My craving for Alfero Gelato brought us to Kim's Family Korean Restaurant. You must be wondering how gelato and Korean food are related? Haha, they are both located within a few shop units of each other along Lorong Kilat in the Bukit Timah area. Much as I want to satisfy my gelato craving, I need to placate my famished tummy with some proper dinner first. Sizzling hot barbeque pork belly! Ooh... doesn't it sound tempting? Fill me up with some fatty meat please! :D
Still, the dinner at Kim's almost did not happen. The smell which hit us the moment we stepped into the restaurant was so strong and choking, I'd have no doubt I'm in a Korean barbeque place even if you were to led me in blindfolded. Ventilation is very very very poor, definitely not a recommended place if you want to impress your date. We contemplated for a while if we should leave and explore other alternatives.
But then again, it didn't really matter because my friend and I don't need to impress each other lol. I think I can endure the smell lah. Besides, the spacious, brightly lighted space gave off a homey, comfortable vibe and feels authentic. I couldn't shake the image of barbeque pork belly out of my head and my tummy was growling. The gluttony thought of having a spread of banchan before me kinda sealed the deal. And what a plentiful spread they had brought out for us!
I counted no less than ten varieties as the colorful array of Banchan filled our table. Mushrooms, Ikan Bilis, Beansprouts, Apple Salad, Pickled Cucumbers, and the staple of every Korean meal, Kimchi! Though the servings are small, the side dishes are free and replenishable with every order of main course ordered. Nothing fanciful but always a great start to any Korean meal. It worked well to sustain my hunger while we waited for our chosen Combination BBQ Set A ($40) to arrive.
The price is undeniably reasonable for this platter of Beef Boneless Short Ribs, Pork Belly and Marinated Pork Collar, considering that portions are hearty and is more than sufficient for 1 to 2 persons to share. What we got was value-for-money pure meaty goodness packed with freshness and flavors! I must say my friend did a great job of grilling the meat, ensuring that nothing gets overcooked. A couple of minutes sizzling over the scorching hot griddle was all it needed.
My favourite cut has to be the pork belly with its mixed of lean and fatty meat. I ate it the way how I always see it being eaten in Korean dramas: Take a piece of the grilled meat, wrap it in the crisp lettuce leaf with garlic and bean paste, and stuff everything into the mouth! Yes, quite a big mouthful, looked very un-ladylike but shiok lah! Have to eat it this way to fully enjoy the textures and flavors! My only complaint is that the lettuce was not dry well enough.
We also ordered a Chives Pancake ($14), a Korean dish of flour batter and chives pan-fried to light brown crispiness. It was decently-executed, not too greasy, but nothing to shout about. The Kimchi Pancake ($14) with a tinge of spicy sourness might have been a more palate appealing choice.
This visit was a rare occasion where I did not over order. I would love to have a taste of their Samgae Tang (Ginseng Chicken Soup), Dolsot Bibimbap (Mixed Rice with Vegetables) and Sundubu-Jeongol (Spicy Beancurd Casserole), but it means I would have to brave through the smell again. Hmm.. should I?
My friend can speak a smattering of Korean language and he taught me how to write the korean greeting on the graffiti wall. Actually I forgot what it means haha! We'd see if we'd visit again and write another one then :p
Kim’s Family Korean Restaurant
Address: 17 Lorong Kilat, #01-06 Kilat Court, Singapore 598139
Contact: +65 64650535
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimsfamilyfood
Opening Hours: Lunch 12-3pm (last order 2.30pm) / Dinner 5.30-10pm (last order 9.30pm) / Closed on every 1st & 3rd Monday of the month
I somehow always avoid this shop - don't know why it gives me the impression it's very expensive.
ReplyDelete