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NAE:UM offers Korean fine dining in heart of Singapore
SINGAPORE -- Tucked along a vibrant street lined with restaurants and bars in the heart of Singapore, NAE:UM quietly asserts itself as a symbol of Korean culinary evolution. Since its 2021 debut, the fine-dining restaurant has won accolades including a Michelin Star and the Michelin Guide Singapore’s 2022 Young Chef Award for its chef, Louis Han. Named after the Korean word for a “fragrance that evokes memories,” NAE:UM reflects Han’s vision -- to craft dishes that stir the past while embracing
April 19, 2025 -
Brewing heritage: How Korea’s traditional alcohol is finding new life
Once overshadowed by mainstream choices like soju and beer, traditional Korean alcohol has experienced a resurgence since the early 2020s. The market for traditional drinks in Korea grew from 62.7 billion won ($43.8 million) in 2020 to 147.5 billion won in 2023, and the trend appears to be continuing, with major department stores reporting double-digit on-year increases in their traditional alcohol sales in 2024. This rapid growth is largely driven by younger generations seeking flavors beyond t
April 19, 2025 -
Stylish escape with coffee in Gangnam
Gangnam, the Seoul district synonymous with luxury and modern charm, is also a hot spot for exceptional cafes. While it may lack the indie vibe of other neighborhoods in the capital like Hongdae, Gangnam boasts a unique blend of upscale and trendy spots, each offering distinct coffee and dessert experiences. Following is a curated selection of must-visit cafes in the area. Triode 649 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul Open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m Nestled in vibrant Gangnam, Triode is a hidden
April 17, 2025 -
Happy marriage of fresh minari and chewy pork belly
Minari, in season right now, adds refreshing touch to all-time favorite samgyeopsal Minari is not just the winner of the Golden Globe for best foreign language film and the winner of best supporting actress award at the Academy Awards in 2021. While the film "Minari" may have introduced the vegetable to audiences worldwide, not many people know that the herb heralds the first days of spring in South Korea. Minari is a long-stemmed, leafy green vegetable that bears a physical resemblance to parsl
April 12, 2025 -
Breathe, sip and spoon: 3 spots to recharge this weekend
If life gives you berries, try going for an acai bowl filled with fruit and your favorite toppings. Every weekend, a large crowd usually spills into the streets of Apgujeong Rodeo, a popular neighborhood in the posh Gangnam district of southern Seoul, which boasts streets full of luxury brands, curated shops and fine dining restaurants. In a small alley there, you can also find a dessert shop called A-ha Dosan that offers a frozen acai bowl with oats, honey, strawberries, bananas and choco loops
April 11, 2025 -
Myeon Seoul, Michelin-starred take on Korean noodles
Tucked away in the bustling area of Apgujeong, Myeon Seoul, the second restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Kim Do-yun, is redefining noodle craftsmanship with its commitment to high-quality ingredients and traditional flavors. Following the success of Yun Seoul, Kim's first venture, Myeon Seoul was born out of customer demand for a separate, dedicated space to showcase his housemade noodles. The menu centers on handmade noodles crafted from whole wheat, mung bean and dried pollack, entirely free
April 5, 2025 -
Meals for healthy aging now easier when dining out
Catch Table teams up with geriatrics professor to promote slow-aging meals Restaurant reservation platform Catch Table announced Sunday that it has partnered with Jung Hee-won, a professor in the division of geriatrics at Asan Medical Center and a prominent advocate of slow-aging diets, to promote the idea that meals supporting healthy aging can also be enjoyed when dining out. Tapping into the growing trend of health-conscious eating, which emphasizes avoiding high-fat and high-glycemic ingredi
March 30, 2025 -
The secret ingredient in Ryu Soo-young’s culinary success
A childhood passion led Ryu to redefine his career — balancing life on screen and in the kitchen Actor Ryu Soo-young wasn’t always known for his cooking skills. He debuted in 1998, and for years he was best known for his strong, charismatic performances on the big screen and in Korean dramas. But between memorizing scripts and delivering lines, he has long harbored a love for the kitchen. And what he thought would remain as a personal passion has now fully launched into a second career, turning
March 27, 2025 -
The soft power of 'jang'
Rich, deep flavor of fermented condiments offers taste of age-old Korean culture: Congdu CEO Han Yoon-joo Hansik, or Korean cuisine, has been a powerful tool to foster strong international relations by offering a taste of Korean culture through its culinary riches, according to a pioneer of modern Korean fine dining. Han Yoon-ju, CEO of Congdu, a modern hansik fine dining restaurant, underscored that food serves as a bridge between countries, and she builds such bridges by finding the common cul
March 27, 2025 -
Tteokbokki: South Koreans' longtime soul food
Searching for soul food in Seoul? Head over to Ssangdungne in Apgujeong for tteokbokki There is one thing we can all agree on. Everybody has a particular soul food they reach for when they feel out of sorts and need a taste of comfort. A magical go-to food enjoyed by South Koreans is "tteokbokki," a popular snack of chewy rice cakes slathered in a spicy sauce made from red pepper paste with additions of fish cakes and boiled eggs, as the case may be. If you are looking for a place to get your fi
March 27, 2025 -
Bangkok's Gaggan reclaims throne as best restaurant in Asia after 10 years
Mingles, Korea's only Michelin 3-star restaurant this year, lands 5th spot on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants Awards Gaggan, the renowned Bangkok restaurant, has been crowned the best restaurant in Asia at Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025. The rankings of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants are determined through a vote conducted by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy — a group of over 350 influential figures in the food industry, including chefs, restaurant operators, food journalists, critics and regional cul
March 26, 2025 -
Korean barbecue restaurants loved by stars
In recent years, Korean barbecue has become a global phenomenon, with its sizzling sounds and smoky flavors captivating food lovers around the world. However, there are a few exceptional spots in Seoul that have attracted attention from local foodies as well as Korean celebrities. From Nariuijip in Hannam-dong to Namsan Makchang, these restaurants are proving that good food and a little bit of star power are the perfect ingredients for success. Nariuijip Located in the heart of Hannam-dong, Nari
March 22, 2025 -
Hotels expand premium kimchi subscription services amid growing demand
As demand for premium kimchi rises, more hotels in South Korea are launching subscription services to cater to consumers seeking high-quality, restaurant-grade kimchi at home. Josun Hotel & Resort announced last week that it would introduce a subscription service for its premium kimchi through its online shopping platform. Customers can choose subscription periods of one, two or three months, along with the type and quantity of kimchi they prefer. “We have launched a regular subscription service
March 15, 2025 -
Seoul to host '2025 Seoul Table' featuring top chefs
The Seoul Metropolitan Government will host "2025 Seoul Table" on March 23-24 at Solvit, an artificial island in Han River, offering 300 lucky citizens the chance to taste dishes prepared by some of Korea's most renowned chefs. The event, held to celebrate Seoul’s second consecutive year hosting the "Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants" event, will feature celebrated chefs such as Michelin 3-star recipient Kang Min-goo and star chef Choi Hyun-seok. Participants will be selected through a first-come, firs
March 12, 2025 -
Michelin 3-star chef Kang Min-goo leaves Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul
Kang Min-goo, the owner-chef of Mingles, the only Michelin three-star restaurant in South Korea, is parting ways with Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul after a five-year partnership. According to industry sources, Kang will end his contract with the hotel in April, marking the end of his time at the "Festa by Mingoo" restaurant in the hotel, which he has helmed since its launch. Kang’s departure will make way for Lee Choong-hu, the youngest chef to earn a Michelin Guide rating in 2017, to take over a
March 11, 2025