Busan's First 1-Star Restaurants 'Mori, Piotto, Palette'
Seoul's 'Mosoo' Maintains 3-Star Status for 4 Years
Michelin Guide 'Star Restaurants,' a globally prestigious restaurant rating and guide, has been introduced in Busan as well.
Newly selected 1-star restaurants in Busan for the 'Michelin Guide Seoul & Busan 2024'. From left to right, dishes from Mori, Piotto, and Palette. [Image source=Michelin Guide]
On the 22nd, Michelin Korea held the 'Michelin Guide Seoul & Busan 2024' event at Lotte Signiel Hotel in Haeundae-gu, Busan. In this 2024 edition, Busan, Korea's second-largest city with an outstanding marine environment and a long history of developing its unique culinary culture, was selected as a published city, drawing attention. The 'Michelin Guide Seoul & Busan 2024' listed a total of 220 restaurants, including 177 in Seoul and 43 in Busan.
Three 1-star restaurants were selected in Busan. A 1-star restaurant means 'a restaurant with excellent cooking.' 2-star indicates 'excellent cooking worth a detour,' and 3-star means 'exceptional cuisine worth a special journey.' Unfortunately, no 2-star or 3-star restaurants were awarded in Busan this time.
On the morning of the 22nd, chefs selected as star restaurants took a commemorative photo at the 'Michelin Guide Seoul & Busan 2024' publication event held at Signiel Busan in Haeundae-gu, Busan. [Image source=Yonhap News]
The first 1-star restaurants in Busan are ▲Mori ▲Piotto ▲Palette. 'Mori' (Haeundae-gu) is run by Chef Kim Wankyu, who trained in Japan, and his Japanese wife. They present authentic Japanese kaiseki cuisine using fresh seafood from Busan. 'Piotto' (Haeundae-gu), located at Dalmaji Hill in Haeundae, is a couple-run restaurant specializing in homemade pasta based on Korean ingredients. Additionally, it was selected as a Michelin 'Green Star' (for sustainability) for offering dishes flavored with ingredients sourced nationwide rather than chemical seasonings or processed products.
'Palette' (Nam-gu) is a French restaurant operated by Chef Kim Jaehun. Since opening the restaurant in his hometown Busan, Chef Kim has continuously infused freshness into the restaurant's concept while presenting experimental dishes.
Although not reaching star status, 15 restaurants in Busan were selected as 'Bib Gourmand,' meaning 'restaurants offering good food at reasonable prices.' Furthermore, 25 Busan restaurants were named 'Selected Restaurants,' indicating 'good restaurants chosen by Michelin.'
In Seoul, the 8th Michelin Guide was published. The highest-rated 3-star restaurant 'Mosoo' maintained its position for the fourth consecutive year. This year, a total of 33 restaurants were selected as 'star restaurants,' including two newly promoted 2-star restaurants (Mitou and Restaurant Allen) and three new 1-star entrants (Binho, Hobin, Impression). Gwendal Poullenec, Michelin Guide International Director, said, "We are very pleased to spotlight Busan this year," adding, "We expect Busan to establish itself as an attractive destination for gourmets and travelers alongside Seoul."
The Michelin Guide originated in 1990 as a booklet containing various restaurant and accommodation information for motorists traveling by car. Anonymous Michelin inspectors visit restaurants multiple times and rate them from 1 to 3 stars based on five standardized global criteria: quality of cooking, perfection, chef's personality, harmonious flavors, and consistency.
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