There are times when you discover a restaurant almost by chance and end up thinking, why didn’t we know about this place earlier?
That was pretty much how we felt about Jungyi Korean BBQ at Siglap when we happened to come across it on Instagram.
We decided to pop by the restaurant for lunch on a warm weekday afternoon. We ordered a few of their lunch sets – Mul Naengmyeon, Godeunggeo Gui, Jjajangmyeon and Kimchi Jigae so that we could try a bit of everything.
And honestly, we were pleasantly surprised.
The food was good and above average, and Jungyi felt like one of those little hidden gems that you might easily overlook if you’re just passing through Siglap. The refillable banchan was addictive and the staff was proactive in asking if we wanted to top-up.
Mul Naengmyeon
The Mul Naengmyeon was a refreshing choice for lunch especially on a warm afternoon. The cold noodles came in a light, icy broth that had the right amount of vinegar added to it. The noodles had the characteristic chewy texture that you would expect from naengmyeon.
This is a good option if you’re looking for something lighter.
Godeunggeo Gui
The Godeunggeo Gui, or grilled mackerel, was another solid choice.
The fish was quite plump, nicely grilled and had a good savoury flavour, which went well with the rice and accompanying side dishes.
It’s a simple dish but sometimes those are the ones that hit the spot. The portion was also reasonable for a lunch set.
Kimchi Jjigae
Then there was the Kimchi Jjigae, the spicy option of the 4 lunch sets.
It came piping hot and had the familiar combination of spicy, tangy and savoury flavours from the kimchi. Paired with rice, it made for a really satisfying lunch.
I particularly liked that the flavours weren’t overly aggressive. It had enough depth and spice without becoming too heavy.
Jjajangmyeon
The familiar noodle dish that you see very often in Korean variety shows. The black bean sauce was not over oily and was light in flavour. It came with diced pork, julienned cucumber and topped with a sunny side up egg.
A Hidden Gem in Siglap?
The four lunch sets we tried were pretty good for their price point and there was enough variety for everyone to find something they would enjoy whether you prefer noodles, grilled fish or a comforting bowl of stew.
For us, Jungyi Korean BBQ felt like a hidden gem in Siglap. It’s the kind of restaurant you discover, have a good meal and then wonder why you hadn’t tried it earlier.
Rating: 4 / 5
Jungyi Korean BBQ (Siglap)
3 Jalan Jamal, Upper E Coast Rd, 457602
Google Maps Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ASSNojqtUtgLDTYm6
