The selection of the MICHELIN Guide Seoul 2019 has just been released. The third edition of Seoul’s red guide witnesses a total of 26 restaurants receiving their star recognitions, of which, two restaurants are elevated to two stars and five restaurants are getting their first star for the first time.
Newly Minted Two-Starred Restaurants
Alla Prima and Mingles enter the two-star selection for the first time in three years. In last year’s guide, they were both among the one-star selection. According to MICHELIN Guide inspectors, Alla Prima’s chef Kim Jin-hyuk “continues to attract discerning gourmets with his whimsically creative and modern offerings. His reverence for seasonal ingredients, his attention to balance and his delicate yet assertive sauces come together like a symphony that pair well with both wines and sakes.”
For Mingles, the inspectors appreciate chef Kang Min-goo’s ability in marrying tradition with new techniques and modern sensibilities for the contemporary palate, and comments “there is never a dull moment at Mingles, where unlikely pairings lead to new possibilities.”
Jungsik, Kojima and Kwonsooksoo have all maintained their two stars from last year.
Five New Entrants in One-Starred Selection
Nineteen restaurants are recognized with one star this year, including four new entrants. Hansikgonggan is a Korean restaurant helmed by chef Cho Hee-suk and co-run by chef Jeong Gyeong-il. The cuisine here juxtaposes the past and present flavors of Korea, and aims to pass down the knowledge of Korean cuisine to the younger generation of chefs. Lee Jong Kuk 104, also a Korean restaurant, is headed by eponymous chef Lee Jong-kuk. Chef's sauces and preserved ingredients are the products of time and care, and according to the inspectors, “ultimately form the basis of all the food.” Yannick Alléno's STAY, located on the 81st floor of the Signiel Seoul hotel, also received a star.
Maintaining the Three Stars
Gaon and La Yeon have both maintained their three stars since the debut of the red guide in the capital of South Korea in 2017. Gaon is a fine dining restaurant committed to promoting a better understanding of Korean food around the world, and celebrates Korea’s time-honored aesthetic values. La Yeon, located in The Shilla Hotel, honors traditions of Korean cuisine with a contemporary touch.
Last week, Michelin announced 61 restaurants made it to the 2019 Seoul Bib Gourmand selection, including a dan dan noodle restaurant and a ramen eatery entering the list for the first time. Restaurants selected for the Bib Gourmand list offer food for under KRW 35,000, equivalent to $40.
Here is the full selection of the MICHELIN Guide Seoul 2019.
Gaon
La Yeon
Two Stars
Alla Prima (New)
Jungsik
Kojima
Kwonsooksoo
Mingles (New)
One Star
Balwoo Gongyang
Bicena
Dining in Space
Dosa
Exquisine
Gotgan
Hansikgonggan (New)
Jin Jin
Joo Ok
L’Amitié
Lee Jong Kuk 104 (New)
Mosu (New)
Muoki (New)
Poom
Soigné
STAY (New)
Table for Four
Yu Yuan
Zero Complex
