South Korea, known for its culinary scene, has seen an increase in Michelin starred restaurants in recent years. The country is now home to 12 Michelin starred restaurants, with four located in Seoul. The remaining eight are scattered throughout the country in cities such as Busan, Gangwon and Jeju.
The first Michelin star restaurant to open in South Korea was Jungsik, located in the affluent Cheongdam-dong area of Seoul. It opened its doors in 2011 and has been a huge success ever since. Its menu consists of modern Korean dishes that have been adapted from traditional recipes.
The second Michelin star restaurant to open was La Yeon at the Shilla Hotel Seoul, which opened its doors two years later in 2013. This restaurant offers traditional Korean cuisine with a modern twist, as well as a selection of international dishes.
Since then, several more restaurants have achieved Michelin star status in South Korea, including Gaonnuri and Hansikgonggan in Seoul and Toscana Maru at the Paradise City Hotel & Resort near Incheon International Airport.
However, these high-end restaurants are not the only ones with Michelin stars; there are also some smaller establishments that have achieved culinary excellence. For example, Mingles, located near Gangnam Station in Seoul, is a small restaurant run by chef Mingoo Kang that earned one Michelin star for its innovative Korean-style tapas dishes.
These restaurants all offer an unforgettable culinary experience for those willing to pay for it. The dishes served are often complex and full of flavor and made from quality ingredients sourced from around the country and beyond.
In conclusion, yes there are Michelin Star Restaurants located throughout South Korea such as Jungsik and La Yeon among others; however they are small establishments offering unique experiences rather than large scale chain restaurants.