Ever since E!ght Korean BBQ arrived on our sunny island in Clarke Quay in 2013, they have managed to capture the hearts of many. And it is no wonder why. Apart from riding the Korean wave that converted many into Korean food enthusiasts, E!ght Korean BBQ offered exquisite cuts of meats, and an impeccable full service that created a hassle-free korean bbq experience. Recently, I had the opportunity to experience the smoky, meaty affair at the new E!ght Korean BBQ outlet at shaw centre which opened in October this year.
Just like the Korean pop culture, Korean BBQ is constantly changing as new trends emerge, with the latest being chunky cuts of meat. In conjunction with this trend and its opening, E!ght Korean BBQ introduced a new menu item: the Big Hog Plate ($46) which stars a chunky cut of pork belly.
The tantalising thick cut of Hungarian Mangalitsa pork belly is lightly seasoned with salt and pepper to enhance its natural flavours. Accompanied with thickly sliced onions and king oyster mushrooms, it was a pleasure to watch as the slab of meat was cubed and tossed on the grill. They sizzled and caramelized into beautiful golden brown cubes as they danced on heat, revealing a crispy outer layer and juicy, tender inside.
To combat the oiliness of the meat which may get overwhelming at times, try wrapping the pork belly in a layer of fresh lettuce, onions and home-made kimchi. This classic combination never fails.
The 4 Colours Set ($58) features four wonderful strips of thick-cut Hungarian pork belly with a choice of four marinades: wine, original, garlic, herb, curry, miso, red pepper paste or kalbi. Beautifully rolled up and presented on a custom-made wooden tray, they are accompanied by house-made kimchi and beansprouts.
The marinades did a perfect job of enunciating the flavours of the meat without overpowering them. My personal favourite was the herb marinade. It complemented the succulent cuts of meat, adding a luscious aftertaste from the fragrant herbal rosemary.
And of course, a proper Korean BBQ is never complete without an army stew, which comes with the 4 Colours set. In fact, the set meals are accompanied with a choice of stew. (Beef Kimchi, Seafood Bean Paste, Pork Belly Kimchi or Sardine Kimchi stew, Seafood tofu stew, Army Stew)
E!ght Korean BBQ (Shaw Centre)
#04-20/21, Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Road, Singapore 228208
Tel: +65 9018 9212
Operating Hours: Mon to Fri 11.30am – 2.30pm Lunch (Last Order 2pm)
5.30pm – 10.30pm Dinner (Last Order 9.45pm)
Sat, Sun and Public Holidays 11.30am – 10.30pm (Last Order 9.45pm)
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