The story
Palate takes its name from the English word for taste and discernment – a fitting motto for a kitchen that prizes precision and seasonality. Located on the third floor of a building in Busan’s seaside Haeundae district, the restaurant serves lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday, with Wednesday dinner-only.
Chef JaeHoon Kim trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Sydney and honed his skills at acclaimed Australian restaurants: Moon Park (SMH Good Food Guide 1 hat) and Lumi Dining (2 hats). He then returned to Korea to lead Zero Complex in Seoul, which earned a Michelin star. In Busan, he opened Palate, where he continues to cook with the same discipline.
His cooking bridges his Australian fine-dining background and Korean ingredients, resulting in a contemporary style that feels both grounded and inventive. The restaurant describes its philosophy simply: to share the chef’s experience with guests, using seasonal produce to create delicious, interesting dishes.
Palate has held a Michelin 1 Star since 2024, including in the 2026 Michelin Guide Seoul & Busan. It was also selected for La Liste in 2025 and awarded 3 Blue Ribbons that same year. These accolades reflect a kitchen that delivers consistently high-quality cooking without fanfare.
The dining room is cool and composed, with air conditioning for comfort. Reservations are essential; the menu changes with the seasons, and the team focuses on a single, carefully constructed tasting experience. For those seeking a refined yet unpretentious meal in Busan, Palate offers a clear, confident voice in contemporary Korean cuisine.
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