Travel 1 minute 30 October 2024

Discover Korea in Rome: Restaurant Gainn

To get to know Korea better from a gastronomic point of view, head to Gainn on Via dei Mille.

Rome by The MICHELIN Guide

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"Over the years, many Italians have discovered Korean culture through cinema and K-pop and then become interested in the food," explains Stefano Chung and Valentina Bae, owners of Gainn, which translates into English as "inner beauty."

Near Termini train station, this restaurant, which seats around 60 diners, is an opportunity to try bibimbap, rice with various vegetables and minced beef, served with raw egg yolk in a cast-iron bowl; bulgogi, strips of beef and a wealth of vegetables marinated in soy sauce and sesame oil, sautéed and served on a griddle; japchae, or sweet potato noodles with vegetables, mushrooms and seared beef seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil; and tteokbokki, or rice cakes with vegetables and fish paste served with a spicy sauce.

 JAPCHAE  – Sweet potato noodles with various vegetable and pan-fried pak choi, pork seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil
JAPCHAE – Sweet potato noodles with various vegetable and pan-fried pak choi, pork seasoned with soy sauce and sesame oil
Don't miss the fried chicken with a spicy sweet-and-sour sauce with fresh onions; succulent bulgogi soups with prime rib of beef, turnip greens, and hot chili peppers; or tofu with various vegetables, pork, and chili served in an earthenware dish. Everything comes with rice and banchan, or an array of seasonal side dishes.
Gainn – the different specialities
Gainn – the different specialities
A special place is reserved for kimchi, one of the star dishes of the Korean table, prepared with fermented vegetables, spices, and chili. Appreciated for its countless beneficial properties, it was included on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013.

Chili peppers are without a doubt one of the most widely used ingredients in Korean cuisine. Known as taeyang-cho, they have a long, slender shape and, when dried, they produce a very fine, brightly colored, medium-hot powder with a slightly smoky note.

To accompany these delicacies, there are several options: Korean beers, soju (a distilled spirit made from rice, barley or wheat), available in various flavors such as grapefruit and strawberry, and, finally, makgeolli – an ancient drink made from rice, water, and yeast. It has a milky color and thick consistency and can be more or less sparkling depending on the fermentation process.

Gainn - the restaurant room
Gainn - the restaurant room

Stay nearby:

If you are looking for a hotel nearby, consider Leon's Place, with its interior blending Art Deco and other early 20th century influences in a 19th-century building.




Hero image: Gainn Deopbap, bacon, seaweed, pak choi with steamed rice and oyster sauce


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Rates in USD for 1 night, 1 guest