26 February 2026
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The MICHELIN Guide Seoul & Busan opens its 2026 awards season with a celebration of taste, accessibility and regional character.
Ahead of the official star revelation on March 5 in Busan, this year’s Bib Gourmand selection recognizes 71 restaurants — including 51 in Seoul and 20 in Busan — that offer exceptional value for money.
Among them are eight new entries, spanning a wide range of cuisines from North Korean mandu (dumplings) to vegan fare.
“This year’s Bib Gourmand selection showcases the depth and diversity of Korean gastronomy. From tradition-rooted dishes to distinctive noodle-focused concepts and plant-based cuisine, a wide range of culinary styles come together in harmony,” comments Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of The MICHELIN Guide.
“It is particularly impressive to see restaurants delivering high-quality and well-executed dining experiences at accessible prices. Seoul and Busan continue to evolve based on their respective culinary identities, allowing us to once again witness the dynamism and creativity of Korean gastronomy,” he adds.
Since its official introduction in The MICHELIN Guide in 1997, the Bib Gourmand selection has gained strong popularity among diners around the world. In South Korea, Bib Gourmand restaurants offer a complete meal for under KRW 45,000 (about USD 31) per person and are selected following a rigorous evaluation process by the MICHELIN Guide inspectors.
5 new Bib Gourmand eateries in Seoul
Operated by the same family for three generations since 1973, 3rd Samgyetang is cherished among Seocho locals for its restorative ginseng chicken soup.
Gosari Express takes a playful approach to plant-based dining. Every dish features the restaurant’s signature gosari (fernbrake) oil sauce, from spicy bibim noodles to Taiwanese pancakes topped with sweet and tangy gosari chilli sauce.
After honing his culinary skills in Japan, the owner-chef returned to reinterpret the beloved soba tradition using Korean buckwheat. The soba here features a gentle grain aroma and a pleasantly chewy texture.
This noodle bar is reputed for its range of cold and warm dishes, including the beef naengguksu (cold noodles), mandutguk (dumpling soup) and mulguksu (noodle soup) that is similar to Pyongyang-style naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodles).
The regulars return for one dish: the perilla seed miyeok-guk (seaweed soup). The clean broth and nutty perilla seeds pair perfectly to create a flavouful soup.
3 new Bib Gourmand restaurants in Busan
Using 100% Korean buckwheat and milling the noodles in-house, this restaurant invites you to appreciate the pure flavor and chewy texture of freshly made buckwheat noodles.
Set in a renovated two-story house, the restaurant evokes the cozy atmosphere of a 1990s home. Smoky tteokgalbi (grilled short rib patties), delicate banchan (side dishes) and rich doenjang jjigae (soybean paste soup) are served on low tables for a homey yet hearty dining experience.
The house-made North Korean-style mandu (dumplings) are encased in silky wrappers and served with a clear broth of beef brisket and shank. The nokdujeon (mung bean pancake), made from mung beans finely milled on a stone metdol (millstone), is airy and crispy,
Marking its 10th anniversary in Korea, The MICHELIN Guide will host The MICHELIN Guide Seoul & Busan 2026 Ceremony on Thursday, March 5, at SIGNIEL Busan.
The complete restaurant selection of The MICHELIN Guide Seoul & Busan 2026 will be released on the same day, directly on The MICHELIN Guide’s official website and The MICHELIN Guide mobile app (iOS and Android).
The official MICHELIN Guide Asia Facebook Page
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The MICHELIN Guide Asia Youtube Channel
Download the MICHELIN Guide App for iOS and Android
Hero image: Bibim buckwheat noodles at Moemiljip in Busan (©Moemiljip).
