MODU TRX
[Halal ingredients] MODU has landed at The Exchange TRX, bringing a more refined and wellness-focused take on Korean cuisine to Kuala Lumpur’s newest lifestyle destination.
Samgyetang is one of our favourite Korean dishes. We had one of the best bowls in Yongsan (see our post here) during winter earlier this year, so we were excited to check out MODU. How does it compare to what we had in Korea? Read on to find out.
MODU hails from Singapore
The brand first built its reputation in Singapore, where it became known for doing samgyetang exceptionally well—turning a humble ginseng chicken soup into something premium and comforting.
Since opening in KL, MODU has been drawing steady crowds and plenty of social media attention. We’ve always felt that samgyetang is an underrated Korean dish (especially compared to KBBQ and ramyeon), so it’s nice to see it finally getting the spotlight with MODU’s arrival.
MODU draws a crowd
MODU is located on Level 2 of The Exchange TRX’s Dining Terrace. You won’t miss it—queues have been a common sight since its opening just a few weeks ago.
Expect a wait, especially on weekends. On a Saturday evening, we took a queue number at 5.30pm and walked around the mall for about 1.5 hours before our table was ready at 7pm.
The space is clean and modern, with a central bar designed to evoke a hanok-inspired setting. We found the ambience suitable for both casual meals and slightly more special occasions. Service was fast and attentive throughout our visit.
Samgyetang is the main event
MODU focuses on samgyetang, a slow-cooked ginseng chicken soup that’s rich, nourishing, and surprisingly satisfying without feeling heavy.
Instead of offering just one version, MODU serves six styles of samgyetang, including classic herbal, black sesame, collagen, spicy, and black chicken—so there’s something for different preferences.
The bone broth is simmered for 12 hours, while the organic spring chicken is slow-cooked to create a rich yet balanced soup. MODU also uses halal-certified ingredients, making it a comfortable choice for a wide range of diners without compromising on flavour.
The meal is rounded out with sides like kalguksu (hand-cut noodles), crispy potato pancakes, and a tofu-based gelato that’s light and refreshing after a hearty soup. MODU also offers a 2-GATHER set meal (RM175), which includes two samgyetang, tea, appetisers, and dessert. That said, we found a single bowl to be quite generous and easily shareable between two.
Hanbang Samgyetang – strong ginseng flavours
For our first visit, we ordered the Hanbang Samgyetang (RM52), the most classic and traditional option on the menu.
This is the bowl to order if you enjoy a strong ginseng presence. The clear, slow-simmered broth is infused with herbs like ginseng and jujube, resulting in a soup that tastes light at first but becomes deeply aromatic and satisfying as you go. It feels restorative—warm, soothing, and ideal if you’re after something nourishing rather than indulgent.
The chicken was cooked to perfect tenderness, and we especially enjoyed dipping it into the accompanying spicy sauce and salt condiments.
Collagen Samgyetang
If you’re looking for something richer, the Collagen Samgyetang (RM56) delivers a noticeably silkier broth with more body. The soup has a gentle creaminess from hours of slow cooking, giving it a fuller mouthfeel without tipping into jelak territory.
If you prefer something more accessible without a strong ginseng flavour, this is the one to order. It’s comforting and hearty, yet still balanced enough to leave you feeling well-fed rather than weighed down. In fact, we preferred this over the Hanbang Samgyetang.
Minari Pancake
We also ordered the Minari Pancake (RM22) to share. For the uninitiated, minari (water dropwort) is a Korean leafy vegetable known for its fresh, mildly peppery flavour. We first tried it with shabu-shabu at Mimiok Seoul (post here), so we were pleased to find it here in KL.
The pancake was crisp and aromatic, offering a nice contrast to the soups. Made with fragrant minari (Korean water parsley), it’s pan-fried until golden on the outside while remaining light inside, with enough savoury bite to keep you reaching for another piece. The addition of bori shrimp lends it a cucur udang–like fragrance.
Conclusion
Just next to MODU is Tofu G Gelato. Made with tofu, the gelato here is light, smooth, and gently sweet, with a clean flavour that doesn’t overwhelm the palate. We tried the Vegan High-Protein Gelato (RM18), which had a pronounced soybean flavour with a pleasant hint of nuttiness.
So—did MODU deliver? Yes. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and genuinely think this is one of the best samgyetang experiences we’ve had outside of Seoul. RECOMMENDED!
MODU TRX
Address: Lot L2T.04.0 & L2T.05.0, Level 2, Dining Terrace, The Exchange TRX, Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 11am–3pm, 5pm–10pm
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