We Tried I’m Kim’s $18.90++ K-BBQ Buffet To See If It’s Still A Good Deal

I’m Kim Korean BBQ is a popular buffet restaurant in Dhoby Ghaut

If you’re a frequent visitor to the Dhoby Ghaut area, chances are you’ve already heard of I’m Kim Korean BBQ. As the Korean food craze continues to sweep across Singapore, Korean BBQ buffet restaurants have been popping up all over the island, but few can match I’m Kim when it comes to sheer value for money. 

Due to its proximity to institutions such as Singapore Management University and LASALLE College of the Arts, it has been a popular haunt among students seeking a hearty yet affordable meal. Since opening in 2014, it has amassed over 6,700 Google reviews and an impressive 4.6-star rating. But beyond its wallet-friendly prices, is it truly as good as the reviews suggest? 

Food at I’m Kim Korean BBQ

Prices here start at $18.90++ per adult for lunch daily, including weekends and public holidays. For dinner, the buffet costs $28.90++ from Monday to Thursday and $29.90++ on Fridays, weekends, public holiday eves, and public holidays. 

The buffet line offers six main meat selections, namely Beef Bulgogi, Pork Belly, Marinated Pork Belly, Spicy Pork Belly, Black Pepper Chicken, and Volcano Chicken. 

You will also find the lineup of typical Korean side dishes, including Pamuchin AKA spring onion salad, Kimchi, Japanese Cucumber Salad, Korean Mushroom Banchan, and Enoki Mushroom.

While many would advise skipping the carbohydrate-heavy options at a buffet to maximise your meat intake, I will argue that the Korean staples are more than worth considering. One of the most popular options is the Jajangmyeon, featuring noodles lathered in the quintessential black bean sauce. 

Their Tteokbokki is another dish that’s difficult to pass up, featuring generously sized Korean rice cakes bathed in a rich gochujang-based sauce and topped with thinly sliced scallions. 

We started by digging into a few pieces of their Fried Tangsuyuk, AKA fried chicken, dousing them in the accompanying Sweet and Sour Sauce. The sauce was a highlight, striking a pleasant balance between tangy and sweet flavours that paired well with the meat. 

Unfortunately, the chicken itself seemed to have sat out for some time, as the batter had lost much of its crispness and turned rather chewy. 

Each table is fitted with an electric smokeless Korean BBQ grill common in many mall outlets or BBQ chains, making it easier for beginners to cook their meats evenly. It also generates less smoke and odour, sparing diners the common bane of leaving a barbecue meal smelling like one.

That said, the trade-off was that the meat lacked some of the intense smoky aroma and flame-kissed char that traditional charcoal grills can provide, which was particularly noticeable in the meats. 

We started with the standard pork belly, which came in notably thick, long slices. It offered a slightly leaner bite while still retaining the distinct porky flavour and juiciness.

Unfortunately, it was a little more difficult to achieve the lightly charred, caramelised crust that is key to good Korean BBQ pork belly on the electric grill, taking away some of the overall satisfaction. 

The Volcano Chicken pieces were fairly thick and succulent, well-coated in a marinade that leaned towards the sweeter, tangier side. Despite its name, it delivers a gentle tingling heat that lingers on the palate. 

Moving on to the Black Pepper Chicken, which was well-marinated, allowing the flavours to permeate throughout. This translated into deep, garlicky and savoury notes, accompanied by a bold peppery kick that we really enjoyed. 

Their Beef Bulgogi features thinly sliced beef with a good umami richness, though once again, we would have loved the smoky flavours to come through more prominently.

For that authentic K-BBQ experience, grab a piece of lettuce and wrap your favourite meats in it in typical “ssam” style. Our favourite combination was layering a generous amount of kimchi alongside the beef bulgogi, which came together beautifully when wrapped in the lettuce. 

There are also a few dipping sauce options to pair with your meats, including Sesame Oil, Vinegar, Soy Sauce, and BBQ Sauce. Our picks were the Sesame Oil, whose nutty aroma enhanced the richness of the meats, and the BBQ Sauce, which added sweet and savoury flavours to each bite.

There is also a dessert station where you can customise your own sweet treat to round off the meal, with condiments such as grass jelly, condensed milk, creamier, and rose syrup. 

Ambience at I’m Kim Korean BBQ

I’m Kim offers ample seating for both small and large groups. The dining area is generally clean, comfortable, and well-lit, and we found it relatively easy to secure a table even during peak hours. The buffet spread is also clearly labelled, making it easy to navigate and select exactly what you want.

I’m Kim Korean BBQ is a five-minute walk from Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station. 

I’m Kim Korean BBQ – Eatbook review

While you can’t expect top-grade cuts of meat at these prices, there’s no denying that the restaurant offers excellent value for money—arguably one of the best deals in the K-BBQ scene. The electric grill does make it a little harder to achieve that coveted smoky char on the meats, though this is hardly an issue unique to I’m Kim. Besides that, there’s really not much to complain about its affordable pricing. Overall, this is a great spot for those looking to enjoy a Korean BBQ feast without spending a fortune. 

For more affordable buffet options, check out our guide to the best cheap buffets in Singapore. Alternatively, read our Ginger Restaurant review, a halal-certified buffet featuring Wagyu beef rendang and fresh seafood. 

Address: 1 Zubir Said Drive, #01-04, School of the Arts, Singapore 227968
Buffet hours: Mon-Thurs 11:30am to 4pm, 5:30pm to 10pm, Fri 11:30am to 4pm, 5:30pm to 10:30pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am to 4:59pm, 5pm to 10:30pm
Tel: 6238 7218
Website
I’m Kim Korean BBQ is not halal-certified. 

Photos taken by Nathania Tay.
This was an independent review by Eatbook.sg.