Kimbap heaven with 10 variations and luxury Korean meals like tteokbokki in Marina Square

Despite by no means having travelled to Korea, I’ve watched sufficient Korean dramas to need to attempt kimbap. That’s why I made the journey right down to Rolling Rice, an genuine Korean restaurant positioned in Marina Square, to attempt it out.

Rolling Rice, identical to its identify suggests, specialises in kimbap (or gimbap in Korean) and provides a whopping whole of 10 variations of this well-loved Korean rice roll! They additionally promote different genuine Korean meals, akin to tteokbokki and the standard number of important dishes.

For these of you who typically get misplaced in Marina Square, I’ve bought your again. 

Rolling Rice is hidden in The Dining Edition part of the mall— slightly nook close to the Esplanade MRT exit that’s crammed with eateries akin to Burger King, Suki-Ya and 4Fingers. If you’re strolling from the primary atrium, head in direction of McDonald’s and you must spot the restaurant in your proper.

I reached barely earlier than Rolling Rice’s official opening time of 11.30am and was shocked to see a number of teams of shoppers patiently ready for the shop to open. My impression of the shop bought even higher after I seen that fairly various its servers had been Korean, and I couldn’t wait to begin consuming.

What I attempted at Rolling Rice

At Rolling Rice, orders are made and paid for by scanning the QR code on the desk. After inserting my order by means of the contactless expertise, my eating companion and I seen that clients may assist themselves to free-flow servings of Chicken Seaweed Soup at a close-by counter.

The minute I opened the lid of the pot, I used to be transported again to my grandma’s kitchen. I may scent the comforting aroma of home-made rooster broth: aromatic and sturdy, with naturally savoury notes that made my abdomen grumble.

While ready for my order to reach, I helped myself to a serving of Rolling Rice’s Chicken Seaweed Soup.

This was extraordinarily comforting. While the flavours had been fairly mild, there was a pure sweetness from the rooster and my lips had been coated with the rooster oil (identical to home made rooster essence). The umami-ness from the seaweed got here by means of as a nice aftertaste.

I may see myself pairing this straightforward soup with rice or noodles on a wet day or after I’m feeling beneath the climate. It was so soothing that I used to be even tempted to go as much as the employees to get the recipe!

I reminded myself that this was simply free soup— albeit a free-flow one at that— and I patiently waited for my mains to reach.

I began the ball rolling (get it?) with Rolling Rice’s Traditional Gimbap (S$9.90 for 10 items), which got here with fried crimson carrots, fried cucumber, yellow pickled radish, egg and burdock.

For this kimbap, you may select between 5 several types of meat. I made a decision to go together with Beef, however you may decide Spam, Tuna, Fried Chicken or Fried Pork Cutlet as properly.

This was an actual delight. You have all of the tastes and textures in a single roll, which makes biting into every kimbap a real journey by way of flavour. 

You’ve bought the mildly nutty seaweed, adopted by the crunchy pickles, candy egg, recent and appetising cucumber and final however not least, the mushy and savoury beef.

Out of all of the components within the roll, I beloved the meat probably the most. It had been stir-fried with onions and a candy darkish sauce, resembling what you would possibly get on a hotplate.

I ordered two extra kimbaps: Bacon & Kimchi Roll ($5.90 for eight items) and Salmon & Cheese Roll (S$5.90 for eight items). Both kimbaps had been served collectively on a single plate.

The sourness of the kimchi hit me instantly, and I completely loved the crunchy bursts of tanginess. While the smoky sweetness of the bacon got here by means of slowly, I might’ve loved it way more if it had been slightly saltier.

The Salmon & Cheese Roll jogged my memory of sushi due to the uncooked salmon, which had been paired with cheddar cheese and tartar sauce.

This was a easy however addictive roll which melded collectively in a sticky manner that it clung to my tooth. While the cheese was fairly overpowering in its candy but smoky manner, I loved the little pops of creaminess. 

I want that the tartar sauce was extra pronounced in order to offset the sturdy flavours from the cheese.

To spherical off the meal and all of the carbs, I made a decision to get Rolling Rice’s Kimchi Stew (S$11.90).

If you’re getting this as a important dish, you may select so as to add Pork (S$2), Chicken (S$2) or Tuna (S$2), and pair the stew with Steamed Rice (S$1 throughout weekday lunch or S$1.50 throughout common hours).

As we had loads of components from the kimbap, we determined to get the Kimchi Stew because it was.

I need to say, Rolling Rice’s Kimchi Stew definitely packed a punch. The kimchi’s iconic sourness got here by means of in a vibrant manner, whetting my urge for food. I appreciated that the soup wasn’t too salty or sturdy, such that I may hold consuming it with no need white rice to offset the savoury flavours.

Frankly, it’s fairly a median bowl of Kimchi Stew— it has all these acquainted bitter, salty and candy notes and didn’t precisely blow my thoughts— however it nonetheless hit the spot. Definitely a no-fuss and satisfying soup that I’d have for my subsequent meal.

Final ideas

Out of all of the kimbaps, the Traditional Gimbap shocked me probably the most with its all-rounded flavours, presenting a mixture of sweetness, savouriness, crunchiness and softness in every chew. 

Though the Bacon & Kimchi Roll and Salmon & Cheese Roll had been fairly common, I loved them nonetheless and stay up for attempting Rolling Rice’s different kimbap flavours akin to Crispy Chicken Roll and Homemade Pork Cutlet Roll the following time I’m there.

Perhaps, I’d pair them with Rolling Rice’s different genuine Korean choices, akin to Jjajang Myeon and even Korean Spicy Chicken. Daebak!

Expected injury: S$5.90 – S$15 per pax

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