If you’re looking for an affordable place that serves authentic Korean food in Singapore, Wang Family Kitchen might just be what you’re looking for. This place gave us serious 집밥 (jipbab) and 손맛 (sonmat) vibes (more of this below). Wang Family Kitchen is the latest Korean restaurant to open in Hillview, serving a home-style buffet at merely $18.90.
Wang Family Kitchen in Hillview CC
Run by a Korean family, Wang Family Kitchen is a Korean buffet restaurant nestled in the peace and quiet of Hillview Community Centre.
The more unique thing about this place is that they don’t have a fixed menu and the dishes rotate on a daily basis. Usually, the menu features 2 to 3 main items with the remaining being side dishes such as egg rolls.
Some previous menu items were
- Spicy Garlic Fried Chicken (깐풍기 Kkanpunggi)
- Boiled Pork Slices (보쌈 Bossam)
- Spicy Pork Galbi (매운 돼지갈비 Dwaeji-galbi)
- Beef Bone Soup (설렁탕 Seollongtang)
All items are refillable since it’s a buffet.
We paid Wang Family Kitchen a visit on Monday to see how the buffet system works and to give the food a taste. During our visit, the Tteokbokki and Spicy Dakgalbi was available, as well as several side dishes.
Wang Family Kitchen Ambience
You’ll be greeted by a Korean ahjussi when you arrive, and will be directed to your seat, either indoors or outdoors. All the food is well displayed at the counter like a buffet, but due to Covid-19, the food will be served to you instead.
Food At Wang Family Kitchen
At first, The food was served on a tray, reminiscent of a Korean cafeteria, where you’ll get a small portion of everything. Treat this as a tasting platter, to see what you like so you can ask for more later.
More than being extremely delicious, the food is comforting and warm. Like they would say in Korea, it feels like 집밥 (jipbab), aka homecooked food. Well, it is run by a Korean family, so it does feel like omma’s cooking.
The spicy dakgalbi was tender and not overwhelmingly spicy. It also had a nice slightly smoky taste to it, so we asked for more of this later on.
The other side dishes such as the kimchi, seaweed with vinegar dressing and stir-fried potatoes were extremely well done and had the 손맛 (sonmat) element, a Korean term usually used to describe handmade, delicious food.
Oh, and the rice served was Korean rice, which we couldn’t get enough of.
The staff were also super friendly and kept checking if there was anything they could get us.
Dessert for the day was cream puffs and sliced fruits, but there was a day where they served waffles!
Affordable Korean Buffet in Singapore
Unlike most Korean buffets in Singapore, Wang Family Kitchen was like a breath of fresh air. If we were living nearby, it almost feels like heading over to a Korean friend’s house for a meal.
Since the menu changes daily, it’ll probably feel like you’re visiting a new restaurant every time you head back.
You can check the menu for the day before you decide to head down via their Instagram account.
If you’re missing Korea and simply want to experience the joy of having homemade Korean food cooked by a Korean omma, Wang Family Kitchen is a great option for lunch or dinner.
Prices at Wang Family Kitchen
Weekday Lunch and Dinner: $16.90 for Adults, $12.90 for Children (aged 5-11 years old)
Weekend/PH/Friday Dinner: $18.90 for Adults, $13.90 for Children (aged 5-11 years old)
Reservations can be made for dinner via DM.
Wang Family Kitchen
Hillview CC, 1 Hillview Rise # 01-04 S667970
Mon-Sat, 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-9pm. Closed on Sundays.
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