a hawker's stall, a stand alone shop house restaurant or in a themed food street like Tokyo Walker in Plaza Singapura and Shokutso 10 Osaka in Jurong Point. We go all the way to such locations and frequent them with 'oishi' food and satisfied tummies in mind. Somehow, it feels a little less guilty spending on udon, sushi or sashimi only because we think they're healthier than all other dishes, relatively as yummy, that we can think of. Aside from this, Japanese pasta and pizza (check them out here 1 2 3 4) are among my personal favorites. We also paid a visit a few months ago to Sushi Tei - Takashimaya, a famous sushi resto chain and once to Tanoshi Teppanyaki bar. (note: some links are mixed albums of various photos but it's just there)

In less than a month, we're flying to the land of the rising sun and the origin of this entry's cuisine, JAPAN. Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara and Osaka are some of the cities we anticipate to SEE... and TASTE. Indeed, the main reason we pushed through with this trip is because of the local culinary tradition we're looking forward to experience. It is a fact that anywhere else in the world, store owners put so much effort in their walls, ceilings, utensils, etc. just for that "Japanese feel". Who doesn't want to witness first hand the folklores we grew up watching in dubbed cartoons and tokusatsu shows every afternoon? Also, I am excited as I am amazed by the consistent turnout of stories from friends who have been there for holiday talking about how it is entirely a new world, people are the nicest, everywhere is safe and the food is fantastic though expensive but nothing as in not a single serving is below the mediocre line. Woah! That's a standard over there at GMT +9!

Early this year, we tried new places of interest for like minded foodies here in Singapore and none of them disappointed our japanese cravings. Scroll on for (1) some of our after work dining photos in a food court called Ishi Mura, (2) sushi, sashimi and sukiyaki dinner with a visiting friend in Ichiban Sushi and (3) our udon experience in a tiny 4m x 4m ground level corner stall in Sunshine Plaza, Ichi Tei.

Enjoy and be hungry,

ISHI MURA - City Square Mall, Serangoon Road