Showing posts with label Pork Jowl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pork Jowl. Show all posts

Thursday, 2 November 2023

SEORAE – Hangari Dry-Aged Meat [MEDIA INVITE]

SEORAE Korean Charcoal BBQ is conceptualized in Seorae village, South Korea by Chef Chul Park, a person that believes positive perfectionism. SEORAE has grown into a leading Korean BBQ chain and cemented its reputation as a pork rare-cut specialist, with 300 outlets established globally, and 6 of them are in Singapore.

SEORAE @ Plaza Singapura
This time, SEORAE introduced Hangari Dry-Aged Series, Singapore’s first ever meat fermented in Hangari pot. Inspired by the fermentation method of Korea staples like gochujang and kimchi, Chef Chul Park and his team developed the recipe consist of a secret blend of 3-essence, and aged the Duroc Chestnut Pork Belly (Samgyeobsal) in a traditional Korean Hangari. It is then stored in 3ÂșC to complete the fermentation process, resulting in the perfect texture of pork belly.


Dipping Sauces
Banchan 
Hangari Dry-Aged Pork Belly ($32, 200g) is served in Hangari pot, comes with a special sauce and a card that explain about this Signature collection. Due to the fermentation process, the pork must be grilled in medium heat, instead of the high heat as it will easily burn. When cooking this pork belly, our host grilled them closer to the edge of the grill plate instead of in the middle.

Hangari Dry-Aged Pork Belly 
When I bite into it, the pork belly just slowly melts in my mouth. The fermentation process also breaks down the tissue in the meat part, as I chew on it effortlessly. #Porkgasm moments! For the second piece, I dipped it in the special sauce, that is made with kimchi and bean paste. It is sweet, earthy and compliments the pork belly perfectly. A perfect pairing.

Hangari Dry-Aged Pork Belly 
Next is the SEORAE Iberico Rare-Cut Tasting Platter ($68, 350gram). This platter feature selection of Iberico Black Pork Cuts from Spain, consist of: Abanico, Rib Finger, Skirt Meat, Jowl and Pork Tongue.

SEORAE Iberico Rare-Cut Tasting Platter 
Abanico (part that wrap the ribs from the outside). It is very tasty and the texture is like a leaner part of the meat.

Rib Finger. Chewy, meaty and juicy. For those who like ribs, this is the most enjoyable part.

Pork Jowl. LD favourite part. Crispy externally, juicy and bursting with fats internally. #Porkgasm.

Pork Tongue. First time we try this at Korean BBQ. I usually have it braised. The pork tongue is sliced thinly and butterflied. The texture is crunchy with a bit of chewiness in it. It is a bit porky for our taste buds, so it is better to be accompanied with the dipping sauce or with the kimchi. For my case, I dipped it with Hangari Dry-Aged Pork Belly special sauce.

Pork Tongue
Skirt Meat. It is juicy and tender. With the marbling on the meat, it tastes like Iberico pork chop.

We ended the meal with Mul-Naengmyeon ($14.90). Traditional cold noodles, served with a cold icy and sour broth. The cold noodle is nicely cooked, thin and chewy. The cucumber and radish gave a crunchy texture to the dish. Meanwhile, the sourish and icy broth is just perfect to end the bbq. It helps to cut the “jelakness” (overwhelming oily taste) from the bbq and bring refreshing taste / palate cleanser. The portion at SEORAE is also very generous, LD and I have trouble trying to finish the bowl of noodle.

Mul-Naengmyeon 
Overall, we both enjoy the Hangari Dry-Aged Pork Belly and SEORAE Iberico Rare-Cut Tasting Platter. The Hangari Dry-Aged Pork Belly will be a hit with the customers and it will definitely become SEORAE signature dish. For the SEORAE Iberico Rare-Cut Tasting Platter, it will be suitable for the more adventurous customers. Geonbae!! Cheers!!

Part of Dining Area
Thank you very much Protegie and SEORAE Team for the invitation.

Food & Drink: 8.5/10
Value: 7.5/10
Service: N/A (Tasting Invitation)
Ambiance: 7.5/10
Budget per Person: $51 - $80

Seorae @Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Road
#02-01, Plaza Singapura
Singapore 238839

T: +65 9181 2709
OH: Daily 11.30 – 22.00
Menu & Information on other locations are available online.

Sunday, 1 October 2023

88 Pocha + BBQ – Vintage 80s Korean BBQ [MEDIA INVITE]

The 88 Pocha + BBQ is the extension of the 88 Pocha brand, owned and operated by Food Palace Group Pte Ltd. The first outlet of 88 Pocha opened at Lor Mambong, Holland Village earlier this year and the second outlet at Kovan opened a few months later. A full review of this exciting Pojangmacha at Holland Village is available here.

The Inflatable Man
This third 88 Pocha outlet at Duxton has incorporated Korean BBQ into its menu. Instead of offering the regular Korean BBQ menu that you usually find in Singapore, the team introduced the time-honoured tradition of frozen pork BBQ, revisiting the cherished memories of the 1980s and 90s. In the late 90s, the advancement of modern refrigeration methods ensured Koreans were able to enjoy fresh pork all year round and curtail frozen pork BBQ. However, this old-cherish tradition starting to make a comeback in the Korean dining scene. Again, due to the advancement in technology, frozen pork is delivering a better flavour compared to the vintage years.

88 Pocha + BBQ
The furnishings of 88 Pocha + BBQ outlet are slightly different from the first 2 outlets. There are still pojangmacha tables and chairs at the back section of the restaurant, but the front half of the restaurant is decked up with proper Korean BBQ tables and exhaust system. To spice up the atmosphere, the restaurant also uses colour lights just like in the retro era.

Proper Korean BBQ Table 
For the tasting, we tried the Duroc Pork Set ($45.88), which comes with Pork Belly (180g), Pork Jowl (180g), Kimchi, Chinese Chive and Watercress. To ensure the dish reached the optimum flavour, the service staff did the cooking at the table.

Duroc Pork Set
Duroc Pork Set
We get started on the banchan. Consists of mashed potatoes, strips of pickled radish, kimchi and fresh lettuce to go with BBQ.

Dipping Sauce: Salt + Sesame Oil, Samjang and Garlic
Mashed Potatoes & Pickled Radish
Kimchi
Fresh Lettuce with Black Pepper at the Back
There are a few ways to eat the thinly sliced grilled pork belly. First, with the watercress. The duroc pork belly is naturally sweet, complimented by the bitter and crunchy watercress. Second, with grilled kimchi. According to LD, the kimchi is slightly aged, when they are grilled the flavour becomes more intense and balances out the fat in the pork belly.

Duroc Pork Belly with Watercress
Duroc Pork Belly with Grilled Kimchi
Duroc Pork Belly
The pork jowl is paired with Chinese chives and BBQ garlic. I like the texture of the pork jowl as it is thicker, juicier and has a nice bouncy texture. The Chinese chives provided aromatic and bitter flavour that enhance the taste of the pork jowl.

Duroc Pork Jowl, Chinese Chives and Garlic
Duroc Pork Jowl
For dipping sauce, we have salt + sesame oil, samjang sauce and garlic. There is also a pepper on the table, it is recommended to sprinkle this on top of frozen pork.

Citrus Highball
To accompany the pork duroc set, we choose the Seafood Soft Tofu Stew ($12.88). It is packed with ingredients and the stew is on the lighter side. Though the clams are light in flavour, we can still taste it in the broth.

Seafood Soft Tofu Stew
Seafood Soft Tofu Stew
Completing the BBQ experience is Bacon Kimchi Fried Rice. Due to the holes on the grill plate, the fried rice is done on an aluminium foil. Instead of using the existing pork fat left on the BBQ, the fried rice uses bacon. The texture of the fried rice is good and flavourful as well thanks to the generous kimchi, Chinese chives and seaweed,

Bacon Kimchi Fried Rice
Bacon Kimchi Fried Rice
LD also tried Golbaengi (Topshell) Bibim Naeng Ramyeon ($12.88). Korean ramyeon style cold noodle with topshell. I think it looks menacing due to the red colour sauce but LD likes it. It is springy, refreshing and packed with flavour.

Golbaengi (Topshell) Bibim Naeng Ramyeon 
Golbaengi (Topshell) Bibim Naeng Ramyeon
Other than the Duroc Pork set, 88 Pocha + BBQ also serve Chicken Set ($45.88) – Chicken oyster (4 pcs), Boneless Neck (100g), Chicken Thigh (200g), King Oyster Mushroom, and Leek. Plus, there is also A5 Wagyu Beef Clod ($38.88 for 150g) part of the BBQ ala carte.

Menu 1
Overall, it was nice experiencing the vintage Korean frozen pork BBQ. The combination of the pork belly, eaten with kimchi and watercress brings out a different flavour to the dish. I like the pork jowl the most as it is packed with the goodness of the OINK OINK. Check out 88 Pocha + BBQ for the nostalgic BBQ and street food of Korean in the 80s and 90s. Geonbae!! Cheers!!

Menu 2
Thank you very much Protegie and 88 Pocha + BBQ Team for the invitation.

Lunch Menu

Menu 3
Food & Drink: 7.25/10
Value: 7/10
Service: N/A (Tasting Invitation)
Ambiance: 7.5/10
Budget per Person: $26 - $50

88 Pocha + BBQ
17 Duxton Road
Singapore 089483

T: +65 9273 9957
OH: 11.30 – 15.00; 17.00 – 23.00 Daily
Menu, Reservation and Delivery Links available here

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