Late Summer Picnic

with Michelin Star Restaurant

‘Taste of Summer in Seoul,’ a collaborative project between the Michelin Guide and Market Kurly to share the joy of gourmet dining. Following the ‘Michelin Guide at Home Meal Kit Delivery’, which introduced dishes from Michelin-selected restaurants as meal kits, an event titled ‘Meet Michelin Star Restaurants Offline’ was held from September 2 to 4. Unlike the meal kits that were delivered uncooked to homes, this event allowed chefs from Terreno, La Mang Secre, Myomi, and Kojacha?restaurants selected in the Michelin Guide Seoul 2022?to personally prepare dishes for pickup near Seoul Forest. On a cool, rainy day, I visited Seoul Forest to enjoy this gourmet experience.

Photo by Michelin Guide

Among the four restaurants, I chose Kojacha. Kojacha is a place where you can taste Japanese (JA) and Chinese (CHA) cuisine crafted by Korean (KO) chefs, featuring dishes made with various ingredients such as abalone and shark fin. The description that it breaks down the boundaries between Chinese and Japanese cuisine and creates dishes that traverse between the two intrigued me.

Upon arriving at the pickup location, I saw chefs Choi Yu-gang and Oh Eun-yeol wearing red jackets. The pickup menu for the day included Mapo Tofu Rice Bowl and Menbosha. The food was prepared in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The dishes cooked on-site were packed in eco-friendly pulp containers and placed in cooler bags adorned with the Michelin Guide logo. Along with explanations of the two dishes, there was also time for commemorative photos.

Along with the cooler bag containing the food, I picked up Market Kurly’s Go Out Picnic Mat. I had planned to spread the mat and enjoy a picnic at Seoul Forest, but unfortunately, due to rain, I moved indoors. To still enjoy the picnic vibe indoors, I spread out the thick and soft picnic mat and laid out the food. Opening the container wrapped with the same red band as the meal kit, an appetite-stimulating aroma wafted out. The perfectly aligned round Menbosha and the appetizing Mapo Tofu atop white rice were also exquisite in appearance. However, both dishes were not very large in portion. More suitable as snacks or picnic treats than a full meal!

I first tasted the warm Mapo Tofu. It was completely different from the Mapo Tofu I know. Intense and bold spices enveloped my mouth. The spicy, numbing flavor like mala was absorbed into the soft tofu. The harmony with the rice was, needless to say, perfect. Meanwhile, the Menbosha’s flavor of white truffle sauce was fantastic. It paired well with the mild taste of shrimp. The crispy fried bread and the popping texture of the shrimp were also delightful. The strongly spiced Mapo Tofu and the non-greasy Menbosha?tasting them firsthand, I understood why these two dishes are popular menu items at Kojacha.

The Michelin Guide and Market Kurly’s ‘Meet Michelin Star Restaurants Offline’! It was more convenient than meal kits since you didn’t have to cook yourself, and it was attractive to be able to comfortably enjoy dishes made by chefs’ hands in a place other than the restaurant. This wonderful project, which made a small late summer picnic so special, I hope it returns every season when it’s perfect for picnics.

Photo by Bomi Kim