[Review] Meet the K-Meat Festival Elevates Korean Barbecue at DRIM this July and August with Spotlights on Premium Hanwoo and Handon Meat

When we talk about premium beef, Japanese wagyu has long dominated the global culinary conversation. However, an alternative is quietly gaining traction among discerning diners and chefs worldwide. Hanwoo, Korea’s highly regarded native beef, is steadily earning a following for its refined marbling, balanced flavour, and distinctive texture. Rather than relying on richness alone, this native breed is said to offer remarkable elegance and structure, making it suited to precise grilling, gentle braising, and more delicate preparations.

To celebrate this heritage ingredient, the inaugural Meet the K-Meat Festival has arrived in Singapore, running from 1 July to 31 August 2026. Organised by MeatK with support from Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, alongside the Korea Agro Fisheries and Food Trade Corporation and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, this showcase brings together six participating restaurants. Among them is DRIM, an upscale Korean steakhouse nestled within Mandarin Gallery.

Guided by the spirit of deurim, which translates to the act of presenting with sincerity, the restaurant offers a refined dining experience set against a modern Hanok aesthetic. The space is inviting, complete with sleek smokeless charcoal grills that ensure diners leave without any lingering cooking odours.

As part of the festival, DRIM presents two exclusive premium sets that highlight the very best of Korean agriculture. We had the pleasure of trying the DRIM Hanwoo Set, a curated multi-course menu designed for a minimum of two diners.

Our culinary journey begins with a beautifully plated Hanwoo Tartar. This appetiser sets the tone for the evening, showcasing the prized beef in its purest form and lightly seasoned to allow the natural sweetness and tender texture of the meat to shine through without being masked by heavy marinades.

The centrepiece of the meal is clearly the selection of premium barbecue cuts. At DRIM, the meats are expertly grilled tableside by attentive staff, ensuring every piece is cooked to perfection while guests simply relax and converse.

The curated meat platter features an array of prized sections, including the Hanwoo Special Cut of the Month, carefully selected by the chef for its exceptional marbling and refined taste.

We were also served the Hanwoo Oyster Blade (S$98 per 100 grams), known in Korean as Nunkkotsal. This cut offers a moist, tender bite that harmonises rich flavour with a luxurious mouthfeel.

Following this was the Hanwoo Brisket Deckle (S$58 per 100 grams), or Chadol. The thinly sliced brisket boasts a buttery texture and a deep, savoury flavour that becomes incredibly pronounced when lightly charred on the grill. Thoughtful condiments like smoky salt, Himalayan pink salt, and fresh wasabi are provided to elevate each bite.

To complement the grilled meats, the set includes a comforting stew towards the end of the meal that warms the soul.

Following the stew, a serving of cold noodles arrives to refresh the palate. The chilled buckwheat noodles offer a delightful chewiness and a subtle nutty aroma, rounding up the meal with something lighter.

The meal concludes on a sweet note with a carefully crafted dessert, serving as a palate cleanser that leaves a lasting impression of balance and finesse.

For those who prefer an alternative to beef, the restaurant also offers the DRIM Handon Set.

This equally generous sharing set spotlights premium Jeju Handon, the country’s celebrated premium pork. The menu features signature pork cuts known for their juiciness and flavour, alongside traditional Korean dishes, vibrant barbecue banchan, stew, cold noodles, and dessert.

The Meet the K-Meat Festival offers an opportunity to taste authentic Korean premium Hanwoo and Handon meats in Singapore and DRIM serves as a great venue to discover these heritage meats before the event concludes. Available for a limited time only, this culinary experience ends in August 2026. Do not miss this if you are a meat lover.