The best Korean restaurants in Singapore to visit in 2026

What is it? A well-known Korean barbecue joint that has proven to be extremely popular among Singaporeans, and for very good reason.

Why we love it: Jeju-style BBQ – a rare find in Singapore – is served for dinner. Feast on dry-aged pork, accompanied by a medley of kimchi and condiments such that no two mouthfuls end up tasting the same. Each cut of the pork, from the shoulder to ogyeopsal (five-layer pork belly) and jowl, is expertly grilled right before your eyes. Different pairings of meat and sauces, from barley ssamjang to spring onion kimchi, are served directly to your plate by the dedicated staff. Our favourite bite? Ogyeopsal dunked in an intense Jeju-style fish sauce that comes bubbling on the grill. For lunch, the main draw is Busan-style gukbap (pork and rice soup) – hearty, comforting and sure to fill you up.

Time Out tip: Reservations are encouraged, though it wouldn't hurt to try your luck for walk-ins. Just be prepared to wait an hour or so, and the team will try to squeeze you in. 

Address: 27 Boon Tat St, Singapore 069623
Opening hours: Daily 11am-3.30pm, 5.30pm-10pm

What is it? One-Michelin-star modern Korean excellence by Chef Louis Han, with menus crafted based on his journey from South Korea to Abu Dhabi and finally, Singapore. 

Why we love it: After a refresh, Naeum is ready to welcome guests again into its updated space, with elegant design elements inspired by traditional hanok. Chef Louis Han's work at Naeum from 2021 to the present day has culminated in a cuisine he terms 'Contemporary Korean'. While you'll find global influences and ingredients in the menu, each dish is still ultimately rooted in Korean flavours. The signature eight-course tasting menu is priced at $268, while the classic six-course menu ($228) will be available for lunch on Saturdays.

Time Out tip: For a more special experience, book out Hideaway, Naeum's private dining space. Advanced pre-bookings for lunch and dinner are required.

Address: 161 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068615
Opening hours: Mon-Wed 6pm-10.30pm; Thu-Sat noon-3pm, 6pm-10.30pm

What is it? Na Oh, the Korean restaurant on the third storey of Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre Singapore (HMGICS), is helmed by Chef Corey Lee from Benu in San Francisco.

Why we love it: The last thing you’d expect to see wedged between floors of a car manufacturing facility is probably a restaurant helmed by a three-Michelin-starred chef. Expect a four-course prix fixe menu ($88) here, where items are switched up according to the season. The buckwheat pancake is our favourite, paired with freshly harvested greens from the facility’s in-house smart farm and a delightful vinegary dip. Main courses are typically served in the format of jinjitsang – a traditional Korean meal with one main dish and accompanying banchan (side dishes).

Time Out tip: Since you're already in the far west, why not make a trip out of your visit? Guests can join a free guided Discovery Tour of the building, which includes an experiential smart farm visit, a tasting session of freshly harvested greens and an exhilarating spin around the Skytrack. 

Address: 2 Bulim Ave HMGICS, Level 3, Singapore 649674
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 11.30am-4pm, 6pm-10pm

What is it? Conceptualised out of pure fandom of the hit Korean drama series Reply 1988, this Korean-owned barbecue joint sits along the busy Jalan Besar stretch. Aside from the poster-clad walls and neon lights, the joint keeps things unpretentious with metal tables and simple furniture. 

Why we love it: Stellar cuts of meat and self-service side dishes at a considerably more affordable price than other KBBQ spots. The selection includes USDA prime beef, wagyu and Duroc pork, plus meticulous treatment by the grill. Binchotan charcoal is used, and the staff measure the temperature of the grill with a thermometer before cooking each slab to perfection. The non-marinated pork set for two ($68) is enough to satisfy. It comes with thick cuts of tender, juicy Duroc pork belly, jowl and neck, your choice of stew – we recommend the soybean stew – and an array of banchan.

Time Out tip: No meal here is complete without ordering the seafood pancake ($23). It’s satisfyingly crispy on the outside and filled with plump morsels of seafood inside, paired with an addictive dipping sauce.

Address: 200 Jln Besar, Singapore 208886
Opening hours: Mon-Wed noon-2.30pm, 5pm-midnight; Thu-Sun noon-2.30pm, 5pm-2am

What is it? For over 25 years now, foodies have been flocking to Seoul Restaurant in Conrad Singapore Orchard for value-for-money Korean barbecue buffets with a premium meat selection.

Why we love it: The family-run institution has been in operation since 1997 when it first opened in Amara Hotel's food court, and has been a mainstay at its current location since 2014. The interiors are homely with a spacious dining area, and the highlight is the à la carte buffet spread that starts at a wallet-friendly $59 for lunch. Regulars love the wide menu with over 40 items, including the likes of A5 wagyu, Iberico pork, Korean pancakes, marinated crabs and ginseng chicken stews. 

Time Out tip: The premium lunch buffet ($109 per person) offers the most value. On top of the regular beef and pork selections like brisket, short ribs, pork belly and pork jowl, you also get to enjoy endless servings of wagyu-grade short rib (kkot galbisal), wagyu-grade ribeye (deungsim) and spicy marinated crabs. 

Address: 1 Cuscaden Rd, Conrad Singapore Orchard, #03-02, Singapore 249715
Opening hours: Daily noon-3pm, 6pm-10.30pm

What is it? No place in Singapore does chimaek (chicken and beer, Korea's legendary food pairing) quite like Daily Beer. It's South Korea's largest craft beer and fried chicken chain, with over 300 outlets in the country. 


Why we love it: The restaurant serves crowd-favourite dishes like its popular Angry Bird fried chicken, which comes in four flavours – original, red (spicy sauce), black (sweet garlic soy sauce) and crunch (with corn flakes, garlic, and sweet and spicy seasoning). Half-and-half options are available, with 600-gram wings or boneless portions starting at $28. Our picks? The original, which is incredibly crispy with a well-seasoned batter, or the soy-garlic, which hits the right spot between sweet and savoury. 

Time Out tip: Order a pint to wash down the grease. There are seven craft beers on tap, produced in partnership with small-batch breweries from Korea. The Singapore-exclusive Telok Pale Ale ($14) is our go-to for fruity, refreshing flavours that pair well with the chicken, but there are also unique picks like a ginseng lager ($13) and hazelnut porter ($15).

Address: 242 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068645
Opening hours: Tue-Thu 11.30am-11pm; Fri 11.30am-12.30am; Sat 11.30am-11pm; Sun-Mon 11.30am-10pm

What is it? Michelin-recommended Seoul noodle restaurant with a history of 70 years. It specialises in one dish: cold buckwheat noodles. 

Why we love it: Gwanghwamun Mijin has been around since 1954 in Seoul, serving freshly made buckwheat noodles milled in an in-house factory in its basement. The star of the show is the signature buckwheat noodle set ($15), good for two people or one hungry diner. Each order comes with two trays of chilled noodles and a kettle of Gwanghwamun Mijin’s signature broth, made from dried seafood and a secret blend of 14 ingredients, then boiled overnight. Both the noodles and broth are flown in directly from Korea. Another must-try: the perilla buckwheat noodles with marinated salmon ($20), which, despite its unassuming appearance, turns out to be nutty, fragrant and light enough for a midday meal. 

Time Out tip: Dig into the noodles once they arrive so they don’t lose their slippery, glistening texture. And make sure to customise your dipping sauce with condiments like spring onions, grated daikon, seaweed and wasabi. 

Address: 47 Pekin St, Far East Square, #01-01, Singapore 048779
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11 am-3 pm, 5pm-9.30 pm

What is it? Drim takes inspiration from the Korean term “deu-rim” which directly translates to “sincerely yours” – it means to present with utmost sincerity in all they do. And that’s what this modern hanok-style steakhouse at Mandarin Gallery offers, fusing together traditional flavours with new culinary techniques.

Why we love it: The Korean barbecue is the star of the show, using a smokeless charcoal grill so you won’t have to worry about cooking fumes lingering on your clothes. Choose between three set menus: signature ($145 per person), beef and pork ($169 per person) or beef ($189 per person). The signature is what we'd recommend, with a porridge appetiser, 325g of selected beef and pork cuts, your choice of soup and ice cream. Here, the waitstaff offers tableside service, helping grill these premium cuts so you won’t have to lift a finger.

Time Out tip: You’ll also want to try the Signature Noodle ($33), which is made with 100 percent buckwheat noodles and tossed in with an earthy perilla seed sauce.

Address: 333A Orchard Rd, Mandarin Gallery, #02-14, Singapore 238897
Opening hours: Mon-Fri noon-3pm, 6pm-11pm; Sat-Sun 11.30am-11pm

What is it? Singapore’s first craft makgeolli bar located in New Bahru, housing one of the most extensive collections of handcrafted makgeolli and Korean spirits, all sourced directly from South Korea.

Why we love it: Conceptualised by the same chef behind the beloved Ajumma’s, which serves hearty Korean comfort food, Odem brings a completely different and fresh dining experience to the table. A must-order is the soy-glazed brioche with a savoury gamtae seaweed butter ($18) – it pulls apart oh-so easily, with a perfectly soft and warm middle. Another standout is the abalone boribap ($52), reminiscent of Jeju abalone porridge and creamy risotto. It's the rice that really stands out here. Mixed in with pearl barley, gamtae butter, zucchini, and gosari (mountain fernbrake), each bite is a combination of interesting textures and flavours that never get boring. 

Time Out tip: For first-timers, you’ll want to go for the Odem Quintet ($60), a flight of five signature makgeolli that you’ll find on every other table. 

Address: 46 Kim Yam Rd, New Bahru, #01-17, Singapore 239351
Opening hours: Sun-Thu 11.30am-11pm; Fri-Sat 11.30am-midnight

What is it? The restaurant’s name is a Korean term that refers to dishes paired with alcohol, so expect to see a carefully curated list of bottles, directly imported from Korean distilleries. 

Why we love it: This modern Korean dining concept serves refined small plates in an elegant and cosy space which blends subtle modernity with tradition – think muted earthy tones, leather and wood furnishings. From an experimental black bean mascarpone cheese spread on sourdough crackers, to nourishing galbi jjim (slow-braised beef short ribs), the food here features traditional Korean dishes with a creative, contemporary twist. Other must-try items include the bossam, gochujang cauliflower and abalone gim (seaweed) pasta.

Time Out tip: Soju is not the typical drink of choice here. You’ll see most tables sipping on champagne makgeolli, but you ought to try the mhungmyungju, a well-bodied yet balanced, refined glutinous rice liquor. Make sure to leave the little ones at home too – only kids above seven are welcome.

Address: 62 Tras St, Singapore 079001
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 6pm-10.30pm; Sat noon-3pm, 6pm-10.30pm

What is it? If you’re still not convinced that there’s more to Korean cuisine than greasy barbecues and fiery dishes, then you need to visit Modu.

Why we love it: The restaurant is the first in Singapore to specialise in boyang-sik (‘health food’ in Korean), and more specifically samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup). There are six variations of the dish on the menu, including flavours never before seen in Singapore like perilla seed samgyetang ($38) and black sesame samgyetang ($38). Our vote goes to the Hangover Samgyetang ($37) which is purportedly a great remedy after a night of questionable choices, but that’s not the reason why. The spicy broth is as nourishing as it is refreshing, and it’s made from a secret house chilli blend.

Time Out tip: On top of samgyetang, there’s also a selection of traditional health foods and sides like tofu samhap ($18), minari pancakes ($18), and more.

Address: 333A Orchard Rd, Mandarin Gallery, #02-37, Singapore 238897
Opening hours: Daily 11.30am-10pm
Expect to pay: Around $50 per person for sharing dishes