Summary: Korean food is having a moment, and I’m all for it. After firmly carving its place in Singapore’s fine dining scene for approachable yet elevated Korean cuisine, GU:UM celebrates its second anniversary with a treat for Singaporean diners. Highly treasured and rarely found authentic Hanwoo beef can now be savoured as part of the new GU:UM SANG Set Menu, ‘Hanwoo & Namul’.
Priced at $168++ per person, this multi-course Korean experience showcases premium cuts such as Jeju Hanwoo lower loin, grade 1+ to 1++ (equivalent to MBS6-7), while being rooted deep in Korean temple culture. Inspired by a workshop on temple food held by the venerable monk Jeong Kwan, Head Chef Sanggil Byeon incorporates the gentle yet fragrant flavours of vegetables thoughtfully into this set menu.
Appetizers Crafted With Finesse
Our meal opened with four delicate bites, served in succession (though a bit slower than I would have preferred), each as visually arresting as the next. The Leek & Doenjang arrived looking deceptively simple: an unassuming bowl crowned with airy espuma, accompanied by crisp kombu bugak (crispy kelp chips) for texture. Then came the first spoonful, and with it, a revelation. Beneath the silky leek foam and fine dusting of seaweed powder lay deeply layered flavours of grilled prawns, garden vegetables, and earthy doenjang. Every mouthful unfolded gently yet deliberately, delivering remarkable depth and a lingering, elegant umami.
This was followed by the playful and very Instagrammable Karae Chicken Tart. Reminiscent of Singapore’s favourite curry puff, the crispy tartlet featured delicious Korean curry, aioli, crème fraiche, and a topping of caramelised onions and semi-dried tomatoes. Best picked up with your fingers, it was a sensational bite that ended too soon. This was followed by another class act, Yukhwae Jeon. Imagine a crunchy potato scallion bite topped with hand-chopped beef tartare, pickled onions and egg yolk jam. Giving new meaning to beef tartare, GU:UM set the standard high.
The appetizers rounded up with a surprisingly clean dish, Nokcha Guksu. Green tea noodles, served chilled, tossed in a house-made charred spring onion dressing, perilla oil, and sesame oil; then finished with the kick of Korean mustard kimchi with thin slivers of tender pork jowl on the side. To be mixed before taking a bite, the simple flavours spoke volumes about the temple food that Chef Sanggil was inspired by.
Grilled Meats & Mains
The restaurant’s reverence for its ingredients was evident from the outset, with the team proudly presenting the premium cuts and seafood before they met the grill. The centrepiece of the meal, perfectly embodying GU:UM’s philosophy of cooking over fire, arrived as an abundant platter of beautifully charred meats and seafood, perfumed with smoke and caramelisation.
Titled A Feast with Hanwoo, the spread featured exquisite selections including 1++ grade Hanwoo Lower Loin, Jeju Handon Pork Collar, succulent Tiger Prawns, Dalkochi Korean chicken skewers, and grilled seasonal vegetables. Served in classic Korean style alongside an array of banchan, the Namul Bap (fragrant seaweed rice) offered a comforting counterpoint, though it was undeniably the meats that stole the show.
Each cut was deeply flavourful, expertly grilled, and impossible to stop eating. Generous in portion and rich in quality, this was a true feast in every sense. For those seeking one of Singapore’s standout premium steakhouses, GU:UM firmly deserves a place on the list.
Conclusion
Set within a charming shophouse along Keong Saik Road, the intimate 40-seater may have been born as the approachable sibling of the one-Michelin-starred NAE:UM, but GU:UM has confidently carved out an identity of its own. The GU:UM SANG Set Menu showcases not only exceptional produce and refined fire cooking, but also a level of precision and creativity that elevates the entire experience.
Thoughtfully executed and deeply satisfying, it stands as one of the city’s most compelling premium set lunches, sophisticated without feeling overly formal, and indulgent in all the right ways. Highly recommend for a client lunch, special date, or simply to treat yourself to an exceptional meal.
a. 29 Keong Saik Rd., Singapore 089136
w. www.guum.sg
