The Verdict
Mitou, which translates as "yet to arrive," opened in 2018 in the Cheongdam area of Gangnam and has become one of Seoul's most precise tasting counters. The married chefs Kwon Young-woon and Kim Bo-mi cook authentic Japanese kaiseki, changing the menu with the season and the small harvest from the family farm.
The restaurant earned its first Michelin star in 2021 and was promoted to two stars in the 2024 Michelin Guide Seoul and Busan, a rating it held in 2025. The format is a set menu at a small counter, with dinner around 250,000 won and seats that book well ahead.
The Kitchen
The kitchen is run by the chef duo Kwon Young-woon and Kim Bo-mi. Kim built her career in traditional ryokan and Tokyo kitchens before returning home to co-found Mitou. The signature is a savory monaka, the crisp wafer usually served as a sweet here filled with matsukaze and iburi-gakko; the owan soup course and the rice (gohan) finish are also house markers. Chicken, eggs, rice, and vegetables come from chef Kwon's family farm.
The Room
Mitou sits on the second floor at 19 Dosan-daero 67-gil in Gangnam-gu, in the Cheongdam district of southern Seoul. It is a small counter rather than a large dining room, which keeps the pace deliberate and the cooking under the chefs' direct eye. The minimalist setting puts the focus on each course as it is served.
Best for an Anniversary
For an anniversary, a proposal, or a quiet dinner that rewards full attention, Mitou's counter is among the best in Seoul. Reserve early, take the set menu as it comes, and plan a long, deliberate evening. See our anniversary and proposal guides for more.
Not For
Not for a large group, a fast meal, or anyone who wants to order a la carte. The counter is small, the menu is fixed, and the experience is paced over many courses. Diners who prefer a lively room or a flexible menu should look to one of Seoul's larger fine-dining rooms.
Reservations
Reservations are needed well in advance given the limited counter, usually by phone or a booking platform. Dinner runs about 250,000 won per person, with comparable counters in the area priced between roughly 180,000 and 320,000 won. Arrive on time, since the kaiseki menu is timed course by course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mitou worth it in Seoul?
Mitou is worth it for one of Seoul's most precise tasting-counter experiences, a two-Michelin-star kitchen run by the married chefs Kwon Young-woon and Kim Bo-mi in Cheongdam. The Japanese kaiseki format uses produce from the chefs' family farm. Dinner runs about 250,000 won, and seats are limited, so book well ahead.
What should I order at Mitou?
Mitou serves a set kaiseki menu rather than a la carte, so the kitchen decides the run; the savory monaka filled with matsukaze and iburi-gakko is the signature, alongside the owan soup course and a rice (gohan) finish. Chicken, eggs, rice, and vegetables come from chef Kwon's family farm.
How many Michelin stars does Mitou have?
Mitou holds two Michelin stars. It earned its first star in 2021 and was promoted to two stars in the 2024 Michelin Guide Seoul and Busan, a rating it retained in the 2025 guide. The restaurant opened in 2018 and seats a small counter in the Gangnam district of Seoul.
Where is Mitou and how do I book?
Mitou is on the second floor at 19 Dosan-daero 67-gil in Gangnam-gu, in the Cheongdam area of southern Seoul. The counter is small and reservations are needed well in advance, usually by phone or a booking platform. For more options, see our Seoul dining guide above.
Also in Seoul
Explore the full Seoul dining guide, or compare Mitou with Mingles, Jungsik and Gaon. For more tasting counters, see our tasting menu guide.