Michelin names two 3-star eateries in first Seoul guide

SEOUL - The Michelin food guide unveiled its first Seoul edition on Monday, with two upscale Korean restaurants receiving the coveted three stars, but recognition also for a humbler diner serving vegetarian temple food. A total of 24 restaurants in the South Korean capital received Michelin stars, reflecting the city’s ambitions as a fine-dining hub and the emergence of Korean cuisine from the well-established shadows cast by those of Asian neighbors China and Japan. “I think it’s widely seen as one of the hidden gems of world cuisine,” said Michael Ellis, the international director of Michelin guides. Of the two three-starred restaurants, Gaon in Seoul’s upmarket Gangnam area offers two multi-course menus based on the daily meals enjoyed by the kings of the Joseon era (1392-1910) and priced at 180,000 won ($157) and 250,000 won. The guide cited Gaon for its “meticulously-prepared dishes” and commitment to promoting a “better understanding” of Korean food. Gaon’s executive chef Kim Byoung-Jin said he was stunned and “extremely honored” with the three-star rating, crediting his kitchen team and an insistence on the finest seasonal produce. “All good food starts from fresh ingredients,” he said. Having spent the past 13 years honing his take on traditional Korean cuisine, Kim said he hoped the ultimate stamp of approval from Michelin would help South Korean gastronomy “receive the appreciation it deserves”. “In order for Korean cuisine to be universalized, it must meet a universal standard and I think the Michelin listing will help Korean food become a more approachable cuisine for many people,” he said. Of the 21,000 restaurants featured in Michelin guides around the world, just over 100 are rated with three stars. Starred restaurants have in the past built big businesses after being recognized. The other three-star recipient was La Yeon in the Hotel Shilla, which was praised by Michelin for the chef’s contemporary touch on traditional Korean cuisine. Following the 2007 publication of the Tokyo guide - Michelin’s first foray into Asia - Seoul is the latest city in the region to get its own version of the culinary bible. There are also editions exploring Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore. “Seoul is a gastronomic roller coaster,” Ellis said. “There’s so many things going on: Brining, pickling, fermenting, frying, barbequing, seasoning... great techniques,” he added. Among the one-star recipients was Balwoo Gongyang, a popular lunch and dining spot which serves strictly vegetarian dishes based on Korean Buddhist “temple” cuisine. The Michelin guides, first published in France more than a century ago to promote automobile travel, now cover 28 countries and spotlight diverse cuisines including Brazilian, Burmese, Cajun, Peruvian and Tibetan. - AFP