Kimchi Mama: A Korean Comfort Food Haven at Bugis+

Kimchi Mama specializes in hearty, homestyle Korean comfort food, and it’s clear that every dish is crafted with love and passion. The restaurant brings classic Korean fare like sizzling hot stone rice bowls, savoury stews, and addictive sides. What stands out is the restaurant’s unique twist on these dishes, particularly their signature Hotstone Kimchi Beef Steak Rice and the comforting Kimchi Mama Stew Pot.

Helming the kitchen is a chef with a story deeply rooted in family traditions and a love for kimchi that goes way back to the 1960s on Jeju Island. Kimchi Mama herself, as the founder is affectionately known, has reimagined Korean comfort food, taking bold culinary risks that result in dishes loved by all who visit. Her famed recipes blend nostalgia with creativity, creating a culinary experience that feels like home.

Kimchi Mama is conveniently located at Bugis+ (#04-11), right in the heart of the bustling shopping district. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, the spot is easy to find, situated just a short walk from the Bugis MRT station.

Interior: Modern Meets Cozy

The interior combines modern and traditional Korean elements, with a bold red and blue color scheme that adds energy to the space. The restaurant features a mix of wooden tables, cozy booths, and open seating, creating a relaxed yet lively atmosphere. Playful design touches, like the cartoonish Kimchi Mama logo and cozy lighting, contribute to its inviting vibe. This makes it an ideal spot for both casual meals and group gatherings.

Dish Highlights – Our Honest Review

Banchan

The free-flow banchan (side dishes) includes yellow pickled radish, kimchi, Korean soy bean sprouts, and corn, available for unlimited refills for you to take. However, we found the banchan to be just average, not the best we’ve had. The kimchi was the best one as it wasn’t overly fermented and had just the right kick to it.

Hotstone Kimchi Beef Steak Rice ($14.90)

The Hotstone Kimchi Beef Steak Rice is served on a sizzling hotstone, with juicy beef steak, spicy-salty kimchi, crispy rice bits, and a golden egg yolk. It is drizzled with their signature Mama Sauce, which tastes like Gochujang sauce. However, we were slightly underwhelmed by this dish because the flavours didn’t really stand out to us.

While the beef was decent, it wasn’t extraordinary, and we thought that the rice was a bit dry. Maybe you can add more Mama sauce for more flavours but we thought that the other rice bowls were more flavourful. To make the dish even more fun, you can choose to top up additional $1.80 to wrap the rice in a seaweed sheet for extra crunch to every bite.

Kimchi Mama Stew Pot ($25.90, serves 2-3 pax)

The Kimchi Mama Stew Pot is an absolute must-try, especially if you’re a fan of kimchi. It’s made with two types of kimchi—cooked and fresh—which gives the stew a tangy depth that’ll hit you right in the feels. Served with either tender beef or spicy chicken, it’s a soul-warming dish that’s perfect for sharing. The soup is rich and tangy, with an underlying garlicky warmth that makes each spoonful incredibly addictive. Other ingredients like glass noodles, tofu and enoki mushrooms were also inside. The clams in the broth weren’t the freshest, but the overall flavor balance made up for it.

Spicy Kimchi & Clams Soondubu ($11.90)

This dish has glass noodles, silky tofu, clams and enoki mushrooms simmered in a bold, spicy kimchi broth. This uses cooked kimchi only, producing a soup base that is slightly spicier than the Kimchi Mama Stew Pot, but less rich than the stew. It didn’t stand out as much to us compared to the Kimchi Mama Stew Pot, but if you’re dining alone and still want some kind of flavourful soup, this is what you should get.

Hotstone Cheesy Spicy Chicken Rice ($12.90)

The Hotstone Cheesy Spicy Chicken Rice is served with a side of seaweed soup and features tender, spicy chicken topped with melted cheese over sizzling hot stone rice. The seaweed soup is average, not very rich in flavour. The dish includes crispy rice, tobiko, and sweet corn kernels, creating a contrast of textures. While it was rather tasty, I didn’t find it to be spicy at all. The combination of the chicken and gooey cheese makes for a flavorful and satisfying meal, with a portion size that’s ideal for one person.

Mama Shake Shake Rice Balls ($5.90)

If you’re looking for something interactive and fun, the Mama Shake Shake Rice Balls are a hit. Served in a traditional Korean metal lunchbox, diners mix the ingredients to create their own rice balls. The sauce is generous, and the rice is soft, making each bite addictive and delicious. It’s a very simple dish that can’t go wrong but is comforting.

Boneless Chikin (5pc – $5.90)

Fried to crispy perfection, the chicken remains tender on the inside. You can choose from Soy Garlic, Sweet & Spicy, Honey Garlic, and Cheese flavors. We got to try the soy garlic flavour and while the chicken was flavourful and really huge, I thought it could use a bit more soy garlic sauce. For an extra indulgence, pair it with corn cheese ($6.90) for a fun, cheesy twist. It really alleviates the experience of eating the chicken and I must say it was worth paying extra for it.

Corn Cheese ($6.90)

This is a snack of sweet corn blanketed in stretchy, melty cheese which is the ultimate Korean comfort snack. Other than pairing this with the Boneless Chikin, the mild cheese and sweetness from the corn goes well with just about anything. We enjoyed it with the Mama Shake Shake Rice Bowl as well.

Eomuk Fries ($6.90)

Kimchi Mama’s Eomuk Fries are made from Korean fishcake strips, supposedly offering a savory crunch, though I found them softer and almost soggy instead of crispy. The dish reminded me of the Singaporean fish snack in white strips. You can choose between Cheese (non-spicy) or Paprika (spicy). We tried the paprika flavor but found the flavour to be mild and not very spicy, so unfortunately this dish didn’t stand out much. Overall, it was an average snack.

Drinks ($3.90 each)

We managed to try Kimchi Mama’s refreshing tangerine drinks, inspired by When Life Gives You Tangerines, the Korean romantic drama, and fortunately it didn’t disappoint. We tried the Iced Tangerine & Peach Tea (left) and the Iced Tangerine & Pomegranate Tea (right).

I appreciated that both drinks had the fruit pulps inside, which added to the texture of the drinks. Both drinks were refreshing and not too sweet, making them great for cleansing the palate. I preferred the pomegranate one as its flavor was stronger.

Final Verdict

Is it the most authentic Korean food we’ve tried? Probably not. But it delivers if you’re craving a hearty, simple Korean meal. The prices are reasonable for what they offer, and we find that the portion is quite generous. If we’re in the area and in the mood for Korean food, we’d definitely come back. I’d recommend the Hotstone Cheesy Spicy Chicken Rice if you’re looking for extra protein, but if not, the Mama Shake Shake Rice Balls is a great choice too. Boneless Chikin with Cheese Corn is a must-try, and for sharing, the Kimchi Mama Stew Pot is perfect.

Current Promotions

To celebrate its official opening, Kimchi Mama is treating diners to two limited-time promotions. Just mention “I Am Kimchi Mama” to enjoy 50% off these signature dishes:

From 4 to 6 September 2025, snag 50% off the Signature Kimchi Mama Stew Pot* (U.P.$25.90 each) (choice of beef or spicy chicken).
From 18 to 20 September 2025, unlock 50% off the sizzling Hotstone Kimchi Beef Steak Rice* (U.P.$14.90 each).

*Limited to one redemption per table, while stocks last. The management reserves the right to amend the terms and conditions without prior notice.