S. Korean Government Awarded Korean Version of Michelin Star to Three Excellent Korean Restaurants in Paris and London

Sejong, 25 July 2024 — On 23 July, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) and the Korean Food Promotion Institute (KFPI) announced that they awarded the designation of the “Excellent Korean Restaurant” to three restaurants located in Paris and London.  

The three recipients of this year’s recognition are SAM CHIC and JIUM, both located in Paris, as well as Sollip in London. Korean restaurant Sollip is the first in London to receive the recognition. With the 2024 Paris Olympics about to open in a couple of days, this announcement of excellent Korean restaurants is expected to help raise the profile of Korean food in Paris and London.

This year’s selection does not end with the three restaurants. In the second half of this year, the MAFRA and the KFPI will announce another designation of the Excellent Korean Restaurant in New York and Tokyo.

The project to give overseas Korean restaurants the government's recognition of their culinary excellence began in January 2023, and a total of 16 establishments, including the three announced this month, have been awarded the honor.  

<13 Government-designated Excellent Korean Restaurants in 2023>

• New York: Jungsik, YOON Haeundae Galbi, Atomix, Cote, Soogil, and Jua

• Paris: Soon Grill Marais, Jong-no Samgyetang, Yido, Sambuja, Ma-shi-ta

• Tokyo: HASUO, Yanke (尹家)

The selection of overseas excellent Korean restaurants is based mainly on 21 criteria, including whether they properly represent Korean food culture, use homegrown ingredients, have a cook’s license, maintain excellent sanitary conditions, etc. The government-designated excellent Korean restaurants are granted a Certificate of Excellent Korean Restaurant, subsidies for purchase of food ingredients and tableware, and other special benefits.