“Is This Really Korean Food?” Top Celebrity Chef Left Speechless

A foreign star chef was left amazed after tasting a Korean dish, exclaiming, “Is this really Korean food?” In a past YouTube video, American star chef Mark McEwan visited a restaurant in Canada where he sampled a special Korean-style braised short rib (galbijjim) prepared by Korean chef Antonio Park.

Describing the dish as “perfectly prepared,” McEwan praised its deep flavors and tender texture. After taking his first bite, he remarked, “It’s incredibly soft and rich in flavor. The sauce is heavy, but what’s surprising is the depth of flavor despite not using red wine.”

When asked about the sauce ingredients, Chef Park revealed that it was made from soy sauce, tamari, garlic, ginger, onions, carrots, maple syrup, and brown sugar—a modern twist on traditional Korean flavors. McEwan described the dish as a fusion of traditional Korean cuisine with the elegance of French cooking, highlighting the sophisticated balance of flavors.

The meat, cooked for 8 hours, left such an impression that McEwan stated, “This is the kind of dish you come back for.”

Galbijjim is one of Korea’s signature traditional dishes, symbolizing its potential to evolve into a global fine dining experience. By replacing red wine with soy sauce and maple syrup, the dish enhanced its flavor profile while leaving a lasting impact on the foreign culinary world.

McEwan concluded, “This dish shows that Korean cuisine is not confined to tradition but can expand into the global gourmet scene.” As a shining example of Korean cuisine’s adaptability, galbijjim is gaining attention as a key player in promoting Korean food worldwide.