Jungsik and Kojima-Sushi obtain two stars in the second edition of the Michelin Guide Seoul 2018

This year’s guide sees Jungsik and Kojima-Sushi achieve two stars, four new additions join the one star category and Ga On and La Yeon retain three stars.

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Michael Ellis, international director in charge of the Michelin guides said: “We are excited to announce that our selection has been enriched by newly found restaurants, showcasing the vibrancy of the local dining scene in Seoul”.

Chef Yim Jung-sik, of the newly awarded two star restaurant, Jungsik is credited with introducing Korean cuisine to the world with an innovative flair that is entirely his own. Drawing inspiration from the familiar--kimbap, bibimbap, gujeolpan and bossam—he creates something unexpected yet surprisingly evocative and authentic in his cuisine. Also awarded two stars, restaurant Kojima-Sushi offers some of the most exquisite Japanese food in Seoul. The cuisine offered the chef’s technical skill as well as his mastery of the art of sushi.

Elsewhere four restaurants are new to the one star category including Exquisine, Dosa, Joo Ok and Table for Four, bringing the total of one starred restaurants in Seoul to 18 this year.

While there are no new additions to the three star club, Gaon, a traditional restaurant serving Korean cuisine and La Yeon situated on the 23rd floor of the Hotel Shilla led by chef Kim Sung Il, have retained their three starred status after being awarded the accolade for the first time last year.

In total, this year’s guide features 175 restaurants from the city of Seoul with two three starred restaurants, four two stars and 18 one starred restaurants. A total of 48 restaurants were also awarded Bib Gourmands. Among them, 17 are newly awarded, each reflecting the diversity of the local cuisine that the inspectors discovered by wandering the streets of Seoul. Bib Gourmand distinction is given by the inspectors to establishments offering a quality menu for a maximum of 35,000 KRW.