MAFRA designates 5 outstanding Korean restaurants in New York and Paris
Public Relations Division
2023.12.11
439
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Minister Chung Hwang-keun, MAFRA) and the Korean Food Promotion Institute (Chairperson Yim Kyeong Sook) announced on December 6th the designation of five outstanding Korean restaurants in New York and Paris.
The designated outstanding overseas Korean restaurants are ▴Cote, ▴Soogil, ▴Jua in New York, and ▴Sambuja, ▴Ma-shi-ta in Paris.
➊ Cote: A Michelin 1-star restaurant, representing Korean-style grilled meat in New York, introducing Korean dining culture with a variety of side dishes like steamed eggs, spicy seasoned green onion salad, and pickled vegetables. ❷ Soogil: High-end Korean fine dining combining Korean ingredients with French culinary techniques, featuring braised beef short ribs, stir-fried glass noodles and vegetables, and spicy soft tofu stew as main dishes. ❸ Jua: A Michelin 1-starred modern Korean restaurant reinterpreting familiar Korean dishes such as side dishes and porridge, well-received by locals. ❹ Sambuja: Featuring Korean sentiments with an interior that evokes the feeling of Korea, specializing in dishes like hangover soup and codfish soup with rich taste of Korean cuisine. ❺ Ma-shi-ta: Using vegetables directly grown on a weekend farm, despite its small scale, introduces the excellent taste of Korean cuisine through storytelling about Korean culinary culture, including traditional sweets and alcoholic beverages.
These Korean restaurants, besides contributing to the global promotion of Korean cuisine, also play the role of "culinary diplomats" for K-Food export expansion by creatively utilizing domestic ingredients such as abalone from Wando, salted shrimp from Sinan, and various traditional foods, such as pastes and plum marmalade, from masters of traditional food.
The designation is the second of its kind following the first designation in the first half of this year (January 26, '23, 8 places*) selected based on 21 assessment criteria including contribution to the spread of Korean cuisine to improve the quality of overseas Korean restaurants and protect consumers, culinary qualifications, and hygiene management. Designated restaurants receive various benefits, including the issuance of certificates and plaques and support for purchasing ingredients and tableware. * (New York) Jungsik, Yoon Haeundae Galbi, Atomix, (Paris) Soon Grill le Marais, Jong-no Samgyetang, Yido, (Tokyo) Yun Ga, Hasuo
Regarding the results of the designation, the restaurants designated in the first-half of this year mentioned, "There have been effects such as increased local media attention, boosted sales, and heightened sense of pride." Chef Junghyun Park of Atomix, highlighted that "the designation offered an opportunity to positively promote Korean culture through enhanced international gastronomic evaluations."
Director General Yang Joo-pil of Food Industry Policy at MAFRA, stated, "Expectations and roles for outstanding Korean restaurants leading the promotion of Korean food are significant," and added, "We will continue our efforts to discover outstanding overseas Korean restaurants, aiming to enhance the competitiveness of Korean cuisine and strengthen its global reputation."