Although Milan is officially the Italian capital of international cuisine (let's not forget that the first Japanese restaurant to receive a Michelin star is located here), Korean cuisine is still represented by a somewhat stereotyped "postcard" of street food and home cooking, in more or less authentic versions. Last autumn saw the opening of the first fine dining Korean restaurant (on the same street as Iyo, the aforementioned Michelin-starred restaurant), thanks to a chef with an impressive background and reasonable ambitions who believes it's the right time to elevate the culinary offerings in the city.
After all, Korean gastronomy is a complex and articulated world that goes beyond kimchi, the fermented vegetable dish (usually Napa cabbage) with the now well-known and widely used umami flavor, influenced by the trend of fermentations from a few years ago (think of the kombucha boom). However, in the city, there are substantial addresses to take a journey into such a fascinating and partially undiscovered repertoire. Here are the top 6 chosen by Gambero Rosso (including a pastry shop...).
Dream
A small place where you'll find the best Korean fried chicken in the city. The single room is simply furnished, and the menu is rich with well-made traditional dishes such as jjin mandu, round dumplings filled with cabbage and leeks, and jeyuk bokkum, spicy garlic pork belly. However, the star remains the fried chicken, to be accompanied by a well-chilled Korean beer: a meal called chimaek in the original language. The spicy version with peanuts and the one with soy sauce and honey are exquisite. To conclude, tempt yourself with the refreshing typical granita (in summer) or the sweet tteok.
Dream - via VIII Novembre, 3 - 02 36697986 - Facebook
Ginmi
In the game since 1985, practically a classic, certainly the first in a city that has greatly expanded its horizons since then. Ginmi remains one of the best places in Milan, both for its cuisine and service. On the menu, many traditional specialties: dolsot bibimbap, rice served in a hot stone bowl with marinated beef, vegetables, and egg, kimchi bulgogi, soy sauce and onion roast beef, and kimchi pork, to wrap in fresh lettuce leaves. Excellent soups, do not miss the mandu (dumplings filled with meat and vegetables). Finally, there's hotteok, a sweet pancake with peanuts, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
Ginmi - via G. Paisiello, 7 - 02 29516394 - ristoranteginmi.com
Li-Sei Deli
The delightful bistro of Okhee and Kihyuk is a guarantee for bibimbap lovers (also vegan) and shokupan. The menu also includes exquisite kimbap (Nori seaweed and rice rolls filled with mixed vegetables), potato noodles, kimchi, and rice dumplings in fish broth. The flagship items are sandwiches made with Japanese bread (shokupan) generously filled and the delicious Korean fried chicken, in four versions. Soft and delicious cakes, such as artemisia chiffon cake. Drink traditional teas (excellent jujube), creative cocktails, natural wines, kombucha, drip coffee, and beers. Delicious lunch boxes.
Li-Sei Deli - via Vigevano, 9 - 02 49775083 - lisei.it
My Kimchi
A characteristic place, easily reachable by public transport and quite popular (sometimes you might have to wait a bit). All the staples of traditional cuisine are there, from kimchi pancakes to bibimbap and kimbap; the service is courteous and prompt. You can also choose a table with a shared grill.
My Kimchi - via Montello, 9 - 02 49524163 - Instagram
SnowBerg Italy
No croissants and sfogliatelle in this colorful and very Instagrammable pastry-street food opened in late spring 2023. The specialty of the house is the Korean bingsu, a bowl with condensed milk, ice cream, fresh fruit, red beans, and ice shavings, all enriched with cones or waffles. Various flavors are available, from melon to mango & strawberry, depending on the season. Have fun with crispy crepes and egg waffles.
SnowBerg Italy - via Giovanni Battista Niccolini, 20 - 333 5666860 - Instagram
Soot
Korean Modern Dining and BBQ, proclaims the slogan. It is the first, recent, fine dining Korean restaurant, the work of Kim Minseok, Alma graduate, and with experiences in major Italian restaurants (Joia, Seta, and Canzian among others). The idea was to do something different from street food and home cooking, which have been the ambassadors of the Korean food concept in Italy so far, modernizing tradition without distorting it and avoiding the postcard effect. The tasting menu is a kind of "Korean start kit": Yukhoe (beef tartare with oyster leaves and rice and seaweed chips), Mandu Guk (handmade dumplings with meat filling served with an irresistible crust and bone broth), lamb saddle with ssamjang jus, carrot cream with gotchujang, and turnip top kimchi. The wine list is concise but correct, and the service is very courteous.
Soot - via Piero della Francesca, 59 – 02 35983 550 - Instagram
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