A Review of D'rim: Korean bbq in Mandarin Gallery, Singapore

D'rim

333A Orchard Rd, #02-14

Mandarin Gallery, Singapore 238897

Link to D'rim Sevenrooms Reservation Page

We were actually not intending to eat at D'rim today. At 5.15 pm we stopped by Modu, the somewhat new Samgyetang joint in Mandarin Gallery. But after we joined the online queue, we realised the wait was going to be 1h 45 min. Which we when we decided to go with Plan B at D'rim, a korean bbq joint also owned by the same folks. As we put our name down for D'rim, we thought this was such a good game plan to take the flow over from Modu, considering they are located on the same level as each other.

D'rim also means "deurim" (드림), meaning sincerely yours. It is not our first time here at D'rim and so we knew exactly what we wanted this time. The DRIM signature noodles, where the noodles are made on site, as well as the USDA Prime Boneless Short Rib and Signature Pork Galbisal.

The DRIM signature noodles are 100 % buckwheat noodles, with fragrant perilla seed sauce served with beef heel muscle, handmade soy sauce, perilla oil, garlic chives, spinach, sesame seeds, perilla leaves and perilla leaf sprouts was a good option to cut through the strong flavours from the BBQ meats. It was fragrant and nutty and the mountain of seaweed gave it plenty of flavour.

There are some recommended ways to enjoy with the the meats. Of the 6, our recommendations are the wild garlic leaves with SsamMu (picked radish) as well as Ssam with their house made kimchi.

Our preferred Ssam options from left to right:

1. Wild Garlic Leaf, USDA Prime Boneless Short Rib, Housemade Kimchi

2. Endives, Gang Doen Jang

3. Wild Garlic Leaf, Ssam Mu, Signature Pork Galbisal

Booking

At the time of writing, there is still availability of tables a week out. So if you have flexibility in your schedule, it does not seem too difficult to find a slot. We were also able to secure a table when we dropped by just before opening time. I wouldn't recommend this but if you are already in the vicinity, it might be worthwhile checking if they have an open table.

Accessibility

D'rim is conveniently located at L2 of Mandarin Gallery. The closest MRT is about a 3 min walk away at Somerset.

Visiting New Bah

The Damage

The damage for 2 pax was 180 SGD (inclusive of taxes). D'rim is definitely more expensive than most k-BBQ places but the service is premium and the ingredients are premium. Their side dishes are also uncommon, including wild garlic leaves and watersnail tofu gang deon jang. This was our second time at this restaurant and I am sure there will be plenty more.

Would we recommend?

Yes! It would cost you more than a regular k-BBQ, but if you want an upscale korean BBQ experience, charcoal grill, good quality meats and side dishes, this would be the place to go.