Pierre Gagnaire to visit Seoul for special course menu at Lotte Hotel

Pierre Gagnaire, one of France's most celebrated chefs, is coming to Korea.

Lotte Hotel Seoul's French restaurant Pierre Gagnaire Seoul will launch a special course menu titled "The Art of Pierre Gagnaire" to mark the chef's visit, running from June 28 through July 4. Gagnaire will also greet customers in person during the event.

Gagnaire is a three-Michelin-star chef and one of France's most prominent culinary figures. Since Pierre Gagnaire Seoul — his only restaurant in Korea — opened in 2008, he has consistently visited Lotte Hotel Seoul every year to work alongside its chefs.

The special course blends Korean traditional ingredients, including Icheon rice and gochujang, with French culinary techniques, and is available for both lunch and dinner. The eight-course dinner begins with a welcome dish and four amuse-bouches. Highlights include roasted asparagus and sea urchin on an Icheon rice paste, marinated watermelon and king crab in a gochujang sauce, risotto-stuffed zucchini blossoms, and a veal gratin.

The menu continues with butter-seared John Dory fillet, lobster medallions and smoked duck breast. A granité — an iced slush — cleanses the palate before the main event: a 1++ grade Hanwoo striploin. The course closes with desserts including a Breton cake.