The Place Located at the basement of Orchard 313, from the guys behind the wildly successful Chir Chir, Masizzim brings the Korean Stews to the centre of attention here. Just an escalator ride away from the Somerset MRT, bringing you down to the food hall of 313 with tempting sweets like Llao Llao to Hvala Waffle Bar, most have to agree these are probably the reasons we kept flocking back to the mall. Just beside Chir Chir, Masizzim sports a more contemporary theme with dark tones and comforting fuss-free settings.

The Food Basically, its Korean Stews, accompanied by the Rice Balls and Korean Pancakes. To ‘kick-off’ the meal, we had the rice balls – which by the way, ain’t served all shaped up. You have to don the hand glove on one hand, start mixing up the rice bowls, pick up small portions of the mixed rice and shape these nicely into the Rice Balls! Well, if you are wondering why only one hand is required to mix the rice, we pondered as well. It’s probably for us to start wiping out our cameras to snap pictures of some balls-making fun!

You get to choose between either the Anchovy or Tuna Rice Balls ($8 each). Both bowls consists of 3 rices (medium-grin white rice, Korean black rice and barley), seaweed crumbs, crushed chilli padi (remove it if you don’t take spice) and of course, either the Tuna (with Fried Kimchi and Mayonnaise) or Anchovy! My personal favourite is the Tuna Rice Balls, which tends to be a little wetter than the Anchovy Balls, with stronger tones as with the kimchi and mayonnaise. Have both if you can though, it’s an interesting mix and very ideal to have this with the stews serving up shortly! Quite frankly, the rice balls at Masizzim outshines its supposed mains (the Stews). Very hearty, comforting food.

And on to the supposed highlights, the Korean stews here at Masizzim can be easily customisable. Choose either the Beef Rib Stew ($18/$32), Pork Rib Stew ($16/$29) or Spicy Chicken Stew ($16/$29), set the flavour of the stew by choosing between soy or spicy sauce (with levels 1 to 4), decide between the Korean Udon or Glass Noodles and select any add-ons such as the toppoki, cheese or add extra noodles ($2 each).

The clear favourite that evening, this Beef Rib Stew, with spicy level 1 (mildest), glass noodles and additional toppoki, definitely had one of the most tender and soft meats amongst the Korean stews I have had. Going very well with the mildly spiced sauce, with the live flame keeping the stew warm throughout the meal.

The other two stews, while continues to be warm the palette well, fared less impressively than the Beef Stew. The Pork Ribs Stew was slightly too understated in its overall taste, while the Spicy Chicken stew felt too much like the familiar local Curry Chicken. Having said that, they were good stews too, with tender, well marinated meats; have these to add to the variety.

Masizzim rounds up their Korean food offerings with everyone’s favourite Korean pancake. My top pick will be their Squid & Leek Pancake ($14), matching off with the dipping sauce (vinegar, soy sauce, sesame, onions, chilli powder and pepper). Bringing a bit of crunch and bite to the meal, completing the dinner at Masizzim on a good note.

The Tomato Cheese Kimchi Pancake ($13) felt too much like a pizza with a Korean twist. And I say, skip the Potato Pancake ($12).

Rants Quite frankly, there ain’t too much rants on Masizzim. And if any, the sides (Rice Balls) outshines the mains (Stews) here, but it ain’t an issue for us.

Will I Return Again? Yes. Not rocket science to make hearty homely food, but it takes pains to get there. The stews are slow-cooked over 6 hours to achieve their soft-tenderness, and if Masizzim continues to serve their food at the current affordable prices, the Pandas will be back for more!

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 3.5/5
Hole in the pocket: 3/5
Ambience: 3/5
Overall Experience: 3.5/5

Masizzim
313 Orchard Road
#B3-02, 313 Somerset
Singapore 238895
Tel: +65 6509 5808

Opening hours:
Sunday to Thursday: 11am – 10pm
Friday to Saturday: 11am – 11pm

Ranted by The Rantee