Korean Chicken Craze - Chicken Up & Ssiksin Chicken

Been eating quite a bit of Korean lately, especially since many Korean chicken joints have set foot in SG. Many are doing brisk business with crowds and queues at peak dining hours. My most recent visits were to Chicken Up at Century Square, and Ssiksin Chicken at NEX.

Chicken Up
Located at a corner of Century Square, opposite Starbucks at Tampines mall, Chicken Up has both indoor and Al fresco dining areas. Other than fried chicken, they also serve up a few Korean delicacies to add some variety to the menu.

We picked out two types of fried chicken, a noodle dish and 2 sides for sharing. Onion Bomb $12++, Kimchi Fries $18++, Jabchae $14++, Ganjang Wings $12++ and Spicy Up $18++.

The Onion bomb was much smaller in size than expected, taste alright with the unique batter dressed with Korean spices. The Kimchi fries was a disappointment, fries were not well executed, and the sauces wasn't nice at all. The Korean fried glass noodles, Jabchae, was good but too pricey for a vegetarian dish without seafood or meat. As for the fried chicken, the Spicy Up had crispy skin and tender meat but wasn't well marinated, meat was completely tasteless. The Ganjang soy sauce wings fared better though but also lacks wow factor.

To end the meal we ordered the photogenic and overpriced Melon Bingsoo $20++ for sharing. The rock melon itself was good but overall not worthy of its price tag.

Chicken Up
2 Tampines Central 5, #01-44 to 47, Century Square S529509
Tel: 6588 0308

Open Daily: 11:30am-11pm (last order at 10:30pm)


Ssiksin Chicken & Snowman Desserts
This Korean chicken joint is situated together with the Daessiksin 大食神 Korean BBQ under the MOF shop space. Its tiny dining area gets filled up fast during dinner hours. The menu offers several fried chicken options and a couple of Korean specialties for variety.

Our party of 3pax ordered 6pcs of fried chicken (3 flavors) and a Bulgogi for sharing. Ohsamdak Bulgogi $35++, spicy marinated pork belly, chicken meat and squid rings with Korean rice cakes, cabbages and pumpkin slices. We all loved eating this dish, it's real spicy, meat was well marinated and flavorful, the sauce was yummy.

For the fried chicken, we had the Original Fried Chicken ($8++ for 2pcs), Seasoned Chicken and Soy Sauce Chicken ($9++ for 2pcs). We all agreed that the Seasoned and Soy Sauce chicken were nice while the Original ones were overcooked and hard. I personally liked the Soy Sauce ones better than Seasoned ones.

We ended the meal with Bingsu again. The desserts here are sold under the Snowman Desserts brand name. The Melon Bingsu $14++, is similar to Chicken Up one, not as tasty due to the lower quality rock melon used but otherwise tasted exactly the same. My conclusion is, I shall stay away from such Bingsu in future as I don't really like the milky shaved ice.

Ssiksin Chicken fared better than Chicken Up overall, in my opinion, I will go back again for their Soy sauce chicken and spicy Bulgogi.


食神 Ssiksin Chicken & Snowman Desserts
Address: Serangoon Nex, #02-04/06, Singapore 556083
Tel: 6853 5054

Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 11.30am-10pm