.[[ 그냥 나다 ]].....

[Food] Dal-In Expert Korean Restaurant - really awesome
Saturday, May 25, 2013

Been wanting to try this korean restaurant because another korean friend of mine term this place as her favourite korean restaurant in Singapore.

First visit:
It was a weekday lunch some time in February 2013. I've had Ramen that time and Ramen is very difficult to go wrong. But I saw everybody elses around me enjoying the other dishes which looks good.

Second Visit:
Pop by on 25 May 2013 (saturday) for dinner at around 6pm. The dinner crowd was not in yet. The place is not specially designed with anything fancy and feels exactly like a typical restaurant in korea. And it is run by koreans.

Their lunch menu is S$9.90 for most dish and additional $3 if you are ordering the lunch menu for dinner. The dinner menu have dishes (like army stew) which cost $30++.

I've wanted to take more pictures but I didn't because the place is rather dimly litted and I only had my phone camera with me.

We ordered from the lunch menu: Tofu Stew (순두부찌개) and Saba Fish.

The side dishes that came with it were in generous servings including a steamed egg pot. The Saba fish reminded me of Jeju......... We've had many fishes during our time in jeju. And the Soon-dubu jigae had the right taste that is not too spicy - and it was served with fresh seafood (squid and prawn).

I am so gona check out that place again to try their other dishes or I am happy just having what I've had before. Totally craving satisfied.

Dal-In Korean Restaurant

Address: Telok Ayer Shophouses, 17 Boon Tat Street (S)069618

Map and more pictures: http://www.streetdirectory.com/dalin/

Labels: Food, korean food, 맛집

그냥 나다 @ 7:27 PM.
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[SEOUL] How to get from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station
Monday, May 20, 2013

I wrote this for my friends when they came over during my stay there. So that I can meet them at Seoul Station as Incheon Airport is about 1.5hours - 2 hours from where I stayed and they were expected to reach about 8+am in the morning.

My friends cannot understand korean and did not do much research before coming. Relying on this, we managed to meet each other at Seoul Station Mac Donalds.

I thought I will just share.

HOW TO GO TO SEOUL STATION FROM INCHEON AIRPORT

At the Arrival Hall, look for Arrival Gate D. In front of Gate D and Tony Molly, you will see this:

Follow the arrow and take escalator DOWN.

After you take the escalator down, turn left.

You will walk through 2 stretch of travellators:

After you are done with the travellators, you will see a shop on your right call “Olive Young”and then followed by the shop called “The Bang”(also on your right). Turn right at “The Bang”. Then, go straight.

Airport Express is on your right.

Airport Train is on your left:

The following sections describe the 2 train services. You may buy food and eat on the train.

Airport Express

It is a non-stop express train from Incheon Airport to Seoul Station. It takes 43minutes and cost KRW 8,000. Buy the ticket at the ticket counter (speak to human) or machine (Machine has English). Buy 2 adult tickets to Seoul Station.

The train seats look like this:

The ticket looks like this, and has a train car number (which section of the train) and seat number. Board the train according to the car number.

In the above example, the car section number is ‘2’. Seat numbere is 7D. ‘2814’ is the vehicle number (think of it as car plate number).

Put luggage at storage space.

When you get off the train, look for lift to go up. When you are out of the lift, you will go through a tap-out gate gantry.

Then look for a separate/another lift to go up again. If you can’t find this lift, ask people. Just say you want to take KTX.

When you have taken the lift up, you look for the main arena hall. You should see several screens showing train schedules and you will see mac donalds.

Airport Train

It is 9 stations to seoul station and it cost less than KRW 5,000. The journey is 1 hour.

You can buy ticket with machine (English available). It is a one time travel card.

Board the train that goes to Seoul Station. It is free seating. The train looks like Singapore’s normal MRT Train. So your luggage will be close to you (imagine taking Singapore MRT Train).

After you alight, look for the main arena hall. You should see several screens showing train schedules and you will see mac donalds.

In any case, if you lose your way and need to ask for directions, just tell people you want to take KTX and where should you go (to buy ticket). Mac Donalds is in front of the ticket selling place.

If really lost and unable to communicate, please show the following phrase to a local when asking:

안녕하세요! 우리가 싱가포르에서 왔어요. 한국어 할줄 몰라서 미안합니다. 길을 잃어버려서 좀 가르쳐주시겠어요? 서울역 (KTX)의 Mac Donalds 가고싶으면 어떻게 가야돼요? 감사합니다!! ^^
hello! We are from Singapore. I'm sorry I cannot understand Korean. I've lost my way, can you please help me? If I want to go to Seoul Statin (KTX), how should I go? Thank you!! ^^

Labels: Seoul

그냥 나다 @ 6:58 PM.
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[SEOUL][Food][맛집] 비야 부대찌개 경대점 Biya Budae Jigae KyungHee Univ Branch
Saturday, May 18, 2013

What to eat in Seoul? One of the food I miss the most in Korea is Biya Budae Jigae. And it was something I already knew I would miss even as I was there. Trying to eat it as many times as I can and trying to remember and savour the moment as much as possible.......

I've eaten budae Jigae in Singapore and I've eaten budae jigae in a few other places in Korea. And my unbeatable favourite remains as Biya.

For simple reasons I love this budae jigae:

It is very affordable!
They give good amount of sausage and luncheon meat without even making your order an "extra meat" order.
It really taste so awesome that I can't stop thinking about it after my first visit.
Generous serving
Awesome soup... (thinking about it makes me hungry already...)

My first visit:
7 March 2013, Dinner - It was the 4th day of school and we visited Biya after the school's first field trip upon my recommendation. I've heard from a classmate, who has stayed in this neighbourhood for a few months, that this place was awesome. Was there with my Macau friend and a couple of new japanese friends whom I met for the first time and we click really well though communication was a little bit of a problem. But we had fun communicating nevertheless :p

From left: Me, Pekyou from Macau, Narumi and Yuki-unnie from Japan.

I was so touched by how delicious the dinner was that when I was paying the bill at the counter, I told the ahjumma at the counter that this was the best budae jigae I've ever eaten. Wanted to show some appreciation ^^

잘 먹었어요! 진짜 맛있어요!! 제가 먹었던 부대찌개중에 이거 가장 맛있어요..최고요!! ㅋㅋㅋㅋ 뭐,이렇게 말했을것같아..기억이 잘 않아요..ㅋ..

We had such a good meal and good time together that I remember we didnt wana bade farewell by the end of dinner. Even though it was late already. Narumi and I walked Pekyou and Yuki to the train station even though the station was quite a distance away and our dorm was just around the corner. But we wanted more time together.

My Second Visit:

21 March 2013 , Lunch - 2nd last day of school. Went with 차행언니 after school. Its funny how I can't call Cha-Heng-unnie her chinese name even though she is a taiwanese. Truth is, I cant remember her chinese name because its very difficult to read her name (the chinese characters has many strokes!). And also, Im prolly too used to calling her Cha-Heng-unnie..maybe because thats what I first know her as. =)

This place only have Budae Jigae on their menu.

For KRW 5,500 per pax (approx S$6.30), you get one pax of Budae Jigae (minimum order 2 pax), a small bowl of rice and a plate of potatoes. Sometimes I get a bottle of coke/cidar for free (every 2 pax).

KRW 500 (approx S$0.60) for additional Ramen. KRW 1,000 (approx S$1.15 ) for additional bowl of rice. If you needed additional sausages (I thought the portion that came with it was pretty sufficient. But if you want to add for purposes such as ordering 3pax for 4 - 5 pax, I think it is possible), it is KRW 2000 (approx S$2.30).

My Third Visit:

29 March 2013, Lunch - I brought my friends there when they came to Korea for holiday - which also happen to be my last visit to BIYA.. They visited my school and the place I stayed and I need to intro this awesome place to them.

Kyunghee Univ Branch was the only Biya I've been to. Because it is 5minutes walk from where I stay.

I just made a search on Naver and there are at least 5 branches in Seoul. There are branches at Hongdae Univ and Hanyang Univ too. Search abit more if you are interested.

비야부대찌개 (경대점)
02-963-9915 서울 동대문구 회기동 3-79
Hoegi Station, walk towards Kyunghee University (about 10min walk from Train Station). If you are walking in the direction where you are coming out of the university, it is on your left. It is either the first or 2nd turn when you come out from the univ. Its a simple black signboard with their name in white block letters.

I most probably will find out where is the hongdae branch, the next time I visit Korea. Unless I miss Hoegi neighbourhood and take a tour around that place. Otherwise, Hongdae should be more convenient. :)

I just went on Naver to search and found out that Hongdae Branch is near Hongdae Univ Main gate, beside Lotteria. It is located at some basement area, shall search for it the next time I'm there!!

Awwww..... I miss korea...................................... ㅜㅠ

Labels: Food, Imisskorea, korean food, Seoul, 맛집

그냥 나다 @ 12:48 AM.
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[Cafe] The Book Cafe
Tuesday, May 14, 2013

I am now sitting in The Book Cafe and my seat overlooks the cafe's cashier counter.

I have randomly keyed in "Book Cafe Singapore" in google search and discovered this place. One of my regrets for the korea trip is not having tried their book cafes. And so here I am, sitting here with my computer, alone.

I have wanted to take pictures of the interior but because all tables in this cosy cafe are filled on a tuesday afternoon, taking a picture make me feels like a private investigator. I'm not.

Photo of the interior, taken from their official website.

What I like about this place

This place is really a nice quiet hide-out. Both 'nice' and 'quiet';
The staff are really very friendly;
Good ambience with no rowdy teenager crowds but many expats who plant themselves at the sofa area for some reading;
There is good wifi connection;
The cost of food is reasonable (pastas at S$15- $20; Non-alcoholic Beverages S$5- S$8); and
They would have well won the most number of power-points (for your phone and/or computer) a cafe can have for a cafe its size.

Prices of menu for reference

What I thought could be improved

I cannot appreciate their music choice. (But, I'm a wierdo for music choice, so ignore me)
Not very accessible with public transport.

My ice cocoa with mashmallow.

The Book Cafe

20 Martin Rd, Singapore 239070
Phone: 6887 5430
http://www.thebookcafe.com.sg/

From Exit B at Clark Quay Station, cross the overhead bridge towards Dynasty Travel Direction. Walk straight through Carpenter Street (the lane beside Dynasty Travel) and cross the road to get to the bus stop. Take bus 51 and alight 3 stops later at Havelock Road (Bus stop name: Blk 2).

Credit: streetdirectory.com.sg
you will alight at the bus stop marked with arrow. you will need to cross the overhead bridge to the other side of the road.

Singapore needs more chill place like this, where people feels comfortable with their computer/books without worrying about being chased out of the place too soon. They did not hurry to clear your glass thay is left with your last sip. Instead, they refill your ice water. Nice.

Labels: cafe

그냥 나다 @ 5:18 PM.
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[Food] Wang Dae Bak Korean BBQ Restaurant
Sunday, May 12, 2013

24 April 2013

I've asked a Korean friend, who has lived in Singapore for 2+years (but has since returned for good), on which is her favourite korean restaurant in Singapore. And she told me Wang Dae Bak at Amoy Street.

And this became the reason why my friends and I ended up at Wang Dae Bak for dinner on 24 April 2013, my birthday.

'Wang' means '王'. And Dae Bak is a korean slang that can be roughly translated, in this case, to 'Best'.

For 8 pax, we ordered 2 servings of meat (S$18 per serving), a 부대찌개 Budae jigae (S$35 for a wok meant for 2 - 3 pax) and a Seafood Pancake (forgot the price).

Wang Daebak: 2 servings of meat at S$18 per serving

As you can see, the serving is pretty sad-looking. We had to order another 2 servings of meat after that. Its pretty disappointing =(

The meat was marinated well and Wang Daebak uses charcoal (instead of electric machines) for the bbq. And this happen to be the best thing about this place.

Budae Jigae

The Budae Jigae is.... normal. I miss 비야부대찌개 Biya Budae Jigae in korea, BIG TIME. Anyway, we had to order another ramyun (S$3) to satisfy the hungry stomachs around the table. You can ask them for extra soup (at no additional cost) if you feel that you are running out of soup for the ramyun.

I may go back to try the other dishes that they offer on the menu. I heard they have lunch set at reasonable price on weekdays. (updated with details at end of this post)

Wang Dae Bak
98 Amoy Street Singapore 069918
Tel: 6226 0450
I've used Noob Guidance to Wang Daebak to find my way there.

People may like to head there from Tanjong Pargar MRT Station. I found my way there from Raffles Place MRT Station.

credit: Streedirectory.com.sg

24 April 2013: Makan Warriors

I think I would have enjoyed the place more if it wasn't that I visited the place almost immediately after I return from a month's stay in Korea.

UPDATE

27 July 2013

I visit Wang Dae Bak (cross street) about 4 times in a month. The lunch set is really good food for awesome price. The best part is there is no service charge and gst. It appears that the price quoted on the menu was all that you need to pay. The bad thing is, I think the lunch menu is strictly only available during lunch hour (in Dal-In, another awesome Korean restaurant, their lunch menu is available during dinner with an additional top up of $3)

Another thing about Wang Daebank's lunch menu is that it has a wide variety! The Saba Fish set ($10) is a must try! It has one of the most generous serving and the sauce is good stuff.

I've also tried their 감자탕 (potato & pork soup)(S$13) but the soup is too thick, it tasted a bit like curry? The pork is also kinda tough. I miss the awesome-ness of 감자탕 in korea...

I shall try their 순두부찌개 tofu soup on next visit!

Labels: Food, korean food, 맛집

그냥 나다 @ 11:18 PM.
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[Food] Big Mama Korean Restuarant - 닭갈비

10 May 2013

I had my very first 닭갈비 (Dak-galbi) when I was in Korea. Unyoung-unnie brought me to this Dak-galbi place near her family's salon on the day before I was due to fly home. I was overwhelmed by how much I love this amazing dish and astonished by how I could call myself a korean food lover without even trying this before.

[서울] 맛집: 장지역 근처 맛있는 닭갈비. KRW 20,000
[Seoul] Dak-galbi near Jangji Station.

Dak-galbi is made up of marinated chicken bites, korean rice-cakes, and a variety of vegetables. It is a very unique dish because I cannot find something else that taste quite similar to it. The chemistry between the fresh juicy cabbage and the marinated chicken was the main reason why this works for me. People usually adds rice to the wok when you are half done with the original serving. The rice will be stir-fried into the dish together with seaweeds and you feel hungrier with each mouthful.

서울에서 먹었던 닭갈비. 볶음밥 맛있다~
The Dak-galbi I had in Seoul. After adding the rice, it is even more delicious! <3

The moment I came back to Singapore, I immediately went onto google to search for places in Singapore that sells Dak-galbi. And the only result that came up was "Big Mama" and I knew I had to try it.

Barely a month upon coming back from Korea, I hopped by Big Mama for dinner with my friends on 10 May 2013, Friday. It is recommended to make reservation because from my understanding, the place is always crowded and you can only make reservation at specific timing (eg. 6pm or 8pm)

It is tucked in a quiet lane, about 8 minutes walk from Tiong Bahru MRT. The place is clean and spacious. We ordered Dak-galbi for 2pax for the 3 of us. (S$15 per pax; minimum order: 2 pax)

[싱가폴]맛집: 티엉 바루역 근처 "빅마마" 닭갈비
[Singapore] Big Mama Dak-galbi at Tiong Bahru Mrt vicinity

First of all, the serving was less generous as compared to the one I had in Korea, but thats understandable. It was reasonably good but I would appreciate it more if they could make it with slightly more cabbage and if the cabbage are juicier. And how can we miss having the rice? We added 2 servings of rice (1 serving is S$3; no minimum order)

After adding in the rice

After they stir fried the rice in, I was like "This is it!".. The taste I've been longing and longing for.... I FOUND IT. So, please do not miss the best part of your Dak-galbi by skipping the rice. You can order less portion of rice, but I think it is something you would want to experience at least once. Though I agree that $3 for a bowl of rice is really quite expensive, but all korean restuarants in Singapore is demanding such price, so it wasn't a problem for me.

Reminder: If you are going to have rice, remember to leave 1/2 of the original servings! Don't finish them all!

We also ordered a 해물 김치전 Seafood Kimchi Pancake (S$15)

Big Mama: Haemul Kimchi Pancake

It was DAMN AWESOME. One of the best korean pancake I've had in Singapore. It is not soggy and not over-fried. Most importantly, there is decent serving of seafood.

Big Mama Korean Restaurant
2 Kim Tian Road, Singapore 169244
Tel:6270 7704
www.bigmama.sg

Tiong Bahru MRT, Exit B, you will need to cross the road somewhere. But if you are walking in the direction of Central Plaza, you are on the right track.