Seoul food with isle ties gains Michelin stars

The inaugural Michelin Guide for Seoul is out, and a total of 24 restaurants have been recognized by the prestigious guidebooks that rate restaurants.

Seoul has been advancing in the culinary scene for years, and two restaurants — Gaon and La Yeon — have been awarded three stars, the top rating in the guide. Both serve Korean cuisine.

Gaon’s owner, Tae Kwon Cho, is a part-time resident of Hawaii, and his daughter, Lucia Cho, president of restaurants Gaon and Bicena, is a frequent visitor to Hawaii. Lucia Cho was in Hawaii in late October visiting local restaurants and was a guest chef at the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival in 2013 representing restaurant Bicena, which received one Michelin star.

The Cho family has been pioneering and elevating Korean cuisine, and the four stars earned by their two restaurants is well deserved.

One interesting point that Tae Kwon Cho emphasizes is that there is too much waste in Korean cuisine, especially with banchan, or side dishes.

He believes Korean restaurants should serve smaller portions, and I completely agree. One can always ask for more banchan when needed.

THIS WEEK’S SYNOPSES

“Perfect Bride”

Episodes 3 and 4

>> Today, 6:30 p.m.: Gab-soon agonizingly worries about her condition and decides to feel Gab-dol out. Nam Ki-ja starts work as a caretaker and faces trouble on the first day of the job.

>> Today, 7:45 p.m.: Shin Mal-nyun compares Jae-soon’s second husband to her first, making Nae-shim upset. Gab-dol loses the bag with the rent money in a subway. Gab-dol rummages through things and tries to find anything of value. As he’s doing so, his sister Da-hae walks in on him.

“Scarlet Heart”

Episodes 15 and 16

>> Monday, 7:45 p.m.: Wang Yo ascends the throne with Mu’s (King Hye-jong’s) death. Wang Yo (now King Jung-jong) uses Wang Gyu’s insurgence to frame Wang Eun for treason. He orders Wang So to capture Wang Eun. Meanwhile, Wang Eun and Soon-duk take refuge in Hae Soo’s room before leaving the palace.

>> Tuesday, 7:45 p.m.: Wang Eun faces off with the army with Soon-duk at his side. Wang Eun begs King Jung-jong (formerly Wang Yo) to spare him, but he still aims his arrow at Wang Eun. Wang So is disappointed and hurt that Hae Soo kept quiet about Wang Eun’s hideout.

“Don’t Dare To Dream”

Episodes 19 and 20

>> Wednesday, 7:45 p.m.: Na-ri has no reservations showing her jealousy at seeing Hwa-shin and Hye-won kissing. Hwa-shin is elated at seeing her jealous reaction. Meanwhile, Jung-won feels anxious for no reason at entering his empty house. Na-ri decides to accept her feelings for Hwa-shin.

>> Thursday, 7:45 p.m.: At last, Hwa-shin and Na-ri open up to their feelings. They embrace and share a passionate kiss. They regret all their wasted time being alone and lonely. Na-ri sits anxiously with Hwa-shin as anchor as they await election results.

“Happy Home”

Episode 4 and 5

>> Friday, 7:45 p.m.: Mi-soon is furious over being the only one kept in the dark about Se-ri and Man-ho’s relationship. Mi-soon seeks them out at the sauna they are staying at. Man-ho tells Mi-soon she’s neither a wife nor even a woman to him. Ji-gun rescues Hae-ryung from a dangerous situation.

>> Saturday, 7:45 p.m.: Mi-soon tells Sam-bong that Man-ho will never come home if Se-ri is kicked out. Hae-won runs into Kang-min as the new editor-in-chief.

Jeff Chung is general manager of KBFD TV, which televises Korean dramas with English subtitles. Reach him at 521-8066 or jeffchung@kbfd.com.