Introduction

Nestled in a cozy coffeshop at Bukit Batok, *Sagol* has quickly become the go-to spot for Korean food enthusiasts, all thanks to the culinary talents of Sri Lanka-born hawker, Upeka. At 46, this friendly entrepreneur is on a mission to share the flavors of Korea with the local community.

Upeka's Culinary Journey

Upeka learned the art of Korean cooking from her husband, an executive chef at a prominent Korean restaurant in Tanjong Pagar. He honed his skills while working in a K-eatery in Singapore and has spent over two decades perfecting his craft. Upeka, originally from Kandy, Sri Lanka, moved to Singapore over 20 years ago, initially working in a cha chaan teng chain where she specialized in beverages and desserts.

Launching Sagol

Her journey into the world of hawker food began in 2022 when her husband encouraged her to pursue her passion for cooking. With an investment of S$10,000, she launched *Sagol*, a stall that bears her husband's nickname but with a twist—adding an ‘L’ to avoid the word "accident" in Korean, resulting in a name that references "beef bone."

Quality and Authenticity

Upeka's Korean cuisine stands out, garnering rave reviews from customers who often remark that her dishes rival those at traditional Korean restaurants. Surprisingly, many customers initially believed Upeka was a professionally trained chef due to the high quality of her food. Upeka humbly credits her husband for his guidance and insists on using only authentic Korean ingredients, making her sauces, broths, and even kimchi from scratch.

Making Kimchi

"We make our own kimchi,” shares Upeka proudly, “as those from suppliers tend to be too sour.” Her kimchi recipe is a family secret, aged to perfection for that ideal crunch and flavor, and even some customers have begun asking to buy it for home use.

Stall Popularity and Operations

The stall's popularity means there's often a line of eager customers, especially during lunch hours, with some folks even sneakily taking home the delicious sauces. On her busiest day, Upeka made an astonishing S$600, a testament to her hard work and determination.

Balancing Work and Family

Even amidst a bustling work schedule, Upeka keeps her children's needs a priority, operating the stall solo on weekdays from 10 am to 2 pm. She purposefully limits her offerings to ensure quality and maintain her family commitments, selling around 20 servings of each dish daily, much to the delight of her clients. Many of her regulars are local workers and Koreans who pop by three times a week for their fix.

Future Plans

While Upeka currently has no plans to extend her hours, she and her husband are looking into launching a Korean BBQ service by the first half of 2025. Upeka’s ultimate dream? To balance her role as a hawker with being a devoted mother, all while bringing authentic Korean flavors to hungry patrons.

Menu Highlights

The menu at *Sagol* is both limited and enticing, with dishes like kimchi soup, jjajangmyeon, and dolsot bibimbap, all priced affordably starting from S$5.50. Any fan of Korean food will tell you that the flavors are comforting and authentic, making it worth the trip to this hidden gem in the Bukit Batok industrial area.

Visit Sagol

Don't miss out on this flavorful experience! Head over to *Sagol Korean Food* at #01-01, The Elitist, 25 Bukit Batok Crescent, Singapore 658066. Open Monday to Friday, 10 am to 2 pm. Trust us; you’ll want to get in line!