Alla Prima

Fine dining restaurant · Jamwon-dong ·

Alla Prima

Fine dining restaurant · Jamwon-dong ·

Michelin 2-star creative Asian-Italian cuisine, seasonal ingredients

Information

13 Hakdong-ro 17-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea Get directions

₩100,000+

@michelinguide

48,133 Postcards · 8,016 Cities

"Chef Kim Jin-hyuk continues to attract discerning gourmets with his whimsically creative and modern offerings. His reverence for seasonal ingredients, his attention to balance, and his delicate yet assertive sauces come together like a symphony that pairs well with both wine and sake. The L-shaped counter with ample seating, the gleaming open kitchen, the spacious dining hall, and the private dining room each do their part to make the diners feel comfortable. Be sure to reserve ahead." - Michelin Inspector

https://guide.michelin.com/en/seoul-capital-area/kr-seoul/restaurant/alla-prima

Alla Prima

@ellemagazine

98 Postcards · 10 Cities

"Try the: Spaghetti with snow crab, green onion, tomato and shichimi."

Laura Kim's Guide To Seoul

ELLE

Alla Prima

@eater

391,161 Postcards · 10,989 Cities

Michelin Guide Announces 2019 Stars for Seoul | Eater

"An Asian-Italian restaurant that was upgraded from one to two Michelin stars in the 2019 Seoul guide." - Monica Burton

https://www.eater.com/2018/10/18/17993886/michelin-guide-seoul-korea-2019

Alla Prima

@michelinguide

48,133 Postcards · 8,016 Cities

MICHELIN Guide Seoul 2019 Selection

"According to MICHELIN Guide inspectors, Alla Prima’s chef Kim Jin-hyuk “continues to attract discerning gourmets with his whimsically creative and modern offerings. His reverence for seasonal ingredients, his attention to balance and his delicate yet assertive sauces come together like a symphony that pair well with both wines and sakes.”" - Mandy Li

https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/news-and-views/michelin-guide-seoul-2019-results

Alla Prima

Anna T

Google

The food was impeccable. Beautiful and surprising combinations of seasonal ingredients. I especially liked the crispy fish and the glutinous rice. The dessert was very pretty, but the taste didn’t live up to its presentation; it felt a bit safe. The ambiance was minimalist and welcoming, but although the service began flawlessly, it ended poorly. We waited a long time for the check and while waiting and trying to flag down the staff, we saw two of the wait staff drinking wine instead - an unfortunate end to our beautiful meal.

Sunil K.

Google

Absolutely impeccable service, food, and atmosphere. Every dish was masterfully crafted and beautifully presented. Our Chef de Rang (server) was exceptional - warm, attentive, and went above and beyond to make us feel genuinely welcomed throughout the experience. They made every effort to explain each dish in detail, taking extra care to describe them in Korean for my date and in English for me - which was truly impressive. The wine recommendations were spot on and perfectly elevated the meal. Alla Prima is one of the best Michelin 2-starred restaurants in Seoul. I highly recommend it!

Arya B.

Google

Disclaimer: I’m only comparing my experience at alla prima to my other Michelin dining experiences, the highest standard of dining. As such, the review is more critical than I otherwise would be. The lunchtime vibe was enjoyable and calm, and sitting at the bar, you get to see the chefs at work. The silverware was mostly plain and some had many scuffmarks. The dishware was fine, though a bit boring. Of the 9 courses, only one was enjoyable enough to leave a lasting impression. I found that disheartening; for that many courses, I expected to be blown away by at least a few. Two of the dishes were challenging to eat because of the choice of dishware or topping. The courses also felt safe, avoiding the risky, yet fun aspect of experimenting with technique and composition. Food was served at a good pace. The service was technically good, yet disappointing. In the past, service at Michelin * restaurants has left me feeling like a special guest, but I lacked that feeling here. Overall, less than I anticipated, but by no means bad.

Samuel C.

Google

The food and service is try high class and impeccable. The BEST Michelin 2 Stars restaurant I have ever came across. 12 courses and each dish is felt with genuine effort and thought to make it a perfect taste and presentation.

Ryan Y.

Google

As a Korean American, I never quite tasted a fusion between European and Korean flavors quite like this! Absolutely fantastic and totally worth the hype. The dishes were consistently excellent, but especially loved the caviar/truffle/rice, sirloin, and strawberry dessert. One of the best wine pairings I've had. The service was top notch. Thanks for the flawless dinner!

Florence I.

Google

Elegant and well-executed refined flavors, great pacing, and warm service. We had a beautiful bottle of wine that paired perfectly with our course, but forgot to snap a photo as we enjoyed the meal too much. A memorable night.

Hope

Google

A solid 2 Michelin stars restaurant with complexity in food creation that brings Korean ingredients to top level. Beautifully prepare with synchronized team between kitchen and service. Service is elegant and friendly. Personally love the salad dish that uses cheese whey as a sauce to round up all different flavor of herbs. Rump also very soft and moist with nice charcoal scent. Bread ice cream is superb with rich and deep taste.

Monika K.

Google

Alla Prima has the perfect balance of immaculate image and warm, welcoming and professional service. I was slightly worried that a lunch service would be underwhelming but that concern was immediately dispelled upon walking into the beautiful decor and ambience and being greeted by the impeccably dressed contingent of staff. Some of my highlights include the best hand cleaning towel 😄 It was hot not warm or cold, and it smelled incredible - intense freshness 🍋🌱 Hot water was offered with the still and sparkling, which was very exciting for me as I have been enjoying a lot of hot water with my meals during my trip to Seoul. Excellent selection of non alcoholic drink options and not just water or soft drinks. And the tea options at the end of the meal were excellent. In terms of food, it was impossible to pick a favourite, and also there were no disappointments. An interesting moment was the spaghetti - this was bound to be underwhelming for me however to my audible(!) surprise, and for the very first time, I throughly enjoyed it. And then, at the end, the only restaurant to offer to book a taxi. It did not go unnoticed.