Minku Kang's "Mingles" Earns Michelin Three Stars for Second Year... Sungjae Ahn's "Mosu" Returns with Two Stars

Michelin Guide "Seoul & Busan 2026" Announced
46 Michelin-Starred Restaurants Selected in Seoul and Busan

Mingles, led by Chef Minku Kang, has been selected as Korea’s only Michelin three-star restaurant for the second consecutive year. Mosu, the restaurant of Chef Sungjae Ahn—who gained fame as a judge on the Netflix show "Chef in Black and White"—was excluded from evaluation last year due to a temporary closure, but re-entered the list this year by receiving two stars.

On the 5th, Chef Kang Mingu of Mingles, awarded three stars, at the Michelin Guide Seoul & Busan 2026 event held at Signiel Busan in Haeundae-gu, Busan. Screenshot from YouTube 'The MICHELIN Guide'

The Michelin Guide announced the results of the "Michelin Guide Seoul & Busan 2026" selection on March 5 at Signiel Busan in Haeundae, Busan. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Michelin Guide’s publication in Korea, and a total of 46 Michelin-starred restaurants in Seoul and Busan made the list. Among these, there is one three-star restaurant, ten two-star restaurants, and thirty-five one-star restaurants.

The highest grade, three stars, was awarded solely to Mingles in Seoul. Mingles, led by Chef Minku Kang, maintained its position as Korea’s only three-star restaurant, having first achieved this top rating last year.

In Seoul, a total of ten restaurants were selected as two-star establishments. Among them, Mosu was excluded from last year’s evaluation due to a temporary closure for restructuring, but it returned to the list this year with two stars. Chef Ahn said, "Although there was a brief hiatus, I am honored to once again be listed alongside respected chefs," adding, "I have always focused more on the identity and direction pursued by the restaurant than on the number of stars." Sosuhun, which held one star until last year, was also promoted to two stars this year.

For one-star restaurants, thirty-one in Seoul and four in Busan were selected. In Seoul, seven restaurants newly joined the list by receiving stars. Among them, Gaggan by Choi Junho, Restaurant Jueun, and Hakushi were promoted from previously Michelin-selected restaurants, while Collage, Giwagang, Restaurant San, and Sushi Kanesaka were newly added. In Busan, Ledohé newly received one star.

The "Green Star," awarded to restaurants practicing sustainable gastronomy, went to Piotto, Gosari Express, Mitou, and Gigas. Among the special awards, the Sommelier Award was presented to Sommelier Lee Jeongin of Giwagang, while the Service Award went to Manager Kim Ilwoo of Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura. The Young Chef Award was given to Chef Kim Changwook of Ledohé.

This edition includes a total of 233 restaurants across Seoul and Busan. The Michelin Guide selected 178 in Seoul and 55 in Busan, including 71 Bib Gourmand establishments and 116 Michelin-selected restaurants.

Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide, remarked, "Over the past ten years, Korea’s dining scene has achieved significant growth both in quantity and quality. Seoul has established itself as a highly accomplished gastronomic capital, striking a delicate balance between tradition and innovation, while Busan is rapidly emerging as a dynamic culinary hub, driven by its unique local character and creative cuisine."

The Michelin Guide originated in 1900 as a restaurant guide for motorists, created by the French tire company Michelin Group. In 1926, it began awarding stars to restaurants of outstanding quality, evolving into today’s culinary guide. In Korea, the Michelin Guide Seoul was first published in 2017, and since 2024, its evaluation scope has expanded to include the Busan region.

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