SSAM Korean BBQ & Mini Hot Pot — Restaurant in Victoria Park

3.5-4 stars Environment: tried mini hotpot 4 years ago. Now, came again. Two adjacent shops have been combined to one Korean BBQ & min hotpot. Same decor, still clean and tidy. Slightly packed. Ventilation is ok. Tables in the middle row are set for electric mini hotpots. Tables besides wall were set for both BBQ and hotpot. Gas stoves will be used outdoor. --- 7.3/10 Service: they are likely Korean (most were Chinese or non Asian 4 years ago). All staff were nice, cozy, polite and helpful. A bottle of tap water was provided when seated. The owner, I think, switched on the induction stoves for use, and also came to ask us 3-4 times. Hotpot food came fast. Staff kindly reminded us how to cook the noodles. Refill soup (not just hot water) to the hotpot upon request. They ask what soup in the hotpot before refilling. --- 7.7/10 Food: well- presented. Good price for service and fresh food. Price for hotpot is same as 4 years but quantity is not the same. Wanna try BBQ or other cooked Korean food next visit. Hotpot: there are 5 options of soup base and 3 choices of housemade dipping sauces. Each soup base come with 2 dipping sauces. Tried Samgye Tang (Chicken with Ginseng soup, $16) and Galbi Tang (Beef Short Rib Soup, $11). Two soup bases flavor were ok, and had some fillings in the soup. It had have 2 chicken drumsticks in chicken soup 4 year ago if my memory served me right. Only some chicken meat with red dates and goji berries found this visit. Less fillings than before. Three dipping sauces were good, no change. --- 7.5/10 Asia's Favorite, $29.9: not same as the photo on the menu. There were various vegetables (Crown Daisy, Bakchoy, Spinach, Chinese Cabbage, and 2 thick slices of potato and pumpkin each), some Mushrooms (1 button mushroom, Black Fugus, 3 slices of King Oyster, and Enoki), 4 Dumplings (2 veg + 2 prawn), Bean curd (3 deep fried +3 Soon Tofu with sesames on top), Rice cakes (2 shapes), Fishcakes (8 flavor, 1-2 pcs each, ), and wheat flour noodles. Just Enough for 2 people to share. Fresh vegetables and mushrooms. --- 7.3/10 Wagyu Belly, ~$32: good quality. --- 7.5/10 Tiger Prawns, $25/5pcs:size ok but not big. Not happy as not...

Overall a solid 4/5 star experience.

We wandered by on a Saturday evening without a reservation, the restaurant was bustling and as luck would have it, a table of diners just wrapped up and if we were willing to wait for then to tidy and set up, we were in! SOLD!

The servers were all very cheerful in spite of quite obviously feeling the stress of a very busy evening, with a full dining room and people waiting out the door - we were seated outside so had the benefit of a less frantic atmosphere, but sadly meant that we received little to no attention in the first half of our time at Ssam aside from when we finally flagged someone down to take our order, and when they brought us our dishes. We also had a burner that as it turns out, had an empty gas container, which meant more waiting and trying to get the attention of a server so our hotpot could cook. Then.. they also forgot to bring us banchan and utensils to serve up the hotpot with.

The positives though, after attention was brought to a staff member, Jordan, albeit a little frazzled with the bustle, everything we needed to cook, serve and eat our meal was provided, we were occasionally checked in on, a lovely time was had.

The kimchi pancake was delicious, and incredibly filling. It was cooked through, with slightly crisp edges, well-balanced and everything you’d want a kimchi pancake to be.

Our hotpot had fresh ingredients that were flavourful, the broth was tasty, however definitely sweeter than our palates enjoyed. Something I’d only ordered again if I had at least 3 other people to share it with. The serving is very much suited to a party of 3 (or 4 if a dish or two more were ordered), it was very very large for 2 diners (menu suggested it’ll be good for 2).

My dining companion and I had an overall very positive experience, even through it did begin pretty rocky. It speaks to a good FOH team being able to quickly turn things around for diners. I’d love to return to try other dishes - except I now know to be sure to have a few more people to...

It was Saturday evening, we were looking for a place to eat. I have in mind that I wanted Korean or Malaysian food. But I couldn't decide which one do I like. When I parked the car which was right outside of this Korean restaurant called SSAM and next to it was the Malaysian restaurant called Satay House. I stood outside looking at the menu. The waiter from the restaurant inside came out and greet me and explained what does the menu have. You have the none cooking option and also the cook your own option. He was very welcoming hence we made this decision to go into the restaurant. One of the other reason is that I've notice there are a few Koreans just walked into the restaurant. Hence, I reckon this place must be good.

The restaurant decoration was spacious, modern and comfortable.

We went into the restaurant, the waiter handed us the menu and explained it. We decided to order a chicken dish called Dakgalbi. The chicken dish came partly cooked and it was with cabbage, black fungus and mushroom and infused with their special spicy sauce, which I love. When we ordered this dish, we also asked to have extra mozzarella cheese added to it as well. Before the dish arrive, there are the side dishes of Kimchi, fruit and potato salad and also a beansprout and a highlight of the side dish is the steam egg. Which I find it different compared to all other Korean restaurants. The best part about it is, the waiters helps you to cook your dish! I LOVE THAT!

I would recommend people to try this restaurant. I will want to return and try other...