NEW BAHRU | KOREAN FOOD W MAKGEOLLI PAIRING
stumbled upon this place on tiktok and lemonade while looking for a place for birthday celebration! we were craving for korean food but didnt want kbbq and ODEM is definitely worth a visit!
starting off with appetisers, we ordered:
- BRIOCHE & GAMTAE SEAWEED BUTTER
Rating /⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: 1000/5
this bread absolutely blew my mind and I would say that it's the best bread I have ever eaten in my life! the brioche came out steaming hot and as you pull off each side of the bread you can see the steam and smell the aroma from the bread!! the outside of the bread is glazed so its slightly sweet and the inside is sooo soft like pillow soft 💭 pair the bread with the seaweed butter, the sweet and savoury complements each other so well! with and without the butter, the bread was so good and i will return to the restaurant just for the bread 🍞
Rating /⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: 4.5/5
looking at the colour of the batter of the pancake, it reminds me of the korean pancakes that I have eaten in Korea 🤤 this pancake looks very unassuming but in each bite you can taste the crispiness of the pancake, the chives and the burst of the taste of seafood from the oyster! dipping it in the sauce that they have provided totally elevates this dish and make you want to go back for a second piece
Moving on to the mains:
Rating /⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: 4/5
the kalbi was barbecued well, with the outside being crispy and inside still medium done with a hint of sweetness! paired with a refreshing salad on the side, it helps to refresh your palate before going back for more
- TORO KIMBAP
Rating /⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: 3.5/5
this is a raw tuna rice roll and its wrapped with perilla leaf inside! tbh I am not a fan of perilla leaf and felt that the smell of the perilla leaf overpowers the taste of the tuna or even brings out the fishiness of the tuna, so this wasnt my favourite dish but those who likes perilla leaf will enjoy this dish better!
For drinks, we ordered:
- ODEM QUINTET (5 Signature Makgeolli)
recommend to order the makgeolli as its a great pairing with the food that we have ordered! didnt know which makgeolli was good so we ordered their 5 signature makgeolli to taste abit of each! the waiter explained each makgeolli to us patiently and although I cant remember everything, we started drinking from the clear to the milkier cup of makgeolli and there's different flavours such as original, grape, lychee & rose and fig! all very easy to drink and my fave is the second one which is grape flavoured!
If you're looking to make the most out of your visit to Odem in New Bahru, here are a few personal tips that enhanced my experience. First, try arriving early or making a reservation, as this gem tends to get popular quickly, especially on weekends and special occasions. Don’t hesitate to ask the staff for pairing recommendations. Their knowledge about the different makgeolli flavors really adds to the experience—you can discover which drink suits your palate and the dishes you order best. I loved how the grape-flavored makgeolli stood out as a refreshing and slightly sweet accompaniment. Besides the standout brioche with seaweed butter and chive & oyster pancake, consider exploring other menu items on your next visit. Some dishes, like the Toro Kimbap, may depend on personal taste, especially if you’re not a fan of perilla leaf. To balance flavors, pairing dishes with the available salads or dipping sauces can bring out new dimensions. For celebrations, this place offers a cozy and intimate atmosphere, making it ideal for dates or special gatherings. The aroma and presentation of dishes, especially the steaming hot brioche, creates a memorable sensory experience. Finally, don’t miss out on sharing your finds with friends! As a Korean food lover, discovering a non-KBBQ spot with unique dishes and well-curated drinks like Odem’s makgeolli quintet made my birthday celebration truly special. I look forward to returning and trying more from their menu!
