Does Korea Have a Michelin Star?

Korea is a country rich in culture and flavor, but does it have a Michelin star? The answer is yes, although it may come as a surprise to some.

In 2016, South Korea received its first ever Michelin star. The restaurant that was awarded the accolade was Mingles, located in the posh Cheongdam-dong area of Seoul.

Mingles is run by chef Jungsik Yim and his wife, who both come from professional culinary backgrounds. Yim has been cooking since he was 17 years old and has had training at some of the top restaurants in France and Italy. He also worked at the 3-starred restaurant Guy Savoy in Paris before eventually opening Mingles in 2011.

The restaurant specializes in modernized Korean cuisine with dishes like Galbi Jjim (braised beef short ribs) and Saengseon Jjim (braised fish). It also offers dishes that combine Korean and French flavors, such as Foie Gras with Korean pear puree or Korean-style Daegu with creamy foie gras sauce. All of these dishes are served on custom-made plates and bowls, which further adds to the experience.

Michelin inspectors visit establishments around the world to evaluate their food quality and service before awarding stars to restaurants they deem worthy of recognition. After several visits by Michelin inspectors to Mingles, they determined that it was worthy of one star due to its excellent food quality and service. This makes Mingles only the second restaurant outside of Japan to receive a Michelin star for its modernized Korean cuisine.

Since receiving its first Michelin star, Mingles has continued to receive praise from local customers as well as international visitors for its creative dishes and delicious flavors that make for an unforgettable dining experience.

In addition to Mingles, there are several other high-end restaurants in South Korea that are considered among the best in Asia for their creative approach to traditional ingredients as well as their innovative techniques used when cooking them. Although many of these restaurants have yet to receive any Michelin stars yet, they still remain popular dining destinations for those looking for something unique or special while visiting Korea.

Overall, it is clear that South Korea is making great strides towards becoming an international culinary destination by offering up more diverse options than ever before – including modernized versions of traditional Korean fare – all while receiving deserved recognition from the world’s most prestigious dining guide: Michelin!

Conclusion: Yes, Korea does have a Michelin Star!

The restaurant responsible for this amazing accomplishment is Mingles located in Seoul which specializes in modernized Korean cuisine with dishes like Galbi Jjim (braised beef short ribs) and Saengseon Jjim (braised fish). Since receiving its first Michelin star, Mingles has continued to receive praise from local customers as well as international visitors for its creative dishes and delicious flavors that make for an unforgettable dining experience.