If you think you know all about Korean BBQ, think again.
As much as we can never resist samgyeopsal and soju at an all-you-can-eat K-BBQ buffet or a hole-in-the-wall neighbourhood Korean eatery, it doesn’t hurt to take it up a notch once in awhile.
That kind of upscale yet totally unique dining experience takes center stage at COTE Korean Steakhouse, an American steakhouse and a Korean BBQ joint rolled into one.
Not only is it one of the New York City’s finest restaurants, but it is also the first and only Korean steakhouse to be awarded a Michelin star.
It is fittingly housed within lifestyle destination COMO Orchard (where Cedric Grolet Singapore is), so you know you’re in for a treat. Once you come out from the lift, you’re immediately transported into a space that oozes dark, moody, and sexy vibes, with a killer playlist to boot, that’s flanked by the jungle-themed Millim Bar.
Set the tone for the evening with a tipple or two before being ushered to your table. You won’t go wrong with the COTE Fashioned (S$25), a riff on the classic; a Proper Martini; or even one of the fruit-forward gin and soju-based cocktails.
After pre-dinner drinks, walk (or strut) down the corridor lined with lush foliage to the Main Dining Hall, where you’ll find wooden accents, dark green walls, and cosy booths at tables equipped with bespoke ‘smokeless’ charcoal grills. After all, who wants to leave smelling like BBQ after a romantic date or a birthday celebration?
Naturally, the menu features an extensive array of a la carte beef cuts and savoury Korean-inspired accompaniments.
We got to try two appetisers, one being the Tuna Tartare (S$32), an addictive yet refreshing snack of bluefin tuna and pickles on crispy gim (seaweed) chips.
The other, a Korean Oyster “Omelette” (S$28) inspired by our very own orh luak, was fried to crispy, golden brown perfection, balanced out with a sweet and tangy citrus yuja vinaigrette.
Moving on to the meats, don’t worry about screwing them up as COTE’s highly-trained servers will do all the work for you. You can expect only the best of the best — the highest grade of Prime Cuts, American Wagyu, and grass-fed Australian, most of which are dry-aged for a minimum of 45 days and seasoned with a special blend of salt.
If you’re not keen to splash out on the lavish 10-course Steak Omakase (S$295) featuring the likes of Japanese A5 wagyu and caviar, but would still like to get a sense of what the restaurant is all about, look no further than the Butcher’s Feast (S$98 per person).
It’s a literal feast with four cuts of USDA Prime and Australian Wagyu Beef at its forefront, and it’s a lot more value-for-money than you think.
Out of all the cuts we tried, the chewy, bold-flavoured Australian Prime Hanger and buttery Australian Wagyu Flat Iron were my favourites.
They were wonderfully charred till a textbook medium rare, though you can always let the staff know if you prefer your beef cooked longer.
The crowd favourite COTE Galbi, or marinated short rib, is sweet, savoury, and melt-in-your-mouth, with a wicked caramelisation that will probably have the entire table swooning.
Unlike the cream and carb-heavy sides typically served at Western steakhouses, you get to pair your beef with Korean banchan.
There are all sorts of bright, fresh, and flavourful pickled vegetables, ranging from your classic kimchi (napa cabbage, radish, and perilla leaf) to cauliflower and chayote (a type of squash) to pick and choose from to pick and choose from — the combinations are endless!
I couldn’t stop tucking into the pleasantly tangy Scallion Salad tossed in gochugaru vinaigrette. Regardless, just wrap whatever you like up in a red-leaf lettuce or perilla wrap, dab on a bit of ssamjang, and go to town.
But that’s not all, as you’ll also get Kimchi Stew, Doenjang Stew, and a fluffy Egg Soufflé (gyeran-jjim) to enjoy with rice, in generous portions, if I may add.
Finish on a sweet note with a swirl of Vanilla Soft Serve drizzled with soy sauce caramel, and get ready to roll out of the restaurant. Seriously, you’ll be stuffed.
COTE Korean Steakhouse is one of those BBQ spots that you should definitely keep in mind the next time you have a reason to celebrate — I for one can’t wait to be back!
Reservations can be made here.
COTE Korean Steakhouse
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📍30 Bideford Road Singapore, COMO Orchard, Level 3, Singapore 229922
🕐 5pm–12am (Tue to Sat), Closed on Sun & Mon
Photos by Christabel Tan
I'm always feelin' either boozy or boujee ✨