Kimchi is the cornerstone of Korean cuisine, and Kimchi Mama in Bugis has made it the centrepiece of their menu. The new Korean eatery in Bugis+ is offering hearty, home-style dishes featuring a special housemade kimchi recipe!
Retro-Inspired Interior
The eatery space has a unique Korean retro charm, with wooden furniture and colourful seating pillows.
There is Jeju-inspired decor, like tangerine trees and seating that looks inspired by Korean floor seating.
A free-flow, self-serve banchan bar sits at the front, with kimchi, pickled radish and seasoned bean sprouts.
The entrance is also decorated with old-school trinkets and ornaments, plus a fun VHS TV photocorner!
Kimchi Mama Menu
The founders of Kimchi Mama are a Singaporean-Korean couple, inspired by the cooking of their Korean mother-in-law.
As such, kimchi is a big part of the menu! They feature a special kimchi recipe, using both fresh and aged kimchi.
They are Muslim-friendly but currently in the process of getting halal-certified!
Kimchi Mama Stew Pot
The signature item is the Kimchi Mama Stew Pot ($25.90). There’s a choice of chicken, beef or seafood.
It can comfortably feed 2 or 3 people, filled with other ingredients like tofu, clams and glass noodles.
The soup base is spicy with an enjoyable salty flavour, but could do with added depth from more kimchi or soy sauce.
It did taste better after letting it boil down to concentrate the broth!
They also have Korean Army Pot Stew with Cheese ($25.90/2 pax) and a Cheesy Army Stew with Chicken Ham ($13.90/1 pax).
Hostone Rice
A value-for-money option is the Hotstone Rice, served in a sizzling stone bowl in generous portions!
The signature is the Hotstone Kimchi Beef Steak ($14.90).
A special point about this is the inclusion of aged kimchi, which added a rich, tangy flavour that cut through the meatiness. This made the overall dish layered and satisfying, on top of the beef.
We also tried the Hotstone Cheesy Spicy Chicken Rice ($12.90). This tasted like the sum of its parts – savoury cheese, warm rice and gochujang-seasoned chicken.
Nothing mindblowing flavourwise, but hearty. It would taste better if it were spicier!
Other toppings include Cheesy Kimchi Fried Rice with Chicken Ham ($12.90) and BBQ Eel ($14.90).
Soups
For something warm, try the Spicy Kimchi & Clams Soondubu ($11.90). This came filled with ingredients, which we appreciated. The soup could be thicker for a more satisfying flavour.
Other variations include the Spicy Kimchi Soup ($12.90) and Ginseng Chicken Soup ($14.90).
Sides
For a moreish snack, try the Eomuk Fries ($6.90). It was lightly seasoned but we wished they were thicker and crispier for better texture.
A take on a Korean classic is the Mama “Shake Shake” Rice Balls ($5.90).
This dosirak-style rice box has rice, seaweed, flying fish and mayo. Just shake it to mix and enjoy!
It had a simple and addictive flavour, pairing well with the spicy stews.
They have quite a few side options, with a standout being the Boneless Chikin ($8.90/5 pcs).
These Korean fried chicken bites were juicy, crunchy and well-seasoned.
You can also dip it in a side of Corn Cheese ($6.90) for extra indulgence.
Korean Food In Bugis
While its not exactly authentic Korean, Kimchi Mama provides a hearty and fuss-free meal option with good value!
Check out more Korean restaurants in Singapore:
- Korean Hamburger Chain Lotteria Coming To Singapore In 2026
- Gwanghwamun Mijin: 70-Year-Old Korean Buckwheat Noodle Restaurant Now In Singapore
- Gwangjang Gaon: Well-Loved Korean Restaurant Visited By Han So Hee & Lee Jung Jae Now In Singapore
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Kimchi Mama
Bugis+ #04-11, 201 Victoria St, Singapore 188067
Open daily, 11.30am-9.30pm
*This article is based on a media-tasting event, but all opinions expressed about the food are entirely our own.
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