Ajumma-run home-based business My Korean Mom’s Kimchi opens first restaurant serving fried chicken, Korean BBQ, kimbap & more

by Christabel Tan

If it wasn’t obvious enough, our love for Korean cuisine knows no bounds.

One of the more successful home-based businesses that sprouted up during the circuit breaker period is My Korean Mom’s Kimchi, it has opened its very first restaurant at NEWest Mall along West Coast Drive.

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My Korean Mom’s Kimchi has been helmed by a mother-and-son duo ever since its home-based business days (with deliveries slated to resume on 9 December 2022), with the same aim of bringing authentic and affordable Korean food to the masses.

Photo: @mykoreanmomskimchi/instagram

You can still find the signature kimbap, bibimbap, and handmade kimchi served at the restaurant, alongside an extensive menu of hearty Korean fare ranging from BBQ meats to spicy gochujang-based stews.

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We started off with a selection of banchan (side dishes), the foundation of every good Korean restaurant, which included the likes of Braised Lotus Root (Yeongeun Jorim), Sweet & Spicy Korean Dried Shredded Squid, and of course, the piquant and perfectly balanced Signature Kimchi Cabbage.

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I must, must give a special mention to the Marinated Mayak Quail Egg (S$8.90 for 12 pieces).

As its name suggests (‘mayak’ literally translates to drugs in Korean, referring to the addictive nature of the dish), quail eggs are marinated in a sweet, savoury, and aromatic sauce that is the perfect embodiment of the word “umami”.

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It’s best enjoyed with a bowl of Korean Multi Grain Purple Rice that’ll easily soak up all that saucy goodness — you’ll keep coming back for more.

If only I could get my hands on the recipe!

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Once we got over the initial excitement of the banchan, it was time for noodles.

Although you can find options like the Mul Naengmyeon (S$13.90, lunch only) and Udon Noodles with Beef Bulgogi (S$12.90), we opted for the generously portioned Japchae Korean Glass Noodles (S$9.90), vibrant and appetising, with a hit of nutty sesame oil.

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Korean fried chicken can be ordered off the delivery menu, but nothing beats enjoying it fresh out of the fryer. Out of the five variations on the menu, we settled for the Sweet & Spicy Boneless (S$13) and the Soy Garlic & Sweet Boneless (S$13), both of which can be shared between two to three diners.

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The former comprises boneless chicken chunks that are double-fried for extra crispiness, and stir-fried with a sweet and mildly spicy dak gangjeong sauce (containing fresh orange juice), before being served with a garnish of toasted sunflower seeds.

Order this if you enjoy the classic yangnyeom chicken!

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I preferred the Soy Garlic & Sweet version, which was coated in a savoury, sticky, and sweeter-than-usual dak gangjeong soy garlic sauce. That being said, how can one resist chicken topped with crunchy fried garlic bits?

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Another chicken dish guaranteed to elicit “oohs and aahs” is the Signature Melty Cheese Buldak Chicken (from S$24 for small), spicy and tender buldak (fire) chicken served with gooey melted cheese.

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Enjoy it while it’s hot (especially if you want to capture the perfect cheese pull) — your tastebuds will thank you for that.

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If piping hot comfort in the form of soup is what you seek, head straight for the Sundubu Jjigae Spicy Soft Tofu Stew (S$13.90), a classic Korean stew brimming with ingredients like tofu, egg, clams, and enoki mushrooms.

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Other equally enticing options include the Signature Kimchi Jjigae (S$13.90), Yukgaejang Spicy Beef Stew (S$13.90), and the non-spicy Miyeok Guk (S$13.90), seaweed soup with beef or clams.

Come in a larger group if you want to savour the Ultimate Budae Jjigae (S$38), the restaurant’s rendition of Korean army stew, that can easily feed three. It’s packed full of ingredients like chicken spam, kimchi dumplings, mushrooms, tofu, Korean fish cakes, sausages, and ramyeon, just to name a few, so you’re definitely in for a treat!

my korean mom's kimchi
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My Korean Mom’s Kimchi even offers Korean BBQ Beef, with a la carte options like USDA Prime Beef Short Ribs Boneless (S$32) and USDA Korean LA Galbi Beef (S$30).

We were absolutely enamoured with the latter, a unique cut of barbequed beef short ribs. Aside from the sweet, dark, and sticky marinade (as someone who loved bold, in-your-face flavours, this was sublime), each tender and chewy short rib was exquisitely charred, with restrained edges of caramelised fat.

In short, the smell of meat, soy, and sweetness was intoxicating, and I loved every single moment of it.

my korean mom's kimchi
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You can also choose to enjoy your Korean BBQ as a set (the S$119 Ultimate K-BBQ Set for four is your best bet), which comes with free-flow kimchi, lettuce, onions, barbequed garlic, pink Himalayan salt, and samjang sauce.

There are plans to open more outlets (in the East, please!), so do show them some support in the meantime!

@tastesoulsg The galbi beef is unbelievably good???????? #tastesoulsg #mykoreanmomskimchi #sgkoreanfood #ahjummakitchen #sgkbbq #sgfoodie #sgtiktok #koreanfoodlover ♬ GOOD BOY – GD X TAEYANG

Now, if you don’t mind me, I’ll be waiting for my order of kimbap.

My Korean Mom’s Kimchi
Facebook | Instagram | Website
???? NEWest, 1 West Coast Drive, #01-71, Singapore 128020
???? 11.30am–2.30pm, 5.30pm–8.30pm (Tue to Sun), Closed on Mon

For more lifestyle updates like this, subscribe to our Telegram channel at @confirmgood.

Photos by Christabel Tan

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