QUICK-FIRE SUMMARY
Vibe Check
A Michelin-starred love letter to Korean hospitality
Cost For Eats
₩550,000 / approx €369
Cost For Booze
₩329,000 / approx €221
Booze-Free Options?
Yes.
Vegetarian Options?
Vegetarians / pescatarians can be catered for, but notice is required.
This spot is great for…
Special occasions when you’re casually hanging out in Seoul.
If you want to book a table head to…
Where you’ll find them
35 Sinheung-ro 26-gil, Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea
DISH THE DETAILS…
What is Soul? To you…what images does the word conjure up?
For some, the idea of soul is unbreakably tethered to spirituality; our souls make us connected to God. Or, if that’s just too big for you; you might see soul as the connections around you; your soul family, your soul mate…or mates. Or, it’s the musicality and passion in life – soulful dedication to the things that make your heart sing.
See, we may well diverge on the meaning we attribute to soul, but we meet on the importance it holds in our life. In some way, the idea of soul touches us all.
In the Yongsan District in Seoul, South Korea, perched on the side of a hill in an unassuming building you will find a narrow staircase that will take you to Soul. Here you will find the crossroads of all-things soul; all its meanings and importance, poured into this dining experience for those fortunate enough to visit.
THE EXPERIENCE
Soul is the brainchild of husband and wife duo Chef Yun Dae-hyun and Chef Kim Hee-eun. Kim studied Korean cuisine while Yun immersed himself in Western techniques. What emerges from their kitchen is a conversation between two culinary traditions, mediated by two people who clearly understand both the art and the soul of cooking. The Michelin Guide agreed, awarding them a star in 2023.
The open-plan seating is framed intentionally around the beating heart of their kitchen, where a cast of cooks flawlessly prepare an event. Dinner theatre. Dinner storytelling.
Fine dining at Soul means every plate arrives with a story to tell. In true Korean fashion, there’s intrigue, formality, ceremony, and a hint of magic woven through every course. The precision is unmistakable, but it never feels cold or distant. Instead, there’s warmth…an elusive quality that separates good restaurants from unforgettable ones.
The word “delicacies” is thrown around so much when speaking about food, but the word “delicate” is much more appropriate for the dishes served in Soul. The 9 courses are thoughtful, elegant, dainty and yet still incredibly powerful. No flavour in any single dish overpowered, and nothing was so timid that it was lost on the plate.
From the potato pancakes; a hybrid of the Korean pancake served with a European style aioli and truffle shavings to the famous local dish Namyeong-dong Cold Noodles served with cold cut pork belly, there is a seamless blend of cultural soul. And while it will increase the price point, the wine pairing is a must-not-miss.
A FINAL THOUGHT…
In a city where complex, often-painful tradition dances with an unrelenting focus on innovation, Soul captures that essential Seoul energy and distills it into an evening that lingers long after the last course. The name is a promise, and one they deliver on with every perfectly composed plate.
THE ALPHABET DINNERS JOURNEY CONTINUES NEXT MONTH…
Cheers, crew! 🥂
WANT TO FOLLOW ALONG ON OUR NIGHTS OUT?
You can follow all the craic on Instagram where I am going to be looking for recommendations, shout outs, sharing updates and who knows…maybe running a few competitions along the way. Join us here.
