In case you weren’t aware, 1 Michelin-starred Naeum is back after two months of renovation, with a brand-new look and menu. Gone are the episodic menus, which lasted for nine different episodes showcasing nearly 120 creations over the span of 4 years.
Naeum 2.0
The new space exudes a contemporary vibe while showcasing Korean aesthetics, evident in the use of wood, paper and stone elements. The hanok-inspired space feels much sleeker, and the latest design addresses some of the issues from the previous space, such as the walk to the washroom.
P.S. If you find yourself at Naeum, make sure to visit the washroom; let’s just say they’ve invested a lot in the new one.
From Episodes To Storybook
Previously, Naeum presented episodic menus, each one highlighting a memory that Chef Louis treasured, such as the mountain near his home, the streets of Seoul, and the vibrancy of Jeju.
Now, Chef Louis presents his story through the form of a ‘storybook’ menu, which brings together the moments, emotions and memories of his life.
The menu is now an 8-course dinner priced at $268++, and there are no add-on options like the previous episodic menu. Like a storybook, it is meant to be enjoyed whole, with all the chapters of his life presented through the courses.
Alcohol pairing is available ($188++ for full, $108++ for half), along with a non-alcoholic pairing priced at $108++.
Naeum Food Review
The meal starts with ‘Dongchimi’, almost like a welcome drink. It features a chilled tomato dongchimi broth with a sweet Amela tomato and raw seafood on top of tomato jelly. It’s followed by a trio of snacks, with the scallop and yam puff ones leaving quite an impression.
A meal at Naeum is never complete without their Memilmyeon, a constant throughout the different episodes. In the new menu, it is paired with a mandu, a morel mushroom stuffed with rice cake and a duck meat patty. This course felt vaguely familiar, we could see a bit of the previous episodes in this dish.
One of our favourite courses was the ‘Jeonbok’, which features Jeju abalone, Oscietra caviar and a decadent pine nut cream. The Nobchi comes close, featuring a pan-seared five-day dry-aged turbot, sauteed Korean squash and a maeuntang-inspired butter sauce.
Every Korean meal comes with rice, and the meal here at Naeum is no exception. ‘Hansang’, which means ‘a table full of food’, features Korean short grain rice cooked in a cast iron pot, mixed with a variety of vegetables, before it is topped with grilled gochujang-marinated deodeok. It’s served alongside a selection of banchan, and a clear mushroom gomtang.
Desserts were also a highlight of the meal for us, especially the ‘daechu’, which is an elevated take on Naeum’s signature dessert. Topped with freshly shaved truffles, the white chocolate ice cream pairs amazingly with the date pastry cream and jujube truffle espuma.
Modern Korean Food in Singapore
Naeum’s refreshed image and menu showcase the very best of Korean contemporary food, and there’s no doubt that the restaurant is worthy of a Michelin star. The elevated experience makes this a spot worth trying out in Singapore, especially when you’re looking for more upscale spots for date nights or celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries.
Naeum
161 Telok Ayer Street, Singapore 068615
Tue-Wed, 6pm-10:30pm
Thurs-Sat, 12pm-3pm, 6pm-10:30pm
*This article is based on a media-tasting event, but all opinions expressed about the food are entirely our own.
*Follow MiddleClass.sg on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Telegram for more food, travel, and trending stories
