Get your Dwaeji Gukbup fix in Singapore

As many can attest, finding a good bowl of Dwaeji Bukbap in Singapore is difficult. Period. Korean food in here got boring, it's either soondobu, K BBQ or Kimchi jigae. You will hardly find Korean restaurants here deviating from the basic dishes and to an extend, spicy. I'm getting on with age and my tolerance for spicy is getting low but I truly enjoy korean stews and gukbaps and I want to be able to not suffer after a good meal.

If you have watched Netflix's A Nation of Broth, you would have been enticed by a bowl of piping hot Dwaei gukbap and how comforting it is to enjoy a bowl of good soup that has been boiled for hours with pieces of soft meat and a generous serving of chives. 

What's wonderful is that there's many permutations to eat this gukbap, mix it with fermented shrimp, pepper, chives, rice or if there is, noodles or red peppers. Enjoy it which ever way it floats your goat.

I was on a mission to inhale as much dwaeji gukbap as I can, bearing in mind that I've yet to go Um Yong Baek, as life has other plans. Here's a shortlist of the gukbaps that I truly loved. 

Hoodadak Korean Restaurant 후다닥 한국 음식점

This place needs no introduction with the office crowd. They serve up a legit bowl of Dwaeji Gubkap and their soup is heavier on the meat side. 

Location:

1 Fusionopolis Pl, #01-10 Galaxis, Singapore 138522

Cost: 

$17++ (Lunch)

Website: 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hoodadak-Korean-Fusion-Dining-Room-at-Fusionopolis/959580834119544?_rdr

Go! K-BBQ

One of my favorite because the amount of meats is generous. Great value for the $20 lunch price tag. There's also a free flow of eggs that you can fry yourself during lunch service.

Location: 

Bukit Timah Branch 1 Jalan Anak Bukit, Bukit Timah Plaza, #02-24C, Singapore 588996

Price:

$20++ (Lunch)

Website:

https://www.globalkbbq.com/

Onggii 옹기

Since Onggi trying them a couple of months ago, I went back for again because I've missed their gomtang terribly and brought the hungry hubby to try their menu. They specialise in Gomtang and is one of the very few places specializing in it. They serve the cheapest bowl of soup but with a side of noodles, which I don't see it at other places. Plus, their radish kimchi is especially delightful.

Location:

3 Temasek Boulevard 02-300/301 Suntec City, 038983

Price: 

$16.90

Website:

https://www.instagram.com/onggii_official/?hl=en

Kim's Family Restaurant Bukit Timah

Kim's family restaurant suffers terrible rating and personally, I felt that their quality of food was abysmal. I've had the gukbap at their restaurant many many times, sometimes it was ok but sometimes it just fails miserably. They expanded their store front to 3 during Covid and post. They then scaled back to 2 awhile a go and increased their prices. But on a recent visit in August 2024, their prices were adjusted downwards, so we decided to give it another shot. This time around, I was wowed by their gukbap. It had depth, was  flavourful and made me want to devour the entire bowl of soup. 

Location: 

17 Lor Kilat, Singapore 598139

Price:

$19