My friend and I were making our way home from dinner when I noticed Dal-In 2 Korean Charcoal BBQ Sashimi Restaurant. Actually, what caught my eye was the word ‘sashimi’ in its name. Ha. And with that, I returned with friends for dinner. On 2 nights, to be exact.

The restaurant was fairly empty on our first visit in January 2015. However, in our most recent visit in March 2015, the place was packed. Yet somehow, I got to sit at the same table on my 2 visits. But I digress. Ha! =p

For the menu, they had gone electronic by using iPads. And probably because of that (like how iPads are more expensive compared to printed menus), we had to share 1 menu iPad. Unlike the norm where we would be handed a printed menu each.

I came specially for the sashimi, but I was disappointed to learn that they don’t serve items from their ‘Korean sashimi’ menu anymore. And in all honesty, I almost wanted to leave. Oh yes, I am stubborn like that. I won’t really think of staying if I can’t get what I came for. But my friends dissuaded me otherwise. And wanting to make up for my disappointment, I tried to satisfy my craving for raw food by ordering the raw crab. But alas, it was not available too! The owner explained, “Very expensive to buy in Singapore (to cook and sell).” Hmm…

But during my 2nd visit, I noticed they have since revised their menu. In any case, I am glad my friends convinced me to try their other dishes cause I had an enjoyable first dinner at Dal-In 2 with the grilled meat that I went back a second time.

And from the menu (pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9), we ordered:-

1) Haemul yachaejeon, $22 (above) – Sliced seafood with vegetables and egg pancake. This pancake was leaning towards the starchier and crispier version. I normally prefer the ‘more doughy’ pancake such that it’s slightly crisp on the exterior yet moist and chewy on the inside. But somehow, this rendition went well with me that particular night.

  

2) Half ginseng chicken soup, $17 (above) – Because this was under the ‘dinner special’ menu, 1 free steamed egg was given but limited to 1 per table. And the ginseng chicken soup was average in terms of taste. Nothing spectacular. Chicken meat was tender and came off the bone easily. Just some good old comfort (Korean ginseng chicken) soup.

3) Black pork belly ($25) (topmost, RHS) & sliced pork collar ($24) (topmost, LHS) (above) – As mentioned, I ordered BBQ meat during my first dinner and it left a good impression. I liked that the meat was nicely marinated, and most importantly, thick! Keke. Lady boss came over to grill the meat for us, ensuring that the meat was grilled to perfection; Slightly charred but still maintaining its juiciness. She even taught us a new way to enjoy our grilled meat, which was to include the shredded (marinated) cabbage. But during my second visit, with the restaurant running at full capacity, I realised they were under-staff with only 1 to 2 people on the ground. Some tables had to tend to their own grill. But I say, food taste better when we do it ourselves. But don’t let us grill the meat entirely by ourselves too lah? Haha!

4) Korean ramen (chicken), $13 (above) – With 4 flavours (beef, chicken, kimchi and vegetable), we opted for chicken. I did not really like this though. The soup was a little bland. This was also from the ‘dinner special’ menu, so the table would be entitled to 1 free steamed egg.

5) Jokbal, $38 (M) (above) – Pig trotters boiled with Korean traditional sauce. I just had to try this after seeing a table of Koreans order this. However, my friends and I only knew how to tuck into the meatier bits. Ha.

6) Kkangpunggi, $38 (above) – Stir-fried chicken with hot pepper sauce. The male boss seemed to be a little surprised to see this dish on our order cause he came back and doubled checked with us if we really wanted to order this, before continuing to enquire if we wanted it to be very spicy or less spicy. Which of course I opted for the latter! Ha. Unfortunately, this dish did not work well for us. Some pieces did not have any meat in it. So it was like playing a game. A game of trying to find the pieces with meat.

7) Makguli, $19 (above) – Korean rice wine.

There’s no lack of Korean restaurants in the Telok Ayer area. Will I recommend Dal-In 2 Korean? Well, maybe for the grilled meat only. And to cater to the lunch crowd, Dal-In 2 has lunch menu (pages 1, 2, 3) too.

And should anyone wonder why some patrons walk out with ice creams… I think it’s the culture where Koreans enjoy ice-creams after their meals. I think. Thus if one wishes to eat ice cream, it can be ordered from the menu! I thought the ice creams were free at first, and was wondering why they did not given us any. (^^lll) Haha. I am such a cheapskate!

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