Korean Tonkatsu Chain Ojeje Opens At Raffles City— Here’s Our Review

Ojeje is a new Korean restaurant in Raffles City

Joining the wave of new Korean restaurants is a tonkatsu specialty restaurant that is opening in Raffles City. Hailing from Seoul, Ojeje currently has six outlets and is expanding out of Korea, with Singapore as its first global outpost.

Known for its meticulous cooking process and use of premium ingredients, Ojeje has garnered plenty of hype. We headed down to see if the food really lived up to it.

Food at Ojeje

Their specialty dishes are the Pork Tenderloin Katsu ($28++) and Pork Loin Katsu ($32++): deep-fried Jeju pork cutlets. The pork is wet-aged, giving the meat a tender, juicy centre. Do note that the photo above features the Pork Loin Katsu and Kadaif Prawn set ($38++). 

The wet-aging process definitely made a difference here, as I found the cutlets to be softer than traditional tonkatsu. We also appreciated how light and crunchy the breading was, without the usual greasiness associated with deep-fried food. 

For seafood lovers, their Kadaif Prawn ($12++/pcs) is a solid pick. You get a large, juicy prawn deep-fried in a crispy kadaif shell and served with the same accompaniments as the tonkatsu: wasabi, Himalayan salt, and white truffle sauce. The prawn’s freshness shone through in its natural sweetness, which complemented the savoury shell nicely. Paired with the crispy kataifi strands, the springy prawn made each mouthful especially satisfying.

To cut through the richness, you can enjoy the meats with a trio of dips: wasabi, Himalayan salt, and a white truffle sauce. The latter was my favourite pairing as it added an extra layer of nuttiness and umami when the flavour of the pork started getting repetitive. 

There’s also a mountain of shredded cabbage on the side to help reset your palate. Drench it in the lemon and yuzu dressing for a refreshing citrus flavour.

To beat the heat, we recommend their Premium Matcha Zaru Udon ($17++), handmade in-house daily and served cold on a bed of crushed ice. It’s created with a firm, QQ texture and a subtle earthy matcha flavour that balances the saltiness and umami of the tsuyu sauce.

While I loved the al dente texture of the noodles, my colleague thought it was slightly too chewy and hard. Taste-wise, the noodles had a hint of matcha flavour. The salty, sweet tsuyu dipping sauce clung nicely to each strand, making for a delicious slurp. 

There are three Singapore exclusives to look forward to: Chicken Tenderloin Katsu ($24++), Carbonara Udon ($22++), and Soy Marinated Salmon Bowl ($24++). We got to try the Carbonara Udon. I definitely underestimated how good it would be, as it was served “deconstructed” with a slab of butter, grated cheese, an egg yolk, and some pepper and spring onions on top of plain udon.

The first bite blew me away. It was creamy, well-seasoned, with a balanced flavour profile. All the ingredients blended beautifully to make a smooth, flavourful sauce. The udon here was cooked softer than the aforementioned matcha rendition, but still retained a pleasant chew. If you prefer your noodles on the softer side, this dish will be right up your alley.

Ambience at Ojeje

Ojeje’s interior felt like a stylish blend of contemporary and traditional elements. The space had a slightly darker, muted colour palette, giving a calming atmosphere. Traditional touches included the ceramic display pieces and tableware, said to be inspired by Jeju Island’s landscape.

Ojeje is in Raffles City Shopping Centre, located right next to City Hall MRT Station.

Ojeje – Eatbook review

Overall, factoring in the taste, quality, price, and location, Ojeje is definitely worth a visit. While tonkatsu is nothing new in Singapore, the attention to detail in the ingredients and recipes elevates the dining experience at Ojeje. 

Furthermore, the restaurant’s accessibility is a bonus, as it’s just a minute’s walk from the MRT. Its central location also makes it a great spot to hang out with friends without breaking the bank. 

If you’re on the hunt for more newly opened Korean restaurants, check out Dolpan Hwajoo, a Busan restaurant specialising in shareable hotstone dishes and unique makgeolli flavours. Alternatively, read our guide to the best tonkatsu.

Address: 252 North Bridge Road, #B1-12, Raffles City Shopping Centre Singapore 179103
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 11am to 3pm, 5pm to 9pm, Fri-Sun 11am to 9pm
Website
Ojeje is not halal-certified.

Busan Restaurant Opens In CBD With Hotstone Dishes, Ube Makgeolli And More

Photos taken by Nivian Chiang.
This was a media tasting at Ojeje.