BORNGA (본가 - 本家) At Star Vista

For Korean BBQ lovers who stay around West side of Singapore, BORNGA (본가 - 本家) is a Korea’s leading chain of authentic BBQ restaurants which newly open at The Star Vista (beside Buona Vista MRT Station, EW21/CC22). And the grand launch of BORNGA also marks renowned celebrity Chef Jong Won Paik first chain restaurant in Singapore and the 13th in addition to its worldwide outlets out of Korea.

Overall BORNGA offers an authentic Korean dining experience with taste of home which makes it a nice place for a cozy meal together with family and friends. Moreover their servings are big enough to share among 3 - 4 person ranging from S$18.00(pork belly) to their most expensive item (beef ribs for barbecuing) at S$45.00. (just a note, you have to order at least a minimum of two portion from their BBQ meat range; example:- Samgyupsal (S$18) + WooSamGyup (S$22))

While settling down, I was quite shock when the serving staff place the Ssamcheban (assorted vegetables platter) on our table as I have not seen such a varieties of greens being served from other Korean BBQ restaurants in Singapore. Their Ssamcheban consists very fresh and generous amount of  greens such as assorted lettuces, cabbages, spinach, carrot sticks and a few large green chilies which comes in handy to wrap with the BBQ meat.

On top of the Ssamcheban, we also tried some of their Banchan (Korean side dishes) such as Cucumber with Mushroom, Korean Spicy Beansprouts, Lettuce Salad, Shredded Leeks, Cabbage Kimchi, Water Kimichi and Radish Kimchi. Personally my pick from the banchan would be their Radish Kimchi which was a cross between sweet, sour and spicy making it so addicting as compared to the Cabbage Kimichi as it was a bit too spicy for my liking.

From the 3 types of Kimchi that we tried, my least favourite would be the Water Kimchi which I find it a bit too bland and also not as tasty as compared to the other two which has a stronger taste and flavour.

To pair with their BBQ meat, there are three types of dipping sauces which you might like to try. The special WooSamGyup Sauce goes well with the WooSamGyup meat where you dip on it and wrap with some lettuce and shredded leeks or kimchi for better crunch and taste. Whereas for the rest like Garlic Slices, Korean Bean Pasta Sauce an Sesame Oil flavored with salt and pepper would goes well with other meat choices like pork belly and beef too.

Ggotsal (S$38.00) a thicker cut of unmarinated beef for guests who loves beef and to enjoy its deep beef flavour. The cut is also evenly marbled and goes well with dip like sesame oil flavoured with salt and pepper.

For myself, I would prefer WooSamGyup that this Ggotsal perhaps due to its cuts.

{MUST TRY} WooSamGyup (S$22.00) is their signature BBQ choice which is a thinly sliced beef brisket with beautiful marbling that makes it often mistaken as pork belly at a glance. This meat is marinated in a unique BORNGA dressing that retains its natural colour while enhancing the traditional "bulgogi" taste.

There are many ways you could enjoy this beautiful meat such as eating it on it's own, dip it with the special WooSamGyup sauce or wrap it with some shredded leeks together with lettuces to enhance the flavour. I am sure there is a way which you enjoy but for me I would prefer to have it with some lettuce wrap and radish kimchi.

{MUST TRY} Tteokgalbi (S$20.00) is made with ground rib meat together with soy sauce and seasonings into a thin meat patties before grilling. The outlook and taste of the Tteokgalbi is quite similar to our Chinese New Year BBQ Pork (bak kwa) with a very flavousome fragrance and taste which makes you go for second and third helpings.

{MUST TRY} The Chadol Duenjang Jigae (S$16.00) is a Korean beef stew which made with rich soybean paste, sliced beef and vegetables. The stew is being reduced over the table top stove before pouring into the rice mixture which served like a bibimbap.

As you can see, when the stew is reduced and slightly thicken the serving staff would spoon it over to the rice and vegetable mixture and mix everything like a bibimbap. Also for extra flavoure, you could add in some radish kimchi while mixing the rice like what our host, LeRoy does to enhance the taste of this dish.

After the rice stew, we tried BORNGA Naeng Myun (S$15.00) which was their handmade buckwheat noodles served in an icy broth with shredded vegetables, pear, hard-boiled egg and sliced meat. It has a very refreshing taste and it is definitely a good choice for hot summer meal. You can eat it on it's own or follow the Korean, squeeze in some mustard sauce, splash of white vinegar mix well and enjoy. Personally I prefer eating it on it's own because I am not a fan of vinegar stuffs.

At the end of the meal, all guests were served with a complimentary drink known as Omija (오미자) or  五味茶 (five flavour tea) which reminds us of drinks made with Roselle (洛神果) and it has a similar sourish sweet taste like hawthorn (山楂) too. We all agreed that despite of it's sourish after taste, it is indeed a very refreshing and addicting drink to clean the palate after all the BBQ meats and dishes. Moreover Omija is also a popular drinks among women in Korean for it's beauty purpose too.

Thanks to BORNGA and LeRoy from Foodnews for the invite tasting.

BORNGA (본가 - 本家)
1 Vista Exchange Green
#02-24 The Star Vista
Singapore 138617
Reservation: (65) 6694 4696
Website: www.bornga.co.kr

Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10:00pm (Daily)

NeNe Chicken At The Star Vista

NeNe Chicken is one of Korea's most popular lifestyle fast food eateries which known for it's "sauce-coated chicken". And if you wonder what "Ne Ne" means, it is actually Yes! Yes! which is a common expression often used by Koreans with enthusiasm when indicating understanding and willingness.

And as the "sauce-coated chicken specialist", NeNe has several delectable flavours that range from fiery like Freaking Hot sauce to milder taste such as Green Onion and Black Sesame. On top of the sauces, NeNe's special batter also produces perfectly crispy chicken skin when deep-fried as well as prevents the oil from permeating the chicken meat leaving the meat juicy and succulent.

Swicy Chicken comes in either 9 pieces whole chicken (S$22.50) inclusive one serving each of pickled radish and coleslaw or the Swicy Wings And Sticks Meal (S$7.90) that includes 2 wings and 2 sticks, regular buffalo sticks, pickled radish and regular drink.

This is a milder and sweeter version of their Freaking Hot Chicken where each piece of the fried chicken is coated with their special sweet sauce that made with ketchup, garlic, onion, soy sauce and hint of chilli.  

Snowing Cheese Tender Boneless (S$23.50; approximately 35 pieces) comes with one serving each of pickled radish and coleslaw or you could order the Snowing Cheese Wings And Sticks Meal (S$7.90) where you get to enjoy 2 wings and 2 sticks, regular buffalo sticks, pickled radish and regular drink.

For cheese lovers this combination of both sweet and salty flavours Snowing Cheese Tender would be a great choice as each piece of chicken tender is coated with generous sprinkling of powdered cheese which makes it an irresistible finger snack.   

At NeNe Chicken, there also offer two different types of chilled vegetables side dishes such as Pickled Radish (S$1.90) and NeNe Coleslaw (S$1.90) shown above. My favourite is their Pickled Radish which consists small cubed radish that is steeped in vinegar, sugar and salt for a few hours as it taste absolutely addicting especially when pairing it with the Freaking Hot or Bulgogi Chicken.

But if you prefer something with more crunch and veggies then NeNe Coleslaw would be great with its varieties of chopped cabbage, sweetcorn, pepper and diced crabstick mixed together in their secret dressing.

NeNePOP (S$4.30) is my kid's favourite as it contain both food and drink in one cup which is handy for quick snack and kids to handle too. There is a special container that fits neatly on top of the drink's cup to hold mini hash browns and NeNe popcorn chicken so that you could enjoy refreshing drink while eating the snack.

Black Sesame Tender Boneless (S$23.50; approximately 35 pieces) comes with one serving each of pickled radish and coleslaw or for a quick meal Black Sesame Tender Meal (S$9.90;  approximately 11 - 13 pieces) which includes regular buffalo sticks, pickled radish and regular drink would be great.

If you love black sesame paste, you would definitely love this. Each piece of crispy boneless tender is coated with a layer of sauce consisting of black sesame paste, lemon juice and syrup. With each bite bursting with nutty flavour and fragrance sesame aroma I am sure you won't even wanted to share your set with others.

Green Onion Chicken Tender Boneless (S$23.50; approximately 35 pieces) comes with one serving each of pickled radish and coleslaw or go for a smaller serving on Green Onion Tender Meal (S$9.90;  approximately 11 - 13 pieces) which includes regular buffalo sticks, pickled radish and regular drink too.

The crispy fried chicken sits on top of some tasty sauce which is made by combining soy sauce, mustard and sugar together with some accompany freshly shredded green onion from Korea. The piping hot chicken is so juicy and it taste great with the refreshing spring onion.

Bulgogi Wings And Sticks (S$19.50) comes in 16 pieces wings and stick inclusive one each of pickled radish and coleslaw. I love bulgogi sauce which I often used to cook either chicken or beef at home. But at NeNe Chicken they used bulgogi sauced to create one of their most popular Bulgogi Wing and Sticks which the chicken is firstly lightly coated with batter and deep-fried.  Then upon receiving customer's order, they would stir-fried the chicken with bulgogi sauce before serving to prevent the fried chicken from being soggy if they cooked in large batch.

CLASSIC Freaking Hot Chicken (S$22.50; 9 pieces whole chicken) comes with one serving each of pickled radish and coleslaw, Wings and Sticks 16 pieces Freaking Hot (S$19.50) inclusive 2 side salads or go for Super Meal like Freaking Hot Wings And Sticks (S$7.90) which includes 2 wings and 2 sticks, regular buffalo sticks, pickled radish and regular drink.

{BE CAUTION} This Freaking Hot Chicken sure live with it name as it's distinct fiery sauce is made with hot chilli peppers, ketchup, garlic, onion and sugar. And the most freaking part is you could even smells the "chilli" aroma when the chicken is served.

At first bite, you might not find anything usual as the coating sauce taste with a hint of sweetness but when you go for 2nd and 3rd bites that is when your lips and lounge begins to feel the fiery effect. Personally I would recommend this if you love buffalo wings and the spicy level is of match to perhaps level 4-5 of the taste. And out of all the NeNe Chicken that we tried, I personally love the Black Sesame and Bulgogi sauce-coated chicken which I am still craving for some now.

For your information this 17 seater outlet mainly focus on take-away and delivery services and customers could simply call 6222 6363 for deliveries to selected areas in Singapore. Furthermore there is also a S$3.50 surcharge for all deliveries and orders must include one Classic, Wings And Sticks or Boneless Tender meal set.

NeNe Chicken
1 Vista Green Exchange
#01-24 Star Vista
Singapore 138617
Telephone: (65) 6694 5489
Website: http://english.nenechicken.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/nenechickensingapore


Operating Hours: 11.00am - 10.00pm (daily)

Delivery HOTLINE: (65) 6222 6363


Thanks to NeNe Chicken and Veronica from Sixth Sense Communications for the invite tasting.