New in town: Seoul Sedap, Tampines — Affordable, Muslim-friendly Korean army stew

We are no strangers to the chilly weather we have been experiencing in January. Love it or hate it, one thing is for sure—it is excellent for a comforting bowl of warm soup. Go for hearty bowls of fish soup, or indulge in some ramen to warm your tummy. However, few dishes can come close to the comfort of a bubbling hot Korean army stew. That’s where Seoul Sedap comes into play.

Nestled in Kim San Leng coffee shop, this newly-minted stall along Tampines Street 11 aims to bring Korean cuisine into the heartlands. Branching off Seoul Shiok, this is actually the brand’s third outlet, with the other two in Ang Mo Kio and Bukit Batok. This one, however, is muslim-owned.

To start things off, their Korean Army Stew (S$12.90 for mini, S$25.90 for regular) comes in two sizes. While the latter is good for sharing with one to two other diners, the former is a more personal affair, being served for one. If you are not looking to share your army stew goodness with anyone else, this is right down your alley. 

Both bowls have an impressive variety of ingredients to whet your appetite. Expect enoki mushrooms, beef balls, chicken luncheon meat, ramen noodles, and more. There’s little not to love, so this one is a must-order at Seoul Sedap.

Next up, we have one for the seafood lovers. The Soft Tofu Stew With Rice (S$8.50) appeals with a combination of freshly curdled soft tofu swimming in a broth empowered by a bounty of seafood. There’s prawns, clams, and mussels inside, giving this stew a much-appreciated burst of umami. I can’t imagine having anything more comforting on a cold, rainy day, not to mention at this unbeatable price point.

Spicing things up, Seoul Sedap manages to inject a local touch into their dishes. I’ve never seen a side of Tahu Goreng (S$5.90) in Korean cuisine, but that is precisely what the chefs have weaved into their menu items. It brings something refreshing to the table, boasting strips of crispy fried beancurd beneath a homemade spicy sauce that leaves the tongue-tingling.

The variety of dishes here speak to the creativity of the minds behind Seoul Sedap, and I, for one, will definitely be making a trip down to slurp on some spicy broth.