Nolboo Hangari Galbi

Really enjoyed having the grill sliced chicken meat here as the portion is always quite generous and the taste is very delicious too. The chicken meat is very tender and juicy, which the marination of the chicken has make it very fragrant as well. It is always served hot to my table and goes very well with the plain fragrant rice as well. Price is reasonable and the serve here is quite friendly too.

2013-01-25

SGD 10(Dinner)

As I mention before, I prefer to eat Korean cuisine. My friend had recommended me this Korean cuisine shop Nolboo Hangari Galbi. She said that the food at there had a very high quality although the price was a little bit expensive but it was worthy.

Went to the shop with my roomate, we had ordered the ginseng chicken soup. The saltiness of the soup was just nice. I prefer the flavor of the herbs. Highly recommended this dish.

Will visit the shop again..

Came to Nolboo after an afternoon of pedicure and manicure. Decided that after several sessions of pigging out I need something healthy, nice, warm and comforting.
So this is it: Ginseng chicken soup. Healthy and authentic. Stuffed with a generous portion glutinous rice
A complimentary bowl of porridgeAs usual for most korean restaurants, it comes with quite a number of complimentary side dishes.

I was pretty relectant to order the Ginseng Chicken Soup. If the restaurant serve the genuine Korean Ginseng Chicken, it is going to taste bland. That is how Ginseng Chicken Soup taste in Seoul. Fortunately for us, the soup served here has made relevant adaptions to cater to Singaporeans. It has strong ginseng aroma and commands the sweetness of traditional Chinese double boiled chicken soup.

As usual, Korean food comes with a lot of small side dishes. From vegetables, bean sprouts etc etc. I love the way they are simmered in with the authentic kimchi. We ordered their pancake as well. Looked like a pizza in Korean form. It was pretty unique and yummy in my opinion. We love the generous topping of cheese and seafood. The pancake is thin, maintaining its softness yet with a little crisp. The presentation was fantastic too as it was arranged in a manner that it resembles a gigantic flower.

For full experience write up & photos, please visit my blog: http://aspirant1981.wordpress.com/2012/02/26/food-nolboo-hangari-galbi-korean-bbq-restaurant-singapore/ or follow me on twitter for food reviews: https://twitter.com/Aspirant81

My friends and I decided to re-visit Nolboo Hangari Galbi (Orchard Central) after our previous pleasant experience with its Korean Steamboat-styled Stew. This time round, we are back to sample their grill meat offerings.

We were greeted with an inviting red bean with pumpkin congee as our appetitiser. There wasn’t much of red beans and I could not taste much of the familiar pumpkin either. The congee had a general sweet flavor & reminded me of Tau suan – a sweet Chinese dessert made of split mung beans.

After we are done with the congee, an array of complimentary sides including kimchi, beansprouts, lettuce soon followed. The side dishes were pretty refreshing and rather strong on the senses.

The waiter showed us the uncooked pork belly & marinated chicken before taking it away. I was really puzzled with this odd gesture. Why take the meat again? Just cut it in front and we can start grilling.

While waiting for our meat, we cleaned out a few of the complimentary sides. We got a rude shock when we requested for a replenishment of the sides. Each side replenishment is chargeable! This is so unheard of…..

I was really disappointed when our pork belly was served cooked! For me the fun part of the meal happen during the BBQ process. Argghhh… so disappointed. But apparently, I was the only guy on the table who thinks that way. I have to admit the pork belly was handled really well. Given our amateurish BBQ skills, we would never be able to produce such juicy, titillating morsels.

The marinated chicken was grilled to perfection. We get to experience both the crisp & tenderness of the chicken with every bite. The marination gave the meat a sweet flavor.

Only 3 pieces of Korean lettuce wraps were provided and replenishment is chargeable. I can’t believe this….

I was pretty relectant to order the Ginseng Chicken Soup. If the restaurant serve the genuine Korean Ginseng Chicken, it is going to taste bland. That is how Ginseng Chicken Soup taste in Seoul.

Fortunately for us, the soup served here has made relevant adaptions to cater to Singaporeans. It has strong ginseng aroma and commands the sweetness of traditional Chinese double boiled chicken soup. Yes, we Singaporeans like it strong.

The meal ended with a sweet Black Glutinous Rice with Coconut Milk Dessert.

Overall a decent experience. The pork belly and marinated meat sets were delicious but I still prefer to do the BBQ myself. Given the price paid for the meat sets, I expected to have my complimentary sides replenished free of charge. I will think twice about coming back to this restaurant again.

You may also like to check out my posts on other delicious food places: http://aspirant1981.wordpress.com/restaurants-cafe-eateries-food-list/

2012-02-26

SGD 30(Dinner)

My friend introduced me to this place as she says the food here is pretty authentic and nice. Came here for lunch on a sunday afternoon and it wasn't really packed. Ordered the 500g of pork and two bowl of rice. I love the bbq pork a lot, it was really nice and the portion of it is just nice for the two of us too. Couldn't finish the side dishes but i really really like the mash potato so much that i asked for a second helping of it and they immediately gave it to me. The service was also very good and I am pretty sure i will come back to visit this place again soon!

http://thechosenglutton.wordpress.com/2011/12/04/nolboo-hangari-galbi-orchard-central/

I’m as much an idiot to Korean food as many of you (no offense meant). I can use just one hand of mine to count the number of Korean restaurants I’ve been to. Oh wait, three fingers will do. This, 2D1N, and Jang Shou. But with the fast and furious breakthrough of its music industry, infusing into our youngsters nowadays, the urge to have more taste of Korean culture heightens too. I know for one, if you’re looking for Korean food, the shop-houses at Tanjong Pagar is enough to keep you full for a year (exaggerated). I was recently introduced to Nolboo Hangari Galbi by a friend of mine, and so I succumbed. Located all the way up at Level 8, Orchard Central, Nolboo is quite a medium-sized restaurant – best to make a reservation either earlier on the day itself or the day before (at least for weekends) – speaking with experience.Promptly after settling down, we were served with a small holder of sesame congee, a complimentary starter. Congee has never, never been my thing. But to have it as a starter, it’s still a first for me. Nothing spectacular, probably just something to whet your appetite for some grills to come.6 unique dishes of complimentary appetizers, two shares for the 6 of us. For the first time us, we had no idea it was to be shared amongst the table – they could have done us a favor by telling us. Anyhows, we asked, eventually, to realize. The ikan bilis is salty and crispy, definitely something to start your course. Mashed Potato, Korean Radish (I think), Kimchi, and Beansprout. Although none of it is something to shout for (can’t expect much from complimentary items can you), it still feels good to have something to munch on while waiting for your items to be done up behind.Grilled Honey Pork Belly ($25++) | Pork Belly with Chili Paste ($20++) :: Similarities first – both are hanging between bland and just the right amount of marination. With that said, your taste bud will be struggling to capture some taste, present or not, from the dish. Differences The latter actually tastes better than the former. So cost wise and taste wise, go for the latter. I guess what can be improved is to cater a sauce that goes well with it. We had to resort to asking for chili sauce to go with it, which I thought, isn’t too pleasant for such a type of meal. Something commendable though, would be its smell – the BBQ smell is just awesome you can inhale it in all day.I’m not sure about the dessert, but it tastes like Bubur Pulut Hitam. Again, like the appetizers, it’s nondescript. Something we just put in our mouth and go.

I wouldn’t say it’s going to be my last time coming here. But there’s a high chance it’ll be at least a while before I patronize again. They mostly need to work on their service, interaction and communication with the diners. Sometimes, the importance of service can supersede that of the quality of food. The food isn’t of the worst, although it surely can be improved. I’m not writing them off just yet, probably just need another time to try other items on their menu, and hopefully by then, better service.

—> Note #1: They serve iced green tea. But it costs $1++. You’ve been warned, if you don’t intend to drink – tell them before they pour you a glass.

—> Note #2: For the BBQ items, you can either request for them to BBQ it just beside your table or in the kitchen. Don’t worry about the smell of it ‘stenching’ your clothes – their system sucks the smoke away from you.

—> Note #3: They have another outlet at Ngee Ann City Tower A, Level 5.

2011-12-04

SGD 25(Dinner)

I ate at 112 Katong or I12 Katong. But the selection didn't have the place yet so I put in under someset.

Before me and my friend entered the restaurant, we went online to search about the restaurant, to check it's reviews and stuff. Most people said their service was pretty lousy, or the worst they have ever seen. And those were the reviews of the restaurant in town area! Orchard central and Ngee Ann City.

It's like gasp, if they are bad in town where there are so many tourists, then wouldn't it be worse in Katong Some weird unknown place where I bet 30% of Singaporeans don't even come here

BUT! Surprisingly, the service was very good. The boss is SUPER NICE, he chatted with us and asked us whether the food was okay and all. AHH~ And the boss's wife gave us a free dish of vege Really very nice people

They are also PURE KOREANS! (Their son is very handsome)

We ordered the Bulgogi and BBQ Kimchi Pork Belly. The boss came to help us to BBQ the kimchi pork belly. IT WAS DELICIOUS. The kimchi and the pork belly was heavenly, with the just right BBQ flavour.

And the bulgogi was sweet and smell just awesome. Best korean meal ever. I will definitely go again.

With the 2 main dishes, they also served us 9 side dishes. There were just so many vegetables! Me and friend couldn't finish it.

Hangari Galbi is a chain of BBQ restaurants in Korea and the outlet at Orchard Central is the first in Singapore. It has numerous outlets in other parts of Asia such as China and Japan. Though barbequed meat, especially beef and pork are their specialties but we have no craving for that today.

I'll most probably visit it one day and try its bbq meat ... Several tables around us had bbq meat but somehow we just don't have cravings for it ;p Something worth mentioning is that there are ventilation shafts in each table directing fumes away from diners if they have having bbq. I have forgotten about the actual price... estimated about $120 - $140 for this meal ~

It is located in a prime location and a good get away from the overcrowded 313 somerset. At least, I can 'breathe' here ~

Cold noodlesRefreshing and well-mixed with vegetables ... We basically swept it off after minutes it was served.

Kimchi SoupAbove average taste but not the premium of all ~

Kimchi Pancake with Seafood and MozzarellaUnique and yummy!

We love the generous topping of cheese and seafood... the pancake is thin, maintaining its softness yet with a little crisp... the arrangement of making it looking like a gigantic flower bring smiles to us ...

A simply cheerful dish

Chicken with ?? sauceLol ~ I forgot what they are being marinated with?

I vaguely remembered that they are finger-licking good ... spicy and sour ... kinda like kimchi paste ... we have it dipping into blue cheese too ...

Grilled mushroomsA must-order dish for mushroom and vegetable lovers!!!

Simply fabulous ... grilling bring out the best in portobello mushrooms and asparagus ....

We were each given a vanilla ice-cream with red beans for dessert but just average ;) The main dishes are more worthy ~

SGD 60(Lunch)

Has always preferred Japanese food, but this dining experience has added many points for Korean cusine.

As I did not intend to write any review previously, I do not remember the exact name of the dishes. But everything was yummy! Even the standard appetizers that every Korean restaurant provides was good, and they come in large portion. Service was great, be it the one who did the bbq or the one who refills water.

One thing that I did not like was the seats I have got, it was probably meant for a table of 4, but since there were only 2 of us, they put something very low as a division. As a result, there is no privacy at all!

But nevertheless, the food is great.

SGD 33(Dinner)