Jang Shou Korean Charcoal BBQ Tasting Session

Jang Shou Korean Charcoal BBQ Tasting Session
86 East Coast Road
Block B #02-11 Katong Village

8 Raffles Avenue
#01-13A Esplanade Mall Colours By The Bay

Opening Hours:
Mon - Sat: 11:30am - 2: 30pm, 5:30pm - 10:30pm
Sun: 5:30pm - 10:30pm

http://www.jangshoukoreanbbq.com/

This was an invited media review. I did not pay for the meal during the free hosted tasting session, but I did pay the standard price during subsequent visits.
Attended with representatives from MediaCorp, Singapore Tourism Board, HungryGoWhere, OpenRice, and Averlynn's.


Excellent Marinated Beef, Authentic Korean Charcoal Barbecue Experience

(Ratings: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 = Worst and 10 = Best)
Overall: 7
Ambience & Setting: 4
Food & Beverage: 9
Service: 7
Value for Money: 7
Budget about SGD $40 ++ per person.


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I'll be honest. I was slightly apprehensive about dining at Jang Shou Korean Charcoal BBQ at first, because of multiple reviews slamming the inconsistent service here. Having decided to give them a try however, I'm glad I did, because Jang Shou Korean Charcoal BBQ is serious about improving their service standards. Known amonst the local Korean community for their excellent premium quality beef and several uncommon yet traditional Korean dishes, Jang Shou Korean Charcoal BBQ has its good points.

The ambience at Jang Shou Korean Charcoal BBQ is decent at best. Well lit with spacious and comfortable furniture organised in a neat layout, Jang Shou Korean Charcoal BBQ offers both common room and private room dining. Ventilation within the private rooms is slightly worse than the common room, as cooking smells tend to linger in the small enclosed area. Some diners love this smell of delicious barbecue, but I personally don't like it sticking to my clothes. A quick check after the meal reveals that any lingering smell is present but very faint, and a short walk along the outside of the Esplanade quickly gets rid of the smell.

Service at Jang Shou Korean Charcoal BBQ is a work in progress. The CEO of Jang Shou Korean Charcoal BBQ, who is also the Vice-Chairman of the Korean Chamber Of Commerce in Singapore, acknowledged that service standards were poor in the past, and thus has embarked on training the staff and hiring consultants for advice. Current standards of service during my visit to Jang Shou Korean Charcoal BBQ are decent, with no major mistakes. Staff are polite and helpful throughout the meal, assisting with cooking and serving, as well as replacing the barbecue grill after each portion is served. Slight hiccup; drinks weren't topped up until we requested.

A good selection of banchan side dishes accompanies the meal. Jang Shou Korean Charcoal BBQ offered us 10 banchan side dishes, as well as a salad appetizer to begin the meal. In particular, I loved the intense flavour of the Cabbage Kimchi, and the freshness of the prawns and squid in the Seafood And Scallion Omelette Pancake.

Hyeonmi Cha / Roasted Brown Rice Tea

Kimchi Kkakdugi / Kimchi Cubed Pickled Daikon Radish

Eomuk Bokkeum / Stir-Fried Fish Cake

Kimchi Yoel Mu Mul / Pickled Daikon Radish Leaf

Sigeumchi Namul / Boiled Spinach

Kimchi Baechu / Kimchi Pickled Cabbage

Makaloni Saelleodeu / Macaroni Salad

Jeol-In Pingkeu Mu / Pickled Pink Daikon Radish

Doenjang Beulokolli / Broccoli With Fermented Soybean Paste

Yangpa Jjangachi / Pickled Onions

Haemul Pajeon / Seafood And Scallion Omelette Pancake

Sangchoo Geotjeori / Lettuce Salad

Banchan / Side Dishes

Jang Shou Korean Charcoal BBQ specialises in premium quality beef and pork. In fact, the CEO states that he has minimised the number of chicken and seafood dishes on the menu, that the kitchen might be more focused on beef and pork. There are 10 varieties of beef and pork (5 each); prime beef short rib, inside skirt beef, beef rib finger, beef brisket, marinated beef rib, pork belly, pork shoulder, pork jowl, pork rib, and marinated spicy pork belly. Meat are grilled over charcoal, infusing it with a smoky flavour.

I love that the portions at Jang Shou Korean Charcoal BBQ are huge! Really generous, the Beef Set (SGD $96) is sufficient for 3 - 4 people, or 2 large eaters. Similarly, the Pork Set (SGD $64) has a generous portion size. Of the 2, I personally prefer the Beef Set, which I find more flavourful. I also like that Jang Shou Korean Charcoal BBQ staff will assist to cook the meat, and change the grilling pan after each serving.

Fresh Lettuce

Beef Set - Inside Skirt, Prime Short Rib, Rib Finger (SGD $96)

Cooking Beef Set

Beef Set Cooked

Pork Set - Belly, Jowl, Shoulder (SGD $64)

Cooking Pork Set

Pork Set Cooked

Changing The Barbecue Grill

The Neobiani / Marinated Beef Rib (SGD $38) was easily the highlight of our visit. Extremely flavourful from the savoury sweet marinade, with a unique texture; tender with a slight chew. Our group unanimously agreed that the Neobiani / Marinated Beef Rib alone is worth a visit. The consultants tell me that this dish is uncommon in Korea despite its popularity, and currently no other Korean restaurant in Singapore offers this!

Neobiani / Marinated Beef Rib (SGD $38)

Cooking Neobiani / Marinated Beef Rib

Neobiani / Marinated Beef Rib Cooked

The Dol Sot Bibimbap / Hot Stone Mixed Rice (SGD $20) has a soft runny egg in the middle, marinated minced beef, and fresh vegetables. Love the freshness and balance of textures in this dish. Currently, they only offer beef in this dish, but I've suggested to the CEO to also offer pork for those who don't take beef. Will have to visit again to see if they've implemented it!

Dol Sot Bibimbap / Hot Stone Mixed Rice (SGD $20)

Apparently, it's tradition to consume Naeng Myun / Cold Arrowroot Noodles after a meal. There are 2 versions, a sour and tangy cold soup version, and a sour and spicy cold dry version. I liked the refreshing, cleansing, fresh feeling of both after heavy meal of barbecue meat. The soup version allows you the option of adding additional vinegar and mustard for an extra sour and spicy kick... Hint: Don't. I tried, and it's not pleasant.

Chik Naeng Myun / Cold Arrowroot Noodles Soup (SGD $15)

Bibim Naeng Myun / Spicy Cold Arrowroot Noodles Dry (SGD $15)

Overall, I find Jang Shou Korean Charcoal BBQ to be worth a visit, especially for the marinated beef and marinated pork. Will have to wait and see if the service improves, and if they still manage to retain their position as a value for money choice for authentic Korean barbecue.





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