Review: Seoul in a Sandwich and Two Hana Serves up Hipster Korean Fare

Singaporeans love their Korean oppas food.

All around our island, there are no shortages of K-barbeque joints, bingsu dessert shops, and restaurants serving up the quintessential army stew. It was estimated in a 2016 article by TODAY that there were over 200 Korean restaurants, cafes, and other eateries in Singapore, and the number excluded hawker stalls and food courts. Korean food is already trendy, as it seems.

But making Korean food even more relevant are two new concept stores, Seoul in a Sandwich and Two Hana. Started by the Seoul Garden Group, their modern and inventive take on classic Korean flavours have resulted in a creative Korean-Western menu made with the millennial stomach (and aesthetics) in mind.

Seoul in a Sandwich

To make a Korean version of something is to make it instantly much more popular, and often times more delicious. Take for instance the bingsu, a glorified ice kachang; or the ever-popular fried chicken.

And now, a new wave of Korean snack might be landing on our shores: the Korean street toast (we’re calling it first, with the popular Isaac Toast slated to open sometime in July).

Here, you will find sandwiches that marry familiar Korean flavours with European-style bread. Popular favourites include the Bulgogi Cheesesteak ($8.50), which features the usual salty-sweet bulgogi marinated beef slices with mozzarella cheese, sautéed peppers, and onions, all layered between a crispy baguette; and the Kimchi Prawn Cocktail ($7.50), which is a refreshing mix of prawns, Asian pears, and kimchi tossed with gochugaru-spiced mayonnaise.

But most unique is the Army Stew-wich ($8.50), which draws reference from the bubbling army stew dish. Between ciabatta bread, you will find chicken sausages, chicken luncheon meat, kimchi, and even topokki tossed in a spicy army stew sauce.

You also cannot go wrong with the classic Seoul Street Toast ($6.50) with ham, omelette, and cheese, while those with a sweet tooth can opt for the Matcha White Chocolate ($3.50) and Citron Cream Cheese and Asian pear ($4.50).

With most items going below $10, Seoul in a Sandwich makes it affordable and convenient to satisfy that K-food craving, especially when you are on-the-go.

Address: 2 Tampines Central 5, Century Square, #B1-21
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Two Hana

Two Hana has all the makings of a successful cafe: minimalist backdrop, creative menu, and picturesque food.

You will want to bring your friends along and order the Honey Butter Drumlets ($9) or Kimchi Mac and Cheese ($9)—both sinfully fried, but had us licking the plates clean.

Most of the dishes here are best shared among friends, like the Braised Gachujang Lamb Shank ($24) with a huge (like bigger-than-our-palm huge) tender lamb that is good for two. But when it comes to the Striploin Bap ($13), we would rather have one bowl all to ourselves. Like a bibimbap, stir the medium-rare striploin slices, kimchi, spinach, beansprouts, and poached egg well with the kimgarou rice for a hearty square meal. 

The mains might be inventive, but it was Two Hana’s sweet treats that stole the limelight. Whatever you order, remember to make room for the Strawberry Waffles with Honey Citron Ice Cream ($9) and topped with fairy floss. Bright zesty notes from the citron made for a refreshingly addictive addition to the crisp waffles and fresh fruits.

For drinks, the highly-instagrammable Iced Matcha Latte ($6) that comes topped with a fish bochubang, rice crispies, and whipped cream doubles up as both a beverage and snack. But our favourite was the Melona Melon Calpis Float ($7)—let the melona ice cream melt for a sweet, yogurt milkshake-like drink that will certainly bring us back to Two Hana’s yard.

Address: 2 Tampines Central 5, Century Square, #01-21
Follow them on Facebook and Instagram