We have walked past MODU Samgyetang at Mandarin Gallery more times than we can count, and every single time there was a queue. We joined that queue more than once, watched the wait time stretch on, and gave up each time. Then one day we walked past again and decided to do it properly: we took a queue number first, went shopping around Mandarin Gallery, and came back when our number was close. Even so, we waited close to 2 hours in total, but we finally sat down to the Korean ginseng chicken soup we had been eyeing for so long. We went for the set for 2 with the Hangover and Beauty Collagen samgyetang, a minari pancake, a dried fish appetiser, and a free gelato to finish. Here is everything you need to know before you go.
Overview
- Location: 333A Orchard Rd, #02-37 Mandarin Gallery, Singapore 238897
- Price Range: $$-$$$ (Mid-range)
- Our Bill: S$117.50 for 2 people (set for 2 at S$98++, including service charge and GST)
- Best For: Samgyetang lovers, a comforting meal on Orchard Road, rainy day lunches, hangover recovery
- Reservations: None, walk-in only (take a queue number)
- Overall Rating: 9/10
Table of Contents
Why MODU Samgyetang Is Worth the Queue
Most Korean restaurants in Singapore lean on barbecue, fried chicken, or tteokbokki. MODU Samgyetang does something more focused: it builds the menu around samgyetang, the traditional Korean soup of a whole young chicken stuffed with glutinous rice, garlic, jujube, and ginseng, and offers 7 different flavours so you are not stuck with a single classic version. The word “modu” means “everyone” in Korean, and the set menus are designed for sharing.
It is clearly popular. Between the queues we kept seeing and the fact that it took us several attempts and nearly 2 hours to get a seat, this is not a quiet hidden spot. That is why we recommend the queue number trick: grab a number, then spend the waiting time in Mandarin Gallery or along Orchard Road. Just do not wander too far, because MODU skips numbers that are not present when called, and from what we understood you only get about 10 to 15 minutes before your turn is passed.
What We Ordered & Full Review
We ordered the “2-gather” set for 2 (the menu calls it a hearty feast for two), which includes:
- 7-Flavours of Samgyetang: pick any two (we chose Hangover and Beauty Collagen)
- Modu Appetiser
- Sharable Dish: pick one of Tofu SamHap, Minari Pancake, Potato Pancake, or Crispy Chicken Skin Salad (we chose Minari Pancake)
- Dessert for sharing: Gotgam Mari (cream cheese walnut persimmon roll)
Modu Appetiser: Dried Fish Starter ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The set begins with a small appetiser of dried or fried fish. We were not 100% sure what it was. It is likely hwangtaechae (shredded dried pollack), but we did not confirm with the staff, so please ask when you visit. Whatever it was, it was very nice. Both of us were fighting to finish it, and we would happily have ordered a second plate if we could.
Hangover Samgyetang ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was the flavour we were most curious about. The menu lists it as chicken, secret spicy sauce, ginseng, glutinous rice, garlic, and jujube, and marks it with a thumbs-up icon as a recommended pick. The name comes from the Korean tradition of eating hot, spicy soups to recover after a night of drinking (haejang).
The soup was rich, and the chicken meat and bones fell apart easily, which is exactly what you want from a good samgyetang. It was also quite spicy for me, and I do not usually eat much spicy food, so keep that in mind if your spice tolerance is low. If you like a kick with your comfort food, this is the one to try first.
Who it is for: Spice lovers, or anyone who wants a hot, warming bowl to cut through a heavy night out.
Beauty Collagen Samgyetang ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The second flavour was the milder counterpart. According to the menu, it uses chicken, ginseng, glutinous rice, garlic, jujube, and “beauty herbs” (the menu does not specify which herbs). It was just as good as the Hangover: a rich, full-bodied soup with chicken that again fell off the bone with almost no effort.
We would not claim any skin benefits from a bowl of soup, but as a gentle, herbal, non-spicy option it makes a good contrast to Hangover. Ordering one of each means you can swap spoonfuls halfway through.
Who it is for: Anyone who prefers a rich but mild broth, or anyone eating with friends who cannot handle spice.
Minari Pancake ⭐⭐⭐⭐
For our sharable dish we chose the minari pancake, and it was nice too. Minari is Korean water dropwort, a peppery, slightly grassy herb that works well in savoury pancakes. The menu lists it as a 3-piece serving, and the Korean name shows barley shrimp in the batter as well. It made a good savoury break between spoonfuls of rich soup.
The other sharable options were Tofu SamHap, Potato Pancake (3 pieces), and Crispy Chicken Skin Salad. We would like to try the Potato Pancake or the Crispy Chicken Skin Salad on a return visit.
Dessert: Gotgam Mari and a Free Gelato Detour ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The set lists Gotgam Mari as the dessert for sharing, a roll made from dried persimmon wrapped around cream cheese and walnut. It was okay, though we were already so full by then that we did not remember much about it.
The nicest surprise came at the end. MODU gave us vouchers for free ice cream at Tofu G Gelato, which is also inside Mandarin Gallery. We chose:
- Black Sesame Gelato
- Pistachio Gelato
The texture was very smooth. Personally, I liked the pistachio more than the black sesame. We are not sure whether MODU still gives out these vouchers today, so please ask the staff when you pay rather than counting on it. You can find Tofu G Gelato in the same mall.
Menu & Prices
Our Total Bill: S$117.50 for 2 people
| Item | Price (SGD) | Worth It? |
|---|---|---|
| Set for 2 | 98.00 | |
| Dried Fish Starter | Included (Set for 2) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Hangover Samgyetang | Included (Set for 2) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Beauty Collagen Samgyetang | Included (Set for 2) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Minari Pancake | Included (Set for 2) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Gotgam Mari | Included (Set for 2) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Tofu G Gelato | Free | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Is the set worth it? On the à la carte menu, Hangover and Beauty Collagen are S$37 each, so two bowls alone come to S$74. The set for 2 at S$98++ adds an appetizer, a sharable dish, and a dessert for roughly S$24 more before service charge and GST. We were already very full from the two bowls alone, so the extras were more of a bonus than a necessity. That said, the appetizer was one of our favorite parts of the meal, so we would still choose the set. If you have a smaller appetite, ordering à la carte keeps the bill lower.
Practical Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 333A Orchard Rd, #02-37 Mandarin Gallery, Singapore 238897 |
| Website | modu.sg |
| Reservations | No reservations, walk-in only. Take a queue number |
| Opening Hours | Daily: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
| Getting There | 7-min walk from Somerset MRT |
Pro Tip: There are no reservations, so arrive early or expect a long wait. We waited close to 2 hours, so take a queue number at the entrance, then explore Mandarin Gallery or nearby Orchard Road. MODU skips missed numbers, so be back within about 10 to 15 minutes of your number being near.
What to Order: Our Recommendations
Recommended Items:
- Set for 2: The most complete way to eat here, since it bundles two samgyetang, an appetiser, a sharable dish, and a dessert.
- Hangover Samgyetang: We tried this. Rich soup with chicken that falls off the bone, but quite spicy, so only pick it if you can handle heat.
- Beauty Collagen Samgyetang: We tried this. A rich, milder option that pairs well with Hangover.
- Minari Pancake: We tried this. A nice savoury side to share between spoonfuls of soup.
On our list for next time (not yet tried): the other samgyetang flavours on the 7-flavour menu, the Potato Pancake, and the Crispy Chicken Skin Salad.
Final Verdict
Overall Rating: 9/10
After so many failed attempts to get a table, MODU Samgyetang had a lot to live up to, and it delivered. Both samgyetang had a rich soup and chicken that fell off the bone, the dried fish appetiser had us fighting over the last pieces, and the minari pancake was a nice savoury break. The free gelato was a sweet surprise at the end. At S$117.50 for two, including service charge and GST, we left completely full and happy. The only real downside is the wait: close to 2 hours, with no reservations.
Would we return? Yes, but we would plan around the queue and go early. Next time we want to try other flavours from the menu and the Potato Pancake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is MODU Samgyetang in Singapore?
MODU Samgyetang Specialty Korean Restaurant is at #02-37, Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Rd, Singapore 238897, on the second floor of the mall along Orchard Road. It is a short walk from Somerset MRT.
How much is the set for 2 at MODU Samgyetang?
The “2-gather” set for 2 is S$98++ on the menu we saw. It includes two samgyetang from the flavour list, a Modu Appetiser, one sharable dish, and a dessert for sharing. Our total came to S$117.50 after service charge and GST. Prices may change, so check the restaurant’s latest menu.
Does MODU Samgyetang take reservations, and how long is the queue?
No, MODU Samgyetang does not take reservations. It is walk-in only, and you take a queue number. We waited close to 2 hours, so our tip is to take a number first and shop in Mandarin Gallery while you wait. The restaurant skips numbers that are not present when called, so stay within about 10 to 15 minutes of the entrance once your turn is close.
Is MODU Samgyetang halal?
MODU Samgyetang is not halal-certified. Samgyetang is a chicken dish and we cannot confirm every ingredient, so please check directly with the restaurant if you have dietary requirements.
What flavours of samgyetang does MODU Samgyetang have?
The set menu lets you choose any two from 7 flavours. We tried the Hangover Samgyetang (with secret spicy sauce, quite spicy) and the Beauty Collagen Samgyetang (with beauty herbs, milder), both listed at S$37 each on the à la carte menu. The menu changes from time to time, so check the current list when you visit.
Best for: Couples and friends who want a warm, shareable meal, anyone curious about samgyetang, and shoppers who need a proper sit-down meal on Orchard Road.
Have you dined at MODU Samgyetang? Share which flavour you picked in the comments below!
Planning your next Singapore food stop? Bookmark this review and read our Lilyan review for another spot we recommend.
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