If you’ve ever struggled to find authentic and Muslim-friendly Korean cuisine in Singapore, fret no more! Head down to GR.iD for a taste of Korea at Meokja by JUNGGA, a casual Muslim-owned eatery that has been making waves all over social media.
As a former home-based business, Meokja (which translates to “let’s eat” in Korean) was first created by Korean Muslim revert Chef Jung SangWoo, with the aim to “share and create awareness of what authentic Korean food should taste like, using only permissible (halal) ingredients”.
You can expect a selection of hearty Korean fare and crowd-pleasing street food staples — all Muslim-friendly, of course.
I had high expectations for the TteokBokki (from S$6.90) after hearing rave reviews from Korean expats and they were definitely met. Dare I say this is the best tteokbokki I’ve had in a long time?
Meokja’s deftly-executed signature dish shines through in its simplicity; chewy rice cakes and fish cakes are bathed in an addictive sweet and spicy sauce I couldn’t get enough of. The texture and flavour were also absolutely spot on.
You also have the option of adding on a Boiled Egg (S$1) or substituting Cheese Tteok (S$3) for regular tteok.
Korean Chinese fare makes up the bulk of the menu, so why not have the best of both worlds with the JjamJja Set (S$34) consisting of jjajangmyeon, jjamppong, tangsuyuk, and two drinks of your choice?
The JjamPpong (S$11.90 for a la carte), a Korean spicy seafood noodle soup topped with prawns, clams, squid, and kimchi, was light and comforting, though slightly lacking in depth of flavour.
Both my dining partner and I preferred the JjaJangMyeon (S$9.90 for a la carte), thick and chewy noodles coated in a rich black bean sauce chock full of minced beef and caramelised onions. Meokja’s rendition is a little sweeter than usual, so take note if you prefer your jjajangmyeon to have more savoury and earthy notes.
My only gripe? I regret not adding on a Fried Egg (S$1.50).
What’s jjajangmyeon without an accompanying side of TangSuYuk (from S$11.90)? Typically prepared with pork or beef, the tangsuyuk here comprises crispy and chewy battered fried chicken alongside tangy sweet and sour apple sauce.
You can choose to dip (ensuring that the chicken remains crispy) or pour the sauce all over. Which side are you on?
The chunks of pineapple and canned peach did add some much-needed acidity, but I would’ve preferred for the sauce to be a little more tart.
And of course, other delectable dishes like Kimbap (S$4.90), Bibim Guksu (S$6.90), and even Chamchi Mayo Jumeok Bap (S$6), or tuna mayo rice balls, are also available.
Even though the eatery opens at 10.30am, the space is usually filled before noon (with popular menu items selling out by late afternoon) so plan accordingly!
One thing’s for sure — I’m definitely going back for the tteokbokki.
Meokja by JUNGGA
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???? 1 Selegie Road, GR.iD, #02-03, Singapore 188306
???? 10.30am–3pm, 5pm–10pm (Thu to Tue), Closed on Wed
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