8 Korean BBQ At Clarke Quay Central: Eight Colours Mangalitza Pork Belly

Finding a good Korean restaurant that also stands out from the rest of its counterparts is not exactly easy. With varying marination in their meats and kimchi, it is doubtless that different restaurants appeal differently. As a huge fan of Korean cuisine and my penchant for BBQ meats and kimchi, I have brushed by Korean restaurants with frozen meats and weird kimchi while relentlessly ticking the rest of my list to find the next best Korean dining spot.

It was not until the end of last year 2016 that I found my love.

This was a subsequent visit to 8 Korean BBQ and I was still as infatuated with their 8 Colours Set ($98) that came with 8 thick strips of Mangalitza Pork Belly, free-flow Kimchi and Beansprouts, and their signature Seafood Soft Tofu stew (which we were recommended).

8 Colours Set

The eight strips of pork belly were arranged from lightest to heaviest in flavour, starting with Wine, Original, Ginseng, Garlic to Herb, Curry, Miso and Red Pepper. 

Each strips were then grilled on a half-tilted pan which allowed the oil to flow downwards. Just when you thought the oil would be drained away, it was instead being absorbed by the kimchi and beansprouts placed at the lower end of the pan.

While I enjoyed the ‘hot’ kimchi with its own marination, I had to say this had definitely upped its sinfulness – something more addictive and flavorful.

As for the individual pork belly, each had its own distinct taste. The pork belly with herb tasted of rosemary, while the curry one had a more pungent and earthy flavour. These two were my favourites, including the Ginseng and Miso.

Using Mangalitza pork belly, a premium grade of pig from the Hungarian Origin, you can expect lean, tender meats sealed in with the juices and soft fats layered between.

Wrap each sizzling slice of pork belly in a lettuce, add a dollop of kimchi and Gochujang sauce and snuff it out in one mouthful, how can one not love Korean food!

The 8 Colours Set also allowed us to have a choice of the Seafood Soft Tofu Stew. It was very warming to our bellies and consisted of mussels, clams, squids, prawn, soft tofu and tons of vegetables.

Design Your Own Bibimbap

For office crowd and those who wanted something carb-based, the DIY Bibimbap ($10.90) is available during lunch time from 11:30AM to 2:30PM. Served as an affordable option as well, it allowed diners to customise the Bibimbap with their desired rice (white/purple), one protein, three vegetables and one sauce.

Mixed in with the sous vide egg, the soft rice had just the right amount of stickiness that brought the different ingredients together. The portion was generous enough to keep one full through the day too.

Served in a hot stone, the food still remained warm even after some time had passed.

Bibimbap Bingsu

If savoury Bibimbap can satisfy you, how about getting the humongous Bibimbap Bingsu ($28) too!

A sweet version of Bibimbap-lookalike, layered with fruits, Oreo crumbs, mini marshmallows, red bean and crunchy flakes while topped with whipped cream and a half peach posing as an egg. Dug into the milky shaved ice below; a refreshing end to a very full-filling meal.

 

8 Korean BBQ (Clarke Quay)

6 Eu Tong Sen Street, #02-79/90

The Central, Singapore 059817

Tel: +65 8692 1188

OR

8 Korean BBQ (Shaws)

1 Scotts Road, Shaw Centre, #04-20/21

Singapore 228208

Tel: +65 9018 9212

 

Weekdays: 11:30AM-2:30PM, 5:30PM-10:30PM

Weekends: 11:30AM-10:30PM

 

Website: https://www.8koreanbbq.com/