Mapo Singaporean restaurant: shrimp gukbap and mala chicken

There are so many great places to eat in Yeonnam-dong that choosing where to have a meal is part of the fun. Especially when walking along Gyeongui Line Forest Park, all kinds of appealing spots catch your eye, from atmospheric cafés to restaurants and bars. This time, while visiting Yeonnam-dong, I wanted to try something a little different from my usual meals, so I went to Ttasijia Yeonnam (따시지아 연남).

That day, I ordered two dishes: shrimp gukbap (rice in soup) and mala chicken. You can roughly imagine their flavors just from the names, but having them together was better than expected, and each had such distinct character that it became a memorable meal!

Ttasijia Yeonnam exterior and atmosphere

Ttasijia Yeonnam is said to be a popular local restaurant listed in the Singapore Michelin Guide. The atmosphere really does feel so special~~ Once you step in, it feels like you are in a forest >.< And the soft lighting makes it even more amazing.

Why I ordered shrimp gukbap and mala chicken together

Warm, filling shrimp gukbap

The first dish I tried at Ttasijia Yeonnam was the shrimp gukbap. When I am craving a hearty meal like these days, I tend to look for gukbap, but this one felt a little different from the usual kind because it came with shrimp.

First, I took a spoonful of the warm broth, and I liked the subtle savory flavor unique to shrimp. Eating the broth with the rice was more filling than I expected, and having shrimp throughout kept the texture from becoming boring while I finished the bowl.

Personally, I think the broth is the most important part of gukbap, and the shrimp gave it a seafood flavor that set it apart from a typical meat-based gukbap, making it a nice change. If you usually enjoy shrimp or seafood soups, this seems like a dish worth trying at least once. Above all, since it comes with rice, it felt less like something quick and more like a properly filling meal.

Wow, there are two seriously plump shrimp in here ㅠ.ㅠ

Alternating bites with spicy mala chicken

I ordered it alongside the gukbap because I thought the soup alone might feel a little plain, but the two dishes had completely different moods, which actually made them go well together. Mala chicken combines chicken with mala's distinctive fragrance and spicy flavor, so it definitely tasted different from ordinary fried chicken.

It has that characteristic mala aroma from the first bite, so I think people who already enjoy mala dishes would have fun with it. Rather than eating a lot of it at once, I alternated between shrimp gukbap, mala chicken, and then another sip of broth.

After the spicy mala chicken, the warm shrimp gukbap broth brought a different flavor in turn, and the combination worked better than expected. Rather than ordering the two separately, it could be a great way for a group to share several dishes.

If you are looking for a different meal in Yeonnam-dong

The shrimp gukbap I had at Ttasijia Yeonnam was warm and filling, while the mala chicken was distinctly spicy and fragrant, so each had a different appeal. Their flavors did not overlap, so ordering them together never became boring; switching from one to the other gave the meal a fresh feeling.

If you always go for familiar dishes such as pasta or meat in Yeonnam-dong, it might be nice to choose something a little different this time. Ttasijia Yeonnam is worth adding to the list if you want both a satisfying meal and something unusual. After eating, walking along Gyeongui Line Forest Park, exploring Yeonnam-dong's side streets, or relaxing at a nearby café would make a lovely course too.

In conclusion, the shrimp gukbap + mala chicken combination made for a filling yet different meal that day. If you want proper Singaporean food, go right now!!