We tried Singapore’s worst-rated Korean meals stall

My journey into the darkish underneathstomach (haha, I crack myself up!) of the worst-rated stalls in Singapore continues. This time, it was Korean delicacies and my analysis put me on the doorstep of ManNa Korean Restaurant at Changi City Point.

When I checked, it had a score of 3.2 stars out of 5 from 134 critiques. A score within the decrease Tolerable Threes just isn’t essentially the most encouraging of indicators, seeing as it’s so close to the Terrible Twos. However, this sequence has proven me {that a} 3+ rating can even point out a possible Fantastic Four nonetheless discovering its footing.

So, my colleague Rachel and I headed over to Changi City Point to place our bellies on the road at ManNa.

What I attempted at ManNa Korean Restaurant

First on the chopping block was the Yangyum Chicken (S$22.80). Described on the menu as “Fried chicken with sweet & spicy sauce”, it has been the topic of ire by quite a few diners. Their chief grievance has been that the rooster just isn’t crispy, intently adopted by accusations of it drowning in ketchup.

I’ve to disagree. The model that we had been served was not solely as crispy as we anticipate Korean rooster to be but it surely additionally had the proper stability of ketchup. Its crunchy texture was very properly accentuated by the candy and spicy flavour of the sauce, and it was as sticky appropriately!

Perhaps the restaurant has responded to the suggestions and dialled again on the ketchup.

Quite as importantly, this dish was a winner, presentation-wise. A sprinkling of white sesame seeds, and shallots of their inexperienced and white glory made for a superb distinction towards the deep golden-brown hue of the rooster. A visible masterpiece.

Far from being let down as some diners have been, my colleague and I (ultimately) discovered this to be the very best of the three dishes we tried. Was ManNa going to be a gem unfairly focused by hateful on-line trolls? Well, no. The downward spiral was about to start.

Buoyed by our constructive expertise with the rooster, we ordered the Kimchi Chigai (S$15.80) subsequent. We assumed this was a secure wager as a result of it’s some of the widespread Korean stews.

However, our serving was only a mediocre concoction of all of the components. We didn’t discover it completely horrible or something, however there was an overemphasis on the savoury. This made the soup saltier than it ought to be, overwhelming the extra refined flavours that make this dish come alive when accomplished proper.

At this level, we had been nonetheless fairly pleased about our go to. Sure, our bowl of soup was on the too-salty aspect however that may occur wherever. Nothing might have ready us for the debacle that was about to observe. It was the Value Lunch Set (DDuk-Bulgogi) (S$15.80).

You are supplied a alternative between rooster, beef and pork for the set and we determined to have the meat. This set comes with a bowl of steamed rice. Our DDuk-Bulgogi got here trying fairly appetising with its lovely brown color and topped with delicate enoki mushrooms. Regrettably, it turned out to be the personification of the phrase ‘appearances can be misleading’.

The first signal of bother got here within the type of its aroma. Or, should you choose, reek.

This gamey odor wafted over from the bowl, overwhelming us. I can’t think about why it was so extremely intense. Whatever the rationale, although, it didn’t do the dish any favours. Had I not been right here to evaluation the meals, I might probably have modified my order at this level. Unfortunately, I had no alternative.

Sinking my enamel into a chunk, I discovered that the meat was too gamey by texture, too. Neither Rachel nor I might deliver ourselves to eat greater than 2 morsels every. After the surprisingly good rooster, this dish undid nearly all of the constructive vibes I had been feeling.

Final ideas

What started reasonably effectively ended fairly disappointingly. ManNa Korean Restaurant does some issues proper and a few issues terribly fallacious.

There had been grumblings concerning the pricing amongst on-line reviewers, too, and I discover myself agreeing there. At S$71 for 3 dishes and a couple of gentle drinks, our meal supplied scant worth for cash.

On the opposite hand, they appear to have turned the (additionally dear) Yangyum Chicken right into a crowd pleaser. It appears that ManNa may nonetheless make it to the Fantastic Fours in the event that they take the suggestions on board and tweak their fare.

Expected injury: S$20 – S$45 per pax

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