Food Picks: 24-hour Korean cuisine at Hansik Dining Collective

SINGAPORE – If for some reason you find yourself stumbling around Tanjong Pagar at 5am, bleary-eyed and craving something that is not prata or McDonald’s, follow the sweet scent of simmering meat to the bright lights of Hansik Dining Collective. 

This new oasis for insomniacs and round-the-clock revellers is the brainchild of chef-owner Eon Lee, whose first restaurant Kko Kko Na Ra has been credited with helping to popularise Korean fried chicken in Singapore. 

With more than 16 years of experience under her belt, she is now going the whole hog. This latest venture, which she runs with niece Annabelle Lee, brings six distinct concepts under one roof. 

On Level 1, which operates round the clock, diners can mix and match dishes from The GoGi Jip – of Korean BBQ and Ganjang Gejang (raw crab marinated in soya sauce) fame – Halmae Gukbab or Hanyang Bulgogi. The latter two are new to the fold, specialising respectively in soup and traditional fare such as bibimbap. 

There is the Bulgogi Jungol ($65 for a two-person portion), a best-of-both-worlds situation which melds the caramelised fragrance of barbecued beef with the soothing warmth of hot pot. Steeped in the broth are fresh vegetables and thick strands of springy glass noodles. 

It is one of the restaurant’s more unusual offerings, holding its own alongside familiar fare such as stone plate Bibimbap (from $30). 

But the unsung hero is the housemade fresh kimchi (from $10). Sharper and crisper than its fermented counterpart, it brightens each spoonful of richness with a welcome jolt of acidity. 

The second floor, open till 1am, houses fried chicken institution Kko Kko Na Ra and its crisp golden beauties, doused in a range of boldly spiced blends.

Fried food pairs well with alcohol, so naturally, two bars have come here to roost as well. Chung Sa Cho Rong offers a more traditional experience, while My Patio, with its Korean craft beers and verdant decor, oozes trendy modernity. 

Where: 33 Tras Street
MRT: Maxwell/Tanjong Pagar 
Open: 24 hours daily (level 1), 11.30 to 1am daily (level 2)
Info:

@hansikdiningcollective

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