SEOUL, April 03 (AJP) - Winning over a French palate is no small task — even more so when the guests are the president of France and his wife.
South Korea answered with a carefully staged blend of Korean tradition and French culinary technique at a state dinner hosted by President Lee Jae Myung for President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron on Thursday.
Chef Son Jong-won, known for “Culinary Class Wars 2,” was brought in for the occasion, crafting a menu that followed a classic French course structure while reinterpreting Korean ingredients and forms.
The opening course reimagined Korea’s ssam (wrap) culture into refined, bite-sized dishes — including three-color wheat wraps, Jeju sweet shrimp wraps and East Sea scallops with truffle. The trio subtly echoed the French national motto of liberty, equality and fraternity.
A grilled Jeju pomfret, made with premium deokja, was paired with kumquat-infused doenjang sauce, maitake mushrooms, clams and sansho pepper, offering a balance of depth and delicacy.
Samgyetang followed, transformed into a French-style chicken roulade while retaining its identity as Korea’s signature ginseng chicken soup.
The main course featured layered Korean beef sirloin in a mille-feuille style, served with abalone — a pairing that combined richness with restraint.
Dessert came as a buckwheat crepe filled with sweet potato mousse, inspired by Korea’s roasted sweet potatoes, presented in a traditional mother-of-pearl lacquer box. It was accompanied by camellia mistletoe tea made from locally sourced ingredients.
The meal was paired with two French wines and a Korean traditional liquor, underscoring the evening’s theme of balance between the two culinary traditions. Chef Son personally served the main course, explaining the concept behind the dishes.
Attention to detail extended beyond the table. Guests were welcomed with Eiffel Tower-shaped bread displays, while macarons were prepared by Korea’s national team — winners of the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie.
K-pop, naturally, had a part. Brigitte Macron received signed albums by BTS, Stray Kids and G-Dragon, along with traditional Korean ceramic tableware.
The visit marks the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and France. It is Macron’s first visit to Korea since taking office in 2017, and the first by a French president in 11 years.
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