We’ve heard so many good things about Odem, an artisanal makgeolli bar in New Bahru. Between their legendary housemade bread and their curated makgeolli list, the expectations were high.
Sleek, Modern Interior
The restaurant space is small but cosy, following a dark red and wood theme.
It had touches of mid-modern century furniture that made it aesthetically pleasing, great for gatherings of all sizes.
Odem Menu
The menu focuses on makgeolli and anju (Korean drinking bites). Their makgeolli menu is extensive, with over 20 options from small-scale Korean breweries.
For something simple, try their Makgeolli Flights ($75/$88) with 5 selected variations ranging from dakju to cheongju (filtered makgeolli).
Check out their full makgeolli and food menu here!
The food selection ranges from shared appetisers like Oyster, Kimchi Granita and Perilla ($18/3pcs) and Savoury Donut ($15/2 pcs) with shio kelp, salmon roe and smoked gochugaru.
Their main options include an interesting Vegan Tteokkalbi ($32) with lotus and smoked chestnut puree and the Iberico Secreto ($52) in a deonjang marinade!
Finish it with desserts like a Chapssal Donut with Pine Nut Gelato ($14/3 pcs) and Black Garlic Tart ($18) that features a smoked jujube cream.
Makgeolli Flight
We tried the Odem Quintet ($75) with a selection of classic and flavoured makgeolli chosen by the team.
One of our favourites was the Sparkling Basil from Nerd Brewery, with its savoury, umami notes.
For a clean, classic makgeolli, we recommend the Jiran Jigyo Takju – creamy, slightly sweet with notes of chamomile!
The staff are knowledgeable and able to advise selections based on your taste preferences.
Appetisers
The item we’ve heard rave reviews about is the Brioche & Gamtae Seaweed Butter ($18). This loaf was fluffy and soft with an addictive sticky soy glaze, but the star is the butter.
It was like nori butter with a stronger umami, perfect to cut through the sweetness (or eat on its own)!
We also tried the Fig & Jujube Salad ($25) with burrata and a gochugaru-jujube vinaigrette. This was refreshing, creamy and had satisfying textures, with the addition of soy-candied walnuts.
The Kimchi Mozzarella Pancake ($24) was topped with a thick layer of gochugaru. It was savoury and cheesy, but it could do with a stronger and sharper kimchi flavour!
Mains
The Abalone Boribap ($48) exceeded our expectations, with a makgeolli-abalone jus and gamtae butter.
We enjoyed the rich, savoury flavour of the barley rice, especially with the pleasant bite of the grains.
For meats, we had the Barbecued Kalbi ($62) with a butter sauce made using Tokki Gold Soju. This was executed perfectly, with a smoky crust and buttery, fatty beef.
The marinade was sweet and savoury, almost with a satay-like flavour!
Desserts
We tried the Hwachae ($14). It was an interesting rendition with a Mars Rose granita, berries and watermelon.
This was unfamiliar to us, from the half-slushie texture to the slightly medicinal aftertaste – maybe we’re not able to appreciate it yet.
Makgeolli Bar In Singapore
Whether you’re a makgeolli beginner or makgeolli stan, Odem provides a great selection of drinks alongside a tasty menu of food! The ambience is also perfect for all sorts of gatherings and celebrations.
Check out more Korean-influenced bars in Singapore:
- ANJU Restaurant: Modern Korean Dining and Bar Experience in Tanjong Pagar
- Daily Beer: Fresh Korean Beer On Tap & Fried Chicken In Telok Ayer
- Bae’s Cocktail Club: Vibey Spot in Tanjong Pagar with Korean-Inspired Cocktails, Soju Basil Smash A Must-Try
Odem
46 Kim Yam Rd, #01-17, Singapore 239351
Closed on Monday. Tues-Thu, Sun: 11am-11pm
Fri, Sat: 11am-12am
*This article is based on a media-tasting event, but all opinions expressed about the food are entirely our own.
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