The MICHELIN Guide is delighted to reveal the full restaurant selection of The MICHELIN Guide Seoul & Busan 2025 today at The Westin Chosun Seoul, nestled in the heart of the city.
Marking a major milestone with Busan’s inclusion last year, this year’s edition continues to highlight the evolving culinary landscape of both cities. With 29 new additions, the guide now features 186 recommended restaurants in Seoul and 48 in Busan across the Starred, Bib Gourmand, and Selected categories—a testament to the region’s growing global influence.
The 2025 selection is led by a historic promotion to Three MICHELIN Stars, the first in two years. One restaurant advances to Two MICHELIN Stars, while seven newly earn One MICHELIN Star. The Guide also welcomes 14 new Bib Gourmand establishments and 10 newly selected restaurants, further underscoring the region’s culinary depth.
Seoul now boasts 37 MICHELIN-starred restaurants, including one Three-Star, nine Two-Star, and 27 One-Star establishments. In Busan, all three One MICHELIN Star restaurants retain their distinction, reaffirming their consistency and excellence.
"Our inspectors have worked tirelessly to provide valuable information about outstanding restaurants. We are especially proud to award the highest rating to Mingles, led by Chef Kang Min-Koo, after its 9th appearance in the MICHELIN Guide Seoul since its first edition in 2017. This recognition highlights the team's continuous commitment to delivering exceptional dining experiences,” shares Gwendal Poullennec, the International Director of the MICHELIN Guide.
“Apart from that, this year’s selection showcases great diversity of restaurants with new styles of cuisine and unique offerings, reflecting the steady development of the Korean dining scene. As Seoul has established itself as a culinary destination, we are confident that Busan will also see an increase in outstanding restaurants and chefs over time."
Mingles promoted to Three MICHELIN Stars
Chef Kang Mingoo's attention to detail and warm minimalism are showcased at Mingles, where the interior design emphasizes Korean aesthetics. The ambiance is enhanced by exquisite tableware and decor crafted by Korean artisans. The chef and his talented team blend tradition with modernity, creating dishes like Abalone and Cabbage Seon and Fish Mandu that highlight his creativity and respect for tradition.
Evett promoted to Two MICHELIN Stars
Chef Joseph Lidgerwood's adventurous approach at Evett transforms ordinary ingredients into inventive dishes like sikhye sorbet with handpicked ants and tallow tart, reflecting Korea's seasonal sensibilities. Paired with an impressive wine selection, these dishes become even more irresistible.
4 Selected restaurants were promoted to One MICHELIN Star
Gigas, an authentic Mediterranean restaurant in Korea, stands out for its dedication to sustainability and the use of organic ingredients from Chef Jung Ha-wan's family farm. Despite the challenge of sourcing specific ingredients, the chef successfully presents genuine Mediterranean cuisine that reflects the region's culinary traditions. The restaurant's future growth in Seoul's culinary scene is as intriguing as the delightful dining experience it offers.
Chef Sung Si-woo's passion for vegetables since childhood has led to a deeper understanding of vegetarian diets. This, combined with his unique perspective, has given birth to his one-of-a-kind delicacies. At Légume, sensorial contemporary cuisine meets the chef’s seasoned skills and is transformed into a vegan menu with a distinct identity and imaginative flavors. The evident truth is that the kitchen’s vegan fare not only appeals to vegetarians but also to people with a wide range of palates.
Yu Yuan, led by Head Chef Kwok Wai To and Dim Sum Specialist Chef Qingbing Wu, offers a refined take on Cantonese cuisine. With experience gained from his time in Busan, chef Kwok expertly selects ingredients and prepares traditional Cantonese broths and sauces, simmering them to fully bring out their depth of flavor and nutritional value. The menu features a variety of Cantonese classics, including Peking Duck, crispy pork belly, and delicate dim sum, all crafted with a focus on authenticity and culinary mastery.
Y’east, led by Chef Cho Young-dong, is a culinary haven that embraces unlimited possibilities. Chef Cho delights diners with familiar dishes reimagined through his unique aesthetics, using rare ingredients to create novel flavors. Signature dishes like the kaya toast-inspired amuse bouche and Galbi Stone, braised short ribs in various forms, exemplify his ability to blend the new with the familiar while retaining the essence of the original flavors. Each dish at Y’east offers a gastronomic experience that evokes fresh tastes and out-of-the-box creativity, making it a standout in the culinary scene.
3 new restaurants join the One MICHELIN Star family
Tutoiement, led by Chef Kim Do-hyeon, offers a friendly and informal dining experience with sophisticated French cuisine. The calm, welcoming setting and attentive service enhance the experience, while the chef's skillful presentation highlights the harmony between flavors and sauces.
Enjoy Chef Park Kyung-jae's sushi at Sosuheon in Seoul, where the elegant traditional Korean venue and the chef's precise sushi-crafting skills create a special experience. Guests can savor premium seafood throughout the seasons. The chef's statement, "It's an honor to host the best guests with the best ingredients, in the best space, with the best staff," reflects his journey as a Japanese cuisine specialist. Dining at Sosuheon is an unforgettable experience that delights both emotions and senses.
Escondido makes history as the first-ever Mexican restaurant in Korea to receive a MICHELIN Star. Chef Jin Woo-bum’s deep passion for Mexican cuisine, shaped by his experience in Mexico, translates into bold, authentic flavors crafted with traditional staples like tortillas and mole. His dedication to preserving and innovating within Mexican culinary traditions has elevated Escondido into a must-visit destination. Pairing dishes with tequila, mezcal, or a cocktail enhances the gourmet experience, making it a standout in Seoul’s dining scene.
All One MICHELIN Star restaurants in Busan retain their distinction
All the One MICHELIN Star restaurants – Mori, Palette and Fiotto - awarded in the first Busan edition retained their distinction for another year, denoting the restaurants with "high quality cooking, worth a stop".
3 restaurants maintain the MICHELIN Green Star recognition for their approach to sustainable gastronomy
Launched in 2020, the MICHELIN Green Star highlights those restaurants at the forefront of sustainable practices, offering gastronomic experiences while adopting an environmentally inspiring approach.
Three restaurants retain the MICHELIN Green Star recognition for their outstanding and inspiring eco-friendly commitments, including: A Flower Blossom on the Rice, which has held this recognition for 5 consecutive years, as well as Gigas and Fiotto.
Three MICHELIN Guide Special Awards
With its Special Awards, the MICHELIN Guide aims to highlight the amazing diversity of the roles within the hospitality industry, as well as its most talented and inspiring professionals.
The 2025 MICHELIN Sommelier Award, presented by Maison Mumm RSRV, goes to Kim Min-Jun, the head sommelier at Jungsik (Two MICHELIN Stars), who plays a key role in elevating guests' dining experiences through expert wine service at the forefront of the restaurant.
The 2025 MICHELIN Mentor Chef Award, presented by Blancpain, goes to chef Kim Sung-il of La Yeon (Two MICHELIN Stars), in recognition of his significant contribution to the legacy of Shilla Hotel’s Korean fine dining restaurant. By preserving the traditions of Korean cuisine while continually adapting cooking techniques to modern tastes, his work uniquely captures the richness and elegance of contemporary Korean gastronomy.
The 2025 MICHELIN Service Award is given to Lee Eun-joo from Sosuheon (newly awarded One MICHELIN Star), recognized for her exceptional service and close connection with customers. She ensures smooth communication between the itamae and diners, delivering a thoughtful and high-quality dining experience. Her professionalism, demonstrated through her journey alongside the chef in the restaurant's success and growth, serves as an excellent model within the industry.
The full selection of the MICHELIN Guide Seoul & Busan 2025 is available on the MICHELIN Guide website (https://guide.michelin.com/kr/ko) and on the MICHELIN Guide app, available free of charge on iOS and Android.
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