Experience the flavours of Korean cuisine in the Marina district of Singapore at the Peppermint Restaurant within the Parkroyal Collection. This May, Chef de Cuisine Leon Yee and his culinary team introduce "Seoul Good," an extravagant Korean buffet promotion that will transport your taste buds to the Land of the Morning Calm. I actually didn’t know this, but South Korea’s tranquil scenery has led it to be traditionally known as the “Land of Morning Calm.”
The Peppermint presents an impressive selection of classic Korean dishes. For me and surprisingly, the star of the show was the Samgyetang, a ginseng chicken soup with leeks, comforting in its simplicity yet rich and robust in flavour. As it turns out, Chef Leon and his team are well-known for their soups, and this was no exception. Each mouthful creates a heart-warming symphony with tender chicken, aromatic ginseng and sweet leeks. If you want good soup, this has to be it.
I enjoyed the Chicken Bulgogi, featuring succulent slices of perfectly grilled chicken. The meat, marinated in a sweet, savoury, slightly spicy sauce, practically melts in your mouth. Other culinary highlights include Nakji Bokkeum, a fiery stir-fried baby octopus dish that packs a satisfying punch, and Dakkkochi, juicy chicken skewers slathered in a rich, spicy sauce.
On the menu at every Korean buffet are the side dishes or 'Banchan'. The Baechu Kimchi, the ubiquitous kimchi made from Napa cabbage, is the spicy, fermented heart of Korean cuisine. It is refreshingly tangy, striking the right balance between sour and spicy. Kkakdugi is a kimchi made from diced radish, and Oi Kimchi is made with cucumber.
I loved the fresh crunch of these kimchis and that accompanying and satisfying spiciness that follows almost immediately hitting the palate. The Eomuk Bokkeum (spicy fish cake) and Gim Gui (roasted sesame seaweed) are addictive accompaniments that will keep you reaching for more. Kimchi is mandatory in Korean cuisine; you’ll get your fair share of kimchi variety at the Peppermint Restaurant buffet.
The buffet at the Peppermint doesn't confine itself to Korean flavours. The regular evening buffet, which includes a seafood station boasting fresh oysters, lobsters, mussels, a complete sushi and sashimi station, a pasta station, cuisines from Japan and India, local fare such as roasted meats, salad, and cheeses, ensures there is something for every palate.
Peppermint saves the sweetest for last, with Korean desserts like Danpatjuk, a sweet red bean soup with rice cake, and Yaksik, a steamed glutinous rice delight studded with chestnuts, jujube, and pinenuts. There is also a great selection of colourful and addictive Peranakan Kueh and an impressive selection of tortes.
Peppermint's Seoul Good promotion is a delicious feast and a cultural immersion. The restaurant's Halal certification allows everyone to enjoy this gastronomic journey. The buffet has redefined my expectations of Korean cuisine, and I am sure it will do the same for you. Don't let this opportunity to savour the soul of Seoul pass you by. This gastronomic experience is not to be missed. And oh, that soup!
Fun Fact: At the Parkroyal Collection Hotel, you will find a city farm covering 150 square meters on the rooftop. The farm nurtures over 60 varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers. These fresh ingredients form the foundation of the hotel's farm-to-table, farm-to-bar, and farm-to-spa concepts, ensuring a sustainable and locally sourced dining experience. What you eat has been harvested just hours before being used in the kitchen.
a. 6 Raffles Blvd, Level 4 PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore 039594
e. dining.prsmb@parkroyalcollection.com
w. www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pr-collection-marina-bay/dining/peppermint.html
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