The Place With two outlets in Telok Ayer Street and Amoy Street, Sodeng Korean Charcoal Grill Restaurant has been on my to-go list for awhile and I finally had the chance to visit the newer Amoy outlet which only opened two months ago. The Amoy outlet is spacious, and I like that the tables are spaced out quite well such that it is not too squeezy like other Korean BBQ restaurants. 

For more instant food tips & recommendations: follow theRantingPanda’s Instagram & TikTok!

There are also a couple of private dining rooms as well as cosy booths with sofa seats ideal for 3-4 pax.  

The name Sodeng is a pure Korean word for Korean traditional cauldron lid. The short story goes: families in Korea used a large iron cauldron to cook rice, boil soup, and the lid for grilling meat. From the old times, Duck and Beef was served only to important guests or only on special occasions in Korea. And when I flipped though the menu, I was surprised to find grilled duck. Sodeng is apparently the first Korean BBQ restaurant in Singapore which has grilled duck on its menu. 

For more instant food tips: follow theRantingPanda’s Instagram & TikTok!

The Food Following the Korean traditional way, Sodeng’s Duck and Beef is fermented in a very special and optimal way to be served with Banchans (Korean side dishes). One unique banchan served here is the red ginseng banchan and white kimchi! 

What is great is that the attentive staff does tableside grilling to ensure perfect cooking for diners, which means we just have to sit back, relax, and wait for our meats to be grilled and served. 

I visited during dinner, and it is somewhat great that the dinner menu is quite concise which makes the ordering process quite an easy one.

I started with the signature 3072 Woo-Dae Galbi (S$45/pax, min 2 pax) where the prime grade ribs are marinated for 72 hours in hand-made sauce with over 30 ingredients.  

The beef was first presented to us by the staff, before it is laid on the grill and grilled meticulously by the staff. 

There are so many ways to enjoy the well-marinated beef such that no sauces are served or required – I had the grilled beef with black peppercorn (which is delicious), wrapped in cheese, wrapped in white kimchi which helps to cut through the richness of the beef, or you can just enjoy it as is.  

The beef is also not too fatty, so it really isn’t cloying at all. I could easily have the 2 pax serving on my own.  

Sodeng is the first Korean BBQ restaurant which has duck on its menu for me, so the Hand-rub Duck With Marinade (S$35/1 pax portion) is more of a curiosity order.

The grilled duck is seasoned with a secret Korean red chili paste sauce and it is grilled along with some greens. The flavour of the duck meat itself pales in comparison as opposed to the beef for me, though it was better when I had it with the white kimchi rather than just having the duck as is.  

Still eager for more meats, I also tried the Charcoal-Grilled Pork Collar (S$27/1 pax portion) where the pork neck is marinated in a specially made soy sauce and charcoal-grilled in the kitchen instead of at my table. Decent pork quality and I enjoyed it more than the grilled duck!  

I love the Spicy Soft Tofu Stew (S$17) – Sundubu-jjigae – here. It is not too spicy and yet very flavouful, where the soft tofu stew is made with a special seasoning sauce and fresh tofu. The stew is also not too watery and luscious enough to enjoy it fully.  

I ended off the meal with Sodeng’s Pot Lid Stir-fried Rice (S$17/2 pax portion) which absorbs the essence of the rich flavors of previously grilled meats on the lid, complemented by egg, cheese, green onion, and seaweed.

The staff even made the rice into a heart shape for us! That said, I find the taste just alright as it lacks that robust flavour I was expecting.  

Rants The ventilation is not fantastic, so if you are going out for a date after a meal here, you might need to head home to shower first.  

Will I Return Again? Overall, I enjoyed my time at Sodeng and the quality of the beef shines for me here, along with the personalised service of the staff. It is one of those Korean BBQ restaurants in Singapore which I will return again, and I think the food here is best enjoyed with a small group. Reservations are recommended.  

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 4/5
Hole in the pocket: 4/5
Ambience: 3.5/5
Overall Experience: 4/5 

Sodeng Amoy 
88 Amoy Street  
Singapore 069907 
Tel: +65 9615 8785 

Opening Hours
Monday to Friday: 11:30am to 3pm; 5pm to 10:30pm 
Saturday: 11:30am to 10:30pm 
Closed on Sunday 

Ranted by The Ranter