Song Gye Ok : Popular Korean grilled chicken restaurant is here in Singapore

Song Gye Ok Korean Grilled Chicken Restaurant

Song Gye Ok is a Korean restaurant that specialises in charcoal-grilled chicken cuts, including rare parts like chicken neck, gizzard, and heart. It also serves MODU’s Samgyetang, noodles and other Korean dishes. This outlet also features Singapore-exclusive Korean dishes like Truffle Samgyetang (Ginseng Chicken Soup) and Collagen Kalguksu(knife-cut noodles).

Known for its long snaking queues in South Korea, this is their first international outlet. It is located at 113 Telok Ayer Street, which is just a short walk from Telok Ayer MRT station.

Restaurant Interior

The restaurant interior is inspired by traditional Korean Hanok houses. It gives off a warm, homely and cosy vibe. There’s an open charcoal grill counter where you can watch the chefs in action, adding to the experience. It’s also a relatively spacious restaurant and it is suitable for group dinings. There are also bar counter seats which is perfect for solo or small group dinings.

There’s a lunch and dinner menu. During lunch, their menu feature hearty Korean soups like Samgyetang and Kalguksu, which are perfect for a comforting midday meal. These dishes are light yet satisfying, ideal for a quick lunch break, especially for office workers working in the CBD.

Come dinnertime, the restaurant shifts its focus to their signature charcoal-grilled chicken cuts. This includes a variety of parts like thigh, wing, neck, heart, gizzard, and tenderloin. You can also order a platter of various chicken cuts so that you can taste a little bit of everything. The dinner menu also offers a wider selection of sides and drinks to complement the grilled meats.

Dishes We Tried at Song Gye Ok

Earl Grey Highball ($14++)

We started with the Earl Grey Highball, which is a popular alcoholic drink at Song Gye Ok. It contains earl grey-infused gin, sparkling water and some citrus juice. It’s strong at first sip, but if you give it a good stir, the taste balances out. The Earl Grey flavour is quite light, so don’t expect a strong tea punch. If you enjoy a bit of alcohol with your meal, this drink is a refreshing pick that goes perfectly with the grilled chicken. If you are into highball drinks, you can give this a shot.

Signature Assorted Grilled Chicken Platter ($98++) (Available for dinner only)

Next was their Signature Grilled Chicken Platter (weighs 720g) which included boneless chicken neck, fillet, gizzard, heart, softbone, thigh and tenders. In this platter, you can to try all 7 different chicken cuts. This platter is good for 3 to 4 pax.

If you are dining in twos, you can opt for their Chicken Grill Platter ($68++). There are also ala carte options for specialty chicken cuts.

The chicken thigh was soft and juicy, while the other parts like heart and gizzard were more chewy — might not be for everyone, but definitely interesting and worth a try. The chicken meat is generally tender and clean-tasting. Even the chicken giblets do not have much of a gamey aftertaste. The taste of the chicken is elevated when you pair them with their housemade dipping sauces.

The six different dipping sauces which includes yuzu sauce, sriracha mayo, diced garlic, salt, shishito pepper and soy sauce. Caution: The Shishito pepper has a spicy fiery kick to it.

The staff does the grilling for you so you can just sit back and enjoy the grilled chicken once they are cook. The grilled meat is left on the sides of the grill so that you can enjoy it while its still warm.

Truffle Samgyetang ($34) (Available for lunch only)

One of the most unique dishes was the Truffle Samgyetang. It’s a Singapore-exclusive item that is good for sharing between two people as the portion is quite big. It is topped with truffle shavings.

The creamy herbal soup, cooked with jujube, reminded us of thick creamy mushroom soup with a hint of truffle. It’s thicker than the usual Samgyetang so it can get a little overwhelming for your tastebuds if you have too much of it. The fall-off-the-bone tender chicken was stuffed with sticky glutinous rice.

It also comes with a separate bowl of glutinous rice and a few banchan (side dishes) as such it can be quite filling for 1 person. Do try dipping the chicken in the spicy red sauce — it gives the chicken a nice kick.

Doenjang Stew ($24++)

We also ordered the Doenjang Stew, a comforting fermented soybean paste stew. The portion size is just nice for an individual. The broth is rich, hearty, and packed with umami, featuring tofu, vegetables and mushrooms.

It comes with a bowl of rice on the side, which pairs perfectly with the flavourful soup. Honestly, the soup was so addictive and comforting, we couldn’t stop sipping. We prefer their Doenjang Stew over the Truffle Samgyetang.

Grilled Rice Balls ($8)

The Grilled Rice Balls come in a pair and are easily one of our favourites. Each rice ball has a beautifully crispy outer layer from the grilling, while the inside rice layer stays soft and fluffy. The centre is filled with savoury fish roe, which adds a nice pop of flavour. The contrast between the crunchy exterior and soft interior makes it super satisfying to eat. It’s simple, but so well done — we’d definitely order this side dish again.

Bibim Noodles ($24++)

Served cold, the noodles had a nice bouncy texture and came mixed with fresh vegetables, onions, seaweed and minced chicken tenders. The gochujang-based sauce gave it a hint of sweetness, making it both refreshing and flavourful. This dish is simple, satisfying, and great for cooling down between heavier dishes.

Minari Watersnail Salad ($18)

We got to try the Water Snail Salad, which was a pleasant surprise. It had a light, slightly sour tang from the kimchi dressing, which paired well with the crunch of the other vegetables. The flavours were refreshing and not too overpowering, making it a great palate cleanser between the heavier grilled dishes.

Garlic fried rice ($20)

The Garlic Fried Rice came topped with melted cheese, which sounded promising at first. However, the cheese didn’t fully blend into the rice, so each bite felt like two separate components rather than one cohesive dish. The garlic flavour was also on the milder side, which left the overall taste a little flat. While it might still appeal to those who enjoy cheesy sides, it didn’t quite hit the mark for us.

Verdict: Worth the Hype?

We’d give it a solid 8/10. While the grilled chicken is the main star, the side dishes actually surprised us — they were just as good, if not better. The restaurant’s setup, with wooden panels and a traditional Korean vibe, really makes you feel like you’re dining in Seoul. The fact that the staff grills the chicken for you adds to the relaxed experience. Also, their kimchi is made in-house, which shows their commitment to authenticity.

Fun fact: The original Song Gye Ok in Korea is so popular that even K-drama star Song Kang has been spotted dining there. No surprise — with food this good, it’s celebrity-worthy.

If you love Korean food and want to try something beyond the usual fried chicken or bulgogi, Song Gye Ok is worth checking out — especially for the grilled cuts and unique soups.