A Korean tech entrepreneur has swapped e-bikes for banchan, opening a Korean-style cai fan eatery in Singapore’s Raffles Place that has office workers queueing for lunch. Bae Jihoon, 33, brings the fast-casual bansang concept to CIMB Plaza with OGOG, offering build-your-own rice meals starting at $9.90.
Founder: Bae Jihoon, 33 ·
Restaurant: OGOG ·
Meaning: “Five grains” in Korean ·
Location: CIMB Plaza, Raffles Place ·
Cuisine: Korean-style cai fan (bansang)
Quick snapshot
- OGOG means “five grains” in Korean (8days.sg)
- Bae Jihoon founded Elecle, Korea’s first e-bike sharing platform (8days.sg Facebook)
- OGOG is located at CIMB Plaza, #B1-30, 30 Raffles Place (OGOG official website)
- Prices start at $9.90 for a base with three dishes (The Straits Times)
- Exact opening date of the CIMB Plaza outlet
- Full operating hours (confirmed as weekday-only by CIMB Plaza directory)
- Complete menu and pricing for all locations
- Future expansion plans beyond the four outlets listed on the website
- Before 2025: Bae Jihoon founded Elecle
- Late 2025: First outlet at Marina One, second at CIMB Plaza
- December 2025: Media coverage and social media posts confirm the opening
- Asia Square and Mapletree Business City outlets are listed on the official website
- Potential expansion to other CBD locations as demand grows
- No official website information on online ordering or delivery
Eight key facts about OGOG, one pattern: the restaurant is built on a fast-casual, Korean-style bansang concept that mirrors the local cai fan experience but with a distinct Korean twist.
The table below offers a quick reference on founder, location, and timeline details.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Founder | Bae Jihoon |
| Age | 33 (as of Dec 2025) |
| Previous Venture | Elecle (e-bike sharing platform) |
| Restaurant Name | OGOG |
| Meaning | “Five grains” in Korean |
| Location | CIMB Plaza, #B1-30, 30 Raffles Place, Singapore |
| Opening Date | Late 2025 |
| Number of Outlets | 2 (Marina One and CIMB Plaza), plus 2 more listed |
The pattern: OGOG is scaling quickly within the CBD, treating outlet placement like a platform play rather than traditional restaurant expansion.
Who is Bae Jihoon?
Bae Jihoon is a Korean entrepreneur who previously founded Elecle, Korea’s first and largest e-bike sharing platform (8days.sg Facebook). At 33 years old, he shifted from tech to food and beverage, opening OGOG in Singapore’s CBD. His background in building a mobility startup gave him experience in logistics and customer behaviour, which he now applies to the fast-casual dining space.
What is his background in tech?
- Founded Elecle, which provided dockless e-bike sharing across South Korea.
- Reportedly raised funding and scaled the platform to become the largest of its kind in the country.
- Transitioned to F&B in Singapore, a market he identified as receptive to Korean home-style meals.
The implication: Bae Jihoon brings a data-driven approach to running a restaurant chain, treating outlet placement and menu customisation like a platform play.
What is OGOG?
OGOG is a Korean fast-casual eatery that serves a build-your-own bansang meal — a home-style Korean rice meal with rice, soup or stew, and side dishes. According to The Straits Times (Singapore’s leading newspaper), the concept is a cousin to the local cai fan, offering a similar mix-and-match experience but with Korean flavours. The name “OGOG” means “five grains” in Korean, reflecting the use of multigrain rice as a base option.
What does OGOG stand for?
- OGOG translates to “five grains” in Korean, as confirmed by 8days.sg (Singapore entertainment news site).
- The name emphasizes the use of wholesome grains in the meals.
How is OGOG different from traditional cai fan?
- Traditional cai fan offers Chinese dishes; OGOG offers Korean banchan (side dishes) and soups.
- OGOG’s presentation is a single tray with rice, soup, and sides, similar to a Korean bansang set.
- Prices start at $9.90 for a base of white rice, multigrain rice, or salad plus three dishes, according to The Straits Times.
The pattern: OGOG is not trying to be a Korean restaurant — it’s a Korean-style cai fan that fits the fast, affordable lunch format Singaporeans already love.
Where is OGOG located?
OGOG has two confirmed outlets in Singapore’s CBD, with two more listed on its official website. The primary location is at CIMB Plaza, 30 Raffles Place, #B1-30, Singapore 048622, as per the CIMB Plaza official directory. The first outlet opened at Marina One, 5 Straits View, #B2-45 The Heart, Singapore 018935, according to OGOG official website. The nearest MRT station is Raffles Place.
What is the full address?
- Marina One: 5 Straits View, #B2-45 The Heart, Singapore 018935.
- CIMB Plaza: 30 Raffles Place, #B1-30, Singapore 048622.
- Asia Square and Mapletree Business City outlets are listed as “coming soon” on the website.
Which MRT station is nearest?
- Raffles Place MRT (EW14/NS26) for CIMB Plaza.
- Marina Bay MRT (CE2/NS27) for Marina One.
The trade-off: While the CBD locations are convenient for office workers, the outlets are only open on weekdays, limiting weekend access.
What is the menu at OGOG?
OGOG’s menu centres on bansang — a home-style Korean rice meal. According to a review by jiaksimi png (food blog), the original menu at Marina One included gimbap, bansang, and soup. The bansang allows customers to choose a base (white rice, multigrain rice, or salad) and add dishes from a selection of Korean sides. The blog noted that gimbap started at $9.90 and a 4-dish bansang reached $15.90.
What is bansang?
- Bansang is a traditional Korean meal format: a bowl of rice, a soup or stew, and several side dishes (banchan).
- At OGOG, it’s served as a tray with individual compartments.
- Customizable: pick your base and choose from a daily selection of banchan.
What are typical sides?
- Kimchi, seasoned spinach, bean sprouts, japchae, and braised tofu are common.
- Protein options include beef bulgogi, spicy pork, and fried chicken.
- Soup options may include doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) or kimchi jjigae.
Bae Jihoon is betting that office workers will pay $9.90 for a Korean-style rice meal that offers variety and speed. The key challenge is consistency across multiple outlets as the chain scales.
Why did Bae Jihoon open a Korean restaurant in Singapore?
Bae Jihoon’s move from tech to F&B was driven by a desire to introduce Korean home-style food to Singapore’s CBD. In an interview with 8days.sg (Singapore entertainment news site), he explained that he saw a gap for affordable, authentic Korean meals that could be eaten quickly — a format familiar to Singaporeans through cai fan. His previous venture, Elecle, gave him experience in logistics and customer acquisition, which he now applies to running a restaurant chain.
What was his previous venture?
- Elecle, Korea’s first e-bike sharing platform, founded before 2025.
- The platform was reportedly the largest in Korea, providing dockless bikes for short trips.
- Bae Jihoon stepped away from Elecle to pursue F&B in Singapore.
What motivated him?
- He identified a demand for Korean home-style meals among Singapore’s office workers.
- He wanted to create a fast-casual concept that maintained the quality of home cooking.
- Singapore’s multicultural food scene and CBD density made it an ideal test market.
What this means: Bae Jihoon is leveraging his entrepreneurial experience to build a brand that can scale quickly. The shift from e-bikes to banchan is less surprising than it sounds — both require operational efficiency, location intelligence, and a keen eye on customer behaviour.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Before 2025 | Bae Jihoon founded Elecle, Korea’s first e-bike sharing platform. |
| Late 2025 | Opened OGOG’s first outlet at Marina One, followed by a second outlet at CIMB Plaza. |
| December 2025 | Coverage by 8days.sg and The Straits Times confirmed the openings and introduced the concept to a wider audience. |
What’s confirmed vs. unclear
Confirmed facts
- Bae Jihoon founded Elecle.
- OGOG opened at CIMB Plaza and Marina One.
- OGOG means “five grains” in Korean.
- Bae Jihoon is 33 years old.
- OGOG offers bansang (Korean rice meal).
- Prices start at $9.90.
What’s unclear
- Exact opening date of the CIMB Plaza outlet.
- Full operating hours for all outlets.
- Complete menu and pricing for all locations.
- Future expansion plans beyond the four listed outlets.
What people are saying
“I wanted to bring the comfort of Korean home-style meals to Singapore’s busy office workers. The bansang format is familiar to Koreans, but I think Singaporeans will love the variety and speed.”
— Bae Jihoon, founder of OGOG, in an interview with 8days.sg
“OGOG’s gimbap offers great value for a quick lunch in Marina One. The tray presentation is neat, and the banchan are fresh.”
— jiaksimi png, food blogger, in a review of the Marina One outlet
For office workers in Singapore’s CBD, the choice is clear: line up at OGOG for a $9.90 bansang, or stick with the usual cai fan. But with two outlets already and more on the way, the convenience of Korean-style rice meals is only getting closer.
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While OGOG brings bansang to the CBD, diners can also explore Um Yong Baek for Busan-style pork dishes nearby.
Frequently asked questions
How many OGOG outlets are there?
As of late 2025, OGOG has two operational outlets (Marina One and CIMB Plaza), with two more (Asia Square and Mapletree Business City) listed on the official website.
Does OGOG offer takeaway?
The official website does not mention takeaway, but the CIMB Plaza outlet is listed as a store in the directory, suggesting dine-in and possibly takeaway. Customers are advised to check directly.
Is OGOG affordable?
Yes, prices start at $9.90 for a base with three dishes, making it comparable to a mid-range cai fan meal in the CBD.
What is the price range?
Based on reports, the base bansang starts at $9.90, with a 4-dish option reaching $15.90. Gimbap also starts at $9.90.
Does OGOG have a website?
Yes, the official website is ogog.food, which lists locations and a brief concept description.
What are the opening hours?
The CIMB Plaza directory indicates weekday-only hours. Exact timings are not publicly listed, so customers should check directly.
Is OGOG halal or vegetarian friendly?
No official information is available. The menu includes meat and seafood options, and vegetarian choices may be limited.