The ‘essence of sushi’ at The Shilla Seoul ... Chef with 23 years’ experience takes center stage

[Financial News] The Shilla Seoul will host a sushi gala dinner at its Japanese restaurant Ariake, featuring Chef Moon Seong-oh (Photo), who will present it.
According to the hotel industry on the 16th, The Shilla Seoul will offer a special sushi omakase prepared by Chef Moon Seong-oh, head chef at Ariake’s sushi counter, on the 23rd. The event will pair authentic Edomae sushi made with carefully selected seasonal ingredients with rare premium alcoholic beverages.
The event was planned in response to growing interest in omakase and small-scale dining events that offer a firsthand experience of a chef’s philosophy and story. It is aimed at diners seeking an experiential meal where they can not only taste seasonal ingredients and rare alcoholic beverages but also interact directly with the chef.
Chef Moon, who has built up 23 years of experience as of this year, is one of Ariake’s leading sushi masters. He learned authentic Edomae sushi from Chef Morita, who led Ariake from 2014, and trained in 2017 at Kiyota Sushi, a renowned sushi restaurant in Tokyo, Japan. Drawing on that experience, he creates authentic Japanese sushi using Korean ingredients.
Ariake has partnered technically with Kiyota Sushi, known for pioneering omakase culture, and has researched Japanese culinary techniques. Drawing on the skills and experience he gained through training in Japan, Chef Moon also offers omakase tailored to each customer’s individual tastes.
The gala dinner will feature a sushi course that brings out the natural flavors of the ingredients. It will begin with tsumami (appetizers), including conger eel bones, dried sea cucumber roe and wild-caught steamed abalone, along with matsutake dobin-mushi, followed in turn by seasonal sashimi, sushi and dessert. The menu will use a variety of seasonal ingredients, including ikura (salmon roe), uni (sea urchin roe), bigfin reef squid, flounder, striped beakfish and spot prawns. Premium alcoholic beverage pairings will also be available.
A representative of The Shilla Seoul said, “These days, dining is evolving beyond a simple meal toward an experience that also encompasses the chef’s story and philosophy, as well as a connection with customers.” The representative added, “This gala dinner will be a special opportunity to experience up close the extensive experience Chef Moon Seong-oh has built up and the traditions of Ariake.”
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