“Waiting in Hell, Tasting in Heaven” is Song Gye Ok’s cheeky tagline. This grilled chicken restaurant draws hour-long queues in Seoul (and with Singapore’s weather, it truly feels like waiting in Hell).
Korea’s number one chicken grill restaurant is now in Singapore for its international debut.
They’ll be opening their doors to the public on 5 June 2025, so make a trip to Telok Ayer for an authentic Korean chicken grill and samgyetang experience!
Founded in Seongsu, Seoul, Song Gye Ok is the world’s first restaurant dedicated to chicken speciality cuts. They’re also known for their soul-warming herbal Samgyetang.
Upon entering, we were transported back in time and space to old Seoul. The space is designed with traditional Hanok elements, and there’s also a chef-fronted grilling bar.
I recommend dressing lightly, because we were practically dripping in sweat once the charcoal grills were lit. In true “Waiting in Hell” fashion, be prepared to sweat it out before savouring your meal.
Of course, the star of the show was the SGO Signature Grill Platter (S$98), featuring six rare chicken cuts — boneless chicken neck fillet, chicken gizzard, chicken heart, chicken breast softbone, chicken thigh, and chicken tenders — grilled to juicy perfection.
Take a bite with six different sauces, just like in the Seoul outlet. While we weren’t exactly sure what the sauces were, I liked the spicy honey dip.
My colleague’s favourite cuts were the chicken heart and gizzard as they were chewy, flavour-packed, and all around satisfying to savour with the various sauces.
Another dish to look out for is the Singapore-exclusive Truffle Samgyetang (S$28) by speciality samgyetang restaurant MODU. This is an extremely luxurious twist on the classic Korean ginseng chicken soup.
This dish was essentially truffle overload (there’s even hand-shaven black truffle, so prep your cameras).
If you’re a truffle lover, this is the one for you. Unfortunately, we found the truffle overpowering. The thick and creamy broth is similar to western-style truffle mushroom soup, rather than the traditional comforting samgyetang. With that said, the chicken was soft and umami-packed.
For something lighter, consider the Perilla Seed Samgyetang (S$28) or the spicy Hangover Samgyetang (S$28).
Another strongly-flavoured dish was the SGO Cheongguk Doenjang Stew (S$24). This is the epitome of Korean home-cooked meals, but unless you’re a big fan of fermented soybeans, you may want to skip this one.
While I wasn’t a fan of the strong fermented taste at first, it grew on me after a few bites. Third time’s the charm, right?
For cold noodle lovers, the gochujang Bibim Noodles (S$24) was a sweet and refreshing meal.
The Uiseong Garlic Fried Rice (S$20) is sure to give you bad breath with its generous combination of garlic, spring onions, and cheese (watch out, vampires).
The Grilled Rice Ball (S$8) with fish roe is worth a try, with its crispy, browned sides.
For a palette cleanse after all those indulgent dishes, grab a mouthful of the Minari Watersnail Salad (S$18).
We also tried the Earl Grey Highball (S$14), which really packed a punch with its Earl Grey-infused gin.
Or, try the non-alcoholic Nurungji Sikhye (S$5), a traditional Korean scorched rice drink. This was on the sweeter end, and my colleague likened it to a bird’s nest drink.
The lunch and dinner menus vary, so it’s better to look up the menu before making your way to Song Gye Ok. Unfortunately, the restaurant only accepts walk-ins, staying true to its “Waiting in Hell” concept.
Will you be queuing in Hell for this famous grilled chicken restaurant?
Song Gye Ok
Instagram | Website
📍 113 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068582
🕒 11.30am–3pm, 5pm–10pm (Mon to Fri), 11am–10pm (Sat to Sun)
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Photos by Tai Wing Xin.
