The highly anticipated Lotteria, a dominant South Korean fast-food chain, has officially planted its flag in Singapore, bringing its distinctive Korean-style burgers and snacks to Jewel Changi Airport. Opening its 60-seat outlet near the iconic Rain Vortex in Basement 1, Lotteria is poised to capture the palates of K-drama aficionados and casual diners alike, offering a menu that fuses classic American fast food with bold Korean culinary flavors like bulgogi, kimchi, and yangnyeom chicken. Our team sampled the menu highlights, including a Singapore-exclusive item, to determine which dishes live up to the global hype.
Reviewing the Korean-Inspired Staples
Lotteria sets itself apart from standard Western burger chains by infusing authentic Korean ingredients and flavor profiles into its offerings. Overall, the chain earns a respectable 3/5 rating, succeeding primarily in its signature snacks and bulgogi-flavored items.
The Standout Snacks
The Shake Shake Fries ($5.20) are an immediate must-try. These thinly cut, crispy fries are delivered perfectly seasoned and hot. While the portion is modest, the customizable shaker seasoning—available in Onion, Cheese, and highly addictive Mexican Chilli—provides excellent flavor payoff. The mildly spicy Mexican Chilli powder proved to be the staff favorite, offering a dangerous level of snackability. Similarly, the Long Cheese Stick ($2.80) delivers everything one expects from a fried mozzarella stick: a satisfying crunch and an impressive, gooey cheese pull, even after cooling slightly.
The Korean-style fried chicken, the Ganjung Chicken (starting at $9 for two pieces), is a solid crowd-pleaser. Lotteria’s version of soy sauce chicken features tender meat encased in a well-seasoned, crunchy crust. Although marketed as ganjung, the sauce carries a reddish hue and a pleasant spicy kick, elevating it above average fast-food fried chicken.
Burger Breakdown: Hits and Misses
Lotteria offers an array of unique burgers, including those specifically tailored for the Singapore market.
The Ria’s Bulgogi Burger ($7.20 à la carte) emerged as the best of the day. Although unassuming, the sweet yet appetizing bulgogi sauce coating the beef patty is flavourful without being cloying. Paired with fresh lettuce and a mild white dressing, this simple stack delivers satisfying flavor.
The Singapore-exclusive Kimchi Bulgogi Burger ($7.80 à la carte) aimed for complexity, featuring crunchy lettuce and actual shreds of fermented kimchi. The texture is compelling, and the overall flavor profile is reminiscent of bibimbap, leaning heavily on gochujang paste. While the beef patty itself wasn’t exceptional, this burger offers a unique, punchier option for those seeking bold flavors.
Conversely, the globally popular Mozzarella Tomato Basil Burger ($12.80 à la carte) was the most polarizing dish. Visually appealing, it features baked cheese strings on the bun and two distinct patties: a regular beef patty and a breaded tomato-basil mozzarella patty with a pesto-like sauce. Despite its iconic status in Korea, our reviewers found the beef flavor was overpowered, dampening the overall experience.
Dessert Disaster: Skip the Bingsu
The chain stumbles significantly with its dessert offering. The Cup Bingsu ($5.90), touted as an “authentic K-style dessert,” misses the mark. The shaved ice is unremarkable, topped with milk ice cream, canned fruit, and a modest smear of red bean paste. Given Singapore’s breadth of high-quality dessert spots, diners are advised to allocate their calories elsewhere.
Finding Lotteria in Singapore
Lotteria doesn’t aim to upend the established burger hierarchy but successfully introduces a fresh, distinctly Korean perspective to fast food. We recommend visiting for the fried chicken and those dangerously addictive Shake Shake Fries.
Location: 78 Airport Blvd, Jewel Changi Airport, #B1-248, Singapore 819666.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.