Mingles secures place in World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026

Mingles holds its place among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2026, positioned at No.17 on the prestigious list. The Seoul restaurant’s recognition this year carries particular significance: Chef Park Jung hyun has been awarded the Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award, a distinction that reflects the depth of his culinary vision and the respect of his peers within the global gastronomic community.

The accolade resonates beyond the restaurant itself. This year saw an expanded representation of Korean establishments on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants stage, a moment that Park has described as deeply moving. Korean gastronomy, with its refined techniques and philosophical approach to ingredients and preparation, has reached an international audience with renewed visibility and appreciation. The presence of multiple Korean restaurants on the list signals a broader recognition of Asia’s contribution to contemporary fine dining.

At Mingles, Park’s cuisine synthesises Korean culinary traditions with meticulous technical precision. Each dish reflects a commitment to honouring Korean ingredients and methods whilst engaging with the broader language of modern gastronomy. The restaurant’s tasting menu unfolds as a carefully considered sequence, each course building upon the last.

The restaurant approaches this recognition not as a culmination but as an affirmation of direction. Park and his team have acknowledged the responsibility that accompanies the honour, committing themselves to continuing the refinement and evolution of their work. The aspiration is to remain worthy of the platform afforded by such recognition, ensuring that Mingles continues to advance Korean cuisine on the international stage.

Imagery courtesy of Mingles (@mingles_restaurant).