Sam Chic and now Sam Sun, like two sides of the same coin, that of restaurateur Lacour Eun-ok. While the former focuses on Korean barbecues, with their generosity and authenticity, the latter has chosen to sublimate the art of traditional Korean cuisine , with the talented Korean chef Byungkuk OH behind the stove.
Sam Sun also boasts a more chic decor and ambience than its big sister, with a sober feel: light wood furniture, wallpaper imported from Korea, original works by Korean artists on the walls, including a traditional hanbok, a garment worn at weddings.
In the kitchen, the chef executes a Korean cuisine based on two fundamental pillars: preparation time and health. The result is carefully sourced produce and dishes that have taken their time to arrive on the table, with sauces and condiments that have been fermented for a long time to extract all their flavors and benefit from the advantages of fermentation.
The restaurant also pays homage to theart of banchan, a tradition inherited from the time of kings and reflecting the abundance and balance of Korean gastronomy, which consists of a multitude of small dishes that arrive like so many illuminations of the main courses. Kimchi, soya thumbs, lotus roots, banchan are certainly one of Sam Sun 's strong points, as they are respectfully prepared, entirely homemade and all tasty.
A large number of dishes are also revisited with a touch of creativity and modernity, while preserving their authenticity that make them classics of Korean gastronomy: bibimbap, stew, barbecue (€20-€28), fried chicken, as well as a selection of homemade noodles that are entitled to their own menu and served every day from noon to 5pm, Sam Sun being open continuously - with just one hour's break between 5pm and 6pm.
The jajangmyeon, noodles covered in a thick black jjajang sauce, generously garnished with vegetables and beef (19€) are a must-try, as is the kimchi, tofu and spicy pork stew (22€), even if we'd have liked it even spicier - no doubt the restaurant has had to adapt to Parisian palates.
The richness of Korean cuisine is reflected right from the starters, with the spicy fried chicken with chili sauce (16€), featuring tender poultry, and the unmissable kimchi pancakes with vegetables and sautéed shrimp (15€). Particular attention is paid to the accompaniments and details, such as the candied fruit on the edge of the plate.
La Maison also chooses to make its desserts in-house (which is far from being the case everywhere). Among the tempting offerings: crème brûlée with black sesame, matcha tiramisu, Korean crepe with brown sugar and peanuts, and even Sam Sun's signature tiramisu with roasted soy powder and red beans. Unfortunately - or not - the dishes were served so generously that we had no room left to sample them (postponed!).
For prices, expect to pay €17-18 for a lunch menu including a dish of your choice, banchan and rice; or €38 for a seasonal menu to discover, in detail, all the creativity of chef Byungkuk OH.
This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.
Location
Sam Sun
41 Rue de Richelieu
75001 Paris 1
Official website
samsunrestaurant.fr
