We have seen enough listicles on “25 Korean Restaurants To Check Out In Singapore” to know that the Korean food craze is a force to be reckoned with. The winning formula of spicy, savoury and sweetness – their play on umami, to put it bluntly – can all be traced back to gochujang (korean peper paste a.k.a. ‘spicy miso’). Throw anything at it, seafood, meat or, even, just potatoes, and its satisfaction all table round.
Masizzim knows this well, and does it justice. Gochujang stars as the base of their secret recipe sauce found in all of their stews, helping their saucy meat stews make local headlines when they opened last year. This August, they continue in their stride of success with signature Spicy Seafood Stews, cheesey Egg Rolls and spice-quenching Honey Slush Beers to wash it all down.
Spicy Seafood Stews
Their newest signature comes in two versions; Spicy Seafood Stew (S$36.80) and Spicy Seafood Beef Stew (S$38.80).
Both are hearty stews to chase even the coldest of rainy days away. The plethora of seafood are tucked into iron-cast pots and placed over a live flame, allowing the stew to simmer on, building up even more seafood goodness into its clam-based broth.
Looking deceptively similar, with the only difference between the two being the choice of succulent crayfish (seafood) or generous chunks of Australian beef short ribs (beef), how do you decide which is the stew for you and your mate? It’s a huge serving for two, after all. And, with so many more side dishes to try, a decision has to be made.
Craving for prawn mee? Then go for the seafood version. The crayfish, and addition of beef rib stew sauce into the broth, reminds me heavily of a beloved hawker dish, prawn noodles with prime ribs. The beef version, on the other hand, is perfect for those who love their short ribs, tender with a side of tendon. Soaked in the broth for so long, it delivers that wonderful texture reminiscent of beef fat.
Diners can also choose from 4 levels of spice, with level 2 having the best balance. Those who love all things hot and spicy can go for level 4, but proceed with caution. And, by that, I mean a mug of their new Honey Slush Beer (S$15.80). That icy slush is sure to quench the fire you’ve bravely built up inside your tummies.
While the stew comes with two bowls of mixed grain rice, they go much better with the new Crab Meat & Roe Rice Balls (S$10.80)! Grab a rice ball and let it sit in the broth for a bit, and have a bite. The crunchy roe, sweet crab meat and kick of spice from the bits of chilli padi matched with broth is sure to have you addicted.
Side Dishes
One of the best side dishes to go with your stews have to be the simple yet homely egg rolls – an extension to their popular Steamed Egg (S$6) dish.
It is currently available in two flavours; Tuna Seaweed Egg Roll (S$10.80) and Honey Mustard Egg Roll (S$9.80). Without question, the oozing cheese from the latter is a crowd-pleaser. The cheddar adds a bit of savory to the otherwise sweet honey mustard sauce drizzled on top. Have it on its own, or dip it in the stews like a sauce!
Korean Comfort Food Taken Up A Notch
One thing I always remember about Korean dramas is how the actors huddle up under plastic tents, eating pipping hot stews and downing bottles of Hite beer with gusto no matter how well they are dressed. It is their comfort food, enjoyed both with friends in a restaurant or at home with your families. At Masizzim, we get to have a taste of just that – packed with way more seafood, meat and, of course, gooey cheese. What’s there to say no to?
Masizzim
313@Somerset
#B3-02
313 Orchard Rd
Singapore 238895
+65 6509 5808
