Chowon Garden: Eatigo 50% Scam?

If you're following me on my IG, you should have seen me raving about Eatigo for a while (before circuitbreaker, of course) now. Some of my really satisfying meals at a range of 20 to 50% off includes Iron Supper Club, Harry's (HERE & HERE), Meats N Malts, Princess Terrace Cafe, Yummo Chow & many more. 

And so recently, my #koreanfoodkaki with S and her HB has finally formed, and we decided to kickstart our Korean Food outing with a 50% off at Chowon Garden via Eatigo. 

S was craving kimchi pancake so we ordered a Haemul Kimchijeon ($27) and a large Budae Jeongol ($58) to share among the 3 of us. And we did double check with their staff on their serving size, and confirmed that the large one is meant to serve 3 to 4 pax (while the small one is for 2 to 3 pax). 

And, before we get to the actual food, we were already kind of disappointed by their banchan (so disappointed that I didn't even wanna take a picture). They only had 4 different banchan served (kimchi, braised brinjal, beancurd skin and shredded cabbage in coleslaw dressing) and only allowed a 1x refill. 

Anyway, here's our very disappointing food....

Budae Jeongol (L) - $58

Yes, your eyes aren't pulling a trick on you. This is not some visual magic that's worthy of an exhibit in the Trickeye Museum. 

THERE WAS REALLY JUST HALF A CAKE OF RAMYUN IN OUR LARGE JEONGGOL, MEANT FOR 4 PAX.

And this picture was taken before we've scooped anything (not even a teaspoon worth of broth) out of the pot, and see just how shallow the pot itself is (the ladle at the side was dipped all the way in) and how low the content of the pot came up to the edge. Not sure how 4 pax is supposed to get satiated just on this miserable pot of jjigae, but I could have easily finished the entire pot on my own, no joke, and then perhaps go elsewhere for something more filling. 

To add salt to (our) injury, it was just a very normal pot of budaejjigae, the very standard kind of taste that you may even find in some better Korean food stalls at foodcourts. 

Haemul Kimchijeon - $27

The awkwardness of us staring at the jeon in silence when it was served; followed by S's disappointed whisper of "it's so small" when the server left our table would have been quite a funny story to retell, as long as you're not (one of) the protagonist. 

Portion size aside, this has definitely done better in the taste aspect as compared to the budae jeonggol. Crispy with a bit of charred bits at the edges and still moist and chewy in the middle. 

But have I tasted better kimchijeon elsewhere? Yes, definitely. 

And are they cheaper? Yes, definitely.

And because the jeonggol and kimchijeon could hardly fill us (only three of us!) up, we decided to add in another order for their Dolsot Bibimbap ($17, not pictured). 

And tell you what, there must be a reason why when you google "chowon garden dolsot bibimbap" you won't be able to find any pictures or reviews. Their Dol-Bi is definitely the worst bibimbap I've ever eaten, even with consideration of random $6 bibimbap served in a metal bowl at random foodcourt/kopitiam korean food stalls. 

OMG, this is.... jjinja cannot, Chowon Garden. 

Not sure if they're doing this because it's tough times for them now with the Covid-19 situation, or it's their SOP to cut portion sizes for all Eatigo reservations, but the serving size for the jeongol shown HERE is definitely way more than what we were served, and a lot more deserving of being $58. While I fully understand that it's some very tough times now, and many business are tanking. But if they're unwilling to truly fulfill their part of the agreement (of offering 50% discount) with Eatigo, then they should have taken themselves off the app first, instead of outright shortchanging paying customers? There's many restaurants/eateries on Eatigo currently with reservations blocked out and tagged as "coming back soon", I don't see why Chowon Garden can't do likewise. 

Not cool, Chowon Garden, really not cool. 

All menu pictures credit to Chowon Garden

If you're still not on Eatigo, do sign up via this link or with referral code 'simi15ipv' to enjoy a $10 reward after completing your first Eatigo reservation!

Till then,

Mia Foo

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Mia's Review: Chicken Up [1-for-1 Bingsu GIVEAWAY]

After my first visit to Chicken Up some time back while on a food trail event, I finally got to return to their newest branch located at Centrepoint along with fellow bloggers Oyhz, Michhysaurous and Susan Wong. 

I'm really thankful to be exclusively invited to try out their latest addition to the menu, the snow squid topokki!

But first let's get back to Chicken Up first. Do you know that they first started up in 2010 in Singapore with a vision to provide a casual dining experience and introduce some of the authentic Korean food here, and it's their 7th year with us this year!

 Grapefruit Sojurita - $20

If you've tried their usual sojurita before, you'll fully understand the 'soju problem' when you get to the bottom of the cup, when all the syrup infused portion of the drink was gone and all you've left with is the bitter soju straight from the upturned bottle. But this eliminated your woes!
Replacing the usual soju with grapefruit flavoured sweeten soju, you're now assured with a yummy sweetness down to your very last sip!

Assorted Lightbulb Drinks - $6

Left to Right: Matcha Latte, Mango, Strawberry Banana, Blue Lemon

Seriously, how can you not want to order every single one of them to take a group picture? 

#woesofaninstagramaddict

While the strawberry banana looks really pretty in a dusty, creamy pink colour, it tasted a lot more like a banana smoothie instead. Too little strawberry taste, probably because banana by itself usually overpowers all other tastes. 

I've never had a banana-something flavoured food that didn't taste all banana-ish. Have you? 

Bulgogi Fries - $18

Probably one of their most popular dishes, Chicken Up's bulgogi fries is made up of crispy golden fries piled up and topped with bulgogi (beef marinated in soy sauce), drizzled over with white garlic sauce and added with spring onions and corianders to garnish.

I didn't try this as I do not take beef for religious reason, but I do love their kimchi cousin! 

Ugly Tang (Army Base Stew) - $30 (Serves 2 pax)

The reason why Chicken Up named it Ugly Tang is because.... it's ugly. If you're an instagram-foodie, I reckon you will understand. But not that much of an understanding from me though, because I'm a huge fan of budae jjigae so they look good in all angles to me. 

And before you start to think I'm trolling on you.... It's really called Ugly Tang. 

They even have a U R Ugly Tang Set! 

Well, that was the before pic and it takes you about 15 minutes of simmering to get to this stage. Full of spams, chicken franks, korean chewy rice cakes, enoki mushroom, and ramyun, how can one not fall in love instantly with this incredibly tasty (and unhealthy) pot of yumminess? 

Chicken Up has also added something unusual into their Ugly Tang, and that's (if you haven't seen it at the top right hand corner of the pot) macaroni! 

The macaroni does taste a little bit strange (especially if you aren't a fan of it when it's not drenched in cheese) in the jjigae, but it might just be me for the feedback Chicken Up received on the addition was quite a good one. 

I'll say, try it out and decide for youself! 

But do note that this will serve two pax provided you ONLY order this stew. Servings aren't that little, so it can probably feed up to 4 pax if you'll prefer to have slightly more dishes on your table. 

Snow Squid Topokki (UFO Topokki) - $39 (Serves 2 Pax)

The first word that came from all of us when this baby was served was, "WHOA!"
And the taste of this was whoa indeed!
A huge platter with topokki (spicy rice cake) in the middle, topped with one whole fried snow squid, and surrounded by side dishes such as caramelised kimchi, corn cheese, melted cheese, steamed egg and kimchi bokkeumbap (kimchi fried rice), this is as good as a mini buffet served on stove.

And don't worry about that snow squid, for it shall be cut nicely for you at your table.

The squid is tender, slightly chewy and tasted really fresh. If you're quick-handed enough to not let the fried batter get utterly drenched in the flavourful topokki sauce, you shall be rewarded with a mouthful of fresh seafood that's crispy on the outside and succulent on the inside.
The topokki was super yummy as well, just spicy enough for you to feel the shiokness and yet not too overpowering.

Watermelon Bingsu - $18

Having their watermelon bingsu once again after 2 years, still as good!
(Read my previous review HERE)

And now, do you wish to have a tasty of these yummy, creamy dessert with a friend?
So, it's going to be a bingsu giveaway time!

I have with me TEN numbers of 1-for-1 Korean Bingsu voucher for giveaway, courtesy of Chicken Up!
Just head down to Chicken Up's instagram account (HERE) and FOLLOW, before coming back here and leave me a comment with your instagram handle and email by 8th March. 
It's really that simple!

ps. I will also be holding another giveway for a 4-piece soya chicken wings redemption voucher on my instagram at a later date, so do keep an eye for it!

Chicken Up (Centrepoint) is located at
Centrepoint #01-33H, 176A Orchard Road

For more information, visit their facebook HERE.

Till then,
Mia Foo

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