Audrey wanted samgyetang at MODU. Unfortunately MODU does not take reservations, only walk in, and on a busy Orchard night that sounded risky. Then we were told a little secret. Book a table at DRIM a few steps away, and you can order samgyetang from MODU while enjoying DRIM’s menu. Best of both worlds. We agreed in five seconds.

Soon the table started filling up like a Korean feast from a drama scene. The samgyetang arrived first. A whole chicken, stuffed with glutinous rice, slow cooked for twelve hours until the meat almost surrendered on its own. The Perilla Seed version was thick and comforting, gently nutty with that familiar ginseng aroma. The Hangover version came with a fiery red glow, spicy enough to wake you up even if you were perfectly sober.

Then DRIM began to show its strengths. The buckwheat cabbage and kimchi pancake was crisp outside, soft inside, and disappeared faster than I expected. The kimchi oysters were fresh and briny with a clever spicy kick. Beef yukhoe (Korean beef tartare) arrived looking elegant and calm, but once the yolk broke and everything was mixed, it became dangerously addictive.

The mains followed. Their signature buckwheat noodles with beef heel muscle, what we all know as golden coin, sat beautifully in a wide brass bowl. Clean flavours, gentle broth, and that satisfying chew from the noodles. Then the grills started to sing. Iberico rib finger and USDA prime short rib, grilled patiently by the staff, cut into neat cubes, juicy, smoky, and deeply comforting. No rush, no stress, just good meat and good company.

By then our table was overflowing. Bowls, plates, banchan everywhere. We laughed that we ordered enough food for two tables, but no regrets at all. It felt like a proper family meal, the kind where everyone keeps saying just one more bite.

At the end, we were handed vouchers from their sister gelato shop, Tofu G, upstairs. Dessert already planned before we even stood up.

Some nights are planned carefully. This one happened by chance and turned into one of our happiest Korean dinners in a long time.

Drim Korean Steak House
333A Orchard Rd
#02-14 Mandarin Gallery
Singapore 238897