Tucked in the corner of New Bahru, The Lo & Behold Group’s real estate love letter to rising and homegrown local brands, is Odem. It’s a Korean-centric restaurant and bar, with an impeccable makgeolli list curated by CEO Dominic Tan, and expounded on by Tony, a charming Seattle-born server who moved to Singapore for love.
We bonded over basketball—I had visited the restaurant at the height of the NBA Finals and we discussed team strengths and weaknesses—and shared a cup of the limited-edition Samhae (chrysanthemum) soju. I enjoyed my evening so much that I returned several days later to have more drinks with another set of friends. Tony came out and congratulated me on the Boston Celtics winning.
Tony’s warmth is shared by the rest of the team. Eating at Odem is like returning to a much-loved neighbourhood eating joint, if that place serves exceptional Korean-centric cuisine in a sensually-lit abode. The food is designed for conviviality and conversations. While you can have an entire appetiser and main on your own, I’d advise you to share and embrace in the different flavours Odem offers. You must go for the soy-glazed brioche with gamete seaweed butter. Perfectly toasted and the perfect blend of density and fluffiness, the bread is on par, if not better, than the ones at Rosemead and Seroja (two of my favourites).
Bread And Beef
Brioche with gamtae butter. 
Barbecued kalbi.
The kimchi mozzarella and chive & oyster pancakes are also the perfect homage to their Korean peers. Flavourful, yet light, they will prime you for the rest of the meal. My group also enjoyed the seasonal fish, although I understand it changes according to the catch. Still, the exemplary cooking technique is on display when we bit into the maritime flesh.
For mains, I highly recommend the barbecued kalbi. The beef short ribs were moist and tender with a beautiful char on the outside that gives the meat a satisfyingly smoky taste. If there was one disappointment, it would be the black garlic tart with berries and smoked jujube chantilly. But don’t get me wrong, the fault lies purely in my court. I’m not a huge fan of garlic and using it in dessert doesn’t sit right with me, but my other dining companions enjoyed it.
Desserts And Drinks
Black garlic tart. 
Three bottles of makkoli.
As for drinks, I’d say to listen to Tony. Tell him what you normally enjoy and he’ll point you in the right direction. Just don’t bring up Damian Lillard leaving the Portland Trail Blazers for the Milwaukee Bucks; he’s still a bit upset about that.
