I found an interesting open restaurant concept in Mandarin Gallery: D’RIM. It’s interiors are the first I’ve seen in a restaurant. At D’RIM, you won’t find any walls surrounding the restaurant. Talk about taking open kitchen trends to the next level. As you won’t really find yourself like a fishbowl with its lack of glass windows, you’ll transport yourself to 14th century Joseon era with its Hanok interiors.
D’RIM is well entitled to challenge restaurant norms. After all, their selling point are Bansang sets — royalty sets that make you feel like a king with its spread of banchan, selling at an attractive price point of below $50++.
Bansang set meals begin with a trio of starters: Yukjeon or beef pancake, Truffle steamed eggs, and Sungchae dumplings. I thought this was a strong opening to D’RIM. The steamed eggs were my favorite out of the three. So silky and well made. The Sungchae dumplings were a great surprise as well. These dumplings are wrapped in cabbage instead of flour wrapper. The Yukjeon was also very interesting, tender to chew and juicy.
Your mains can include Galbitang, Naengmyeon, Bibim Naengmeyon, Signature Buckwheat Noodles, or their specialty, the spicy Jeju Yukgaejang made with Jeju rock fern.
I opted for the Galbitang, because I love beef shortrib soups, and I was interested on how D’RIM can execute a very simple, yet a household dish among Korean families. While the shortribs were a little tough to chew, given that it has been simmered for 24 hours, the portion size is notable for those seeking a filling meal. The set is punctuated with more banchan, namely prawns, Kohlrabi Kkakduji or Korean raddish, and pine nut salad. The mains took a backseat for me as the opening starters were extremely strong.
That said, at $50, the meal is another terrific place for you to eat with your friends or family. Korean barbecue fans will be thrilled that D’RIM serves wide variety of beef cuts from Tenderloin to sirloin, chuck flap and even pork like Kurobuta pork belly and pork collar. You can also book a private room with your own barbecue station, but it comes with some minimum spend amount of $500 for low season and $1000 (lunch) / $2000 (dinner) for peak season.
Address: 333A Orchard Rd, #02-14 Mandarin Gallery, Singapore 238897
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 12:00pm – 3:00pm, 6:00pm – 10:00pm | Saturday – Sunday 11:00am – 10:00pm
D’RIM Menu: www.drim.sg
Instagram: drim.sg