The ROK Awarded a Korean Version of Michelin Star to Seven Excellent Korean Restaurants in Singapore, Los Angeles, and Paris

Sejong, 19 November 2025 — On 17 November, 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 seven restaurants located in Singapore, Los Angeles, and Paris.  

Under the project to give overseas Korean restaurants the government’s recognition of their culinary excellence, restaurants operating overseas are evaluated comprehensively in terms of a global spread of Korean food culture, based on the criteria of Korean food quality and service, hygiene management, the use of Korean food ingredients, etc. This year, a total of 27 categories were evaluated, resulting in the final selection of seven restaurants as in the following: (a) NAE:UM, Seoul Restaurant, and Um Yong Baek in Singapore; (b) Baroo, Daedo Sikdang, and Soowon Galbi in Los Angeles; and (c) SOON GRILL Champs-Élysées in Paris.

The announcement of excellent Korean restaurants and the rigorous evaluation process are expected to help raise global consumers’ trust for Korean food and the global image of Korean food.

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. They will also receive the government’s promotional support. 

Director-General Jeong Kyung-seok of the Food Industry Policy Bureau of the MAFRA said: “We will continue to designate excellent Korean restaurants operating overseas and increase the number to 100 by 2030. This way, we will make efforts to enhance the competitiveness of Korean food and contribute to expanding the exports of K-Food.”