Onjium
A Michelin-starred research institute and restaurant, Onjium resurrects Korea's royal food heritage with modern flair.
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Onjium
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A Michelin-starred research institute and restaurant, Onjium resurrects Korea's royal food heritage with modern flair.
"Onjium deserves all the stars it can have! Truly a remarkable dining experience."
Reserve Far in Advance
Bookings are essential due to limited seating. Note that Onjium is closed on weekends.
Try the Korean Drink Pairing
Consider the Korean drink pairing for a unique beverage experience that complements the meal.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Korean (Royal Court)
Price
$$$
Phone
+82 2-6952-0024
Address
4층, 49 Hyoja-ro, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Michelin Star
Excellent Cuisine, where diners can expect skilfully crafted and exceptional dishes
Insta-Factor
High
Highlights
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Haute Cuisine Korean with a Modern Twist
Experience a Michelin-starred journey through Korean culinary heritage, reinterpreted with modern techniques and seasonal ingredients.
Meticulous Dish Preparation
Each dish is a work of art, showcasing the chef's dedication to seasonal ingredients and traditional recipes.
Exceptional Service and Ambiance
Enjoy attentive, English-speaking staff who explain each dish, complemented by a refined atmosphere and park views.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reserve Far in Advance
Bookings are essential due to limited seating. Note that Onjium is closed on weekends.
Try the Korean Drink Pairing
Consider the Korean drink pairing for a unique beverage experience that complements the meal.
Lunch for Ambiance
Opt for lunch for a potentially nicer ambiance compared to dinner service.
Come Hungry for a Journey
Portions are generous, offering an extensive culinary exploration of historical and popular Korean dishes.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reserve Far in Advance
Bookings are essential due to limited seating. Note that Onjium is closed on weekends.
Try the Korean Drink Pairing
Consider the Korean drink pairing for a unique beverage experience that complements the meal.
Lunch for Ambiance
Opt for lunch for a potentially nicer ambiance compared to dinner service.
Come Hungry for a Journey
Portions are generous, offering an extensive culinary exploration of historical and popular Korean dishes.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Onjium offers a remarkable culinary experience, lauded for its innovative take on traditional Korean cuisine and exceptional service. While many praise the meticulous preparation, beautiful presentation, and refined ambiance, some find the flavors to be subtle or less impactful than expected for the price point.
"This place deserves six stars. I preferred it over mingles. The service, attention to detail was so much better. I loved the pottery. I would recommend coming here instead of mingles. It deserves a higher rating. I have been to many top 50 restaurants in the world and this was right up there."
Casey W
"Absolutely delightful culinary experience! All the dishes were a celebration of Korean food to the highest level. Excellent staff, and no other restaurant in Seoul could match the views from the corner room of Onjium."
Young Kang
"Review onjium
Onjium deserves all the stars it can have 🥹✨ Truly a remarkable dining experience and I’m really glad I chose Onjium to celebrate my birthday dinner in Korea! Each dish, including the flow was meticulously prepared and arranged to prepare you for the next dish. Every single dish was amazing and I can’t even choose which one is my favorite :’) further, I am also deeply grateful for the staffs, including the security guard. I accidentally left my handbag in the toilet, and they kept the handbag safe and sound. Thank you very much, I’ll definitely be back again for another season."
Tania Angelia
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Onjium is a Michelin-starred Korean restaurant that specializes in researching and reinterpreting traditional Korean royal court cuisine with modern techniques.
Yes, reservations are highly recommended as seating is limited, and the restaurant only accommodates a small number of diners.
The menu changes seasonally to highlight unusual native produce and foraged ingredients, offering a unique dining experience.
Yes, Onjium offers a Korean Drink pairing that is highly recommended to complement the meal.
While not explicitly stated, given the Michelin star and upscale nature, smart casual attire is generally appropriate.
The staff is known for being fluent in English and provides detailed explanations of each dish.
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Meet The 18 Female Chefs Who Lead MICHELIN Star Restaurants In Asia
Cho Eun-hee is the latest entrant amongst the four female chefs leading Michelin-starred restaurants in Seoul, after her Korean restaurant Onjium debuted in the guidebook’s 2020 edition. Cho spent 16 years teaching at the Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine and Baewha Women’s University, and is a go-to culinary expert consultant for publications, cultural events and even Korean period dramas. The menu at Onjium changes monthly to reflect the seasons: unusual native produce and foraged ingredients are transformed into delicate banchan (small side dishes) that give diners a taste of history.
The best Michelin restaurants in Seoul: Michelin Guide's top selections
Onjium Restaurant continuously conducts research on Korean food culture and presents menus inspired by it. Onjium Restaurant is a food culture research center and restaurant. It serves traditional Korean dining and is led by Chef Cho Eun-hee, who studied court food in the Joseon Dynasty and is working to help younger team members fall in love with Korean food.
How Seoul’s fine dining chefs are creating a legacy in Korean cuisine
Chefs Cho Eun Hee and Park Sung-bae, who opened Onjium as a restaurant and a Korean culture research institute in 2013, remarked that Korean cuisine is not easy to understand. The restaurant has a Michelin star since 2020 and has risen from No. 30 (2022) to No. 21 on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list.
The best restaurants, food markets and steakhouses to visit in Seoul, South Korea
If you are looking for something fine-traditional, Onjium is my top recommendation. The restaurant is helmed by the legendary Cho Eun-hee, an authority on Korean Royal Court cuisine. Cho’s mission is to resurrect Korea’s royal food heritage and bring those traditional flavours to the modern stage.
Four Seoul restaurants land on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list
Onjium offering recipes from the past in a more modern setting in Jongno District, central Seoul, ranked 23rd; Mingles serving modern Korean cuisine in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, was 28th; and Born & Bred offering hanwoo or Korean beef omakase in Seongdong District, eastern Seoul was 47th.
Seoul to host the “Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants” awards ceremony in March 2024
In 2023, four Korean restaurants—Mosu (15th), Onjium (23rd), Mingles (28th), and Born & Bred (47th)—were featured on the top 50 list; they were also featured in the “100 Taste of Seoul” rankings shortlisted by the city for four consecutive years.
10+ Best Restaurants In Seoul (2025 Edition)
On the 4th floor of a building on Hyoja-ro, you'll find Onjium Seoul. It's a cozy spot that mixes modern style with Korean tradition. It's perfect for hanging out with friends or a romantic date.
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