Michelin is pleased to unveil today the MICHELIN Guide Seoul 2019. This year, the selection has been enriched by 2 new two-star restaurants and 5 new one-star establishments.
About this selection, Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of MICHELIN Guides, commented: “With these new star establishments, Seoul, which already had two three-star restaurants, is making an impressive leap into the world gastronomic scene. Once again this year, our inspectors have discovered new gourmet establishments that perfectly illustrate the potential and dynamism of the city and pay tribute to Korean flavors”.
Among a total of 5 two-star restaurants, two restaurants made their first apparition in Seoul’s selection: Alla Prima from chef Kim Jin-hyuk, who continues to attract discerning gourmets with his whimsically creative and modern offerings; and Mingles from Kang Min-goo, who marries tradition with new techniques and modern sensibilities for the contemporary palate; which gained their first star from the first edition.
The two owner-chefs at these new two star establishments have created fantastic restaurants that very much reflect their own personalities and philosophies with continuous study.
The MICHELIN guide Seoul 2019 also lists a total of 19 one-starred restaurants, of which 5 are new. These new additions highlight the dynamism ad the diversity of Seoul’s gastronomic scene.
Mosu. Previously star awarded restaurant in San Fransisco, Chef Ahn Sung-jae moved his Mosu to Seoul, who wanted to bring a different kind of diversity to the table. Different as the food may be, Ahn continues to do what he does best, highlighting the subtle nuances of seasonal produce on a plate.
Muoki also gains one star: South African dialect for ‘oak tree,’ ‘Muoki’ is Chef Park Moo-hyun’s restaurant. The name is a nod to the chef’s cosmopolitan background as well as his straightforward attitude when it comes to cooking. Park has a knack for incorporating new cooking methods into creating a mélange of unpredictable flavors and textures.
Hansikgonggan. Hailed as the godmother of Korean cuisine, Chef Cho Hee-suk is committed to passing on her knowledge – based on years of experience and research – to the younger generation of chefs, while interpreting the traditional flavors with contemporary sensibilities for the modern diner.
Lee Jong Kuk 104 earns its first star as well. Chef Lee Jong-kuk is a culinary force to be reckoned with. His love and pride for Korean cuisine extends far beyond what he dishes up at his ultra-elegant space in Seongbuk-dong, Seoul. Lee’s sauces and preserved ingredients are the products of time and care, and ultimately form the basis of all the food.
There are 61 Bib Gourmand restaurants in the new selection of the MICHELIN guide Seoul 2019. Among them, 11 are newly awarded, with each reflecting the diversity of the local cuisine that the inspectors discovered by searching the streets of Seoul. The Bib Gourmand distinction is given by the inspectors to establishments offering a quality menu for a maximum of 35,000 KRW.
Published 2018.10.22
