A simple dream of mine? Slurping down dirt-cheap delivery jjajangmyeon in front of the TV after a long day — just like they do in my favourite K-dramas. While it’s not quite delivered to my doorstep, Sagol Korean Food tucked in a Bukit Batok kopitiam comes pretty close with its hearty, wallet-friendly Korean fare. And hey, I’ll take what I can get.
Sagol opened in Feb 2023 and made waves for its authentic Korean fare, cooked up by a Sri Lankan hawker, no less! At 11am, I made my way down to the stall hidden amongst industrial buildings. The coffeeshop was mostly quiet, save for a few office workers sipping on their kopi.
Perfect for me, really. I had the chance to chat with Upeka, the warm and friendly auntie behind the stall. She shared that she wakes at 4am every weekday to prep the food, and even hand-makes her kimchi twice a week. If you know even a little about how kimchi is made, you’d know this is true dedication, all right.
Sagol runs a weekday lunch menu and breaks out the K-BBQ on weekends. Just for today, I tried their best-selling dishes from the lunch menu.
What I tried at Sagol Korean Food
Right after my food was served, the lunch crowd began flocking in, office workers and nearby residents ogling at my trays of steaming hot dishes. I sat there with my chest puffed, snapping pictures of the spread.
I can’t even blame them, because look at this glorious glop. I had to start with the Jjajangmyeon (S$5.90), of course — because dreams, remember? Immediately, I noticed the absence of chewy yellow wheat noodles and white ones in its stead. They tasted almost identical, though, just without the slight alkaline-y undertone.
They carried the same fantabulously slurp-able quality, the kind that makes you grateful no one’s around to judge your noodle-splash situation. Each strand was wonderfully chewy and held onto the sauce like a champ.
The sauce was a hearty mix of minced pork, cabbage and potato that leaned sweeter than expected, almost caramelised. I was hoping for a deeper, more savoury black bean kick, so the sugary edge caught me off guard. It got a bit jelak but that might just be a personal preference, as this dish was my dining companion’s fav!
Then came the Soon Tofu Soup (S$5.50), which arrived in a bubbling hot stone bowl and a side of white rice. I opted for Seafood (S$1) as my topping, but you can choose the Sausage & Ham (S$1) if that’s more your vibe.
Regardless of your topping choice, this stew surely packs a punch. If you’re not great with spice, brace yourself because it’s got a real kick; one that hits the back of your throat before mellowing out in your stomach. But with that layer of seafood umami that rounds out every mouthful of broth? Chef’s kiss.
The fresh prawn swimming in it was massive, with that natural sweetness only good seafood has. The soup was also packed with a generous amount of silky tofu (like, so much tofu), thinly sliced zucchini and an egg floating lazily in the bubbling stew. It was hearty, warming, and the kind of dish you’d want on a rainy day (or as a hangover meal).
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The Dolsot Bibimbap (S$7), though? Total cliché, but I really did save the best for last. I opted for Beef, but all 3 protein options — Pork, Beef and Chicken — are priced the same, and each bowl comes with a colourful mix of thinly sliced fresh veggies, your protein of choice, and a perfectly fried egg on top.
The gochujang is self-service, so you can control the heat level to your liking. But the sauce wasn’t all that spicy; rather, it carried this savoury-sweet depth that pulled the whole dish together nicely. I liked that it wasn’t just heat for heat’s sake, but rich with an almost smoky undertone.
Cooked bulgogi-style, the tender thin beef slices were beautifully marinated and had lightly caramelised edges that made each bite burst with sweetness. Every spoonful delivered the perfect mix of crunchy veggies, warm and fluffy rice, bold gochujang, and melt-in-your-mouth beef. This was a deliciously balanced and satisfying meal, one I’d happily come back for again (and again).
I haven’t forgotten about the banchan, by the way. The fresh kimchi had quite the funk and crunch, though I’d prefer if it were less sour. The bean sprouts added a refreshing snap, and the pickled radish was a gorgeous hot pink colour that served as the perfect palate cleanser between bites.
Final Thoughts
So no, it wasn’t exactly the dreamy TV dinner scene I’d imagined. No dim yellow lighting, no dramatic OST playing in the background. But sitting at a humble coffeeshop in a familiar neighbourhood, wolfing down bibimbap made with care and chatting with Upeka about her stall — it felt just as special.
Sagol Korean Food might not be your textbook Korean dining experience, but it serves up warmth, soul, and flavour in its own unique way. And sometimes, that’s even better than what you see on screen.
Expected damage: S$5.50 – S$7 per pax
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The post Sagol Korean Food: Real Korean mains under $8 by Sri Lankan hawker like jjajangmyeon & bibimbap appeared first on SETHLUI.com.