Goryori Ken

Here are three unique and unconventional aspects of the Michelin-starred restaurant Goryori Ken in Seoul:

1. Intimate Bar Seating Focused on Chef's Craftsmanship

Goryori Ken features an intimate setting with a main bar seating only eight guests, allowing patrons to closely observe Chef Kim Geon's every movement and technique. This setup emphasizes transparency and connection between the chef and diners, creating a personalized dining experience centered on the chef's creative intuition and seasonal ingredient selection.

2. Emphasis on Drinks, Especially Rare Sake from Small Breweries

Unlike many restaurants where food is the primary focus, Goryori Ken uniquely orients the dining experience around the drinks chosen. The sake menu is notably impressive, featuring a variety of rare sakes produced by small Japanese breweries, highlighting a deep appreciation for traditional and artisanal beverages that complement the contemporary Japanese cuisine.

3. Fusion of Japanese Izakaya Culture with Seoul’s Modern Sensibilities

Chef Kim Geon is reputed for bringing Japanese izakaya culture to Seoul, blending it with local culinary traditions and modern-day sensibilities. The restaurant’s name itself means "small food Geon," reflecting a casual yet refined approach to Japanese dining that is adapted to the Seoul context. This cultural fusion is unconventional in the fine dining Michelin scene, which often leans towards more formal presentations.

At the Michelin-starred restaurant Goryori Ken in Seoul, the most honored or signature ingredients focus on highly seasonal produce and freshness, reflecting Chef Kim Geon's creative intuition and dedication to quality. While specific ingredients are not explicitly listed in the available information, the key elements can be summarized as follows:

• Seasonal Ingredients: The restaurant emphasizes the use of the freshest seasonal ingredients, which vary throughout the year, ensuring that each dish highlights the peak flavors of the moment.

• Japanese Contemporary Ingredients: Given the restaurant's contemporary Japanese style, ingredients likely include premium seafood, seasonal vegetables, and delicate garnishes typical of Japanese cuisine, prepared with precision and care.

• Sake from Small Japanese Breweries: While not a food ingredient, the carefully selected sake complements the dishes, showcasing the restaurant's attention to pairing and enhancing flavors.

Because the restaurant's concept revolves around seasonality and the chef's creative intuition, the exact signature ingredients change regularly, making the experience unique and dynamic rather than fixed to a few staples.

Summary of Key Ingredients and Their Significance:

Ingredient Type	Significance / Use
Seasonal Produce	Central to the menu, ensuring freshness and peak flavor; changes with the seasons.
Premium Seafood	Likely used given the Japanese contemporary style, highlighting delicate textures and flavors.
Artisanal Sake	Selected from small breweries to complement and enhance the dining experience.

No specific signature dish ingredients are detailed in the sources, but the focus on seasonality and freshness is the hallmark of Goryori Ken's culinary identity.

Note: More precise ingredient details or signature dishes were not found in the search results. If needed, direct inquiry to the restaurant or a detailed menu review would provide further specifics.

Tasting Menus

• Goryori Ken's seasonal tasting menu: ₩250,000 (approximately $220)

Signature Dishes

• Highly seasonal dishes at Goryori Ken: ₩50,000 - ₩100,000 per dish