Craving for Korean food?
Here’s a new and completely under-the-radar Korean cafe at Jalan Besar.
Bab & Bingsoo Cafe 밥앤빙수, located at 204 Jalan Besar, is brought to you by the same team behind Reply K1988 Korean BBQ (just two shops away).
Bab, which refers to rice, is a staple in Korean cuisine and forms the base for many of the dishes served here. Bingsoo, on the other hand, is a Korean shaved ice dessert that is refreshing especially on a hot day.
The cafe specialises in Korean street food, such as Gimbab ($9.90 onwards), Original Tteokbboki ($12.90), Rose Tteokbboki ($13.90), Cheese Ramyeon ($11.90), and Fish Cake Stick ($4.90).
I tried the Original Gimbab as part of a set, which I found to be a bit on the dry side.
The gimbab had a decent filling, but the rice lacked the moisture and flavor that would have made it more enjoyable.
In contrast, the Ramyeon ($10.90) was quite tasty despite its simple presentation.
It had a good level of spiciness that warmed the palate without being overwhelming.
The broth was rich and flavourful, though it could benefit from more ingredients and variety to make it more interesting.
The highlight of my visit was undoubtedly the Bingsoo.
There are choices such as Red Bean ($10.90), Oreo ($12.90), Injeolmi ($14.90), Watermelon ($14.90) and Mango Bingsoo ($16.90). The large size would cost $2 to $3 more.
I particularly enjoyed the Traditional Bingsoo, which came with a thick red bean paste, injeolmi (sweet rice cake powder), and chewy soft rice cakes.
The texture of the shaved ice was fine and fluffy, melting smoothly in the mouth.
The combination of these toppings created a good mix of flavours and textures that made each bite enjoyable.
The drinks at Bab & Bingsoo Cafe are also worth mentioning.
One recommendation is the house-made Sykhye ($5), a traditional Korean sweet rice drink.
Sykhye is made from fermented rice and has a light, sweet taste, and their version came served in their branded cans.
It was both refreshing and soothing, making it a complement to the spicier dishes on the menu.
While some of the savoury dishes could use a bit of improvement, the quality of the sweets and the friendly service make it a place worth visiting.
Bab & Bingsoo Cafe 밥앤빙수
204 Jalan Besar, Singapore 208890
Opening Hours: 5pm – 1am (Tues – Fri), 2pm – 1am (Sat – Sun), Closed Mon
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Noodle Star K (Funan)
Nana Bunsik (West Coast)
Daebak Korean Restaurant (Margaret Market)
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