Whuchu Korean Dining Restaurant at UE Square is not to be confused with GOCHU, though the comparison is understandable.
Both concepts share that cave-like, stone-textured aesthetic, with Whuchu making an immediate impression through its rugged off-white façade that stands out from the usual mall restaurant frontage.
Step inside, and the space feels warmer and more contemporary than the dramatic entrance suggests.
There are wood tones, soft lighting, booth seats and a polished dining-room feel, which makes it suitable for a slower Korean meal rather than just a quick grill-and-go dinner.
If GOCHU leans more towards a Korean BBQ cave adventure, Whuchu has a stronger focus on ssam-bap, grilled meats, pot rice and stews.
For lunch, there is the Ssam-bap Set ($36 per pax, minimum 2 pax), where diners choose one meat from Soy Garlic Beef Bulgogi, Spicy Pork, Poached Pork Belly or Spicy Chicken Galbi.
It comes with pot rice, perilla seed seaweed soup, wrap vegetables, side dishes and salted fermented seafood.
I went during dinner, when the menu includes grilled meats such as Aged Pork Collar ($58 for 300g), Marinated Pork Collar ($58 for 300g), Aged Bone-in Pork Belly ($78 for 600g), Wagyu Beef Brisket ($28 for 100g), Wagyu Beef Bulgogi ($58 for 300g) and LA Galbi ($68 for 350g).
I ordered the Marinated Pork Collar ($58), which came sliced for grilling at the table.
The staff helped with the explanation and grilling, which I appreciated, especially since pork collar can go from nicely caramelised to slightly overdone if left unattended.
The cut had a good balance of lean meat and fat, while the marinade gave it a savoury-smoky flavour (which strangely reminded me of satay) without making it taste overly heavy.
Once grilled, the pork developed lightly charred edges and a juicy bite, especially in the fattier pieces.
It was pleasant enough on its own, but it made more masisseoyo as part of the ssam-bap experience, wrapped with rice, greens and a small amount of salted fermented seafood.
Ah yes, I added the Four Varieties of Korean Salted Fermented Seafood ($10), which turned out to be one of the more interesting parts of the meal.
Used sparingly, though, they brought a punchy lift (loved the oysters) to the wraps. That was when the meal felt more layered, rather than just another plate of grilled meat.
There are also à la carte items including Pot Rice ($6), Pork Belly Kimchi Stew ($22), Beef Soybean Tofu Stew ($22) and Cold Kimchi Noodle ($14).
The Beef Soybean Tofu Stew ($22) was the comfort dish of the table, with soft tofu and that familiar soybean paste flavour. I might have preferred something a tad thicker.
That said, dinner here is not exactly inexpensive, especially if you are ordering a couple of the grilled meats. Still, the quality of the meats and the level of service were apparent.
The cave-like entrance catches the eye first, but the more memorable part is the slower, hands-on way of eating, as you build each ‘ssam’ wrap and adjust each bite as you go.
Tofu G is also right next door, so dessert is conveniently sorted if you still have room.
Whuchu Korean Dining Restaurant
UE Square #01-18/19, 81 Clemenceau Avenue, Singapore 239917
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 3pm, 5pm – 10pm (Mon – Fri), 11:30am – 11pm (Sat, Sun)
Other Related Entries
Bulgogi Syo Singapore (Suntec City)
MODU Samgyetang Specialty Korean Restaurant (Mandarin Gallery)
Song Gye Ok 송계옥 (Telok Ayer)
SBCD Korean Rice House (Suntec City)
BOMUL Samgyetang (CHIJMES)
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