Haobin — Restaurant in Seoul

This was the most unimpressive Michelin 1 star restaurant ever. The food wasn’t bad but none of the dishes had anything to be impressed with: the whole dining experience was like during at a nice Chinese restaurant, definitely not at Michelin star caliber.

Food: The appetizers looked mediocre and tasted ok (its presentation was not sophisticated at all). Especially the crab meat soup had this “fishy” smell coming from the egg whites, very unpleasant to eat. The abalone dish was tasty with vinegar sauce but again, it was nothing creative. The chilli shrimp was also very mediocre: the sauce was like the store bought chilly sauce. I was very disappointed.

Service: the silverware wasn’t clean, the little cup that had jelly fish wasn’t clean, and most of all, the serving staff were quite crude ( one lady snatched a plate while my mom there was still working on it, rushing).

Atmosphere: definitely felt like just a nice Chinese restaurant, not a Michelin starred one. And the gentlemen dining close to us were very loud.

Summary: I don’t understand how this place has a star. We have been to other one starred restaurants in Europe and they really live up to their star status. This one is not. We won’t be...

One of my favoriate Chefs, Mr. Hou Deokjuk, presents his best journey of flavors based on his signature cuisines. His Haobin is awarded a Michelin Star as well as special award for 2024 Michelin Mentho Chef Award. Along with the Great Hong Yuan and TapYuen, Hobin is now one of best Chinese restaurants in Korea.

HaoBin Special Chinese Course Chef’s special tomato salad with Abalone (토마토 샐러드 전복 전채) Buddha Jumps Over the Wall (불도장) Peking Duck (북경오리) Braised Whole Sea Cucumber with Sichuanese Sauce (어향소스 오룡 통해삼) Noodles (자장면, 짬뽕) Dessert (후식)

This special course, even though it is not on the menu, has perfection harmony between the dishes. Especially, his signature cuisine, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, is the BEST, exquisite, full of flavors with the harmony and unison of each healthy ingredients. The broth is very refreshing! For me, the Sea Cucumber dish is also divine! Even though I could have many chances to try his signature dishes when the master Chef was in Pal Seon, Shilla Hotel or Le Meridien, his culinary art has now reached...

Do not eat at this restaurant. Not worth it.

One of their staff discriminated us from reserving a table for 5 pax last May 21, 2025. I even asked the hotel frontdesk to reserve a table but their staff claimed that the restaurant is full. Fortunately, one of our companions talked to another staff and he was allowed to reserve a table. Contrary to the claim of their staff who discriminated us, we found out later while having lunch that the restaurant...