Meat sizzling on a grill in the center of the table with everyone seated around is symbolic of a Korean barbecue restaurant as the culture of placing a grill on the middle of the dining table is very unique to Korea. There is a ‘hot’ Korean barbecue restaurant in Paris that elegantly showcases this grilling culture, receiving high acclaim from local and international audiences. It is 'Soon Grill Les Marais,' a Korean fine dining restaurant located in the district of Les Marais, Paris.

<Korean Food Lifestyle Magazine> met with Sunghak Han, the CEO of Soon Grill Marais.

A Korean Restaurant Stage Designed like a Theater Production

Sunghak Han, the CEO of Soon Grill Marais, has a unique background as a theatrical actor, director, and artist. After his undergraduate in Theater and Film in Korea, Han pursued his passion for the performing arts in Berlin, Germany, as a theatrical actor. While he initially came to Paris to learn mime, his destiny took a turn and led him to a new stage in the culinary industry rather than the theater.

"Suddenly becoming a father also contributed to leaving the life of an artist and venturing into entrepreneurship. However, drawing from my experiences in performing traditional Korean culture in Berlin, I aspired to create my own unique world in a restaurant, much like directing a play. Soon Grill Marais became my first stage for this endeavor,” said Han.

In the early 2010s, most Korean restaurants in central Paris primarily catered to Korean tourists, functioning mainly as simple eateries. However, CEO Han contemplated ways to attract French locals to his restaurant. "I enhanced the aesthetic aspects of the food to align with the preferences of locals who appreciate traditional yet beautifully presented dishes. Soon Grill Marais embodies my ambition to create the most authentic and exquisite Korean restaurant in Paris, where people can enjoy the best of Korean flavors and elegance,” Han explained.

The meticulous senses that were once applied in theater are evident in the charming interior of Soon Grill. Especially noteworthy are the hanging white porcelain moon jars, capturing the attention of both visitors and passersby, serving as Soon Grill Marais' trademark. "I added Korean aesthetics throughout the restaurant, such as the hanging moon jars, traditional masks, and sinks reminiscent of streams. We also use traditional Yugi tableware to showcase Korean elegance," said Han. The second branch of Soon Grill, which opened in early 2020 in Champs-Élysées, also delights the eyes and palates of its visitors with the beautiful decor inspired by Korea’s traditional religious folk dance 'Seungmu.’

Korean Grill Restaurant Becomes the Holy Grail of Les Marais

When asked about choosing the ‘grill’ menu as its main theme among various Korean dishes, CEO Han pointed out the connection between Korean-style grilling and the communal culture in Korea. He explained, "Barbecues are common in many countries, but placing a grill in the center of the table and enjoying Korean-style grilling is rooted in our tradition and communal culture." He further explained, "I wanted to introduce the Korean dining culture, where families and friends gather on special occasions to share joys and sorrows." To familiarize local customers who might not be accustomed to Korean-style grilling, the staff personally grill the meat and explain Korean customs like ssam (wrapping meat, etc., in a leafy vegetable) to introduce Korean cuisine, making extra efforts to spread awareness of Korean culinary traditions.

Not limited to grilling, Soon Grill has also put significant effort into presenting various Korean dishes such as bibimbap, japchae, and more in an upscale manner. Han added, "Every dish on Soon Grill’s menu is incredibly popular, so much so that none of them can be overlooked. Besides the grilling options, dishes like pajeon (green onion pancake), saeu (shrimp) gangjeong, bibimbap, and japchae are also loved by our customers."

The high-end strategy for traditional Korean cuisine proved to be successful for Soon Grill. With visits from famous celebrities and food enthusiasts, Soon Grill quickly gained a reputation as the most popular "culinary pilgrimage site" in Les Marais district. Recognizing its contributions to promoting Korean cuisine and culinary culture worldwide, the restaurant was honored as one of the "Best Overseas Korean Restaurants in 2022" by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korean Food Promotion Institute. CEO Han attributes this achievement to the strict management of ingredients, hygiene, and the high-quality service provided by the collective dedication of the staff.

The pairing of Korean cuisine with local beverages is another captivating aspect of Soon Grill Marais. The restaurant employs Korean wine experts with qualifications in traditional Korean spirits to curate a wine list that complements Korean dishes. Han proudly shared, "We have Korean sommeliers who hold qualifications in traditional Korean spirits, and they curate a wine list that perfectly matches Korean cuisine. Thanks to these Korean experts who understand our food the best, we can select wines that best complement dishes infused with traditional seasonings like soybean paste and soy sauce."

The Popularity of Hansik that has Captivated Europe

The popularity of Korean cuisine in Europe has been steadily rising, capturing the attention of people across the continent. When asked about the current and future status of Korean cuisine in the European market, CEO Han explained, "Even French people who have never tried Korean food before are familiar with basic dishes like bibimbap and kimchi when they visit our restaurant. Many of them first come out of curiosity after seeing Korean dramas or movies and end up returning because they find the food delicious." He continued, "Korean cuisine can be considered a trend throughout Europe. I believe this trend will continue and eventually, Korean food will naturally become a part of European people's dining culture." 

Han Seong-hak also noted the popularity of Korean cuisine among the upper middle class in France. He explained, "In France, there is a culture of dressing up and going to elegant restaurants about twice a week. The fact that people choose Korean restaurants for these occasions is very encouraging. I find great fulfillment in promoting Korea's excellent culinary culture through Korean restaurants.”

"Dreaming of the Expansion of Korean Cuisine"

Soon Grill is on a successful trajectory as both Les Marais and Champs-Élysées branches continue to be acclaimed by the local culinary community. When asked about his next goal, Han stated, "As a Best Overseas Korean restaurant, I aspire to lead the Korean cuisine market on the European continent. I am planning to open a fine dining Korean restaurant in Berlin, similar to Soon Grill."

Beyond fine dining, there are also plans to introduce Korean cuisine in a more approachable manner. Han revealed, "We plan to initiate a Korean franchise business. We are considering selling convenient Korean foods like kimbap and bibimbap at highway rest areas throughout France to allow people easy access to Korean cuisine."

Soon Grill Marais
Address│78 Rue des Tournelles, 75003 Paris, France
Hours│Open all year round (12:00PM – 2:30PM, 7:00PM-10:30PM)