MODU Samgyetang is one of the hottest spots for Ginseng Chicken Soup in Singapore and for good reason. The name MODU means “everyone” in Korean and they have indeed created a menu that should please everyone!
MODU Samgyetang Specialty Restaurant
Even at an off peak hour, the restaurant is full! The queue system and efficient staff make up for it and got most patrons seated relatively quickly.
First a quick word about the décor – beautiful Hanok-style aesthetics blended with contemporary minimalist elements. The exposed wooden columns and ceiling beams and dark wood furnishing against the clean, white “rock” walls created a very pleasing balance of traditional and modern. It was an architectural and design representation of the style and quality of food we were about to partake.
Samgyetang: Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup
Being the glutton that I am, I prefer food that’s maxed out on texture (crunchy), flavour and taste (combination of cooking method, fats, salt and seasoning) and that usually leads me to roasted, fried and grilled food.
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There are few dishes that have changed my mind about what the best way is to use a chicken (fried), and I begrudgingly admit that samgyetang is probably one of them.
Before I get to that, it would be remiss of me not to mention the “2-gather” option in the menu that we ordered: You get to choose two samgyetang out of six available SamGyeTang flavours, one out of four choices of Sharable Dishes, one MODE Appetiser and one Dessert for $98++. A five-course hearty meal for two diners.
Apart from the six SamGyeTang choices, there are ten options for Sharable Dishes in the Ala Carte menu and three desserts.
Counter Seats & the Open Kitchen
We were seated at the counter, giving us a great view of the open kitchen, which was efficient, tidy, high energy and kept us occupied as we watched the chefs and cooks prepare the food very harmoniously. Before long, our appetizer arrived.
Food at MODU: Appetiser & Beverages
Incredibly crispy, flavourful but not oily or fishy, the HwangTaeChae ($20++) was an addictive snack that I couldn’t stop myself from stuffing my face with.
Hwangtae is a specially prepared yellow pollack fish that undergoes a several months-long freeze-thaw cycle. It is then shredded into these thin strips and used in cooking or as a snack. Full of protein, low in fats and delicious. The soy, mayonnaise dip went very with it.
We ordered a pot of their signature Nightgate Tea ($9++), which promised multiple health benefits such as circulation, kidney health and vitality. It had an earthy, slightly herbal flavour and tasted clean and mild, which my partner appreciated.
It is a trendy and popular drink both in Korea and out of Korea and I could see how others may like it. There are several other GinSeng and tea options as well. For those interested in their alcoholic beverages, they have a wide selection of Korean Liquors and their signature GinSeng Makgeolli.
The rest of our meal came in quick succession and our Samgyetang and sharable dish arrived on our table with the personable chef introducing the components of the samgyetang.
We chose the Crispy Chicken Skin Salad ($18++) for our sharing dish, it was a decent plate of salad with the chicken skin for crunch and a tangy mustard sauce that kept the salad interesting. I did regret not choosing something else more interesting but the Minari Pancake, which caught my eye, happened to be unavailable at the moment.
Samgyetang – Ginseng Chicken Soup for the Soul
The samgyetangs range from $35 to 38++ if ordered ala carte. They arrived beautifully presented in a lovely black ceramic pot surrounded by refillable sides.
The whole, organic, young chickens were on their back, luxuriating in the broth with their legs crossed, soaking up the rich flavours into their skin and meat.
The ginseng, jujube, ginger and garlic listed as the important, beneficial ingredients have imparted their lovely flavours and health benefits to the soup and the chicken. All that’s left is to do is to transfer all that nutritious, healthy goodness from the pot into me.
The black chicken, supposedly having a higher nutritional value that the regular chicken, was fall-off-the-bone tender. Often described as a “hug in a bowl”, the thick, milky, ginseng-infused broth warms you from inside out and the flavours bring a sort of comfort and nostalgia that reminded me of the herbal soups my mum prepared for me when I was younger. It’s comfort food that both physically and emotionally refreshes a person.
The other samgyetang I chose was their signature Perilla Seed version. It may be used traditionally in many other cultures but South Korea is the world’s primary producer and consumer of perilla seeds, using it as an oil, a powder and in various forms that are front and centre in many of their dishes.
More and more of us now love the flavour of perilla seed and the Perilla Seed SamGyeTang is an excellent example why.
Perilla powder adds a nuttiness that’s both aromatic and toasty to the broth. It also thickens the soup and creates a creamy, nearly porridge-like consistency that makes the soup feel even more luxurious, soothing and as if it is coating our throat and digestive tract. The glutinous rice filling in the chicken welcomed the soup as I dug deeper, making for velvety mouthfuls of deliciousness.
The provided salt and pepper as well as homemade slightly spicy dipping sauce went very well with the chicken meat by providing an occasional change in flavour profile. The accompanying minari (water celery) salad and radish kimchi also provided relief and refreshment between the chicken and soup. All in all very balanced, harmonious flavours and components. They even provided a shot of Ginseng Soju that complements the dish.
Dessert
The final dish was an individual portion of the Gotgam Mari, a sweet dried persimmon stuffed with cream cheese and paired with walnuts. The addition of cream cheese is a nowadays very popular modern adaptation of the traditional snack of dried persimmons and walnuts.
It was a very satisfactory and refined end to the meal we had and I am definitely returning to try the other dishes and flavours of Samgyetang!
MODU Samgyetang
Where: #02-37 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road, Singapore 238897
Website: MODU Samgyetang
If you enjoyed this story, we predict that you will also enjoy reading about an immersive Jeju dining experience in Singapore.
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