Chingu @ Rochester – Pet-Friendly Korean BBQ Restaurant Housed in a Colonial Bungalow

Chingu Dining, a popular destination for contemporary Korean cuisine, continues to charm the residents of the west with an unparalleled dining experience that showcases the rich culinary heritage of Korea. Set in a beautiful refurbished colonial bungalow nestled within the lush greenery of Rochester Park, Chingu whisks diners away on a quick getaway from Singapore’s concrete jungle, offering a respite from the hustle and bustle of city life. Whether you’re craving barbecued meats or comforting stews, fragrant bibimbap or jjajangmyeon, Chingu @ Rochester has got you covered, for sure.

Before I get started on the food, let me just rave about how dog-friendly Chingu is. We all know that Singapore isn’t the most dog-friendly place in the world — it’s not easy finding dog-friendly establishments that warmly welcome dogs, and also serve excellent nosh at the same time. So, I’m really pleased to learn of Chingu which happens to be near my home!

When I first got to the restaurant, I thought that Snuffles and I could only sit outdoors on the ground level. To our surprise, we were told that we could sit upstairs, on the second level, in the al fresco area as well. After a short climb, we were greeted by a long stretch of corridor which facilitates communal dining, and the entire area can host up to 80 people for private parties and events. Now, I can see why they are so popular! Snuffles immediately took a few sprints up and down the spacious corridor, and I can just imagine happy pups celebrating their barkdays here and also loving pet owners gathering and having a great time with their beloved furkids.

We tried the new King Danjong Set ($238) which is exclusively available from May to June 2024. Featuring a combination of innovative Korean-fusion brunch dishes and modern interpretations of Korean classics, the hearty Korean BBQ platter designed for 4-6 pax is the perfect get together feast.

I dove into the Kimchi Fried Rice (Gratin) first. Fans of kimchi fried rice will quickly take to Chingu’s version which is topped with cheese and baked to perfection. Crack through the slightly crisp blanket of cheese and give the bowl a good mix. Those excited for shots of cheese pulls should get ready their cameras! The myriad of flavours present came together beautifully, and the addition of cheese lent a lovely creamy mouthfeel to every bite. This proved to be an addictive dish as we finished it in no time!

The Perilla Pesto Linguine is a refreshing and savoury Italian-Korean fusion dish featuring fresh pesto and distinct perilla flavours. Pesto lovers will definitely give this a thumbs up. I loved that Chingu was generous with the pine nuts and grated parmigiano reggiano which complemented the al dente pasta to a T.

The Ban Ban Stew, set in a gorgeous yuanyang pot, comes with two of your preferred stews. The staff recommended the hot and spicy Kimchi Stew with pork, and savoury Soybean Paste Stew with seafood, and we thought they were excellent choices. I didn’t think I was going to be drinking much of the stews, considering that it was a warm day, and we were sitting outdoors, but the stews were absolutely delicious! Prepared with aged fermented kimchi, the kimchi stew was incredibly appetising and the sour notes kept me coming back for more. Soybean Paste Stew is usually what I go for at Korean restaurants, if I have to pick a soup, and I’m so happy that Chingu’s take was rich, packed with umami, and laced with a distinctive sweetness of seafood. As someone who doesn’t fancy hot soups, I sure had a lot of stew here! So good!

If you are here for Korean barbecue, and opt to sit indoors, you can witness your chosen meats being expertly-grilled on the tabletop smokeless Korean BBQ which uses charcoal, and apple chips to infuse the meats with a lovely aroma. Of course, a smokeless grill system means that diners don’t have to worry about leaving the restaurant smelling smoky or greasy! So, you can indulge in a sumptuous barbecue platter for lunch and head back to work as fresh as when you arrived! As we chose to sit outdoors, due to the presence of our guest of honour, Snuffles, our meats were cooked in the kitchen and served to us.

Grilled to your preferred doneness by the friendly staff, the Hokkaido A4 Wagyu Rib-Eye Steak comes unseasoned, accompanied with pink salt, gochujang and fresh slices of raw garlic.. Wrap the fatty ribeye up in fresh vegetables, or load each juicy slice with soy bean paste — enjoy it your way! The Hanging Tender Steak, imbued with a gentle kiss of smoky charcoal, is a must-try as well. The pork belly, which was armed with crispy edges, was stellar. You can enjoy the pork belly enveloped in mozzarella squares, one of the accompanying sides.

Complementing the grilled meats are uniquely-curated sides such as king oyster mushrooms, pineapple, and mozzarella squares which offer delightful flavour profiles that bring out the natural flavours of the meats.

Snuffles was so happy that he got to come to lunch with me! He was promptly offered water when we first settled down, and the service from the beginning right till the end was top notch! If you have any preferences or dietary requirements, just let the staff know. I’m sure they will try their best to accommodate. We also heard that meals for pups might be in the works so stay tuned!

EXCLUSIVE OFFER for Miss Tam Chiak’s readers : enjoy the King Danjong Set at a special rate* of $199 (U.P $238) when you quote “TAMCHIAK” while ordering.

*T&Cs applies. Promotion is valid for the month of May and June 2024 at both Chingu @ Rochester and Chingu @ The Oval.

For more information, visit https://www.chingu.com.sg/rochester or https://www.chingu.com.sg/oval

This post is brought to you by Chingu @ Rochester.