Thoughts on Air

E!GHT Korean BBQ Restaurant @ The Central, Clarke Quay August 10, 2013

I say, those living in Singapore really have to count on their blessings.  We are so blessed with the kind of food choices we have.  For instance, just Korean BBQ itself, we already see so many different outlets and franchise sprouting out over the years.  Today, I will share one unique Korean BBQ that comes from a long way from Los Angeles.  Known as Palsaik, which in Korean known as “8 flavours”, now we also can have a taste of these wonderful strips of Bekshire pork all the way from USA.

Complimentary Banchan

As usual, before the start of any korean food fare, we are treated to banchan or the side dishes.  The banchan is nothing to scream about, but quite noteworthy is their potato salad which is mixed with eggs which gives it a very interesting texture.

Credit: http://palsaikbbq.com/8 Colours Set ($98)*

E!GHT is named after its eponymous 8 colours set, which features scrumptious slices of Berkshire pork belly in an array of flavours.  Thick-cut pork belly are expertly marinated into 8 different tantalising flavours which are definitely treats to your taste buds. Each strip is elegantly rolled and presented on a wooden tray with clear labels of what each flavour is.  (See banner picture)

The milder ones are wine, original, ginseng and garlic (in the same order), while the more flavourful ones are herb, curry, miso paste and red pepper.  For the milder taste, I would like the wine which has a very welcoming taste and the garlic which is done in such a way that it doesn’t taste too garlicky to lose the porky flavour.  For stronger flavour, I find the curry to be a really nice surprise while the miso paste is very interesting.  I like how the 8 flavours tickles the tastebuds and leave you wanting for more.

E!GHT is a full service restaurant, so you can just sit back and have a conversation with your friends while the food is being grilled by the service staff.  The server will actually recommend you the best order to relish the BBQ meat.

E!GHT uses these matt black crockery that is specially designed to meet their specifications and needs.  The meats and vegetables are cooked on these made-to-order grill.  They actually sit at a slight angle so that any excess oil can flow away from the meat and down to a small waste trap.  This helps to reduce smoke and splatters.

Seafood Bean Paste Stew

Included in the 8 colours set is a seafood or chicken bean paste stew.  The stew has generous portion of seafood, tofu and vegetables and this is good for 3-4 people to share.   The soup will be served with a pot of stock and fresh ingredients and cooked over the stove in front of the diner like a hote pot.

Fried Rice ($8)

A clear Scorched Rice Soup will also be served at the end of the meal to cleanse the palate.  We opted instead for the fried rice for an additional $8.  What you see is the rice being served to you, but it will be fried in front of you on the grill they just barbequed the meat.

Preparing the fried rice

Do not expect the usual fried rice that you will expect from the zhi char store.  The fried rice uses the remain of the bean paste stew or the remains from the grill to whip up the fried rice.  This is also how the Korean have their starch at the end of the meal.

Chul Pan – Beef Brisket ($17)

For those intend to have E!GHT for lunch, you can order this lunch special Chul Pan set, which is a elegant tower of thinly sliced meats sitting on top of a heap of vegetables.  I love how it is presented towering like this.  Makes me wanna say “Don’t let it fall!”.

We have the honour for Jamie; the co-owner; to do the cooking of Chul Pan for us.  The same for other lunch time diners, the Chul Pan will be stir-fried with the housemade gochujang; or Korean red pepper paste.  Steamed rice will be served on the side.  This dish requires a minimum order of 2 portions of meat.  You can choose between pork ($16), chicken ($15) and beef ($17).  You can mix pork and chicken, or any combination you like.

I like the interior design of the restaurant which has an edgy industrial aesthetics.  Short of the wall with the brick-wall designed (which is gaining high popularity these days), the floor and other parts of the walls are cemented which gives it a very raw industrial feel.  The stools are also special because they resemble oil drums with cushioned top.  The cushion top can be lifted to stash your bags and belonging so that you can dine in more comfort without needing to “guard” your bags!  Awesome idea isn’t it?

I say, give E!GHT Korea BBQ a try, it will blow your mind away. At E!GHT, it will also change your perception of how Korea BBQ meats are prepared and grilled because the flavours are so awesome that you will certainly crave to come back for more.  Just like me.

E!ght Korean BBQ | Clarke Quay
6 Eu Tong Sen Street
#02-79/90 The Central
Singapore 059817
Tel: 6222 2159
Opening Hours:
Lunch: 11.30am – 2.30pm (Last order 2pm)
Dinner: 5.30pm – 11pm (Last order 10pm)

*8 Colours Set – using iPhone/iPad application Moldiv a collage creating software to create.