The Art Dining of Korean Myomi - American Somni Michelin Star Chef Team

'Somni at Myomi Art Dining' Held at Myomi on 8-9
Visiting Korea During Global Art Event 'Frieze Art Fair' Week
Expected to Promote Korean Food Culture Excellence and Contribute to Hallyu Spread

The 'Michelin Star' awarded to world-renowned restaurants, a highlight of fine dining (Michelin 1 star awarded for 4 consecutive years), will host an art dining event called ‘Somni at Myomi’ on the 8th and 9th, inviting Aito Zabala, the head chef of Somni restaurant in California, USA, and a Michelin 2-star chef. This event coincides with the 'Kiaf Frieze Art Fair' week, known as one of the world's top three art fairs.

Amid the growing global popularity and interest in K-food, this event features a famous American chef team visiting Seoul to learn about Korean cuisine. It is expected to contribute to spreading the Korean Wave by promoting the excellence of Korean food culture.

A representative from Myomi, the organizer of this event, explained, "As a pop-up event that adds American chefs' artistry to Korean dining, it will be a special opportunity to experience new food cultures between the two countries." He added, "Although the event is short, it combines rich elements such as food, wine, culture, art, and participation from practical platform brands, offering a special and fresh experience and value beyond just eating and drinking." He also mentioned, "Interest and demand for Korean food are growing in the US, so we plan to pass on Myomi’s use of traditional Korean ingredients and cooking methods to the Somni chef team."

Myo-mi, a Korean dining restaurant located on the 5th floor of Arario Museum Inspace near Changdeokgung Palace in Seoul. Photo by Myo-mi.

Chef Zabala, who recently visited Korea, is from El Bulli, one of the restaurants that popularized molecular gastronomy and is known as a training ground for renowned chefs active in the global fine dining scene. In July, Chef Zabala also visited Korea and, together with the Myomi team, explored traditional markets including Gyeongdong Market and Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market, experiencing traditional Korean ingredients and selecting domestic seafood, meat, and vegetables to create various plates with his own interpretation. He said, "The dining level in Seoul is excellent enough to rival any gourmet city in the world," and added, "The number of foreign chefs seeking opportunities for culinary exchange in Seoul is increasing."

Amber Ko, the director in charge of planning this event, said, "Chef Zabala was inspired by the exhibitions at the Arario Museum where Myomi is located, and will interpret that inspiration into a 17-course menu." She added, "We hope this new form of dining, which allows people to enjoy art through smell and taste, will establish itself as a dining genre through this event."

All the pairing wines featured in the course menu of this event are products launching for the first time in Korea. Dokdo Winery, which already has a strong fan base among wine enthusiasts who prefer premium Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, will provide the wines. Also, one of the white wines offered as a pairing, Histoire d’Amphore, is made from the Swiss indigenous grape variety Petite Arvine. No synthetic products or herbicides are used.

Myomi is a contemporary Korean dining restaurant led by CEO Seo Juwon, a former race car driver, and Chef Kim Hyojung, developing and presenting innovative Korean cuisine. It achieved a Michelin 1 star in the shortest period and has maintained 1 star for 4 consecutive years.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.