Here's a sneak peek at 2024 Michelin Guide restaurants in Korea

The full list will be unveiled on Feb. 22. It will be the first by Michelin Guide to include restaurants in Busan, the second-largest city in Korea some 320 kilometers south of Seoul.

The 2024 Michelin Guide is slated to unveil its select list of restaurants in Seoul and Busan on Feb. 22. [MICHELIN GUIDE]

The 2024 Michelin Guide announced Thursday that it will unveil its select list of restaurants in Seoul and Busan on Feb. 22.

The renowned restaurant guide will also hold a ceremony and gala dinner at Signiel Busan the same day under the theme of "Luminous Culinary Waves" and hand out accolades including the Michelin Mentor Chef Award, the Michelin Sommelier Award and the Michelin Service Award.

The upcoming list will be the first by Michelin Guide to include restaurants in Busan, the second-largest city in Korea some 320 kilometers (200 miles) south of Seoul, as announced earlier this year.

The list will put restaurants into categories including Michelin Star Restaurant for restaurants offering exceptional dishes at a global level, Bib Gourmand for budget restaurants and Michelin Green Star for restaurants practicing sustainable operations.

Ahead of the big reveal, the Michelin Guide has been announcing a few restaurants each month that are slated to be on the new list. Here are the eateries that have been teased so far by the 2024 Michelin Guide. Make sure to check them out before lines become long - or longer!

$ Horapain Jongno District, central Seoul, is a Thai restaurant that opened in March this year. While affordable, the restaurant offers richly flavored dishes delicately crafted with authentic Thai notes in a modern space. It also has an eclectic liquor selection, including wine, gin and tonic and Mekhong, which is Thai rum. Prices range from 6,900 won ($5) to 27,900 won.

An-Amin Jongno District is a pork gukbap, or soup and rice, eatery that opened in August 2021. It has put a modern spin on the gukbap with a drizzle of green pepper and kale oil and fresh cilantro to taste. Prices range from 11,000 won to 20,000 won.

Pork bone soup at An-Am in Jongno District, central Seoul [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Kyewol Gomtangin Seongdong District, eastern Seoul, is a gomtang, or a beef bone soup, eatery that opened in 2021. Here, however, the signature menu is a chicken-based soup served with warm white rice and tender chicken breast. Prices range from 8,000 won to 18,000 won.

Sarukamein Mapo District, western Seoul, is a trendy Japanese ramen joint. It originally opened in 2017 and re-opened in August 2021 with a new Japanese chef Hiroto Honma, who continues the venue's operation today. Prices range from 9,000 won to 13,800 won.

Damtaekin Mapo District is a hole-in-the-wall ramen shop, specializing in variations of shio ramen. It opened in 2018. Prices range from 9,000 won to 11,000 won.

Dish at Thai restaurant Horapa in Jongno District, central Seoul [SCREEN CAPTURE]

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China Bokchun Salon in Mapo District is a Chinese restaurant that opened in September 2022. It offers gourmet Chinese cuisine in a private setting. Signature dishes include yangjangpi, or stir-fried starch sheets and vegetables, and Szechuan spicy eggplant cooked in the traditional Chongqing style. Prices range from 20,000 won to 125,000 won.

Elpicin Gangnam District, southern Seoul, is a grill house that re-opened in March 2022 after operating in Jeju Island. Its signature aged beef cuts are cooked over charcoal. Its small plates that incorporate seafood from Jeju Island are also worth trying. Prices range from 10,000 won to 280,000 won. It also offers monthly full-course meals with prices that are subject to change.

Essensein Seocho District, southern Seoul, is a classic French bistro that opened in April 2022. It strives to offer unpretentious French dishes in a warm yet elegant space. Only offering à la carte dishes, portions are small but each dish is thoughtfully crafted and boasts bold flavors. Prices range from 25,000 won to 45,000 won.

Vinhoin Gangnam District is an Asian contemporary restaurant-slash-bar that opened in May 2022. In an open space with a modern design, it offers seasonal dishes and wine pairings. À la carte dishes range from 7,000 won to 45,000 won and dinner courses begin at 160,000 won.

Dish at French bistro Essense in Seocho District, southern Seoul [SCREEN CAPTURE]

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L'onignon in Gangnam District is a French pescatarian restaurant that cooks with only vegetables, fish, eggs and dairy products. It opened in June 2022. Lunch and dinners this season start at 78,000 won.

A L'aisein Yongsan District, central Seoul, is a French restaurant that cooks with seasonal Korean ingredients. It opened in August 2021. With excellent service, a private yet cozy atmosphere and well-balanced meals, it is recommended for those who want to dip their toes into the world of fine dining. Lunch begins at 70,000 won and dinner at 130,000 won.

Hakusi in Yongsan District is a contemporary Japanese omakase that opened in 2018. It boasts a detailed presentation, great service and tastes comprised of seasonal ingredients. It only offers dinners, and prices start at 230,000 won.

Level:0in Yongsan District is an avant-garde fine dining restaurant that opened in April 2022. Striving to provide a "gastronomic experience," customers enjoy a course meal with creative and whimsical dishes as they move around aesthetic spaces inside the restaurant. It only offers dinners, and prices start at 250,000 won.

Materin Gangnam District is contemporary Scandinavian fine dining that combines Korean flavors with Nordic cuisine. It opened in October 2022. Lunch begins at 90,000 won and dinner at 150,000 won.

Ryuniquein Gangnam District offers contemporary fine dining utilizing local ingredients under its slogan "No More, No Less." Having opened in 2018, it strives to offer a culinary experience of eating with one's mouth — as well as ears and eyes, through aesthetic dishes in an intimate atmosphere. Lunch begins at 160,000 won and dinner at 290,000 won.

Oso Ondoin Gangnam District is a Spanish wine bar that opened in November 2021. It is best known for pescados, or seasonal fish grilled over charcoal, and cochinillo on skewers. It only offers dinner, with à la carte offerings ranging from 19,000 won to 140,000 won.

Il Vecchio in Mapo District is an Italian fine dining restaurant that opened in September 2022. It is located in Sangam-dong, a business district that doesn't see many elevated venues, but Il Vecchio has made the place its home with classic Italian flavors inside a comfortable atmosphere. Lunch begins at 70,000 won and dinner at 120,000 won.

Haobinat the Ambassador-Pullman Hotel in Jung District, central Seoul, is a luxury Chinese restaurant that opened in 2021. Helmed by the renowned Chinese cuisine chef Hu Deok-juk, Haobin offers bonafide Cantonese flavors through an eclectic menu, with prices ranging from 42,000 won to 330,000 won.

L'Impression is a fine dining restaurant with a fusion of Korean and Western flavors. It had garnered two Michelin stars for two consecutive years upon its initial opening but went into a renewal period and re-opened in 2022 with a new head chef Yoon Tae-gyun. Dishes are delicately crafted with trendy flavors and refined presentation. Lunch begins at 160,000 won and dinner at 260,000 won.

Dish at Asian-Scandinavian fine dining Mater in Gangnam District, central Seoul [SCREEN CAPTURE]

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]