Seoul, South Korea
From Michelin Guide
Touted as a pioneer of modern Korean fine dining, Chef Yim Jung-sik — with his Seoul and New York restaurants - is credited for introducing Korean cuisine to the world with an innovative flair that is entirely his own. What Yim does best is drawing inspiration from the familiar — gimbap, bibimbap, platter of nine delicacies and napa wraps with pork — and creating something unexpected yet surprisingly evocative and authentic. Whimsical desserts, a good wine list and attentive service — Jungsik has it all.
From Visitor Experiences
Pioneering Modern Korean Fine Dining with Avant-Garde Techniques
Jungsik is recognized as a pioneer of Korean fine dining, transforming traditional Korean dishes into contemporary masterpieces by blending classic flavors with innovative, avant-garde culinary techniques. This approach sets it apart from other Michelin-starred restaurants in Seoul that may focus on more conventional cuisines.
Unique Menu Structure and Versatility in Dining Experience
The restaurant offers a versatile lunch menu where diners can choose from 4 or 5 dishes or opt for a full tasting menu with 8 dishes. The menu is divided into five distinct sections: appetizer, land, sea, rice, and sweet, each featuring 3-4 dishes. This segmented and customizable menu structure is unconventional compared to typical fixed tasting menus at fine dining establishments.
Incorporation of Unusual Ingredients in Traditional Dishes
Jungsik creatively incorporates unique and nutritious ingredients into traditional Korean dishes, such as using mushrooms and chives in their Bibimbap Bulgogi Jeongsik, adding a novel twist to classic recipes while maintaining their essence.
From Visitor Experiences
The most honored or signature ingredients at the Michelin-starred restaurant Jungsik in Seoul include:
Abalone: A prized seafood ingredient featured in the set menu, showcasing Korea’s rich marine resources and used to highlight refined seafood preparations.
Duck: Another primary ingredient in Jungsik’s set menu, representing the restaurant’s innovative approach to traditional Korean flavors with premium proteins.
Sweet Shrimp: Used in the signature Sweet Shrimp Gimbap, where it is combined with crispy seaweed, rice, and kimchi to reimagine a classic Korean dish with a modern twist.
Kimchi: Incorporated creatively, such as in the kimchi-cheese lollipop and as part of banchan (side dishes), emphasizing its essential role in Korean cuisine while elevating it to fine dining.
Caviar: Paired with cured jackfish or shrimp, caviar adds a luxurious salty finish and complements the seafood’s natural sweetness, reflecting Jungsik’s fusion of Korean ingredients with global luxury elements.
These ingredients are significant as they blend traditional Korean staples like kimchi and seafood with innovative techniques and presentations, creating a modern Korean dining experience that is both authentic and sophisticated. The use of premium seafood such as abalone and sweet shrimp, alongside luxury touches like caviar, exemplifies Jungsik’s philosophy of quality and creativity in Korean cuisine.
Feb 28, 2012 ... Friendlier prices and a more comfortable tone would be a start if the restaurant, an import from Seoul, wants to adapt to its new environment.
nytimes.com
Dec 17, 2024 ... Then decorated with two Michelin stars, it was something tantalizingly unique: a modern Korean fine-dining restaurant, and not in Seoul, but in ...
travelsforstars.com