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My boyfriend and I both love Korean barbecue, and he brought me to Sodeng, a popular traditional KBBQ spot in Singapore, to celebrate our anniversary.

There are two branches in Singapore, and we visited the one located along Telok Ayer Street.

The restaurant is cosy and has limited seating, so it is best to make a reservation beforehand. The moment we stepped in, we started salivating from the classic, appetising smokiness of KBBQ. The staff were all smiles and greeted us warmly - we immediately felt welcomed!

Here's what we ate:

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우대 갈비 Woo-Dae Galbi (Korean Grilled Beef Short Ribs)

Finest cuts of prime grade ribs.
Marinated for 72 hours in hand-made sauce with 30 ingredients.
💸SGD45.00 per pax (230g), minimum order of 2 pax.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 5/5

These are listed as the finest cuts of prime-grade ribs, and we can truly taste how premium the meat was. Firstly, a large slab of beef rib was presented, and then the staff seasoned the grill with fats, cut the ribs, and grilled them right in front of us.

Once the meat is ready, the staff served it in three different ways. First, they recommended trying it with just salt and pepper. The beef was incredibly juicy and absolutely delicious.

Next, they grilled another piece wrapped in melted cheese. I was initially skeptical as it looked a bit too cloying, but it turned out to be a flavour bomb. I probably couldn't have too much of this version, but it's definitely worth trying at least once.

Finally, the last recommendation was to pair it with grilled Korean napa cabbage. This was another memorable combination - the sweetness of the cabbage complemented the umami of the ribs so well. That said, my favourite was still the simplest: just salt and pepper.

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오리로스 Fresh Plain Duck

Tender and succulent sliced young duck (less than 1.5kg) meat.
💸SGD34.00 for 1 pax (180g)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5

After such a strong start with the beef short ribs, which set the bar very high, this was unfortunately a bit of a letdown. I usually love duck, especially roasted duck, but grilling seemed to accentuate the naturally grainy, slightly powdery texture of duck meat—something I don't particularly enjoy.

Taste-wise, it was somewhat average and definitely not as juicy or memorable as the Woo-Dae Galbi.

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소댕볶음밥 Sodeng's Pot Lid Stir-Fried Rice

💸SGD17.00 for 2 pax
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 5/5

After the slightly disappointing grilled duck, the final dish brought everything back on track and completed the meal perfectly.

As with the other dishes, the staff prepared the ingredients and put on a little cooking show right in front of us.

I'm not sure if it was because of our anniversary, but they shaped the fried rice into a heart, which was such a cute touch! The rice was stuffed with cheese, and it was another flavour bomb. There was a really nice sweetness in every bite, possibly from caramelised onions, and it was honestly one of the best kimchi fried rice dishes I've ever had.

Do not come here if you're on a diet, I repeat, DO NOT come here if you're on a diet.

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호박전 + 반찬 Pumpkin Pancake + Side Dishes

As with most KBBQ restaurants, complimentary side dishes (banchan) are provided. The variety wasn't very extensive—two types of kimchi, some kimchi potato balls (I think), and a garden salad. However, since they're complimentary, I wouldn't be too critical and will skip the rating.

The staff also treated us to some pumpkin pancakes. These are listed on the menu for $14 (probably in a bigger portion than what was in the picture), but they weren't that memorable, it could have been crispier and sweeter. Still, it was a nice treat!

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Complimentary Alcoholic Drinks

Once again, in celebration of our anniversary, the staff offerred us complimentary drinks. They're not listed on the menu, and the staff mentioned they couldn't reveal the exact ingredients--just that it contained alcohol and some mixers. It tasted really refreshing, though, and it was the perfect drink to cleanse our palate and complement the meal.

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Overall, we had a fantastic meal and a wonderful time at Sodeng. I highly recommend this place to anyone who loves KBBQ, and it's also a great place for celebrations. Just remember to make a reservation!

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Click on each picture below to expand the menu:

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SODENG - THE VINTAGE BBQ (TELOK AYER)

📍 175 Telok Ayer St, Singapore 068623