About SYNC Korean Fusion Bistro
Tucked away in an obscure corner at Westgate, SYNC Korean Fusion Bistro is a family-friendly restaurant that offers Korean fare with a slight twist to suit the Western palate.
Walking in, I was taken by the fairy light decorations which turned the sheltered alfresco dining area into a romantic sanctuary by night. The contemporary interior also made the place warm and inviting.
Powered by Samsung, SYNC incorporates the tech giant’s latest gadgets into their decor, from large LCD TV screens and cameras to phones and tablets for kids, making sure to keep everyone entertained. The menu was also presented via an interactive Galaxy Tab.
Scoring nearly full marks for decor, I was excited to see how their new menu matched up.
Food at SYNC
To start off, we had the Iced Ginger Citron ($7.50). Being a non-ginger fan, I was slightly intimidated when I saw the small ginger chunks infused in the drink but was pleasantly surprised when I tasted it. The ginger taste isn’t overpowering, instead providing a subtle lift to the beverage.
For patrons who prefer a lighter hint of ginger, go for the Iced Ginger Yuzu ($7) instead. The flavour of ginger in this drink is even milder, so you can still enjoy the benefits of ginger without having to endure its taste.
We first tried the Toppoki with Fried Bacon and Egg ($7.90), a brand new addition to the menu. I had sworn off toppoki (rice cakes) as my first experience of them was unpleasant, with only the taste of plain, boring starch. This rendition, however, was good enough for me to lift my self-imposed ban.
The toppoki came on a hot plate, topped with fried bacon bits, scallions and a runny egg. The sweet and slightly spicy chilli sauce complemented the dish, leaving every mouthful of rice cake bursting with flavour. Do eat this while it’s hot though, as the rice cakes tend to harden if left after a while.
I was hesitant about the unusual combination of the Kimchi Cheese Fries ($6.90) , but the dish turned out amazing. The addition of kimchi provided a quirky twist to the otherwise conservative fare. This dish was so irresistible that I found myself wiping off every dollop of the nacho cheese topping.
The Korean Chicken Wings ($6.90 for 3 pieces) hit all the right spots with its crispy skin and tender, succulent meat. The sweet and mildly spicy glaze got a little too rich for my liking after a while, so perhaps this dish can be shared with your dining companions.
Piping hot pots of korean army stews are my ultimate comfort food on cold, rainy days, but my only grouse is that most places serve them in such huge portions that I either end up stuffing myself silly or let them go to waste. If you’re like me, you’ll have no worries as the K-Pot Stew ($14.90) here is served in a smaller portion so you don’t have to overeat.
While the broth provided a spicy kick, I felt that its flavour could have been better brought out, given the generous portion of ingredients in the stew.
To my surprise, the Bibimbap ($12.90) wasn’t sizzling in a stone pot but was served in a normal bowl. The usual sunny side up was also replaced with a runny egg. While this Korean classic was visually appealing with its myriad of colours, the taste was lacklustre and fell short of its visual brilliance.
Another new item on the menu, the Jajangmyeon ($12.90) , fared much better. With noodles paired with savoury black bean sauce, chunks of diced meat and vegetables, this dish is deceptively simple but packs a flavourful punch. One of the tastiest renditions of the dish in my opinion.
Desserts at SYNC
My mantra is that there’s always room for desserts no matter how full you are and I’m glad the desserts here didn’t disappoint. I enjoyed both the White Chocolate Taro Lava Cake and Matcha Lava Cake ($7.90 each, both served with ice cream). The viscosity and sweetness of the lava was done just right. Most importantly, it wasn’t too cloying – a fault I find in many other lava cakes.
These desserts are definitely worth spending your calories on.
To end off the meal, we had the SYNC Pop ($10.90) , or soju with lime popsicle. The lime popsicle provided a refreshing touch to the drink and neutralised all traces of savoury flavours from the mains and starters.
Verdict
SYNC Korean Fusion Bistro makes a cosy hideout to chill with friends over food and booze, or to have a casual date. While the mains fell slightly short of my expectations, the starters and desserts are what I would coming back for.
If you’re in the vicinity exploring lunch options, do pop by SYNC as they offer attractive lunchtime promotions that’s bound to give you a bang for your buck.
Getting to SYNC Korean Fusion Bistro
The restaurant is located on Level 3 of Westgate, next to Jurong East MRT Station. Another way to get here is through the staircase via the Samsung Specialty Store.
Address: Westgate, 3 Gateway Drive #03-01/01A Singapore 608532
Operating hours: Mon – Thu: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm | Fri – Sat: 11:00 am – 12:00 | Sun: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm
This post was brought to you by SYNC.
