As 2023 winds down to a close, I wanted to take the opportunity to review the food we had this year. Like the years before, it’s been a journey of culinary exploration, coupled with the rediscovery of old favourites.
I asked The Wife to think back on all the meals that we had over the past 12 months, and list down her top five. Similarly, I identified my personal favourites and then merged our respective lists to come up with the final selection.
Coincidentally, our top two choices turned out to be identical, and they were both Korean. Clearly, our steady diet of K-dramas has seriously influenced our taste buds.
The remaining six were more diverse, covering a wide spectrum of cuisines and price points. Ranging from a high-end buffet in a five star hotel, to an everyday dish at a hawker centre, and even a meal at 10,000 metres above sea level.
1. Hanjeongsik @Hangaram
After a hiatus of almost four years, we finally started travelling overseas again this spring. Our maiden post-pandemic flight was to Seoul, where we had ample opportunity to sample a large variety of authentic Korean food.
The best meal of the entire trip was the hanjeongsik at Hangaram. In fact, it turned out to be our joint number one pick for the whole of 2023, leading the rest of the pack by a healthy margin.
Adopting a “shock and awe” strategy, a rapid procession of three main dishes, nine banchan, rice and soup flooded our table, covering it from edge-to-edge. The large quantity was matched by amazing quality, and from now on, every trip to Seoul will start with a meal at Hangaram.
2. Hanwoo K-BBQ @Majang Meat Market
Domestic Korean beef is hardly exported overseas, and the best place to savour hanwoo is within the country itself. It’s available at higher-end BBQ restaurants at a premium price, but the closer you get to the source, the more cost-effective it becomes.
We don’t have any contacts within the South Korean cattle industry, so the Majang Meat Market was our fallback option. Located in Dongdaemun-gu, one of the older neighbourhoods in Seoul, it’s slightly off the beaten track.
It was well worth the bus ride there, and we managed to procure 422 grams of top-grade 1++(9) beef for only ₩71,000. Our one regret was not buying more meat in the first place, something that we’ll rectify the next time we’re there.
3. Tapas Brunch @13% Wine Bistro
The first local eatery to make it to our list is a compact wine bar in Telok Ayer. Despite not being a restaurant per-se and only having a small (but well-equipped) kitchen, it managed to punch well above its weight.
We visited during the autumn edition of this year’s Restaurant Week, and were impressed enough with the food to return a month later for their tapas-themed Saturday brunch.
Our table of four managed to finish 17 of the 20 items on the menu, with a free-flow of French sparkling, white, rosé and red wines providing necessary lubrication throughout our four hour meal.
4. Babat Satay @Yunos N Family
On the opposite end of the price spectrum was the satay at Yunos N Family, a hawker stall in the Ang Mo Kio heartlands, serving everyday Malay staples at friendly neighbourhood prices.
One specific item stood out from the rest of their menu — babat satay. Yes, they also offer familiar meats like chicken, beef and mutton, but the one that’s truly special is their rempah-marinated second stomach of a cow.
Doesn’t sound terribly appetising? Well, muster up your courage and order the tender morsels grilled to perfection. You might just fall in love with it at first bite, like we did.
5. Peranakan Fusion @Cherki
For something that’s less adventurous, but no less flavourful, hop over to Cherki in the heart of Singapore’s central business district.
Young and enthusiastic staff run the kitchen and bar counter, creating Peranakan fusion food and cocktails that are as exciting as they are tasty. Featuring 38 dishes and 15 cocktails, it was hard to decide which ones to order.
We managed to get through a third of the menu before surrendering. Our favourites were the sweet soy crackling pork belly, crab cakes with lemongrass and sambal aioli, chilli beef rendang fries, yuzu seafood kueh pie tee and laksa lobster linguine.
6. Italian Buffet @Basilico
After being less than impressed with many all-you-can-eat buffets by brand name restaurants in fancy five star hotels, we were surprised to find one that we actually enjoyed.
The Basilissimo Dinner by Basilico in the Conrad Orchard Hotel stayed true to its Italian heritage, and focused on putting out a limited range of classical dishes done right.
I customised my very own multi-course dinner by picking out antipasti, primi piatti, secondi piatti, contorni, dolci and formaggi from the high quality buffet line. The Stufato di Manzo (beef stew) and Branzino al Forno (baked seabass) were especially delizioso.
7. Book the Book @SQ Business Class
Whenever we manage to accumulate enough miles to redeem Business Class flights on Singapore Airlines, we never fail to make use of their excellent “Book the Cook” service.
Having reheated pre-cooked food in a low pressure, low humidity environment is never ideal. But being able to order lobster thermidor, having it served on crisp white linen and eating it with metal cutlery is an experience not to be missed.
Especially when it’s preceded by juicy sticks of chicken satay and copious amounts of champagne. It makes travelling 900 kilometres an hour in a flying tin can 10,000 metres above sea level almost feel enjoyable.
8. Shiso Soba @Shimbashi Soba
Among the different types of Japanese noodles, soba is hands down my favourite. And the best way to enjoy the clean and nutty flavour of buckwheat is by having chilled, freshly-made zaru soba.
Even though I usually prefer it plain and quickly dipped in some mentsuyu, we decided to check out the limited season shisokiri seiro at Shimbashi Soba in Orchard Paragon.
The small flecks of shiso didn’t look like much, but their presence was unmistakable. A little went a long way, and their unique taste and scent was evident in every bite. The soba was paired with some tempura, but we would have happily eaten it on its own.
These were the top eight memorable meals we had in 2023. We’re eagerly awaiting the start of the new year, so that we can continue on our culinary adventures, both locally and abroad.
Happy holidays, and see you next year!
