Andrew Goh
Google
Sure, here’s a more personal version:
My first experience at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Seoul was a memorable one, especially since seafood played such a big role in the menu. The meal started with the usual pre-appetizer, but this time it was something special—Solbam’s signature chicken liver and seasonal fish. Then came one of the best things I’ve tasted: a beautiful creation of caviar and sweet shrimp. I could tell this was going to be a special night from that point on.
The amberjack with pear and blueberry broth was such a refreshing dish, and I loved the snow crab with pine nut sauce. The mix of beancurd and crab intestines added an extra layer of richness that I couldn’t get enough of. I’m a huge fan of raw seafood, so this was a dish I absolutely loved. Even something as simple as fish with sea squirt and cabbage was packed with flavor—it was a perfect start to the meal.
The abalone was another standout. It was cooked perfectly, just the right tenderness. After that, a palate cleanser of pears and cinnamon arrived, which was just what I needed before moving on to the main courses.
The quail with truffle was delicious, though I wish they had given a little guidance on how to cut into it when serving. Still, the flavors were on point. Unfortunately, the Korean beef ribeye didn’t live up to expectations—it had a tendon texture that made it a bit unpleasant to eat, which was a shame because everything else had been so amazing up until then. But the Amadai fish made up for it. It was creamy, tender, and honestly, I could have had just that with my wine and been perfectly happy.
The meal ended with a simple bowl of noodles in seafood broth, which was a comforting way to wrap things up. We even got to choose our chopsticks to keep as a souvenir, which was a nice personal touch. The ice cream and handmade desserts were absolutely delicious—such a sweet ending to a wonderful dinner.
That said, there were a couple of things that could’ve been better. They weren’t great at clearing plates between courses, and a few spills weren’t cleaned up immediately, which left me having to shuffle dishes around at times. Also, the wine corkage fee was shocking—150,000 won per bottle! We had brought a special bottle of wine and didn’t expect such a steep charge. With the meal costing 350,000 won per person, it felt like a bit much compared to other Michelin-starred spots where you can get similar quality for less.