Tourist Korean restaurants in Orchard are watered down garbage. Tanjong Pagar's Korean enclave has family-run places serving dishes you won't find elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

Jang Su Jang does galbitang and kimchi jjigae that's not toned down for tourists. Bornga Korean Restaurant has authentic banchan sides and grills meat tableside. Both places packed with Korean families, which tells you everything. The ajumma at Jang Su Jang barely speaks English but the bulgogi is perfect — Spice levels are real, not tourist-friendly.