The MICHELIN Guide unveiled its 10th-anniversary selection for Seoul and Busan, awarding a record 10 new and promoted stars to bring the total to 46 starred restaurants across the two cities. The announcement took place at SIGNIEL Busan, highlighting South Korea's evolving culinary scene. A total of 233 restaurants were selected, including 71 Bib Gourmand and 116 MICHELIN Selected establishments.
The MICHELIN Guide Seoul & Busan 2026 was revealed at SIGNIEL Busan, overlooking Haeundae Beach, marking the 10th anniversary since the guide's debut in South Korea in 2017. This edition features 233 restaurants, with 178 in Seoul and 55 in Busan, reflecting the country's growing gastronomic influence.
In Seoul, 42 restaurants hold MICHELIN Stars: Mingles retains its Three Stars for the second year, while Sosuheon and Mosu each gain promotion to Two Stars. Sosuheon, set in a traditional hanok, offers nigiri and seasonal dishes prepared by Chef Kyung-jae Park. Mosu, reopened in Yongsan by Chef Ahn Sung, emphasizes precision with dishes like abalone taco and sesame tofu.
Four restaurants were promoted to One Star: GAGGEN by Choi Junho, led by chefs Hyeon-Ah Choi and Jin-hee Won, features Japanese seasonality; Hakusi in Cheongdam-dong serves creative unagi; JUEUN highlights Korea's seasons with fermented sauces; and Le DORER in Busan modernizes Korean cuisine, becoming the city's fourth One-Star restaurant.
New One-Star awards in Seoul went to GiwaKang, blending Korean and French techniques; SAN, with seasonal pairings by Chef Seong-hyun Jo; and Sushi Kanesaka, using Korean rice for refined sushi. Busan now has four One-Star restaurants total.
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of The MICHELIN Guide, stated: “Marking the 10th anniversary of the MICHELIN Guide in Korea, we would like to highlight a decade of remarkable transformation, witnessing Korea evolve into a mature, confident and multilayered culinary ecosystem.” He praised the balance of tradition and innovation in Seoul and Busan's emergence as a culinary hub.
Special awards included the Sommelier Award to Jung-in Lee of GiwaKang, Service Award to Il-woo Kim of Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura, Young Chef Award to Chang-uk Kim of Le DORER, and Opening of the Year to An Lee of IAán in Busan. Two new Green Stars were awarded, and 24 new addresses joined the 116 MICHELIN Selected restaurants.
A separate report noted Chef Son Jong-won leading Eatanic Garden and L'Amant Secret to One-Star status in Seoul.
