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(Bloomberg) — South Korean restaurant Mingles won the prestigious Michelin three-Star rating Thursday, in a boon to the nation’s fast-growing fine-dining industry.

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Mingles, renowned for its contemporary Korean style cuisine, was bestowed the iconic status by the famed dining arbiter in a ceremony to unveil the Michelin Seoul and Busan Guide 2025. While two other Seoul-based restaurants have previously secured the three-star ratings, both have since closed down. That leaves Mingles the country’s only dining joint with the coveted rating that is open for business.

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Chef Mingoo Kang uses Korea’s traditional fermented mother sauce and vinegar for his popular cuisines. Located at Seoul’s posh Gangnam neighborhood, Mingles completed its 10th anniversary last year. Over this period, Kang has helped reinvent Korea’s fine dining scene.

“I didn’t expect this since starting my career as a cook. It’s a very memorable time,” Kang told Bloomberg News in Seoul, shortly after the announcement and just as he was escorted on to the stage for a celebratory photo.  Several chefs stood up from their seat, walked over to congratulate Kang as he approached the stage.

Kang is known for his passion for Korea’s traditional flavors and in particular the ingredient jang  – a paste made of fermented beans and is often seen in dishes at Mingles. 

Mingles was also the first restaurant in South Korea to make it into San Pellegrino’s ‘The World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ list last year.

The news of Mingles’ elevation comes just as restaurants in South Korea are riding high on the success of last year’s runaway hit Netflix reality cooking show Culinary Class Wars. The show has injected fresh energy into Korea’s restaurant scene, spotlighting rising star chefs and paving the way for new dining concepts. Mingles’ rise is also expected to bring further global recognition to South Korean chefs.

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One of the judges on the show, Paik Jong-won, hit the jackpot last year after the stock market debut of his restaurant chain, Theborn Korea Co. Ltd. The initial public offering turned him into one of the world’s richest chefs and underscored the potential for South Korean chefs to make money from their restaurants.

On Thursday, Michelin announced its latest selections for South Korea’s two biggest cities — Seoul and Busan — marking the second consecutive year it awarded stars in both places. Last year, the Korean-focused fusion restaurant Mosu secured three stars, but the restaurant is currently shut as the chef-owner Anh Sung-jae —  the other judge on Culinary Class Wars — prepares to reopen in a new location.

There are now a total of 37 starred dining rooms in Seoul, four more than last year, while Busan maintained the city’s three one-star restaurants. Among other notable changes, one Seoul restaurant — Evett — was upgraded to two stars, and seven restaurants were added to the one star category, including three new entries and four promotions.

Read also: A Hit Neflix Show Is Heating Up the Restaurant Scene in Seoul

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Korea’s fine dining scene has undergone significant changes, with top establishments closing or relocating to other cities in search of more exposure. Joo Ok, previously a one-star restaurant in Seoul, moved to New York early last year and has already secured a Michelin star in the US.

“The work beautifully reflects Korea’s rich culinary heritage, while embracing modern innovation, making the country one of the most exciting gastronomic destinations in the world,” Jerome Vincon, Managing Director of Michelin Korea, said before announcing the winners.

Following are a list of Seoul’s starred restaurants. An asterisk (*) denotes a new listing. 

Three stars

*Mingles

Two stars

Alla Prima

*Evett

Jungsik

Kojima

Kwonsooksoo

La Yeon

Mitou

Restaurant Allen

Soigné

One star

7th Door

Bicena

Eatanic Garden

*Escondido

Exiquisine

*Gigas

Goryori Ken

Hane

Haobin

Kang Minchul Restaurant

L’Amant Secret

L’Amitié

*Légume

Muni

Muoki

Onjium

Solbam

Soseoul Hannam

*Sosuheon

Soul

Sushi Matsumoto

*Tutoiement

Vinho

*Y’east

*Yu Yuan

Yun

Zero Complex

BUSAN

One star

Mori

Palate

Fiotto

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