Gaggen Seoul (가겐 by 최준호) is a kaiseki restaurant in Cheongdam that earned One MICHELIN Star in the MICHELIN Guide Seoul 2026. Kaiseki is Japan’s traditional seasonal multi-course dinner, and Gaggen is one of the few places in Seoul that serves it in full. In addition, this review covers my spring dinner course in April 2026 with photos of every course, plus the current price, how to book and how to get there.
This review is adapted from a visit by Revitguide reviewer 호미식 (Homisik), who rated Gaggen 5 out of 5. Read the original Korean review on Revitguide. (Japanese: 懐石 / 雅元, Chinese: 懷石料理)
Gaggen Seoul at a Glance
| Gaggen by Choi Junho | 가겐 by 최준호 |
| MICHELIN status | One Star, MICHELIN Guide Seoul 2026 (up from MICHELIN Selected in 2025) |
| Cuisine | Kaiseki (Japanese seasonal course) |
| Address | 2F, 19-1 Apgujeong-ro 80-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (서울 강남구 압구정로80길 19-1 2층) |
| Nearest station | About a 10-minute walk from Apgujeong Rodeo Station (Suin-Bundang Line) |
| Hours | Tuesday to Saturday, one dinner seating that starts at 19:00. Closed Sunday and Monday. |
| Price | Dinner course ₩400,000 per person; drink pairing ₩270,000–320,000 (CatchTable, August 2026) |
| Booking | Reservations required, via CatchTable or by text message to +82 10-4584-2154 |
| Map | Open in Naver Map |
Why Gaggen Seoul Earned a Michelin Star
A chef couple, Choi Hyeon-ah and Won Jin-hee, runs Gaggen. They trained at two well-known Tokyo kaiseki restaurants, Kanda and Kurogi. The name 雅元 (Ga-gen) joins one character from each chef’s name. The dining room has a quiet eight-seat counter, where the chefs finish every course in front of you, plus two private rooms.
The MICHELIN Guide praises how the restaurant expresses Japanese seasonality through uncommon preparations such as hand-pulled somen, freshly ground sesame and bracken-starch warabi mochi, along with the chefs’ thoughtful explanations and warm hospitality. As a result, the review matched my experience almost exactly.
My Spring Kaiseki Dinner at Gaggen Seoul (April 2026)
Maybe it is because Gaggen holds a Michelin star, but the whole evening felt like a well-balanced hexagon with almost no weak side. If I had to sum it up in one line: it is a place where even a first-time guest feels like a regular.
Revitguide’s restaurant wiki describes Gaggen as “like a seasonal class,” and it really is. For example, the chefs explain the ingredients and the idea behind every dish, and the explanations never felt long or dull. In fact, I felt all night that the chefs were thinking about me.
Aperitif and the first spring dishes
First, the meal began with an aperitif. After that, spring ingredients came back again and again through the course, especially sansho (Japanese pepper) and asparagus.
Soups that need no salt
What impressed me most was the seasoning of the soups. They tasted perfectly balanced without salt ever standing out. In other words, it was not a question of too salty or too bland; each soup was simply a finished flavor on its own. As a result, I drank almost every drop, and it was the moment I clearly thought, “I am really enjoying Japanese cuisine.”
Signature somen with caviar
One of the signature dishes is the Kurogi-style somen with caviar. Then, after the noodles, the chefs add tuna and rice to the remaining sauce so you can mix and finish it, which made the dish more fun to eat. To be honest, the flavor of the somen itself was not my personal favorite, but I could see why it is the signature.
Sashimi, hassun and seasonal small dishes
Raspberry sorbet before the white tilefish
Right before the white tilefish, a raspberry sorbet arrived as a palate cleanser in the middle of the meal. However, it did not break the flow at all. Instead, it felt like a small comma before moving on to the next dish.
Grilled beef and a light soup
Claypot rice (donabe)
Next, the chefs cook the rice course in clay pots and show it at the counter before serving. On my visit there were two: one with spring fern shoots and one with tiny sakura shrimp.
Tamagoyaki, warabi mochi and salt ice cream with Château d’Yquem
Finally, the last dessert was salt ice cream with a glass of Château d’Yquem 2016. The sweet and salty combination was a perfect way to close the meal.
Rice balls to take home
At the very end, the chefs turn the leftover claypot rice into rice balls and hand them to every guest in a paper bag. I had deliberately skipped reading about Gaggen before my visit, so, naturally, this last gift genuinely moved me.
Gaggen Seoul Hospitality: You Feel Like a Regular
The chefs gave just the right amount of attention to a guest dining alone next to me, and they happily shared personal stories with guests who had lots of questions. Watching that made me smile. Meanwhile, the manager and the assistant chefs kept the same warm tone all evening, so I relaxed naturally as the meal went on.
Even the way they walked guests out and said goodbye at the end felt designed. Gaggen seems to plan not only the food but also how you feel on your way home.
Gaggen Seoul Price and Booking Tips (2026)
- Price: When I visited in April 2026, dinner was about ₩330,000 per person. CatchTable now lists the dinner course at ₩400,000 and the drink pairing at ₩270,000–320,000 (updated August 2026).
- One seating only: Dinner starts promptly at 19:00 from Tuesday to Saturday, so arrive a little early.
- Booking: You need a reservation. Use CatchTable, or send a text message to +82 10-4584-2154. There are only eight counter seats and two private rooms.
- Extras: Revitguide’s wiki lists valet parking (about ₩10,000) and corkage (about ₩70,000, one bottle per table). Confirm when you book.
Is Gaggen Seoul Worth It?
It is not a cheap dinner. Still, from the first course to the take-home rice balls, the restaurant designs every part of the experience so that you leave clearly satisfied. If you want to try true kaiseki in Seoul, or you are collecting Michelin star restaurants in Seoul, Gaggen is easy to recommend. My rating: 5 out of 5.
Looking for more? See our guide to Michelin restaurants in Seoul and our picks for the best Korean restaurants in Seoul.
FAQ
Does Gaggen Seoul have a Michelin star?
Yes. Gaggen by Choi Junho received One MICHELIN Star in the MICHELIN Guide Seoul 2026, which the guide announced on March 5, 2026.
How much is dinner at Gaggen Seoul?
CatchTable lists the dinner course at ₩400,000 per person (August 2026). A drink pairing costs ₩270,000–320,000.
How do I book Gaggen Seoul?
Book through CatchTable or by text message to +82 10-4584-2154. There is only one dinner seating, at 19:00, from Tuesday to Saturday.
What is kaiseki?
Kaiseki is a traditional Japanese multi-course dinner that centers on seasonal ingredients. A typical course includes a clear soup, sashimi, a hassun platter of small bites, a grilled or simmered dish, claypot rice and dessert.
Where is Gaggen Seoul located?
On the second floor of 19-1 Apgujeong-ro 80-gil in Cheongdam, Gangnam-gu, about a 10-minute walk from Apgujeong Rodeo Station.
We checked prices and hours in November 2026, and they can change. Check CatchTable or Naver Map before you go.