Sizzling barbecue, bubbling tofu stew and a fridge full of kimchi: Korean food is now so woven into Singapore life that it can feel like it has always been here. Behind the dishes is a community that has lived, worked and raised families on this island for decades.

Welcome to part 5 of Many Faces of Singapore, our series celebrating the communities beyond the Chinese, Malay and Indian groups that make Singapore richer. This guide is for everyone: Korean residents looking for a taste of home, and anyone who simply loves a good bowl of jjigae.

Catch up on the series:

A Community That Has Grown with Singapore

The Korean Association of Singapore was set up in 1963, and formal diplomatic relations between Singapore and South Korea followed in 1975, according to JOM Media's history of Koreans in Singapore. The same piece estimates the community grew from about 4,000 in 1999 to roughly 30,000 by 2019, and describes Tanjong Pagar and Upper Bukit Timah as areas closely associated with Korean residents. The Association runs Korean language schools and community events.

Cultural ties have grown too. A 2013 MCCY speech noted the "Hallyu" wave sparking Singaporeans' interest in Korean food, dramas, films and music, and Singapore's own culture, from Peranakan exhibitions to local snack brands, finding fans in Korea. In a toast speech in November 2025, the Prime Minister's Office noted that many Singaporeans are passionate fans of Korean culture and that Korean cuisine is now a regular part of the dining scene, from fine dining to casual outlets. Ties are also practical: the MFA notes a Korea-Singapore Free Trade Agreement in force since March 2006.

Tanjong Pagar: Dinner Among the Shophouses

Tanjong Pagar: Dinner Among the Shophouses
For illustrative purposes only. Actual locations, scenes, and appearances may vary.
Credit: InSingapura.com (AI-assisted)

Tanjong Pagar is the easiest place to start. The Urban Redevelopment Authority says the area, developed in the late 1880s, is mostly two- and three-storey shophouses and was gazetted a conservation area on 7 July 1989. Today those shophouses are full of Korean restaurants. Eatbook's December 2025 guide to the area lists, among others:

Charim Korean BBQ, 65 Tanjong Pagar Road: K-BBQ sets and a raw crab lunch set.
Sagye, 95 Tanjong Pagar Road: stone pot rice.
Seoul Noodle Shop, 99 Tanjong Pagar Road: knife-cut noodles.
Todamgol, 27 Tanjong Pagar Road: soft tofu stew (sundubu-jjigae).
Itaewon Jjajang, 64 Peck Seah Street: black bean noodles and sweet and sour pork.
Daily Beer, 212 Telok Ayer Street: Korean fried chicken.

Good to know: Eatbook states that none of the restaurants in its Tanjong Pagar list is halal-certified. Prices and hours change, so check before you go.

Halal Korean Food: What to Look For

Muslim diners have good options too. Eatbook's March 2026 list names these as halal-certified:

Kimchi Mama, Bugis+, 201 Victoria Street #04-11.
Meokja by JUNGGA, 785 North Bridge Road #01-01.
Saute Saranghae, Tampines 1.
Omoomo, Kallang Wave Mall and i12 Katong.
Seoul Garden HOTPOT, NeNe Chicken, Jjinja Chicken, Ha-Jun Korean Food and Namu Bulgogi: multiple outlets.

Eatbook describes Muk-Bang Korean Restaurant in Bedok as Muslim-owned, which is not the same as halal-certified.

How to check: MCCY's guidance (October 2023) is to look up the eating place on the MUIS website or in the MuslimSG app, and to report any suspicious certificate to MUIS on 6359 1199 or [email protected]. Certifications can change, so always confirm before you order.

Korean Supermarkets and Butchers

Korean Supermarkets and Butchers
For illustrative purposes only. Actual locations, scenes, and appearances may vary.
Credit: InSingapura.com (AI-assisted)

For kimchi, instant noodles and K-BBQ meats, TheSmartLocal (October 2025) and SethLui (July 2023) point to these:

  • Lee Mart / Chorok Market: Orchard Gateway B1-05, with fresh kimbap, banchan and ingredients.
  • Koryo Mart: Orchard (#B3-16, 313@Somerset) and other outlets, for snacks and household items.
  • Shine Korea: Raffles Boulevard (#02-218A) and other outlets, for noodles, sauces and snacks.
  • Mom's Table Korea Mart: Upper Bukit Timah area, with many kimchi varieties and meal kits.
  • Sol Mart: Sinaran Drive Square 2 #03-06, for imported produce.
  • Seoul Butchery: 13 Yuk Tong Avenue, for K-BBQ cuts and perilla leaves.
  • The Butcher's Dining: 593 Havelock Road #01-03, with marinated cuts.

Store details vary between the two sources and may have changed, so check addresses and opening hours before heading out.

K-Culture Events and What's Next

K-Culture Events and What's Next
For illustrative purposes only. Actual locations, scenes, and appearances may vary.
Credit: InSingapura.com (AI-assisted)

Korean culture events pop up through the year. For example, Korea Travel Fair 2026 ran from 6 to 8 March at Plaza Singapura with free admission, according to TripZilla, with K-pop dance workshops, crafts, K-beauty sessions and a food truck. That event has passed, but similar fairs and festivals tend to return, so watch event listings.

You can also explore Korean literature through the National Library Board's reading recommendations, which include novels by Korean authors such as Han Kang. Check the NLB catalogue for what is available to borrow.

Read the rest of the series:

Next in Many Faces of Singapore: the Thai community, and where "Little Thailand" lives on today.