The wholesome healing and heart-warming goodness of Samgyetang, the highly raved about Korean ginseng chicken soup, now has a specialty establishment in the heart of Singapore with the opening of MODU.
From the original founders of DRIM Korean Steakhouse in Mandarin Gallery, MODU proudly opens its doors as Singapore’s first samgyetang specialty restaurant, celebrating contemporary Korean cuisine made with fresh ingredients and traditional health foods and recipes passed down through the generations.
Samgyetang is one of Korea’s many boyang-sik traditional health foods, a branch of cuisine featuring dishes made from premium and healthy ingredients intended to nourish, nurture and beautify. Samgyetang is one of the most renowned of the lineup of health foods that have exploded across the globe from many Korean dramas, simmering up medicinal properties of ginseng with the rich, comforting flavours of chicken. Per tradition, the soup is made of young spring chicken fragranced with ginseng and other herbs including glutinous rice, jujube and other healthy ingredients to release a rich and deep-flavoured broth that is as nutritious as it is delicious.
Reflecting the Korean phrase “made for everyone”, MODU ensures everyone from locals to travellers alike, have access to its authentic Korean dishes and dining experience, setting up shop within the iconic Mandarin Gallery along the bustling Orchard Road. Sit down to traditional Korean health food in a comfortable and homey environment in Singapore’s first samgyetang specialty restaurant, only at MODU.
Goodness With Every Serving
No frills, all goodness is on the menu at MODU, where extensively specialised Korean healing recipes abound.
Discover the age-old goodness of Collagen Herbal Samgyetang ($35), of spring chicken simmered to incomparable tenderness with glutinous rice, lent delicate herbal flavours and jujube over long hours. Based on a traditional recipe full of health benefits, the superfood enhances a myriad of health aspects, including vitality, energy levels and immunity.
For a richer experience, sip on the Perilla Seed Samgyetang ($38), a creamy and smooth rendition with a milky soup base from perilla seeds. Perilla seeds are renowned for their rich antioxidants and great for digestion. Paired with its high calcium and Omega-3 fatty acid content, every sip of this comforting and creamy soup also strengthens bones and joints.
Bolder flavours and presentation can be found with the Black Sesame Samgyetang ($38), a version simmered with black sesame seeds for a dark tinge and extra nutty flavour. Black sesame lends its skin-clearing, liver-healing and digestive support benefits to the classic dish, while combating the effects of aging and supporting skin health.
Elevate the goodness of the samgyetang with Black Chicken Samgyetang ($37) a version made with premium black chicken. Black chicken is known for its leaner meat, denser texture and higher nutritional content compared to regular chicken, cooking up a soup that is the pinnacle of health and luxury for the discerning diner. Ogol-gye black chicken is packed with antioxidants, amino acids and essential nutrients, presenting a premium delicacy that combines luxurious flavours with unparalleled health benefits.
For the ladies, the Beauty Samgyetang ($37) brings a myriad of beautifying benefits from specially selected medical herbal ingredients that are especially beneficial for women, all 100% sourced from Korea such as goji berries, houttuynia cordata and saururus chinensis, translated into a creamy and nutrient-rich soup to strengthen immunity, promote cardiovascular health and beautify the skin. Its high omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and magnesium content also strengthens bones and prevents osteoporosis.
For lovers of hot and spicy, the Spicy Hangover Samgyetang ($37) will put all your hangover woes at bay with a punchy soup to rejuvenate the senses after a late night out. Made for the health-conscious party-goer, the creamy, nutrient-rich soup boosts the immune system with a myriad of ingredients while revitalising the senses with flavours of Oriental raisin tree.
Sides to Add to the Indulgence
Every meal at MODU comes with a plethora of starters, mains and sides ranging from staples to the unconventional.
Whet the appetite first with banchan including the tangy, fermented freshness of Fresh Kimchi, the crisp, refreshing flavors of MiNaRi Watersnail Salad ($18), and the spicy, savory bite of Radish Kimchi. These small dishes perfectly set the stage for the main course. Then, complement your hearty bowl of Samgyetang with a selection of nourishing and flavorful noodle and rice soups. Options like Dak KalGukSu (Chicken Noodle Soup) ($32), creamy DakJuk (Chicken Porridge) ($25), rich and satisfying Seafood NooRoongJiTang ($32), offering comforting, diverse textures and tastes that balance the warmth and richness of your meal.
Other enticing sides include Tofu SamHap ($18), grilled tofu with fish roe, braised cabbage and gamtae (dried seaweed) for a balanced and delicious mix of textures and umami flavors. For fans of Korean pancakes, there’s a tempting selection to choose from. Indulge in the delicate and crispy crunch of Potato Pancakes ($18, 3 pieces), the herbaceous freshness of MiNaRi Pancakes ($18, 3 pieces) made with Bori shrimp and served with a special dipping sauce or explore other seasonal and specialty assortments.
Those feeling peckish will find snacks to their satisfaction with small bites such as the unique twist of Enoki Fries ($12) served with homemade Shichimi, and Corn Fries ($12), offering healthier yet equally delicious alternatives to traditional fries.
Finish on a sweet note with traditional Korean dessert like the rich GotGam MaRi (Dried Persimmon and Cheese Roll) ($12), a delightful balance of sweet and savory. Delight in the comforting Gaeseong Juak ($12), a traditional Korean sweet rice cake that made of fried glutinous rice flour, coated in honey, making it delicately chewy and subtly sweet, providing the perfect conclusion to your meal.
To Sip and To Drink
Make it a complete Korean dining experience with a range of exotic Korean alcohols, available exclusively at MODU. A selection of traditional liquors has been carefully selected to complement each dish, providing a unique pairing experience found nowhere else.
Try the homemade Ginseng Ju, a samgyetang and ginseng liquor that is the perfect pairing with the samgyetang soup of your choice. 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 many more for those looking for libations derived from the goodness of nature.
More traditional iterations can be poured from the likes of Jeju Mandarin Sool, Jajaheonju, Moderunnare, Cheonbihyang Yakju and more.
A Space of Calm and Collectivity
Dig into the best of Korean boyang-sik in a place designed to equally reflect its health and serene qualities. MODU sets the stage for calm and collectivity with generous use of wooden fixtures and complementing furniture, grounding each visitor with its organic use of elements and space. Subtle Korean elegance is highlighted with soft backlight, warming up the space from unsuspecting corners so the focus remains on your meal and dining experience.
Sit down to a plethora of samgyetang dishes for lunch and savour premium Korean cuisine paired with traditional liquors come the evening, all in a private and intimate restaurant setting designed to accommodate only 40 guests at any time. The main dining hall offers 8 seats, while the 3 VIP rooms, each designed for 6 to 12 guests, provide extra privacy for special occasions.
