News: Seoul & So – new Korean Restaurant in National Gallery Singapore

Seoul & So, the latest concept from the team behind Seoul Restaurant at Conrad Singapore Orchard, opened its doors at Level 5 of National Gallery Singapore. The new Korean barbecue restaurant sits on a floor that looks out towards the Ng Teng Fong Roof Garden Gallery. From their seats, patrons can have a clear view of the art installations outside while enjoing set meals which start from $35.

The People behind Seoul & So

The new restaurant in National Gallery Singapore is by the Rhee siblings, who also run Seoul Restaurant at Conrad Singapore Orchard. Their first stall was established in 1997 at the old food court at Amara Hotel. Seoul Restaurant has built a strong following for its Korean barbecue over the years. Seoul & So is their second restaurant concept, and a deliberate departure from the original.

Where Seoul Restaurant is more traditional in format, Seoul & So takes a more contemporary approach. The interior has clean, minimal aesthetics. The menu still draws on authentic Korean flavours and cooking methods. However, the experience itself feels different. Portions are smaller. The pacing is intentionally more relaxed.

How the grilling works

One of the more notable differences is how the grilling happens. Tables at Seoul & So do not have built-in grills. Instead, the restaurant uses dedicated grilling stations positioned around the dining room. Staff handle the grilling, then bring the cooked meat to diners.

This setup keeps the table surface clear. Diners do not have to manage the fire or the timing themselves. The result is a quieter, less hands-on version of Korean barbecue, but the ritual of watching meat cook over charcoal remains part of the experience.

What is on the Menu

The meat selection at Seoul & So covers several cuts and origins. Hanwoo, which is Korean beef, features alongside Handon, a Korean breed of pork. The restaurant also serves Japanese wagyu, Australian wagyu, USDA Prime beef and Iberico pork.

Besides the grilled mains Kimchi Jjigae 김치찌개, Naengi Doenjang Jjigae 냉이 된장찌개, Naeng Kalguksu 냉칼국수, Buchujeon 부추전, and Japchae 잡채 are among the Korean favourites on the menu.

The desserts include Yakgwa Ice Cream 약과 아이스크림 and Melon Yogurt 멜론 요거트.

Diners can order à la carte or choose a tasting menu designed for sharing. For those visiting at lunch on weekdays, set meals start from $35 per person. Dinner operates on a more flexible format.

So Experience is Different

Seoul & So is not a casual drop-in spot. The tableside grilling model, the tasting menu format and the setting inside a national monument all suggest a meal that takes some time.

For those who want Korean barbecue in a setting that is a step away from the usual basement dining rooms and loud communal halls, Seoul & So offers something different.

Dining at the National Gallery Singapore

National Gallery Singapore has been building up its dining options in recent years. The addition of Seoul & So brings Korean cuisine into a mix that already spans several styles and price points within the same building.

For the Gallery, the broader goal appears to be positioning itself as a destination beyond its exhibitions. The Gallery houses the world’s largest public collection of Singapore and Southeast Asian art. It is also ranked among Asia’s Top 10 most visited museums by The Art Newspaper, a position it has held since 2019.

Adding a Korean barbecue restaurant to Level 5 extends what the building offers to visitors, particularly those who arrive in the evening, when the rooftop installations are lit differently and the atmosphere shifts.

Tasting Menu | A la Carte Menu

Seoul & So
Level 5, National Gallery Singapore
1 St Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957

Tel: +65 6423 2807

Lunch: noon to 3 pm
Dinner: 6 pm to 10.30 pm

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