Nestled in the heart of bustling Orchard Road, TASTE Myeongdong is the newest culinary destination that whisks diners away to the vibrant, neon-lit streets of Myeongdong in South Korea. This innovative food hall is inspired by the lively pocha culture, a staple of Korean street bars known for their spirited atmosphere and delectable offerings.
TASTE Myeongdong features seven unique dining concepts, each offering a distinct taste of Korea. Diners can indulge in classic dishes at O’Bok Bibimbap, savour the spicy delights of Red Cup, or enjoy the comforting flavours of Gamtan Express. For those seeking a fiery kick, Singdang Bul Dakbal is the place to be, while Hoho Noodles offers a hearty bowl of Korean noodles. Myung Dong Pocha serves up traditional pochafavourites, and Breaders provides freshly baked Korean bread and pastries.
Throughout the day, this culinary haven offers comforting and affordable Korean fare that caters to all tastes. As evening falls, the food hall transforms into a bustling pocha hub, complete with a wide selection of sharing plates perfect for groups looking to unwind and enjoy. With its dynamic atmosphere and diverse offerings, TASTE Myeongdong promises an unforgettable dining experience that captures the essence of Korean street culture.
We decided to try their Pocha Set Menu, which is available after 5 PM and priced at $95 for four people. This menu offers a delightful array of Korean street food favourites that are sure to satisfy any craving.
The spread includes Tteokbokki, a popular dish featuring chewy rice cakes in a spicy and savoury sauce. Alongside this, we enjoyed a comforting bowl of Fish Cake Soup, warm and flavorful with its rich broth.
For those who love something crispy, the menu offers a selection of Fried Snacks that provide a perfect contrast in texture. We also indulged in Gimbap, Korean-style sushi rolls filled with vegetables and meat, wrapped in seaweed.
A unique highlight was the Chicken Feet, marinated and cooked to perfection for those who appreciate bold flavours. To top it all off, we had the option to choose between Seafood Pajeon, a savoury pancake filled with seafood, or Kimchi Jeon, its tangy counterpart made with fermented cabbage. Each dish was a delicious nod to Korean culinary traditions.
Our meal commenced with a delightful serving of classic Beef Gimbap, a traditional Korean dish that set the tone for our culinary journey. The gimbap featured fluffy, perfectly seasoned rice encased in a sheet of crisp, dark green seaweed, providing a satisfying contrast in texture and flavour.
Within the roll, we discovered layers of tender, marinated beef, cooked to perfection, offering a savoury depth that was both rich and comforting. Accompanying the beef were slices of soft, golden egg and an assortment of fresh vegetables, including crunchy carrots and vibrant spinach, adding a refreshing and colourful element to each bite.
The entire roll was lightly brushed with fragrant sesame oil, enhancing its aroma and giving it a subtle sheen. A sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds on top added a nutty note and a slight crunch, completing the harmonious blend of flavours and textures.
Each mouthful of Beef Gimbap was a well-balanced experience, offering a symphony of tastes that was both satisfying and invigorating. It served as the perfect introduction to our pocha feast, evoking a sense of warmth and comfort that lingered with us as we anticipated the dishes to come. In Singapore, I usually avoid Tteokbokki because the rice cakes often have an overly firm texture. However, this particular version was a delightful exception. The rice cakes were wonderfully soft and had a satisfying chewiness to them. They absorbed the spicy-sweet gochujang sauce perfectly, delivering just the right amount of heat with each bite.
The sauce itself was a harmonious blend of flavours, balancing the spiciness with a subtle sweetness that made it addictive. Each mouthful was a burst of taste, transporting me to the bustling streets of Korea. It was a nostalgic nod to authentic Korean street food, capturing the essence of what makes Tteokbokki so beloved.
This dish has renewed my appreciation for Tteokbokki, reminding me of its potential when prepared well. It was a pleasant surprise to find such quality in Singapore, where the dish is not as commonly perfected. This experience has encouraged me to explore more local variations in hopes of discovering other hidden gems.
The Fried Platter was a delightful medley of flavours and textures, offering a tempting assortment of golden, crispy delights. Each component was carefully selected to provide a unique taste experience, showcasing an array of vegetables, succulent shrimp, hearty sweet potato, and intriguing squid fritters.
The vegetables added a fresh and earthy contrast, their natural sweetness enhanced by the frying process. The shrimp were tender and juicy, enveloped in a crisp coating that complemented their delicate flavour. Sweet potato fritters brought a hint of sweetness and a comforting, starchy bite to the platter.
However, the squid fritters truly captured attention. Their firm yet bouncy texture created a memorable mouthfeel, standing out among the other offerings. Despite their appeal, the squid fritters could benefit from a lighter batter to achieve a more harmonious balance with their chewy interior.
As a side dish, the Fried Platter was undeniably satisfying. It provided a variety of tastes and sensations that kept diners engaged. It served as an excellent accompaniment to any main course, bringing both visual appeal and culinary interest to the table.
The Korean-style Chicken Feet were served in a rich, dry spicy sauce that immediately captivated the senses with its bold, tongue-tingling flavours. The sauce had a complex blend of spices, offering a perfect balance of heat and depth that enveloped each piece. As you take your first bite, the fiery seasoning bursts through, leaving a lingering warmth that invites you to savour more.
The texture of the chicken feet was unique, with a gelatinous consistency that might be unexpected at first but quickly becomes intriguing. This texture worked harmoniously with the spicy sauce, creating an unusual yet surprisingly enjoyable contrast. Each bite required some effort, encouraging you to slow down and appreciate the layers of flavour and texture.
While this dish may be an acquired taste for some, it offers an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and experience something truly distinctive. For adventurous eaters, trying Korean-style Chicken Feet is a culinary adventure worth embarking on. It challenges preconceived notions about what makes food enjoyable and rewards curiosity with an unforgettable dining experience.
We chose the Seafood Pajeon instead of the Kimchi version, hoping for a delightful mix of flavours. The edges of the pancake offered a subtle crispiness that was initially promising. However, as I delved deeper into the dish, I found the texture to be a touch too doughy for my liking. Despite this, the generous amount of seafood embedded within the pancake was a definite highlight.
Each bite revealed a variety of fresh seafood, adding a rich and savoury taste that complemented the doughy base. The pancake was served with a tangy dipping sauce, which provided a refreshing contrast and enhanced the overall flavour profile. Pairing the sauce with the seafood elements helped balance out the pancake’s denser texture.
While I prefer a lighter, more evenly crisped pancake, fans of traditional Korean pancakes might appreciate this version more. The substantial filling and robust flavours are likely to satisfy those who enjoy hearty, seafood-rich dishes. Overall, it was an interesting take on a classic, offering both hits and misses depending on individual preferences.
To conclude our meal with a touch of sweetness, we indulged in three delightful flavours from Breaders, a beloved Korean custard tart brand known for its innovative twists. We sampled the Original, Crumble Blueberry, and Pecan Walnut varieties. Each tart presented a unique taste experience, distinct from traditional egg tarts.
Breaders’ tarts are designed to be savoured chilled. They offer a creamy, molten-like centre that contrasts beautifully with their delicate, flaky crust. Unlike their more eggy counterparts, these tarts lean heavily into the dessert realm, making them an ideal choice for those who prefer a soft, custardy texture.
Breaders offers six tantalising flavours, including Sweet Potato, Earl Grey, and Blueberry Cream Cheese. This diverse selection ensures that there’s a flavour to satisfy every palate and craving.
On Friday, May 2, 2025, Taste Myeongdong opened its doors at Taste Orchard, right in the heart of bustling Orchard Road. This new food hall concept aims to immerse diners in the lively, neon-lit atmosphere reminiscent of Myeongdong, South Korea. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant pocha culture, it brings together seven distinct Korean dining concepts under one roof.
The food hall features O’Bok Bibimbap, Red Cup, Gamtan Express, Singdang Bul Dakbal, Hoho Noodles, Myung Dong Pocha, and Breaders. Each offers a unique taste of comforting and affordable Korean cuisine available all day. By nightfall, the venue transforms into a lively pocha hub, perfect for groups seeking a shared dining experience.
We experienced their Pocha Set Menu, which is available after 5 PM and priced at $95 for four people. The menu includes popular Korean street foods like Tteokbokki, Fish Cake Soup, Fried Snacks, and Gimbap. Diners also have a choice between Seafood Pajeon or Kimchi Jeon, rounding out the generous spread.
Taste Myeongdong
Taste Orchard
160 Orchard Road
Singapore 238842
Nearest MRT: Somerset (NS Line)
Opening Hours:
Daily11 amam – 1030pm
Delivery Considerations for Food Hall
- Whyq Specialised Service: Whyq specifically focuses on hawker food delivery and may have better coverage for specific centres
- Delivery Fees: Typically range from $3-8 SGD, depending on distance and platform
- Food Quality Concerns: Some hawker dishes don’t transport well (soup noodles, crispy items)
- Bundle Orders: Some platforms allow ordering from multiple stalls in the same hawker centre
- Delivery Timing: Peak meal hours may see longer delivery times from popular hawker centres
- Minimum Order Requirements: Some hawker stalls have minimum order amounts for delivery
- In-Person Experience: Many food enthusiasts believe the authentic hawker experience requires dining in person
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