KwonSookSoo (2-star Michelin)
A month ago, my mom visited KwonSookSoo (Cheongdam, Seoul), a Michelin 2-star restaurant, and mentioned she wanted to enjoy a Korean course meal again. So, to celebrate Parents’ Day on May 8th, I made a reservation for their lunch course.
The lunch course at Kwon Sook Soo is priced in the 200,000 won range, definitely on the higher end.
The restaurant is located on the 4th floor of a building tucked away in an alley, so the entrance area can be a bit tricky to find.
The interior was clean and elegant, with an abundance of natural light streaming in. It had a bright and inviting atmosphere.
Since it was Parents’ Day, each table had a flower (carnation) placed on it. That simple touch really brightened up the atmosphere and lifted our spirits.
We had a 12 p.m. reservation, and shortly after we were seated, more guests began arriving. The bottles of alcohol in the photo seem to be part of the drink pairing option. I think adding the pairing would be especially nice for the dinner course.
Menu
Here’s the menu. The course is priced at 220,000 won per person, so it’s definitely on the pricey side… One small letdown was that the menu design and material didn’t quite reflect the premium price point.
Juansang (welcome drink with small appetizers)
First came the “Juansang”, a small tray of Korean liquor paired with tiny appetizers, beautifully presented in a mother-of-pearl dish.
Since my mom was driving, we went with a non-alcoholic version. The original pairing drink was a 13% ABV Korean rice wine. Each bite-sized delicacy was delicious and thoughtfully prepared.
Durup Jeonbyeong (Fatsia shoot, Snow crab, Wild mushroom, Korean beef)
Next came the Durup Jeonbyeong. Normally, I’m not a fan of Durup (fatsia shoot) because of its bitterness, but here it was clean, delicate, and truly delicious.
Spring Ocean Breeze (Sea squirt, Pen shell scallop, Seasonal fish, Manila clam)
If I recall correctly, the orange topping was finely chopped sea urchin. The fish underneath was tender and mild, with no fishy smell at all. The sauce on top really brought out the essence of the sea. The first bite had a hint of brininess, but as I kept eating, it truly lived up to its name, offering the fresh scent of the spring ocean.
Zucchini flower tempura (Zucchini flower, Shrimp, Sweet corn, Pinenut)
The zucchini flower tempura was a delight from the start. The chef first brought out the raw ingredients before preparing them, and I loved that kind of presentation. I never realized how beautiful zucchini flowers were!
Stuffed with minced shrimp, it had a satisfying bite inside, while the flower itself was crispy on the outside. Paired with the basil purée on the side, the flavors were fresh and invigorating, with a burst of basil and mint that refreshed the palate.
Sea Cucumber (Sea cucumber, Croaker, Chestnut, Mung bean porridge)
Next came the mung bean and braised Sea cucumber dish.
Before serving, the chef showed us the dried sea cucumber, which was a fun touch. This might’ve been my very first time trying sea cucumber!
Its texture was soft and slightly chewy, definitely one of those ingredients that some might love and others might not. But thanks to the other ingredients inside, the overall balance and flavor were quite satisfying.
Kimchi Roll (White kimchi roll, Korean beef, Abalone, Shrimp)
Just before the main dish, we were served white kimchi as a palate cleanser. It tasted nicely refreshing, the perfect bite to reset your taste buds.
Main course
For the main course, my mom chose the lamb chops in soybean paste with fish broth. They were cooked medium-rare, just as the chef recommended.
I took a bite, and honestly, I regretted not choosing lamb myself instead of beef. It was that good. The side dishes that accompanied the lamb were also well-matched. If you’re doing the Kwon Sook Soo lunch course, I absolutely recommend the lamb!
I ordered the Hanwoo (Korean beef) striploin steak (+20,000 won) after reading rave reviews about it. It was good, no doubt, but it didn’t feel particularly special. Between the two, I would still recommend the lamb.
Ssal Ssal Ssal (3 kinds of rice ice cream and chip, Baked rice bran, Makgeolli)
My personal favorite was the “Ssal Ssal Ssal,” an ice cream made with three kinds of rice.
It came with delightfully crisp pumpkin petals. The little white popcorn-looking bits reminded me of Dippin' Dots, and they had a hint of makgeolli (Korean rice wine) in them. Absolutely delicious!
Petit fours trolley
Then came the dessert cart. I heard the sound of wheels and turned around to see a beautifully arranged cart full of traditional sweets! It was such a fun and unexpected experience.
The staff explained each treat and plated them for us with care.
Everything was delicious, especially the “Gaeseong Juak,” a chewy Korean traditional dessert I had never tried before, a bit sweet but incredibly good. I would’ve asked for a second round if refills were allowed! The yuzu black tea was the perfect way to end the meal.
At the table next to ours, a Chinese family was also enjoying their meal. It made me realize just how many foreign visitors are coming to Korea these days, fascinating to see!
All in all, it was such a lovely and satisfying lunch with my mom at Kwon Sook Soo. I'm so glad we went.
Address : 37 Apgujeong-ro 80-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Phone : +82-507-1354-6268
Operation Hours : Tuesday - Saturday 12:00 - 22:00 (Break time 15:00-18:00)
Website : kwonsooksoo.com/
Instagram : Check out more photos
Reservation : Click here for reservation
Source : https://blog.naver.com/ryuhanhi/223859605741
Writer : ryuhanhi
Special thanks to ryuhanhi
kwonsooksoo seoul fine dining restaurant michelin 2-star