Malaysia
Singapore
Thailand
Apart from Korean barbecue and hotpot, where do you head to for your fix of Korean food?
Hidden on the first floor of Concorde Shopping Mall lies Kim Dae Mun, a Korean restaurant that sells authentic hotplate dishes and soups.
Although the shop seemed inconspicuous, it serves one of the most affordable cuisine that you can find along Orchard Road.
Kim Dae Mun has been around before the 2000s, and offers you a plethora of original Korean dishes. The shop owner is actually a true-blue ahjumma (aunt in Korean)!
What I tried at Kim Dae Mun
I went down to try two of their signature dishes—Spicy Pork (S$11.50) and Kimchi Soup With Pork (S$10.50). I ordered a side of Steamed Dumplings (S$5) on the side to go along with my meal too!
Each meal came with a side of either kimchi, spicy anchovies, or spicy cucumbers. I chose kimchi and cucumbers as I am not a fan of anchovies, although I did hear good things about it.
I dug into the Spicy Pork hotplate first. Sizzling and packed with a ton of chilli powder, I knew I was in for a delicious treat. Having said that, despite the bright orange colour staring me in the face, the spicy pork dish was not as spicy as I expected it to be.
Loaded with spring onions and cabbage, the hotplate was piled with meat, slathered on top of vegetables. For the price point, I would consider the quantity, a bang for your buck.
Every slice of pork was cooked to perfection. It was juicy, tender and was fully immersed in the spiciness of the chilli. Paired with a bowl of white rice, this would fill you up any day. You can switch up your white rice for a healthier alternative with Red Bean Rice (S$1.50), too!
Next up, I had the Kimchi Soup With Pork. You can request to swap the protein out for either chicken or beef if you prefer it over pork.
The soup had a generous portion of beancurd, onions, cabbage, and pork. It also incorporated glass noodles which I particularly enjoyed. Every mouthful had an abundance of flavour. If you are someone who fancies budae jjigae (army stew), this would most definitely be right up your alley.
Dumplings, also known as mandu in Korean, are served either steamed or fried. I opted for the steamed option as it was less greasy and I wanted something light to balance out the richness of the soup and Spicy Pork.
It tasted just like any other steamed dumplings, but here is something that can improve your meal! Dip the dumpling into the sauce of the spicy pork to get a spicy kick, which enhances the flavour of the dumpling by a notch.
Final Thoughts
I left the shop feeling satisfied, with a prosperous food belly and convinced that Kim Dae Mun be my go-to shop whenever I am in town.
For its price and quantity, this would unquestionably be a hotspot for office workers within the area. In fact, the shop is always packed during lunch and dinner hours.
Curb your Korean food cravings at Kim Dae Mun today! For all you know, you might leave the shop saying saranghae-yo (‘I love you’ in Korean) to the shop and return for a second visit soon after!
Expected Damage: S$5 – S$11.50 per pax
