Vibe: Trendy and minimalist. Some 15 tables stretch from the entrance to the kitchen, with lots of wood and a wall dedicated to sweet messages left by satisfied diners. The staff were friendly and extremely patient with me and my slow-eating companion. 

Who’s picking up the check? Prices were a bit steep. You get a couple of dishes each to share, which range from €12 to €17 for starters and €20 to €27 for mains. The drinks are a bit better, with a bottle of apple-flavored soju costing €5, about the same as in the Asian stores in St. Catherine (though a far-cry from the €1 of a Seoul 7-Eleven). 

Spotted: Artsy types and East Asia aficionados. POLITICO went for a Friday lunch in August, so the Brussels powerbrokers were still lying on Mediterranean beaches.

Insider tip: Get the makgeolli rice wine and keep your afternoon open.

Fun fact: The restaurant is run by Korean-born, locally raised chef Sang Hoon Degeimbre, a trained pharmacist and butcher who has become one of Belgium’s top gastronomic talents.

How to get there: It’s a six-minute walk from Louise metro station or a half-hour stroll from the European quarter. 

Review published on  September 3, 2024. Illustration by Dato Parulava/POLITICO