Manbok Korean BBQ & Steamboat Buffet at Chinatown

Korean BBQ? Steamboat buffet? Put them together and you get a winning formula for throngs of Singaporean foodies. Galen and I were contemplating if we should give Manbok, a newcomer at Chinatown a try, or just to go for the tried-and-tested neighbour a few doors down along New Bridge Road. The coin flip was in favour of Manbok, and we couldn't thank lady luck enough for this incredible find.

The interior of Manbok is modern, clean and sleek. The seats are comfortable; the table is at an appropriate height; the airvent is silent but powerful; the air-conditioning cooling. This was very unlike the experience at 2D1N at Tanjong Pagar where you get grease-coated tables and chairs, and at the end of the meal, a grease-coated you. Manbok was pleasant, very pleasant.

Manbok made Galen and I very happy with its selection of meat for the BBQ. The meat was thawed, no icings or huge chunks still frozen together. There was a wide variety of meat in various marinate. And most importantly, Manbok serves chicken breast- our absolute favourite. To top it off, the chicken breast is marinated with spices that include rosemary and dill. Such fine delight!

Everything sizzled delectably on the grill, that is heated by fire and charcoal. Now, how many Korean BBQ restaurants these days has not taken the shortcut or the cost-cut? The charcoal heated BBQ grill at Manbok greatly enhanced the taste of the meat. The chicken breast was juicy and tender, and not a hint of dryness or hardness. The bacon was bursting with flavour, with a tinge of smokiness. Now, this is exactly the way BBQ should be!

Manbok also serves ingredients for its clam soup steamboat. The clams were an absolute love- sweet and juicy and there are tons more of clams at the buffet table for us to add to the soup. There were also authentic Korean dumplings (mandu) and rice cakes (ddeokbok). Manbok is not certainly not compromising on the variety of its offerings, and the quality of them.

We loved the clam soup so much - it was literally bursting with flavour and freshness. These were just two pots of the many many pots of soup that we had that night. Absolutely heavenly.

There is also a selection of fruits and salads to lighten things up; and also a soda fountain and small tubs of ice-cream to satisfy your sweet tooth after the meal. Everything is well taken care of at Manbok, and everything is done at top-notch quality.

Lady luck led us to this hidden gem off the stretch of shophouses along New Bridge Road at Chinatown and we have never been lucky enough. Manbok Korean BBQ and Steamboat Buffet is our new found fave, and we would prefer this over the numerous Korean BBQ nestled among the shophouses at Tanjong Pagar, anytime. Manbok at Chinatown is indeed like a million blessings for us.

Singapore Food Blog Review by Kumory

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만복 Manbok Korean BBQ & Steamboat Buffet

277 New Bridge Road Chinatown Singapore

11am- 11pm daily

6557 0939