Manbok

Open Now

Now Closed

Item: Manbok
Rating: 4
Author: RunningMan

4 Reviews

Taste

Decor

Service

Hygiene

Value

Chinatown

$11 - $20

Korean Korean BBQ Restaurant

RunningMan

Level4

325

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Full Manbok review here: http://ivanteh-runningman.blogspot.sg/2015/10/manbok-chinatown-korean-bbq-steamboat.html

Manbok Chinatown Korean BBQ & Steamboat in Singapore Chinatown has been around for a while now. Among the more well known of the Korean barbecue and steamboat concept, particularly for their value for money prices, owner Mr. Tan tells us that the name 'Manbok Chinatown Korean BBQ & Steamboat' also represents 'a fortune of millions' in Mandarin!

Ambience at Manbok is decent for an indoor barbecue outlet. The biggest bugbear of such establishments is smell, fortunately, the exhaust nozzels directly above each table takes care of the majority of it. There is still some lingering smell of cooking, but this subsides quickly, a lot better than other places! Furnishings are spacious and functional enough for comfort, and I like the brightly lit area. Food displays are clearly labelled and kept chilled, but the salad / condiment corner is hidden behind a wall and not immediately visible.

Service at Manbok is polite and efficient. Staff have basic working product knowledge, able to explain in simple English / Mandarin the food available, as well as guide you how to operate the barbecue grill on the table. I also commend them for coming around often to change the grilling plate when it turns black from grilling. They also proactively clear away empty / dirty plates, rather than letting it pile up on your table. Good!

Food at Manbok is all about meat... a carnivore's dream! The star is the selection of 10 different cuts of meat (beef, pork, chicken) for barbecue / grilling, as well as the selection of seafood for the steamboat. The selection of salads is rather small though. Manbok also offers a small selection of 3 cooked food items, these are changed daily for returning diners. Communal dining is a must here, at least 2 people, though a group of 4 or more is recommended. Their Korean food is authentic and generally tasty, but their non-Korean food tends to be rather flat and not that tasty. Prices are reasonably cheaper than elsewhere, budget about SGD $18 for lunch, and SGD $32 for dinner, per person.

The highlight of a meal here is the beautiful, large slabs of meat, chilled on ice. Pick from 10 different cuts! My personal favourites would be the Marinated Beef Short Rib, and the Marinated Pork Belly.

Loved the Maneul Dak Ganjang / Garlic Soy Sauce Chicken Wings, this is easily the best cooked food item here! The chicken wings have a crisp, savoury, slightly salty skin that is fragrant with garlic. The chicken meat is moist and tender, coming off the bone easily. Chef tells us he only makes this in small batches, as the skin gets soggy when it cools, so it has to be eaten quickly!