Chef Hoyeong Seo’s Olheum is a modern Korean fine-dining restaurant based in Cheongdam-dong. Its name comes from the Korean word meaning ‘to be correct,’ or right. Guests at Olheum will experience Hansik created based on a philosophy of ‘creating honest food’. Olheum’s distinctive feature is its open kitchen, which allows guests to see the whole process from preparing ingredients to finishing the dish. All dishes are supervised by Chef Seo, which is how he ensures the creation of a perfect dish. It also means he is confident. “I chose an open kitchen because it shows everything to our guests. But it is largely for myself, so I can catch the reactions of my guests. I want to see their expressions, reactions, even small gestures so that I can give immediate feedback on the spot.” He uses organic vegetables grown by his parents and sources meat from nearby farms to ensure its freshness. 

Olheum’s food is completed with creative recipes that combine a variety of styles. It is characterized by its familiar but new Korean taste, while incorporating many cooking techniques he learned abroad. His dishes show his great attention to detail, as he works hard to create Hansik that is easy for everyone to enjoy. For example, he blended traditional paste or joetgal (salted seafood), into a sauce, and pairs it with dishes that complement the taste and flavor so that everyone can enjoy them.