Hidden behind an unassuming wooden door above the tropical bar Low Tide lies Ssal, a Korean bar decorated like a tavern from feudal Korea. Ssal specialises in rice-based spirits, offering cocktails that incorporate different types of sake and soju. You can find interesting concoctions like Kimchi ($24), a tequila infused with – you guessed it, white kimchi cucumber. There is also Ganmul ($24), where vodka and aged sake are mixed with rice vinegar and pickled daikon, as well as Ttankong ($24), a mix of Kujira Inari whisky, peanut coffee, sweet sherry, and a whole egg.
Nothing hits the spot like having spicy Korean snacks while drinking, and Ssal offers a wide array of snacks like kimchi pancakes (from $18) and tteokbokki ($8). While typical tteokbokki is chewy and soft, Ssal elevates the popular street snack by lightly charring it over the grill. The result: a tteokbokki with a crispy exterior and an intense smoky flavour that pairs perfectly with the tangy and spicy sauce. Other snacks that’ll help line your stomach include succulent korubuta pork belly ($28), wild kuruma prawns ($28), and stir fried clams (from $18).
