The Place Located in Mandarin Gallery along Orchard Road, I checked out a new Korean restaurant Modu, Singapore’s first Samgyetang (Korean ginseng chicken soup) specialty shop. Modu is by the original founders of Drim Korean Steakhouse in Mandarin Gallery, where its name means “made for everyone”. 

It is not a huge space, where there is counter seating as well as limited tables for small groups. That said, the interior spots a soothing neutral tone with the use of wooden fixtures and furniture along with soft backlight. There is also a private dining room beside the window for bigger groups. 

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The Food With a diverse menu, expect the likes of Collagen Herbal Samgyetang, Perilla Seed Samgyetang, including unique specialties like Black Sesame Samgyetang and Black Chicken Samgyetang. For sides, there are options like Minari Pancake, Potato Pancake, Tofu SamHap, and HwangTaeChae. 

Samgyetang is one of Korea’s many boyang-sik traditional health foods which is intended to nourish, nurture and beautify. Per tradition, the soup is made of young spring chicken with ginseng and other herbs including glutinous rice, jujube and other healthy ingredients. 

I had the S$98++ menu for 2 pax, which includes 2 flavours of Samgyetang, Modu Appetiser, 1 Sharable Dish, 1 Korean Tea and Dessert. You can also choose to go ala carte order. 

For a start, I had the Enoki Fries as appetiser, a crispy platter of Enoki Mushroom Fries served with Homemade sprinkle. 

For the Samgyetang, I chose the Collagen Herbal Samgyetang which comes with side dishes like glutinous rice. It is a light broth and the ginseng taste is subtle which is well-balanced. The portion of the chicken is quite big where you can expect tender chicken meat. 

This soup is supposed to enhance vitality, energy levels and immunity. 

For a richer soup, I had the Perilla Seed Samgyetang, a creamy rendition with a milky soup base from perilla seeds. Perilla seeds are renowned for their rich antioxidants and is great for digestion.

This is more filling that the collagen herbal as the broth is much thicker and richer in flavour. 

There are also more unique Samgyetang flavours like Black Sesame Samgyetang and Black Chicken Samgyetang. 

For the Sharable Dish, I chose the Tofu SamHap (S$18) which comes in an elegant platter of grilled tofu with fish roe, braised cabbage and gamtae (dried seaweed). 

Dessert wise, I tried a traditional Korean dessert – GotGam MaRi – which is Dried Persimmon and Cheese Roll) (S$12). 

For beverages, there is a range of exclusive and exotic Korean alcohols like the homemade Ginseng Ju, a samgyetang and ginseng liquor. There are also homemade Night Gate Tea Ju (Yagwanmoon Ju), Korean Raspberry Wines, Jeju Mustard Flower Wine, Jeju Camillia Flower Wine, Apricot Flower Wine, and more. 

Rants Small dining space, and rather open concept as well if you fancy more dining privacy. 

Will I Return Again? There is a lack Samgyetang specialty shop in Singapore all this while which is quite surprising given the fact by how popular Korean food is in Singapore. Modu is a good addition to Orchard Road if you are looking for something soupy and nourishing. You can’t go very wrong with the Samgyetang here. 

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

Modu 
#02-37, Mandarin Gallery
 
333A Orchard Road
 
Singapore 238897
 
Tel: +65 8035 8833 

Opening Hours 
Monday to Sunday: 11.30am to 10.00pm 

Ranted by The Ranter