Chingu Rochester Review—Korean BBQ with a Colonial Charm

Nestled in a chic colonial house, It’s perfect for those days when you want a nice dinner without the whole dressing-up-like-you’re-meeting-royalty thing.

The name “Chingu” means “friend” in Korean, so I guess they’re all about sharing delicious food (because who wants to eat alone, right?). They’re also serious about their meat, serving 14 days (or up to) dry-aged or wet-aged beef.

Chingu Rochester: Ambiance

The venue is a winner. The 90 pax Chingu Rochester is located in one of those black-and-white colonial houses beside Rochester Mall in Buona Vista. Fancy, but not so much that you can’t wear your “comfortable” shoes.

They’ve got nice private rooms if you’re a large family or coming in a big group. These rooms usually come with a minimum spend so make sure to check up first.

The interior is spacious and the dining booths with smokeless grills lets you indulge in all the BBQ glory without walking out smelling like you spent the night in a smokehouse.

They’ve also got outdoor seating and are pet-friendly, so feel free to bring your furkids along. It’s like a little weekend dog park, except with Wagyu beef and makgeolli instead of tennis balls and chew toys. Pretty sure the dogs are just there to make the humans look less guilty about feasting.

Chingu Rochester’s Menu

Black Angus Hanging Tender Steak ($40) – Starting off strong with this beauty, the Black Angus Hanging Tender Steak.

Grilled at your table, it’s juicy, flavourful, and just the right amount of tender. It’s one of the more affordable cuts at Chingu dining at $40. If you’re feeling it, there are Japanese A4 Wagyu options on the menu as well. If you don’t want to put too much brain juice on the menu, you can just order the BBQ sets that range from $108-$378.

While its not Hanwoo or Wagyu. The Black Angus Hanger Steak is known for its rich, beefy flavour and tenderness, and is often considered a premium beef cut.

Marinated Pork Ribs ($36) – This one is the kind that make you question why you ever bothered with anything else.

Well marinated, they’re sweet, savoury, and smoky with every bite. It’s like a hug from your taste buds—if your taste buds were really into smoky meat.

Rose Tteokbokki – This is a creamy, rich pink-orange dish, with chewy rice cakes swimming in a velvety sauce. The balance of flavours is great—spicy tteokbokki gets a smooth, slightly sweet makeover with the addition of cream, which tempers the heat without losing that iconic Korean kick.

Jjajang Tteokbokki – If you’re a fan of jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles), you’ll love this tteokbokki version. It swaps out the usual noodles for rice cakes, which is a genius move because, honestly, rice cakes never get enough credit. The sauce is rich and packed with that deep umami flavor that makes you forget any plans you had for a light meal.

Seafood Japchae – This dish is a bit of a wildcard, because while you think you’re just getting some stir-fried glass noodles, Chingu Rochester decides to throw in prawns, squid, and mussels for good measure. The noodles are chewy, the seafood is fresh, and the flavours all mesh together in a harmonious, “I need more of this” kind of way. Tasty.

Sweet Corn Pancake – Now, this is where things get fun. Sweet Corn Pancake. At first, you think, “Eh, how exciting can a corn pancake be?” But then you take a bite, and the sweetness of the corn hits, followed by the crispy pancake exterior, and suddenly, you’re considering ordering another one. It’s simple but hits all the right notes.

Chingu Rochester: Desserts

Korean Citron Crème Brûlée – If regular crème brûlée had a vacation in Seoul, this would be the result. The Korean Citron Crème Brûlée has that perfect charred sugary crack on top, but underneath is a refreshing citrusy custard that makes you feel like you just ate a dessert made by someone who really cares about your happiness.

Spoiler: You’ll want two. =)

Korean Style Crepe with Ice Cream ($10) – And then theres the Korean Style Crepe and Ice Cream. Essentially Ice cream, whipped cream and crepes, this one caps off the meal nicely, even if you just spent the last hour grilling meat like a caveman. The crepes are delicate, thin, and not too sweet.

Chingu Rochester Review

Chingu at Rochester nails the tricky balance between refined dining and a relaxed BBQ joint. It’s got a decent punch of flavours to impress and the vibe to make it a great spot for a laid-back dinner with friends or even a date. Plus, with the whole smokeless BBQ setup, you won’t walk out smelling like you’ve been living next to a bonfire. While some note the prices are on the higher side, I think the quality of food, ambience and service matches the price point. Its slightly more expensive that your regular KBBQ joint at Tanjong Pagar but you get the space and ambience. Plus, you can bring your pets!

Food: 7/10
Ambience:8/10
Service: 7/10

Expect to spend:
$70+ per pax for BBQ
$30+ for bowls
$20-30 for lunch

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Chingu Rochester

Chingu Rochester Address:
2 Rochester Park, Singapore 139213 (Google Maps)

Chingu Rochester Hours
Mon- Fri: 11am – 11pm​​
Sat – Sun: 10am – 11pm

How to get to into Chingu Rochester
Reservations here or call 9690 8002

For bookings of more than 6 persons, email [email protected] 
Maximum group size of 12 people. There will be a deposit of $200 required to confirm the reservation.

How to get to Chingu @ Rochester
Underground Parking is available at Rochester Commons (1 Rochester Park, Singapore 139212). Enter Rochester Park Road via North Buona Vista Road to access underground parking.
​Take Car Park Lift to Rochester Common Ground Level Main Lobby.
Chingu @ Rochester is located at Unit 2, just above Rochester Commons Arrival Plaza.

Chingu Rochester Menu:
https://www.chingu.com.sg/rochestermenu

Chingu Rochester Corkage:$30

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