Is it really worth queuing hours for?
Just when you thought every other shop space along Telok Ayer was already a Korean BBQ joint, along comes Song Gae Ok to shake things up.
Hailing from South Korea with a cult following and a reputation for drawing perpetual queues outside its Seoul outlet, they are finally bringing their chargrilled magic to Singapore. Song Gae Ok has carved out a name for itself by staying true to time-honoured Korean recipes using premium ingredients. They are known for their expertly charcoal-grilled chicken and comforting homestyle sides.
We were invited to their media preview ahead of the grand opening. Here’s the lowdown on whether this spot is really worth the hype!
Traditional Korean Hanok Vibe
First up, let’s talk about the impressive decor. Step inside Song Gye Ok and you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported straight into a traditional Korean hanok. The warm lighting, wooden furniture and intricate lattice accents has a nostalgic charm of old Seoul.
In addition to the eight dining tables, there are four bar counters designed in the form of traditional pavilions. Here, experienced servers/chef will personally assist with grilling the chicken. It’s the kind of space that would draw one into its warm and inviting embrace.
Dinner Menu: Specialty Chicken Parts
Song Gye Ok is all about grilled chicken – so don’t expect to find beef, pork, or other meats here. Grilled chicken is only available during dinner, while lunch features a different menu, which we’ll highlight later.
So, what’s so special about the chicken?
First off, you won’t be getting the usual whole chicken. Instead, the focus is on specific, curated cuts, many of which are rarely seen in typical restaurants. The founders set out to reintroduce underappreciated parts, such as the heart and gizzard. These cuts were once popular in the past but are now largely forgotten in modern dining.
In addition to these innards, the platter includes soft bone, chicken tenders (the inner fillet of the breast), neck, and thigh. You won’t find breast meat, drumsticks, or wings here. Those are deemed too common and not exciting enough for the experience they want to offer.
The Signature Grill Platter Plate ($98++) features all the aforementioned parts (720g). The Chicken Grill Platter ($68++) offers a smaller portion (470g) but excludes the neck. In my opinion, the neck is one of the best parts.
The chicken used is fresh French poulet sourced from Malaysia which is raised with no antibiotics and hormones.
Grilled at your table
To ensure the ultimate grilled chicken experience, the chicken is grilled right at your table by staff specially trained by a Korean chef flown in from Korea. This guarantees the meat is never overcooked and served at its optimal texture and flavour.
The chicken is simply seasoned with salt and pepper to let the natural taste shine. It is accompanied by six unique dipping sauces, each thoughtfully crafted to pair with a specific part of the chicken. 4/5
Overall, I found it to be a unique and memorable gastronomic experience. That said, much like yakitori, it may not be for everyone — especially if you’re not a fan of organ meats. However, it will strongly appeal to those who appreciate fresh, natural flavours over heavily marinated or sauced meats.
If heart and gizzard aren’t your thing, don’t worry. You can always go à la carte and choose the more familiar cuts. Just make sure you try the neck — it’s seriously good!
Lunch Menu
For lunch, Song Gye Ok features dishes from their wildly popular sister restaurant, MODU, which has been drawing queues of up to three hours when it opened six months ago. MODU is widely regarded as Singapore’s most talked-about samgyetang.
Now guests can enjoy three of their signature ginseng chicken soups — Perilla Seed, Collagen, and Hangover Samgyetang – at Song Gye Ok too. To mark the occasion, they’ve specially crafted a new dish – Truffle Samgyetang, that is available exclusively at this location.
The dish is essentially Korean ginseng chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, then braised in a rich gravy infused with black truffle paste and white truffle oil. While the truffle aroma does tend to overshadow the ginseng, it remains a warm, comforting one-dish meal. It is served with extra glutinous rice and a selection of banchan on the side. 4/5
SGO Cheongguk Doenjang Stew
Their Cheongguk Doenjang Stew ($24++) brings together the best of both worlds. It combines two fermented soybean pastes – cheonggukjang and doenjang into a single, powerfully flavourful dish.
The result is a funky, fermented punch that’s bold, earthy, and unapologetically intense. And that’s exactly what lovers of traditional Korean stews crave! The broth is thick and robust, filled with ingredients like tofu, radish, four types of mushrooms, and leek. The soup is simmered until all the flavours meld into a deeply satisfying, umami-rich experience.
But be forewarned. This rustic, home-style dish is not for the faint of heart, but incredibly rewarding for those who appreciate authentic Korean funk. 4.25/5
Grilled Rice Ball
One of the highlights of the meal was the Korean Rice balls! They are perfectly seasoned and cooked such that the toasted rice crust is super crisp, and the sweet soy glaze was tantalizingly delicious. Open it up and you’ll find delicious tobiko on the inside. You don’t want to miss this one! 4.5/5
Uiseong Garlic Fried Rice and Bibim Noodles
The Uiseong Garlic Fried Rice at Song Gye Ok is a deceptively simple yet irresistible dish. It showcases the bold, and aromatic flavour of the Uiseong garlic — one of Korea’s most prized varieties, celebrated for its depth and mild pungency.
Each grain of rice is perfectly stir-fried with generous amounts of chopped garlic, then mixed with melty cheese and freshly sliced Kkwari gochu (shisito peppers), adding just the right kick. The result is a golden, fragrant, and savoury bowl that’s rich, comforting, and undeniably one of the most memorable dishes on the menu.
If you’re a fan of bibimbap, then this noodle-based variation is sure to hit the spot. The Bibim Noodles combines the familiar toppings of bibimbap with tender noodles. It’s light, refreshing, and perfect for lunchtime. It’s an excellent alternative to fried rice, especially if you’re looking to avoid that post-lunch slump when heading back to work.
What really stands out is the careful attention to ingredient preparation. Everything from the crisp vegetables to the tangy sauces, every component is fresh, well-balanced, and thoughtfully seasoned.
Conclusion
With Song Gye Ok’s inviting decor, strong reputation, and meticulous attention to every dish, it’s clearly poised to follow in Modu’s successful footsteps. And, given Singaporeans’ ongoing love affair with K-drama and Korean culture, (and the fact that they don’t take reservations) I am predicting long queues outside this latest Korean BBQ hotspot in the months ahead!
Disclosure: this review is part of a media preview. Opinions expressed are those of our own.
