The Verdict
Solbam is chef-owner Eom Tae-jun's contemporary Korean restaurant on the second floor of the Baekyoung Center at 231 Hakdong-ro, in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu. It opened in 2021, won its first Michelin star in the 2024 Seoul guide and keeps it in 2026, and it ranked number 55 on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants in 2025. Eom trained at the Culinary Institute of America in New York before returning to Seoul.
The kitchen works as a fixed tasting built on Korean ingredients, with a signature of mussel extract, abalone and sticky barley that anchors the menu. The dinner tasting is ₩350,000, with an optional wine pairing of ₩250,000. It is a composed, formal Gangnam room suited to a milestone or a discreet client dinner rather than a casual meal.
The Kitchen
Chef-owner Eom Tae-jun, who trained at the Culinary Institute of America in New York, opened Solbam in 2021 and earned its first Michelin star in the 2024 guide. The menu is a fixed contemporary Korean tasting built on Korean produce, anchored by a signature of mussel extract, abalone and sticky barley. The dinner tasting is ₩350,000, with a ₩250,000 wine pairing.
The Room
Solbam sits on the second floor of the Baekyoung Center at 231 Hakdong-ro, in Nonhyeon-dong near Hakdong Station in Gangnam-gu. The room is calm and composed, built for a fixed tasting and quiet conversation rather than a view or a scene. It is reservation-only, which suits a private milestone or a business dinner.
Best for Impressing a Client
For a client dinner, Solbam offers a one-star Gangnam room, a fixed Korean tasting that needs no menu negotiation, and a calm setting that lets you talk. Book the ₩350,000 dinner through CatchTable well ahead, arrive on time, and let the kitchen set the pace through the evening.
Not For
Solbam is not for a casual or walk-in meal, or a large group. It is a reservation-only room with a single fixed tasting menu and formal pacing, so it does not suit a spontaneous visit, a quick à la carte dinner, or a big, lively party looking for flexibility.
Reservations
Solbam takes reservations through the CatchTable app, and a one-star Gangnam table books out, so reserve well ahead. The dinner tasting is ₩350,000, with an optional ₩250,000 wine pairing, before service. It sits on the second floor at 231 Hakdong-ro in Nonhyeon-dong; smart-casual dress suits the composed room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Solbam worth it?
Solbam is worth it for a refined, one-Michelin-star contemporary Korean tasting in Gangnam. Chef Eom Tae-jun has held the star since 2024, the menu is built on Korean ingredients, and the ₩350,000 dinner is a composed, formal experience. It is not for a casual or spontaneous meal, given the fixed tasting and reservation-only format.
Does Solbam have a Michelin star?
Yes. Solbam won its first Michelin star in the 2024 Seoul guide and retains it in 2026. Chef-owner Eom Tae-jun leads the kitchen in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, and the restaurant also ranked number 55 on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants in 2025. For more starred Seoul tables, see our Seoul dining guide.
How much does Solbam cost?
Solbam serves a fixed dinner tasting menu at ₩350,000 per guest, with an optional wine pairing of ₩250,000, before service. There is no à la carte. The price reflects a one-star contemporary Korean tasting in Gangnam, so expect a higher total once the pairing or additional drinks are added to the bill.
What should I expect to eat at Solbam?
Solbam serves a fixed contemporary Korean tasting built on seasonal Korean ingredients, anchored by a signature of mussel extract, abalone and sticky barley. The courses change through the year around that core, plated as a single set sequence rather than à la carte. Expect a composed, multi-course dinner rather than a quick or flexible meal.
Also in Seoul
Explore the full Seoul dining guide, or compare it with Mingles, Jungsik and Kwonsooksoo. See our best Korean restaurants guide and the best restaurants to impress clients.