K-food has become increasingly popular in Singapore, and the place to satisfy all those cravings will be Tanjong Pagar, well known for many Korean eateries, from Korean BBQ, Korean Fried Chicken, JjaJangmyeon, to Bingsu.
Fans of Korean BBQ – Super Star K will be thrilled to know that they have opened a new Korean concept store called “Red Holic” diagonally across the road.
The Korean “snack house” located on 88 Tanjong Pagar Road (huat huat) specialises in popular Korean comfort food Tteokbokki (rice cake) and Giant Mandu (dumplings).
This is the place to get some Tteokbokki hot pot, giant dumplings and fritters.
Plus, prices are considered wallet-friendly. A pot of Tteokbokki (without meat option) meant for 2 to 3 diners starts from only $22.
Here are 7 Red Holic signature items to satisfy your K-food cravings:
Red Holic Beef Brisket Tteokbokki Pot 레드홀릭 차돌 떡볶이 ($28.80) or Red Holic Crispy Chicken Tteokbokki Pot 레드홀릭 치킨 떡볶이 ($27.80). Meant for 2 to 3 pax
Made in various shapes and sizes, the Korean rice cake is commonly seasoned with gochujang (chili paste) and cooked together with fish cakes, boiled eggs and pan-fried mandu.
This Red Holic Tteokbokki pot comes with an assortment of ingredients which includes fishcakes, spring onion, cabbage, rice noodles, boiled egg that are cooked right at the table.
There are three base sauce to choose from – extra sweet, original, extra spicy. For starters, they recommend going for the regular “original” sauce.
While it is meant for 2-3 persons, the food items are served in generally big, hearty portions that can also be good for bigger groups to share.
After the ingredients are simmered over fire for about 5 minutes, the special Tteokbokki sauce is mixed in evenly for everything to come to boil.
In terms of spiciness, the regular Tteokbokki pot felt just right for me, with a balance of sweetness and spiciness. Mashisoyo.
Also available is the non-spicy Crispy Chicken Carbonara ($27.80) and Beef Brisket Carbonara Tteokbokki ($28.80). The option without meat is priced at $22 because the Koreans believe that rice cakes alone can be satisfying and fulling as a meal on its own.
Hungry for more? A value-for-money Set Meal is available (for 2-3 pax) at a top-up price of $10, which will get you a bowl of Steamed Egg and 3-piece Dumpling.
Beef Brisket Jjajang Tteokbokki 차돌 짜장 떡볶이 ($28.80) or Crispy Chicken Jjajang Tteokbokki 치킨 짜장 떡볶이 ($27.80). Meant for 2 to 3 pax
Fans of jjajangmyeon (noodles with blacken sauce) will be thrilled to find this combination: Jjajang sauce with Tteokbokki, the fusion of 2 Korean elements in a single dish.
Instead of the usual sweet and savoury Jjajang sauce that we are familiar with, the Jjajang tteokpokki sauce has a unique taste with mild spiciness.
2 options are available for the choice of Tteokbokki: thick (miltteok) or skinny (noodle).
The skinny noodles resemble the usual wheat noodle used in Jjajangmyeon but with a thicker, smoother and chewier texture.
For cheese lovers, I would recommend adding some of that silky smooth Mozzarella cheese ($4), which adds more fun, savouriness and calories to the existing pot.
Mini Tteokbokki ($10.80 – $14.80). Meant for 1 pax
For solo diners or those who prefer individual portions, do not worry as single portions with Mini Tteokbokki is available.
Choose from special “Red Holic”, Jjajang (Black Bean), or Carbonara sauce with Beef Brisket or Crispy Chicken toppings.
For top ups (additional $1 – $7), there are offerings from Ramen, Chewy Noodles, Quail Eggs (x2), Mini Sausage, Busan Fish Cake, Long Rice Cake, Noodle Rice Cake, Crispy Chicken and Beef Brisket.
Giant Meat Mandu 고기 왕 만두 ($1.80 each)
Another signature street snack available other than Tteokbokki is their Dumplings that come in 3 different types: Meat, Kimchi and Fried Dumplings.
Unlike the usual Chinese dumpling or Japanese gyoza that we are familiar with, dumplings used are called “Hankki Mandu” (한끼만두) which are bigger with more substantial fillings.
Each of the meat dumplings comes with fillings such as glass noodles, pork, egg, spring onion, that provides a nice crunch and chewy texture.
Giant Kimchi Mandu 김치 왕 만두 ($1.80 each)
A truly uniquely-Korean dumpling with kimchi flavoured fillings which I find more memorable with its distinctive spiciness and sourness.
The Kimchi Dumpling is filled with glass noodle – commonly found in Korean dumplings, which provides an interesting texture.
Interesting to know: the steaming process is fast and efficient, with 10 dumplings being steamed on each rack within the high pressure steamer for 9 minutes prior to serving.
Mixed Fritters 모듬튀김 (만두+오징 어링 + 김말이 + 꼬치어묵)($11.80)
The Mix Fritters come with a quad selection of Seaweed Roll, Calamari, Fried Fish Cake and Fried Dumpling.
There are two ways of enjoying them: as a starter before the meal; or dipped into the thick Tteobokki sauce.
Red Bean Paste Bread 찐빵 ($1.50 each)
If you need some dessert at the end of the meal, the only sweet item available on the menu is a Red Bean Paste Bread with a pillow-soft and fluffy texture.
You may call this the Korean version of “tau sar bao”.
Time to gather your Tteokbokki-holic and Mandu-holic squad.
The good news is, Red Holic is a suitable place for late night supper since it opens until 2am, with hearty and comfort food for your next-group gathering.
Red Holic
88 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 08850 (Tanjong Pagar MRT)
Tel: +65 6224 1064
Opening hours: 11.30am – 2am (Mon-Sat), Closed Sun
https://www.facebook.com/redholicsg/
* Written by Nicholas Tan @stormscape. This entry is brought to you in partnership with Red Holic.
The post Red Holic – Korean Cheesy Tteobokki & Giant Mandu Specialty Restaurant At Tanjong Pagar, Opens Till 2AM appeared first on DanielFoodDiary.com.