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Thought I’ll drop this in case people head to Seoul and are looking for recommendations. Report from trips to Seoul in 2021. Food scene overall is fantastic, wines are prohibitively expensive given the import tax. I packed my own wines and paid reasonable corkage at most places. Few places that come to my mind.
Miro Sikdang: The insiders place where the all the chefs run to eat, now featured in 50 best discovery, is a must visit. Hard to get to, a good 50 minute away from Gangam, up a hill on a narrow windy road. Their beef tartare is to die for, so is the pork with abalone or their take on traditional bulgogi and the seafood pancake is worth a mention too. The wine list is pretty decent. Got a bottle of Comando G at a retail price in the US. Can’t wait to return.
Passione: Local friends suggested this spot for a double date and what a pick it was. French cuisine executed remarkably well with fresh ingredients. I could have been in Paris or Lyon enjoying the food. The chef decides the menu on the day of, writes in a chalk board and to pick options on the four course meal. Friendly ambience with very reasonable corkage. The bottle of Fourrier CSJ 2010 I brought all the way from NYC, paired remarkably well. Highly recommended.
Jue: Set in a traditional yet elegant and refined place in Yongsan that serves cantonese food. Having visited multiple times, everything in the menu was great, though the highlight was me was the pecking duck and pork bbq. The dim sum list is extensive and quite good overall. They have tasting menu, including a vegetarian one and a-la carte menu. Corkage was cheap here as well, brought two bottles of Riesling (Keller GG and old Prum Auselse) to share with friends. Highly recommended.
Mingles: Michelin ratings for non-European restaurants (for me) is always a non-reliable guide and this squares in line with how the restaurants are viewed and rated: ambience, service, cooking technique and presentation Mingles gets these right. The setting lovely, tucked away in a quiet street in Gangam. Interior decor is modern, yet warm with plenty of natural light and wood usage. Service is professional and not intrusive. The cooking was using seasonal and best ingredients using mirage of techniques. But there’s hardly a flavorful or a memorable dish. Disappointed and an easy pass.
Knock-knock: Felt bad for the chef as we are the one of the two tables on the night as it was peak COVID. The six course meal was nicely executed, taking inspirations from around the world. Was surprised to see their take on a taco, in an Italian inspired restaurant. Their dumplings (ravioli) was the highlight of the menu along with the pastries. The corkage was very reasonable and a bottle of Ulysse Collin BdB was wonderful with the entire course. Might visit if I return to the city.
Other suggestions:
Isigny sainte-mere for croissants in Hyundai department store
Ganga for Indian food if you are around Seoul financial center
Miro Sikdang: The insiders place where the all the chefs run to eat, now featured in 50 best discovery, is a must visit. Hard to get to, a good 50 minute away from Gangam, up a hill on a narrow windy road. Their beef tartare is to die for, so is the pork with abalone or their take on traditional bulgogi and the seafood pancake is worth a mention too. The wine list is pretty decent. Got a bottle of Comando G at a retail price in the US. Can’t wait to return.
Passione: Local friends suggested this spot for a double date and what a pick it was. French cuisine executed remarkably well with fresh ingredients. I could have been in Paris or Lyon enjoying the food. The chef decides the menu on the day of, writes in a chalk board and to pick options on the four course meal. Friendly ambience with very reasonable corkage. The bottle of Fourrier CSJ 2010 I brought all the way from NYC, paired remarkably well. Highly recommended.
Jue: Set in a traditional yet elegant and refined place in Yongsan that serves cantonese food. Having visited multiple times, everything in the menu was great, though the highlight was me was the pecking duck and pork bbq. The dim sum list is extensive and quite good overall. They have tasting menu, including a vegetarian one and a-la carte menu. Corkage was cheap here as well, brought two bottles of Riesling (Keller GG and old Prum Auselse) to share with friends. Highly recommended.
Mingles: Michelin ratings for non-European restaurants (for me) is always a non-reliable guide and this squares in line with how the restaurants are viewed and rated: ambience, service, cooking technique and presentation Mingles gets these right. The setting lovely, tucked away in a quiet street in Gangam. Interior decor is modern, yet warm with plenty of natural light and wood usage. Service is professional and not intrusive. The cooking was using seasonal and best ingredients using mirage of techniques. But there’s hardly a flavorful or a memorable dish. Disappointed and an easy pass.
Knock-knock: Felt bad for the chef as we are the one of the two tables on the night as it was peak COVID. The six course meal was nicely executed, taking inspirations from around the world. Was surprised to see their take on a taco, in an Italian inspired restaurant. Their dumplings (ravioli) was the highlight of the menu along with the pastries. The corkage was very reasonable and a bottle of Ulysse Collin BdB was wonderful with the entire course. Might visit if I return to the city.
Other suggestions:
Isigny sainte-mere for croissants in Hyundai department store
Ganga for Indian food if you are around Seoul financial center