Chef Ahn Yoosung's "Myungjangmi"
and Fusion Asian Restaurant "P.F. Chang's"
Gwangju Shinsegae Co., Ltd. (CEO Lee Donghoon) announced on June 23 that it will unveil new restaurants on June 26, including Myungjangmi, led by chef Ahn Yoosung, and the fusion Asian food restaurant P.F. Chang's.
Gwangju Shinsegae plans to open restaurants in the basement level 1 of its main building, reflecting the latest gourmet trends, to provide customers with a new culinary experience that goes beyond shopping.
Making its debut in Gwangju, Myungjangmi is a gourmet brand by master chef Ahn Yoosung, who is known for his experience as a black-and-white chef. The restaurant aims to serve meals prepared with care and dedication, reminiscent of a mother preparing a meal for rice planting in the southern fields.
Chef Ahn Yoosung, recognized as the 16th Master Chef of Korea, has introduced dishes using the rich ingredients of the southern region through establishments such as Game, which he started in 2002, Gwangjuok 1947, Jangsu Naju Gomtang, and Jangsu Hoegwan.
This marks the first time Myungjangmi is opening in a department store, allowing customers to enjoy a variety of dishes prepared with the chef's signature techniques. The signature menu item is the "Southern Fields Rice Planting Set" (23,000 KRW), which features moist boiled bossam, soybean paste sauce, fresh vegetables, and an array of side dishes, evoking the image of a rice planting meal from the southern fields.
Additionally, the "Crab Marinated in Soy Sauce Set Menu" (46,000 KRW) allows diners to enjoy both soy sauce and spicy marinated crab in one meal, designed for two people. It also features various southern regional ingredients such as seaweed and salted seafood. Other menu items include Spicy Marinated Crab (28,000 KRW), Sannakji Knife-cut Noodle Soup (25,000 KRW), Jangsu Naju Gomtang (15,000 KRW), Seaweed Soup (18,000 KRW), and Perilla Oil Buckwheat Noodles (13,000 KRW).
In celebration of its department store opening, Myungjangmi will offer a complimentary gift of either "Ahn Yoosung Tuna Sauce" or "Ahn Yoosung Marinated Crab" to the first customers who spend over 50,000 KRW until June 30. Additionally, the first 30 guests each day will receive "Ahn Yoosung Natural Broth." Seasonal menu items such as "Perilla Oil Mixed Noodles" and "Pyeongyang Cold Noodles" will also be available at a 20% discount, limited to 300 servings each.
Opening on the same day, P.F. Chang's, a well-known American Chinese (American-style Chinese cuisine) restaurant, will present a modern take on a variety of fusion Asian dishes.
P.F. Chang's is a global brand named after its co-founders, Paul Fleming and Philip Chiang. Since opening its first location in Arizona, USA, in 1993, it has expanded to operate over 370 restaurants in 25 countries worldwide.
Signature dishes include Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps (23,900 KRW), which feature stir-fried meat and mushrooms with sauce, served with crispy rice sticks and wrapped in lettuce; Mongolian Beef (31,900 KRW), a dish of crispy beef slices; BBQ Mega Pork Ribs (4 pieces, 34,000 KRW); and Wonton Soup (17,900 KRW).
P.F. Chang's is also running a promotion where customers who scan a QR code and capture a discount coupon can enjoy the signature "Chang's Chicken Lettuce Wraps" at 50% off, limited to the first 500 customers.
Gwangju Shinsegae successfully brought these restaurants in after a recruitment period of over six months, aiming to enhance customers' gourmet experiences during the process of opening the new dining area.
Myungjangmi, led by chef Ahn Yoosung, is expected to draw nationwide attention, as it allows customers to easily experience the chef's dishes that they have seen on television. Master chefs are selected for possessing the highest level of skill and for making significant contributions to the advancement of culinary techniques. The restaurant is also expected to deliver the best flavors using ingredients from the pristine western and southern coastal regions of Korea, capturing the authentic taste of the southern region.
P.F. Chang's, with its concept rarely seen in the Gwangju area, is anticipated to offer a new gourmet experience as a globally renowned brand opens in the department store. The restaurant features American-style Chinese cuisine, offering a variety of Asian dishes using chicken, beef, pork, seafood, and other ingredients, making it popular among all age groups.
Kim Youngmin, head of the Food and Living Team at Gwangju Shinsegae, stated, "We opened the new dining area to provide customers with the joy of experiencing new culinary adventures," adding, "We hope you will experience both global diversity and the deep flavors of the region at Gwangju Shinsegae."
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