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Kwonsooksoo: Michelin 2-Star Korean Fine Dining Experience in Cheongdam, Seoul

Recently, I had the pleasure of experiencing dinner at Kwonsooksoo, a celebrated 2-Michelin-starred Korean fine dining restaurant nestled in the heart of Cheongdam-dong, Seoul. Known as one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Korea, Cheongdam-dong is a hub for high-end dining, and Kwonsooksoo stands out as a true gem in this culinary landscape. It’s located amongst other Michelin-starred Korean restaurants like Jungsik and Mingles, making this area a hotspot for Korean fine dining enthusiasts.

Location and Ambiance

Situated in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Kwonsooksoo is a bit tucked away in the narrow alleys, typical of this area. While valet parking is conveniently provided, navigating these streets by car can be a little challenging, especially during peak hours. Inside, the restaurant boasts an elegant and refined atmosphere. The interior design emphasizes natural wood, from the furniture to the décor, creating a warm and authentically Korean aesthetic. However, it’s worth noting that the restaurant’s acoustics can be a bit lively, with sounds echoing and conversations sometimes needing a slightly raised voice.

A Culinary Journey: The Dinner Course

Kwonsooksoo offers a sophisticated dinner tasting menu, known as “Suksu Sang” (숙수상), a curated culinary journey priced at ₩200,000. To enhance the experience, I opted for the Korean traditional liquor pairing, a delightful complement to the intricate flavors of each dish. Alternatively, they also offer a wine list and corkage is available at ₩100,000.

Jooansang: Welcoming Bites

The evening commenced with “Jooansang,” a beautifully presented welcome course reminiscent of a traditional Korean drinking table setting. Served on an individual elevated tray, it felt like a personal feast. This included:

• Hanwoo Beef Trotter Terrine (한우족편): A savory terrine made with beef shank and trotters, offering a delightful gelatinous texture and rich flavor, a sophisticated take on Korean 편육 (Pyeonyuk).
• Soy-Marinated Abalone Jerky (간장 전복포): Unlike typical soft abalone, this was firm and jerky-like, demanding a good chew and releasing umami flavors, closer to a high-end meat jerky than seafood.
• Seaweed Crackers (김부각): Crisp and savory 김부각 (Gim-bugak) provided a delightful textural contrast.
• Chestnut Porridge (밤죽): A creamy and deeply flavorful chestnut porridge (밤죽), incredibly rich and comforting, a small but satisfying portion.
• Capsosiphon fulvescens Pancake (매생이전) with Sea Urchin Roe (어란) and Pine Nuts: A lukewarm 매생이전 (Maesaengi-jeon) pancake, topped with savory 어란 (Eoran, salted and dried mullet roe) and fragrant pine nuts. The 어란, while intensely flavored and slightly sticky, added a luxurious touch.
• Fried Yam Cake (마 튀긴 떡): Crispy fried yam cake, surprisingly pleasant even for someone not typically fond of yam, with a hint of yuzu adding a refreshing note.

Paired with 석탄주 (Seoktanju), a slightly sweet traditional Korean liquor, it was a perfect start.

Memorable Dishes Throughout the Course

Several dishes throughout the Suksu Sang course were particularly noteworthy:

Grilled Minke Goby (민어구이) with Clam Porridge (백합죽)

This dish featured succulent grilled minke goby served atop a bed of creamy clam porridge (백합죽). Smoked Sea Parsley (방풍나물) added a smoky aroma when the lid was lifted, creating an immersive sensory experience. The clam porridge was subtly flavored and comforting, reminiscent of high-quality chicken porridge in texture. The grilled fish was perfectly cooked, retaining moisture and showcasing its natural flavors.

Korean Beef and Dubap Skewers (한우 두릅적)

Visually impressive and generously portioned, these skewers combined tender Korean beef wrapped around Dubap shoots and filled with mantis shrimp in the center. Served with a small amount of perilla oil mayonnaise, the skewers were flavorful and satisfying, although the mayonnaise portion felt a bit stingy.

Kongguksu (콩국수) with Morel & Truffle

The cold soybean noodle soup (콩국수) was elevated to a fine dining level with the addition of morel mushrooms and shaved truffle. The soybean broth was incredibly rich and nutty, without any off-putting bean taste. The handmade 칼국수 (Kal-guksu) noodles were exceptionally chewy and complemented the luxurious truffle and creamy broth beautifully. It tasted like a sophisticated cold pasta dish, a surprising and delightful twist on a Korean summer staple.

Grilled Lamb Ribs with Gochujang (양갈비 고추장구이) – Main Dish

For the main course, I chose the Grilled Lamb Ribs with Gochujang. The lamb was cooked to a well-done but tender perfection, with a nicely charred exterior. Initially, I ate it on its own, finding it pleasant but somewhat standard. However, the accompanying coriander and crown daisy green salad (고수, 쑥갓 무침) was a revelation. Combining the lamb with this fresh, aromatic salad transformed the dish, adding a refreshing, almost Southeast Asian-inspired dimension, perfectly complementing the rich 고추장 (Gochujang) marinade. It was a testament to the thought and balance in Kwonsooksoo’s dish compositions.

Korean Beef Patty (Tteokgalbi – 한우 떡갈비) & Sirloin (채끝등심) – Tastes of other Main Dishes

I also had the opportunity to taste the famed Korean Beef Patty (떡갈비) and Sirloin (채끝등심). The 떡갈비 was exceptional – juicy, flavorful, and perfectly textured, truly deserving of its reputation. The Sirloin was a high-quality cut of Hanwoo beef, grilled to perfection.

Mussel Sotbap (홍합 솥밥) and Seasonal Banchan

The meal concluded with Mussel Sotbap (홍합 솥밥), pot rice with mussels, accompanied by a delightful array of seasonal side dishes (반찬). The sotbap was fragrant and flavorful, with sweet mussels enhancing the savory rice. While 홍합 (mussel) might seem like a common ingredient for a restaurant of this caliber, the quality and execution were undeniable. The 반찬 were all refillable and provided a comforting and traditional Korean 마무리 (Mamuri – closing) to the meal.

Dessert and Dagwa Cart

Dessert commenced with refreshing Candied Ginger (편강) and cacao sherbet. The highlight was the Dagwa Cart, a beautifully presented trolley offering a selection of nine different Korean and Western sweets. From traditional Korean confections to modern pastries, each bite was a delightful treat, providing a perfect sweet ending to the extensive meal. Coffee or tea was also offered to conclude the dining experience.

Final Thoughts

Kwonsooksoo offers a meticulously crafted and deeply satisfying Korean fine dining experience. The dishes are rooted in familiar Korean flavors but elevated with premium ingredients, refined techniques, and artistic presentation. While it’s a splurge, the quality of the cuisine, elegant ambiance, and attentive service make it worthwhile for special occasions or anyone seeking to explore the pinnacle of modern Korean gastronomy. While some might find the price point a touch high compared to everyday Korean food, the overall experience at Kwonsooksoo justifies its Michelin 2-star status.

General Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Kwonsooksoo (권숙수)
Address: 24, Apgujeong-ro 80-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Location: Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Rating: 4.5/5