As a Korean native living in Singapore, I find it unfortunate that “pricey” is one of the first words that comes to mind when I think of Korean food. This is the main reason I rarely dine at Korean restaurants here. However, when I heard that the newly opened Kimchi Mama at Bugis+ offers an affordable menu with dishes from $5.90++, my curiosity was piqued. FYI: no pork or lard is used here.
Bibimbap is the representative Korean hotstone dish, but Kimchi Mama took it up a notch with their Hotstone Kimchi Beef Steak Rice ($14.90++). This comes with a warm bed of rice topped with beef steak slices, aged kimchi, shredded seaweed, and a raw egg yolk. For such a generous medley of ingredients, I was surprised that it was less than $15—almost half the price of what you’d pay at most Korean restaurants.
It also comes with a savoury sauce on the side, meant to be mixed with all the ingredients.
Unfortunately, the beef hotstone rice was a mixed bag. I liked the addition of aged kimchi as it elevated the overall dish with a tangy touch, but the steak slices were bland and unmemorable. It helped that the beef was tender, though, and was easy to enjoy with all the other ingredients.
If beef isn’t your thing, the Hotstone Spicy Cheesy Chicken Rice ($12.90++) is an alternative you can consider. Though the two dishes are presented in similar ways, they are vastly different in terms of flavours and ingredients.
The chicken hotstone rice comprises bite-sized spicy chicken bits, tobiko, sweet corn, shredded seaweed, and melted cheese as a savoury finishing touch. This dish is slightly sweeter than the beef steak rice, and offers more textural variety if that’s your cup of tea.
That said, the hotstone rice dishes feel more tailored to Singaporean tastes than Koreans. For instance, Korean hotstone dishes typically have more veggies, without relying on ingredients such as cheese and sweet corn. The spice is also more pronounced, without being overpowered by sweet or savoury components.
While the former two dishes were a bit of a letdown, the Kimchi Mama Stew Pot ($25.90++) fared better. This kimchi stew is made with both fresh and cooked kimchi to achieve a richer and more piquant flavour. It’s brimming with fresh clams, thin beef slices, enoki mushrooms, tofu, chives, and glass noodles. I recommend sharing the stew with two or three friends, alongside bowls of plain rice to mix the broth with.
If you’re in a pair or dining alone, the Spicy Kimchi & Clams Soondubu ($11.90++) is a better alternative, portion-wise. Unlike the aforementioned stew, this dish only uses cooked kimchi to create a sweet-tangy broth, made tastier with the accompaniment of clams, silky tofu, enoki mushrooms, and glass noodles.
Kimchi Mama’s soondubu stew was decent, but again, I could tell it was adapted to suit the taste buds of Singaporeans. I’ve never had soondubu stew with glass noodles prior to this, and I’m used to enjoying it with a raw egg that slowly cooks over bubbling heat. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t to say the stew was terrible, but it’d be fair to give a disclaimer: don’t expect a full-on, authentic Korean dining experience here.
Aside from the affordable mains, there are plenty of smaller bites and sides to choose from. The Mama ‘Shake Shake’ Rice Balls ($5.90++) caught my attention, as it was served in a traditional Korean lunchbox. This comes with a small portion of rice, shredded seaweed, tobiko, and mayonnaise.
There’s no need to painstakingly mix the ingredients with your cutlery; instead, close the lid and give the lunchbox a few good shakes. When you’re done, you can enjoy it as it is, or ask for a disposable glove to make rice balls.
I recommend pairing the rice balls with the five-piece Boneless Chikin ($8.90++) and Corn Cheese ($6.90++), as having the rice alone can be a tad bland and boring.
By pairing your rice with the Boneless Chikin and Corn Cheese, you get a good mix of sweet, salty, and savoury in a single bite. The gooey, stretchy cheese also helps to loosen up the crispy edges of the fried chicken!
Conveniently located on the fourth floor of Bugis+, Kimchi Mama stands out for its casual and vibrant ambience. If you see bold accents of blue and orange, you’ve probably found the right place. Quaint memorabilia and knick-knacks at every corner add to the homey, laid-back atmosphere. The restaurant can hold up to 70 diners at a time, making it ideal for lunch rushes or dinner crowds.
For easy access, Bugis+ is directly connected by an overhead link bridge to Bugis Junction, which is a stone’s throw away from Bugis MRT Station.
Frankly, Kimchi Mama doesn’t make the cut for my personal list of favourite Korean eateries in Singapore. That said, kudos to the team for rolling out a wallet-friendly menu with decent dishes for those working or studying in the area. I have no major complaints, other than that it’s not the most reliable example of a standout Korean restaurant in Singapore.
If you’re in the area, read our Bugis food guide for souffle pancakes, Wagyu ramen and more. We also have a guide to cheap Korean food places with mains under $15.
Address: 201 Victoria Street, #04-11, Bugis+, Singapore 188067
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 9:30pm
Website
Kimchi Mama is in the process of getting halal-certified.
Photos taken by Yoo Kyung and edited by Marcus Neo.
This was a media tasting at Kimchi Mama.
Summary
Pros:
– Affordable mains
– Convenient location
– Kimchi Mama Stew Pot is decent and great for sharing
Cons:
– Mama ‘Shake Shake’ Rice Balls were a tad too bland
– Not the most authentic Korean fare, as it’s made to be more palatable to locals
Recommended dish: Kimchi Mama Stew Pot ($25.90++), Boneless Chikin ($8.90++)
Address: 201 Victoria Street, #04-11, Bugis+, Singapore 188067