Excluding Omakase, my top three fine dining restaurants in Korea are Mingles, Eatanic Garden, and Joo-Ok. After a long time away, I returned to Restaurant Joo-Ok, located on the 3rd floor of The Plaza Hotel near City Hall in Seoul.

Joo-Ok’s distinctive style is apparent from the moment you sit down. The cutlery is elegantly packaged in a design inspired by the Jeogori, a piece of traditional Korean clothing. It is both adorable and sophisticated, setting the tone for an exceptional dining experience.

 

 

Menu

- Dinner course  250,000 won

 

 

​1. Welcome drink

Hawthorn Fruit Tea

The cource began with a refreshing drink made from vinegar and lemonade. Diners can choose between grape or pine needle vinegar, depending on their preference. 

​​2. Starter

 

​- Braised Chicken Cromesqui -

Sesame leaf sauce with tender braised chicken

 

- Dried Beets on Tart with Korean Beef Jerky Powder -

An excellent umami-flavored beef jerky powder

 

- Korean Beef tartare with Egg yolk Jelly with Aioil sauce -

 

 

3. Spring in Korea

 - Seasonal Seafood with Korean Zucchini Soy Sauce -

Abalone, octopus, Dokdo shrimp, and yellowtail topped with garnish.

The combination of different seafood enhances the flavor.

 

- Korean Wild Prawn in 4 flavors -

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The shrimp's tail was dusted with soybean paste powder, while the sides featured rice flour, pine nut powder, and beet pickles. Garnished with herring roe, this dish was a perfect balance of textures and flavors.

On the plate, the right side included chives, ginger, and marigold petals, while the left side featured caviar. Accompanying sauces included a rich pine nut sauce and a bell pepper-based green sauce.

 

- Sea Eel on Makgeoli Bread with deodeok and dried pollack -

​Butter, Sea eel in soy sauce, Makgeolli bread, and sweet pumpkin powder. Dried pollack with a little sprinkle of smoky paprika powder.

 

​- Red tilefish with crispy skin and grilled spinach -

​Red tilefish from Jeju-do, topped with kumquat and water parsley.

Traditional Soy Sauce and Spinach Porridge.

 

 

4. Flavor of Joo Ok

Cold-pressed Perilla seed oil with Conch and Kristal Caviar

Next was Joo-Ok’s signature dish, renowned for its unforgettable nutty flavor derived from premium-grade perilla oil. The delicate, distinctive essence of the last precious drop of perilla oil left a lasting impression, showcasing why Joo-Ok holds such a stellar reputation.

 

 

5. ​Sea

Lobster with Gochujang Sauce and Glazed Sweet Potato

Another highlight was a sweet potato cube caramelized with a blend of soybean paste and sugar sauce, paired with lobster topped with Yak-gochujang foam and red shiso leaves. The sweet and salty combination of caramelized soybean paste and sweet potato was truly remarkable.

​Laguiole en Aubrac knives

 

 

6. ​​Main

Hanwoo (Korean Beef) Tenderloin with Tteok-galbi and Rice Cake

The main course featured wet-aged Hanwoo (Korean beef) tenderloin, cooked to perfection. It was accompanied by grilled maitake mushrooms, native to East Asia.

Pickled lotus root & garlic stems. Rice and Gangdoenjang (seasoned soybean paste).

Surprisingly, the Tteokgalbi surpassed the tenderloin in flavor, offering a richer, more satisfying taste.

Pairing the rice with Gangdoenjang (seasoned soybean paste) elevated the dish even further, making it a standout component of the meal.

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7. Dessert

- Cham-namul Tofu Icecream and Mascarpone Mousse -

Dessert was an intricate creation topped with raspberry powder and meringue chips. Inside, layers of strawberry, cream, mascarpone cheese, and tofu ice cream were delicately arranged. Finely chopped yokan and pistachios added a final touch of elegance to this sweet treat.

 

- Seasonal Fruits -

​​Korean Redhyang Oranges

 

 

​8. Flavor of Korea

​- Magnolia Tea and Brown Rice Tea -

 

- Korean Traditional Rice and Nut Cracker / Gangjeong -

Yakgwa / Red bean jelly / Brown rice gangjeong / Walnut gangjeong

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​​Michelin 2 Stars & Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2022

An unexpected but delightful touch was the traditional Jangdokdae jars, typically used for fermenting dishes like kimchi and soybean products. This nod to Korean culinary heritage was both nostalgic and meaningful.

To end the meal, the staff gifted us with Gangjeong (traditional Korean sweets), which were satisfying and thoughtful in many ways.

Joo-Ok continues to stand out as a fine dining destination, offering an unforgettable experience rooted in both innovation and tradition. The expertly crafted dishes, attention to detail, and harmonious flavors make it a place I would highly recommend to anyone seeking a memorable culinary journey.

 

Address : 3F, 119 Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, Seoul OPEN GOOGLE MAP

Phone : +82-10-4461-1193

Operation Hours : Tuesday-Saturday  (Break time : 15:00 - 18:00)

Instagram : Click for more images

Reservation : Click here for reservation

 

Source : https://blog.naver.com/jdoro/223034368042

Writer : jdoro

Special thanks to jdoro

 

Joo ok seoul 2star michelin fine dining the plaza