05 March 2026
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The MICHELIN Guide today unveiled the full restaurant selection for The MICHELIN Guide Seoul & Busan 2026 at SIGNIEL Busan, overlooking the iconic shoreline of Haeundae Beach. The milestone 10th-anniversary edition sets a record for the highest number of new and promoted MICHELIN-Starred restaurants since the Guide’s debut in the country in 2017.
A total of 233 restaurants were selected, including 178 in Seoul and 55 in Busan. There were 10 new and promoted MICHELIN-Starred establishments, a record number that brings the total number of MICHELIN-Starred restaurants to 46 across the country. This recognition reflects South Korea’s growing global influence as Seoul and Busan continue to deepen their culinary diversity and strengthen their standing as global gastronomic destinations.
The Seoul selection includes 42 MICHELIN-Starred restaurants, comprising 1 Three-MICHELIN-Star restaurant, 10 Two-MICHELIN-Star restaurants and 31 One-MICHELIN-Star restaurants. In Busan, 1 restaurant has been newly promoted to One MICHELIN Star, bringing the total to 4 One-MICHELIN-Star restaurants in the city. The Seoul and Busan selection is further enriched by 71 Bib Gourmand and 116 MICHELIN Selected restaurants.
“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,” remarks Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of The MICHELIN Guide.
“Over the past decade, Korea’s dining landscape has grown in breadth and depth as Seoul has matured into a highly polished gastronomic capital achieving a delicate balance between tradition and innovation, while Busan has rapidly emerged as a dynamic hub shaped by its local character and culinary creativity,” he says.
He adds: “As we celebrate ten years of the MICHELIN Guide in Korea, what stands out most is the continuity and maturity of traditional Korean cooking, which continues to embody pride and craftsmanship through focused specialization that reveals extraordinary mastery behind apparent simplicity.”
Mingles retains Three Stars for the second consecutive year
Chef Min-goo Kang’s Mingles retains its Three MICHELIN Stars for the second consecutive year, continuing to represent the pinnacle of Korean gastronomy. Within a space reflecting Korean aesthetics, the cuisine harmoniously blends tradition and modernity with refined creativity and high consistency built on the team’s continuous dedication.
Sosuheon promoted to Two Stars
MICHELIN-Starred Sosuheon has been promoted to Two Stars. Set within a traditional hanok against Seoul’s contemporary skyline, Sosuheon offers a serene counterpoint to the city. From the eight-seat counter, diners observe Chef Kyung-jae Park’s assured preparation of nigiri, preceded by refined seasonal dishes such as cod roe with hairy crab and grilled hairtail, before a final bowl of matcha brings the evening to a measured close.
Mosu newly awarded Two MICHELIN Stars
Mosu by Ahn Sung has returned with distinction. Re-opened in Yongsan, Seoul, Mosu delivers cuisine defined by precision, balance and quiet imagination, where layered flavors and textures unfold with control. Signature dishes such as abalone taco, sesame tofu, and burdock tarte anchor the experience, complemented by composed fish courses, thoughtful wine pairings, and dining spaces that range from chef-facing counters to sunset-lit rooms upstairs.
4 promotions to One Star
Also promoted were a handful of MICHELIN-selected restaurants, including three in Seoul and one in Busan — all proud holders of One Star.
Led by chef couple Hyeon-Ah Choi and Jin-hee Won, GAGGEN by Choi Junho elegantly expresses Japanese seasonality with uncommon preparations such as hand‑pulled somen, freshly ground sesame and bracken‑starch warabi‑mochi. Thoughtful explanations from the chefs and warm, attentive hospitality further elevate the overall dining journey.
Hakusi has re-opened in Cheongdam-dong building in Seoul, in a space that feels like still-life painting. The food matches the modern space and showcases the chef’s creativity: unagi is served first with sansho, then once again wrapped in a delicate pancake with basil and paired with basil vinegar. Dishes are served à la carte after 8 p.m., and the restaurant also offers a tasting menu consisting of past signature dishes.
JUEUN offers a delicate expression of Korea’s four seasons, with understated approach over trendy ornamentation. A variety of fermented sauces form the backbone of the menu, while the seasonally changing courses provide a strong incentive for return visits. Ceramics and subtle media art create an ambient dining space, while curated pairings of traditional Korean spirits and wine further elevate the experience.
In Busan, Le DORER became the fourth restaurant to earn a MICHELIN Star. Le DORER modernizes the essence of traditional Korean cuisine, placing seasonal local ingredients at its core. Originally a Korean restaurant, it has developed a contemporary style subtly influenced by French and Japanese techniques. After passing through a small alley, guests enter a speakeasy-like dining room with expansive ocean views. This brings the number of MICHELIN-Starred restaurants in Busan to four.
4 new Starred restaurants in Seoul
At newly Starred Collage, Chef Jin-sung Noh draws upon his extensive understanding of ingredients to create dishes that balance various flavors. His refined culinary skills are richly expressed through the harmonious blend of ingredients' inherent flavors and dense sauces. By incorporating seasonal local ingredients with fermentation techniques, he gives traditional French cuisine a modern, diverse touch. Enjoy his distinctively stylish dishes in a charming dining space.Another new Star, GiwaKang presents a bold approach to Korean cuisine with refined French technique. The chef, who already runs his eponymous One-Starred KANG MINCHUL Restaurant, presents unexpected combinations such as dongchimi with caviar, ganjang gejang rice with truffle and squid mandu. The space is elegant and modern with a view of a spotless open kitchen.
SAN joins the One Star club by with a creative flair. Chef Seong-hyun Jo pairs seasonal ingredients with sauces, balancing complexity and restraint, such as lobster jeotgal and chamoe dongchimi. Quiet service and thoughtful wine pairings add to the dining experience, which is further enhanced by the forest ambience of the space.
Sushi Kanesaka also newly earned One Star. Tucked inside the restaurant Hinotsuki (located in the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas), the minimalist room features an eight-seat hinoki counter where a Japanese chef and a Korean team serve refined sushi. The sushi rice is made with Korean rice, cooked to mimic the texture of Japanese grains and seasoned with salt and two types of red vinegar for clean umami, while the seafood is largely seasonal and caught in Korea.
2 new Green Stars
Last but not least, two restaurants joined the MICHELIN Green Star community. The MICHELIN Green Star editorially highlights restaurants that, among all the MICHELIN Guide selections, have inspired and impressed Inspectors with their committed vision for the future of gastronomy.By gathering a community of innovative establishments driven to pursue progress in the role of restaurants, the MICHELIN Green Star fosters dialogue and collaboration, encouraging establishments to inspire and evolve together.
Two-Starred Mitou sources its ingredients from a non-commercial family farm in Cheongju and long-standing local producers, with an emphasis on house-made condiments, seasonal seafood and low-waste cooking. The Japanese restaurant makes an effort to use compost and reduce plastic consumption.
The other new Green Star is Gosari Express, a new Bib Gourmand spot in Sindang-dong's Jungang Market. This inventive vegan restaurant demonstrates the boundless potential of gosari (fernbrake). Every dish features the restaurant’s signature gosari oil sauce, from spicy bibim noodles to Taiwanese pancakes.
MICHELIN Guide Special Awards
With its Special Awards, the MICHELIN Guide aims to highlight the professionalism and dedication of individuals across various fields within the hospitality industry, recognizing the value and impact of their contributions.
The 2026 MICHELIN Guide Sommelier Award, presented in partnership with Perrier-Jouët, goes to Sommelier Jung-in Lee of GiwaKang (newly awarded One MICHELIN Star). According to inspectors, he delivers a passionate yet highly thoughtful wine service. His confident and flexible pairing approach allows him to present each course with ease and clarity. Through engaging explanations of both wines and dishes, he and his team further elevate the dining experience, allowing modern Korean cuisine to truly shine.
The 2026 MICHELIN Guide Service Award is given to Manager Il-woo Kim of Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura (MICHELIN-Selected restaurant). Drawing on solid experience in international establishments, he and his team deliver polished service marked by warmth and professionalism. His ability to read guests and pace the dining experience creates a seamless flow between kitchen and table. His service enhances the dining experience with quiet confidence.
The 2026 MICHELIN Guide Young Chef Award goes to Chef Chang-uk Kim of Le DORER (promoted to One MICHELIN Star). After building a strong foundation in fine dining both domestically and internationally, he presents a calm and thoughtful interpretation of contemporary Korean cuisine. Prioritizing precision and ingredient integrity over showmanship, his dishes convey restrained refinement within familiar flavors. His consistent respect for seasonality and local produce signals a young chef steadily shaping a clear, personal culinary voice.
The Opening of the Year Award — newly introduced this year — goes to Chef An Lee of IAán (new MICHELIN-Selected restaurant). From its opening, IAán has demonstrated a clear vision and assured execution. Anchored in Chef-owner Lee’s belief that “consistency” is fundamental; cuisine, space and service are thoughtfully aligned into a cohesive identity. Though modest in scale, the restaurant’s confident debut and operational maturity position it as a notable presence in Busan’s dining scene, with strong potential for continued growth.
24 new addresses in the MICHELIN Selection
24 other new locations also join the MICHELIN Guide Seoul & Busan 2026 selection as MICHELIN-Selected restaurants, bringing the total number to 116.
The MICHELIN Guide is a benchmark in gastronomy. Now, it’s setting a new standard for hotels and wines. Visit the MICHELIN Guide’s official website, or download the MICHELIN Guide mobile app (iOS and Android), to discover every restaurant in the selection and book an unforgettable hotel.
The official MICHELIN Guide Asia Facebook page
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Download the MICHELIN Guide App for iOS and Android.
Hero and thumb images : Busan’s illuminated Gwangan Bridge arcs across the bay at dusk, linking the city’s vibrant coastal districts. © anek.soowannaphoom/Shutterstock
EXPLORE MORE: 8 New Bib Gourmands Announced for The MICHELIN Guide Seoul & Busan 2026
