All Things Authentic, Finessed and Mashinun!

G is always lamenting about the lack of authentic Korean fare with the full Kimchi works in Singapore. So when Jang Shou hit the Asiaone food reviews, and the known food blogger, ieatishootipost gave his thumbs up review, that automatically became G's next food target.

I was always under the impression that Korean dining was quite similar to its close Japanese cousin- reputed for finesse and attention to every detail - from food to interior, to service and bill size. turns out, I was quite right. The place was spick and span, spacious and furnished with booths and tables neatly fashioned to give each dinner party privacy yet open enough to get the attention of the staff, although that wasn't really necessary because they were attentive the entire night.

Our meal started out with a buffet of Kimchi. From basics like pickled vegetables, to sweet peanuts and onions, there were interesting picks like pasta and grilled meats. I was a be skeptical as to authenticity, afterall, Pasta comes from Italy, not Korea doesn't it?! But G insists they serve similar fare. The wait staff also affirms so. Apparently their boss is the head of some Korean Association and hence with convenient connections, its easy to have the essential ingredients and foods imported and its not wonder the restaurant is mostly patroned by Korean families (probably the best validation that a place serves authentic Korean).

We ordered two of the recommended specials - the beef ribs (Suwon NeoBiani) and the olive pork ribs with honey (Galbi). I look at the generous marbling, and you can tell its the good real stuff. The sizzling of the grill was soon complimented with the delicious smell of the fat frying and the beef cooking. The wait staff patiently waits for the meat to cook while placing the all of three accompanying mushrooms and bulb of onion in to fry aside. The meat is then cut judiciously into small bite size pieces - G later tells/demonstrates to me that in Korean, you wrap each piece in a lettuce slice and everything much be taken in no more then 1 mouthful.

Presentation apparently is key from the detailed cooking efforts taken by the staff. They change the serving grill twice during the cooking process when it is evidently charred from the frying all so that the meats look pretty and presentable in the grill. The end result - very delicious and well marinated juicy and soft pieces of meat melting in our mouths. I tried to save some pieces of the meats to take with my Bi Bim Bab but I was never good with patience and most of my meats were in my tummy before our main carbs arrived.



G ordered his authentic cold noodles (Chik Naengmyun) and I ordered the safe Bi Bim Bab. The rice was a little too wet and hence was not too enjoyable. The cold noodles were a little too 'interesting' for me. Its sweet and cold and has peanuts in it, so it didn't exactly go down well with me although G said it was authentic enough to remind him of the ones he had in Korean.

All in all it was quite an experience and honestly, for the quality and the service and the ambiance, the prices were fairly reasonable. G is glad to have found a place to lean on if his authentic Korean cuisine craving kicks in. I just like the grilled meats and will probably just stick to that if we come back. We would definitely want to try the 3 layer pork the next time too.

Jang Shou Korean BBQ

#01-13A/B Esplanade Mall

(Colours by the Bay)

Tel: 6337 8880