The Place New Bahru is the newest and hippest dining and lifestyle destination to open in Singapore this year and nestled on level one of the developments is Odem, a first of its kind contemporary Korean restaurant and craft Makkoli bar in Singapore. The ambience of Odem is casual yet chic, making it a great spot for both intimate dinners and group gatherings.

This artisanal Makkoli restaurant and bar focuses on bringing traditional Korean flavors to life with a modern twist, and is known for its selection of craft Makkoli, a traditional Korean rice wine, sourced from various regions of Korea. 

The Food The menu features modern interpretations of classic Korean dishes. One of the restaurant’s USP is the ability to pair their dishes with unique brews of Makkoli, offering an experience that goes beyond just food. This pairing showcases the complexity and versatility of the drink, enhancing the flavors of the dishes. 

For a start, I had the Banchan Platter (S$24), a mix of Granochi™ (Anchovy Granola bar with Anchovies, Nuts, Seeds), Dubu mousse, Kimchi, Spinach & Tott and Gim chips.  

The Brioche & Gamtae Seaweed Butter (S$20) is a glossy soy glaze brioche paired with Gamtae Seaweed Butter. Soft and slightly buttery in flavour.  

On to mains, you can’t go wrong with the Barbecued Kalbi (S$78) which features a beautiful US Boneless Beef Ribs with house marinade, tokki (gold) butter sauce, watercress salad and Gochugaru vinaigrette. The portion is good to share for 2-3 pax.  

Alternatively, there is also the Toro Kimbap (S$55) which uses a mix of chu-toro and akami along with perilla, pickled radish, kelp-soy and sesame. Between this and the kalbi, I very much preferred the beef for its better flavours.  

To conclude the meal, I had the Chapssal Donut with Pine Nut Gelato (S$18/3 Pcs). I am not too big a donut fan though the version here has red bean paste which is quite a nice twist. I enjoyed the pine nut gelato on its own more.  

Rants Price is on the higher spectrum for the portion of the dishes. The table is quite a tight space and note that the seats at the bar do not come with a proper back rest.

Will I Return Again? If you are looking for a contemporary Korean dining experience, Odem at New Bahru is worth checking out. The idea of having a menu around the wide range of Makkoli is an interesting concept which is not common in Singapore and for that reason, this is worth checking out.

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 4/5
Hole in the pocket: 4/5
Ambience: 4/5
Overall Experience: 4/5

Odem 
46 Kim Yam Road
#01-17 
Singapore 239351 
Tel: +65 8494 8626 

Opening Hours 
Tuesday to Friday: 5pm to 12pm 
Saturday & Sunday: 12pm to 2pm; 5pm to 12pm 
Closed on Monday 

Ranted by The Ranter