SoGoodK Collaboration with Michelin-Starred Restaurants: JAAN By Kirk Westaway And Mingles

Last updated on December 8th, 2023 at 11:29 am

Recently, Singapore’s top chefs and culinary enthusiasts (including myself) had the privilege of indulging in this epicurean experience, thanks to SoGoodK, the premium Korean online boutique grocer. Earlier this month, SoGoodK has also collaborated with both one-Michelin starred Nae:um and Meta restaurants.

This time, the exclusive one-day culinary affair is a collaboration between two culinary powerhouses in action – Kirk Westaway of the two-Michelin-starred JAAN by Kirk Westaway, and Kang Mingoo of the two-Michelin-starred and Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants’ #28, Mingles.

Perched at the 70th floor of Swissotel the Stanford, JAAN by Kirk Westaway was the stunning venue where this gastronomic fiesta unfolded on 25 September 2023.

Now, what truly made this event special was SoGoodK’s unwavering commitment to freshness and premium quality and its founder, Olivia Lee’s longstanding friendship with the chefs, industry friends and partners.

At the heart of this culinary showcase were premium Korean ingredients, meticulously sourced from South Korea’s lush landscapes. With SoGoodK’s dedication to excellence, this online premium grocer went above and beyond to bring new and exclusive ingredients to food lovers as well as international chefs in Singapore.

The amuse bouches created by both JAAN by Kirk Westaway and Mingles kickstarted the lunch beautifully with Korean Pumpkin Rice Cake with Caviar, Jeju Fried Galchi & Gamtae Roll, Korean Seafood Duo, Roe Deer Mushroom and BBQ Songi Mushroom which I enjoyed them all.

Some of the star ingredients of this menu include the Korean Snow Crab from Yeongdeok. These crabs are famous for their meaty legs and succulent sweetness.

While I’d normally enjoy snow crab leg by itself (couldn’t resist the original taste of sweetness), JAAN by Kirk Westaway transformed it into layers of Korean snow crab meat with cabbage after the whole snow crab was blanched in a fragrant vegetable bouillon, which includes celery, onions, garlic, coriander seeds, black pepper and thyme.

One of my favorite seafood dishes was Donghai Scallops by JAAN by Kirk Westaway, a seafood delight from Donghaean, offering a taste that’s as unique as the pristine waters they call home. It was beautifully barbecued and I’d say, a great showcase of letting the ingredient speaks for itself.

Next, it was the Wando Abalone Tomato Risotto by Mingles that I absolutely enjoyed. There was even a semi-dried abalone (like a jerky) to complete the dish.

To elevate the flavors even further, SoGoodK introduced the Gochunang-i (Korean Wasabi) from Chulwon, adding a delightful kick of spiciness and a hint of sweetness to every bite in some of the dishes.

The SoGoodK collection also featured Wild Sea Bream from Jeju, Ganghwado Island’s Korean Turnips, Korean Zucchini, and an array of other premium selections, all skillfully incorporated into the culinary creations by Kirk Westaway and Kang Mingoo into their classic dishes.

Now, for those who are looking for an extraordinary fruit, My Heart Grapes from Sangju has to be your go-to choice. These grapes are not only known for their exceptional flavor but also their charming heart-shaped appearance that adds a touch of whimsy to any dish.

Here’s the full menu of what I had:

Behind the scenes, Olivia Lee, the visionary founder of SoGoodK, rallied the support of top chefs in both Seoul and Singapore, creating a strong B2B wholesale network. Olivia’s vision for SoGoodK goes beyond being just a household brand; she aims for it to be the top choice for chefs seeking Korean premium ingredients.

Through sourcing, Olivia knows every farmer personally, ensuring that every ingredient meets the highest standards of excellence. In addition, her close collaboration with the Korean government guarantees the authenticity of these Korean farmers’ produce.

In the spirit of dedication, this 4-Hands Collaboration was the latest testament to SoGoodK’s commitment to curate exceptional dining experiences, elevate Korean cuisine and ingredients on a global scale that add on to Singapore’s vibrant culinary landscape.

While this one-day event may have come to a close, the memories and flavors linger on, reminding us that the world of culinary magic and food appreciation is always just around the corner. Up for a treat at home? You can also order these ingredients for your home cooking too.

Stay tuned for more gastronomic adventures, and until then, keep exploring!

Photo credit: SoGoodK official images