Anything Korean seems to be the in-thing. Hence Joo Bar is such a popular choice. Even on a Monday night it was crowded with good number of diners. Bear in mind that Joo Bar is located in a highly dense restaurants, with so many good eat around, diners are still opting to visit Joo Bar. There must be with some hidden reasons behind. Therefore, we certainly thought it is worth checking out.

 

Housed in a 3-storey pre-war shophouse is home to Joo Bar. Despite the word “Joo” in black is on the white facade, it isn’t prominent. All my dinning company, except myself, missed it and couldn’t find.

 

 

 

Sleek design with a casual ambience is what Joo bar got to offer. As it is with rich hues of black and copper as such, the bar looks pretty on the dark side. At least it is contrast with the whitewashed walls that bounds light off.

 

 

At Joo Bar, since they make their own preservatives-free Makgeolli with organic rice and purified water, diners should never miss this drink. We tried the Yucha Makgeoli Slush ($22 small/$36 big). We got the large which is good to serve about 5 to 6 pax. This milky looking, smooth rice wine is lightly sweetened with Yuzu flavour. I am not a fan of alcoholic drinks but I like this as it is akin to drinking the Yoghurt based bubble tea. As such, it is very addictive. I almost forgot that I am drinking alcohol and almost grubbing it down as if I am quenching my thirst with bubble tea. Lol!

 

 

 

Since it is a bar, Drinking Snacks are never absent. We started with the Honey Butter Chick ($18). Some like it and some don’t due to the sweetness in a savoury based food. I belong to the group that like this dish.

 

 

Next, is another chicken dish, the fame crispy Joo Wings ($18). Wings are also best with alcohol. It will never go wrong. Again, it is with sweet hint due to the soy glaze.

 

 

Our last drinking snack is the thick cut mangalitsa Pork Belly slow roasted to perfection was tender and luscious. This Slow Roasted Mangalitsa Belly ($32) is a splendid choice for anyone who love their pork.

 

 

Joo Bar has introduced the Design Your Own Bibimap for lunch available from 12pm to 2.30pm. At $10.90, diner could pick 1 Carbohydrate with additional serving at $3. Choices available are White Rice, Purple Rice and Quinoa (add $3). Next choose 1 protein with selections of Spicy Chicken, Stir-fried Pork, Beef Bulgogi, Broiled Saba (add $1.50) and Argentinian Grassfed Steak (add $4.50). If diners need more protein, add $5 for each additional serving. Followed by selecting 3 complements with additional serving at $1.50. Choices available are Baby Lettuce, Carrot, Corn, Cucumber, Korean Beansprout, Kimichi, Marinated Spinach, Pickled Radish, Sauteed Zuchinni, Fried Tofu, Edamame (add $1), Korean Anchovies (add $1), Spam (add $1.50) and Sauteed Mushrooms (add $1.50). Lastly choose a sauce, either original (spicy) or soy.

 

 

Our version 1 which I prefer consist of Purple Rice as Carbo, Broiled Saba and Stir-fried Pork as Protein. The complements are Korean Beansprout, Cucumber, Corn and Edamame. Lastly, we have Soy sauce.

 

 

Next is the more meaty version. Quinoa, Argentinian Grassfed Beef, Spicy Chicken, Sauteed Mushroom, Spam, Pickled Radish, Kimichi and Original Spicy Sauce.

 

Dessert moment! Joo Bar offers some classic desserts with exotic flavours. First is the Doenjang Creme Brulee ($12) decorated with the sesame tempura tuile. It is a savoury dessert. If you have tried Miso Caramel ice cream, you could imagine how it tasted like. Otherwise, the closest is the Salted Caramel. Due to the pungent ferment bean paste flavour, it isn’t too the liking of all diners even if you are a Salted Caramel fan. But I enjoyed it.

 

 

As novel as the first dessert is the Yucha Kimchi Cannoli ($14). The densely fried pastry filled with unconventional fillings of yucha (yuzu), ricotta, white kimichi, white chocolate ice cream and chopped mixed nuts. Sounded as strange it is; it tasted really delish. The only dessert with thumbs up from all diners.

 

 

Lastly, the Chocopop Gateau ($15) consisting of bacon infused chocolate ganache imported from Frnace, graham cracker crumble and popping candy. This is my least preferred dessert as I never like bacon. In fact, all of us preferred a good pure chocolaty ganache cake.

 

 

 

NAHMJ Verdict

 

Situated in a central location, close to an MRT station, Joo Bar is certainly a perfect place to gather friends over a drink with delicious drinking snack. And not forgetting the value for money Bibimap that is highly customisable to one’s own liking.

 

 

 

Joo Bar

5 Tan Quee Lan Street, Singapore 188094
Tel: +65 8138 1628

Website: http://www.joo-bar.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/joobarsg/

 

Opening Hours

 

Daily  1130 to 1430, 1730 to 0000

 

Getting There

 

By MRT:

• East West line or Downtown line – Bugis station

 

By Bus:

• After Beach Road along Rochor Road   48, 57

• Opp Shaw Towers along Beach Road   100, 107, 961, 980

• Shaw Towers along Beach Road   100, 107, 107M, 961

• Parkview Square along North Bridge Road   7, 32, 51, 61, 63, 80, 145, 175, 197, 851

• Bugis Junction along Victoria Street   2, 12, 33, 130, 133

• Opp Bugis Junction along Victoria Street   7, 12, 63, 80, 175, 197, 851, 980

• Bugis Station along Victoria Street   2, 32, 33, 51, 61, 130, 133, 145

 

Rating: 7/10