Singapore has its share of great microbreweries but when it comes to producing anything other than beer, we haven’t made much headway. That is, until the arrival of Joo Bar. Makgeolli is now being made here and flows from the taps at the recently-opened establishment in Bugis. For the uninitiated, makgeolli is a cloudy, sweet and sour beverage made from rice (known colloquially as Korean rice wine or rice beer). Weighing in at between 6% and 8% alcohol by volume, makgeolli is reputed to have many health benefits and was drunk as far back as 37BC, in the era of the ancient Goguryeo Kingdom.
Joo Bar – “joo” referring to the Korean word for alcohol – is owned by Jamie Lim and Kristin Tan, the folks behind Sticky Singapore and 8 Korean BBQ. Lim is also the head brewer, having travelled to South Korea to learn the art. They required special licensing since the authorities didn’t have an existing classification for microbrewed makgeolli, but with the paperwork out of the way, customers can enjoy Joo Brew from $7 a cup. Makgeolli slushies and makgeolli flavoured with a variety of fruits are also available and you can try every version they have on offer with their sampler set ($35). On top of that, Joo Bar also has a range of Korean wine (from $35 a bottle), soju (from $20 a bottle) and cocktails like the lime soju mojito ($12).
To go with all that booze is a mix of light bites and hearty mains from the classic to the contemporary. You can start with some “anju”, or drinking snacks, like kimchi mac and cheese ($14), the Joo pancake trio ($16) and baby eel paper ($12) – crispy sheets made up of hundreds of fry – before moving on to something more substantial. Their Joo Bossam ($28), boiled pork belly with spicy radish salad and white yucha kimchi, is a house specialty, and it’s not made with any ordinary pork. Joo Bar is one of the few places in Singapore serving Hungarian Mangalitsa pork, a breed known for its depth of flavour. Other signatures, or “Chef Raves” as they call them, include beef and chive salad ($20), kimchi chicken potpie ($12) and seafood soft tofu stew ($22).
Joo Bar is very much a modern, design-driven space with geometric shapes dominating its interior, but it also delivers a little bit of tradition too. Alongside hexagonal tiles on its walls is a mural depicting the many aspects of Korean drinking etiquette. Should you pour your own drinks? Which hand must you drink from? How do you clink glasses with someone older than you? All these questions are answered here. With three floors, Joo Bar has plenty of room for private dining, so it’s an ideal place for events or big get-togethers.
Joo Bar is at 5 Tan Quee Lan St., 8138-1628. Open daily 5:30pm to midnight.
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