SOON, a Korean eatery within walking distance from the Champs-Elysées

This is a famous eatery as free as a bird… But don’t get fooled by what it looks like, SOON is a Korean restaurant that has a lot to offer. First of all, SOON is a 3-room restaurant including two in the basement allowing this spot to accommodate groups. And, they can be reserved and be transformed into karaoke booths according to patrons’ needs. And this has no price.

We love the deco, halfway through traditional and trendy. Here, dark-wooden furniture with an Asian twist rub shoulders with golden walls. We also appreciate the smiling team ready to answer all your questions and introduce you to Korean cuisine. But most of all, we love the friendly atmosphere reigning in this eatery with regulars and newcomers. The promise of a warm tasting.

Speaking of tasting, what is happening in the plates?  Well, a menu with typically Korean dishes allowing those not knowing this cuisine to discover key dishes. As starters, we can enjoy a pancake with kimchi, a preparation based on kimchi (Chinese cabbage), peppers and white onions. Kimchi is lacto-fermented and is a bit sour which perfectly goes with the spice that the pancake sweetens.

Don’t miss the Japchae. These fried vermicelli noodles with sliced beef and vegetables is beautifully plated but delicious as well. A starter that could make the fullest bellies hungry!

Moving on to main dishes, restaurant Soon asset is that even though plates are copious, fortunately, dishes are not too filling. We eat well without having to unbutton our jeans (yes, we now the trick). One of the biggest highlights of Korean cuisine is marinated meat and to discover it as you should be, we advise you to try the Bulgogi, a beef marinated in soy sauce served on a still burning tray. A treat for meat-eaters.

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You can also discover Korea legendary dish, the Dolsotbibimbab. In a big stoned bowl served hot, you find a variety of vegetables, here grated carrots, spinach, mushrooms, etc. topping rice and a meat of your choice, the whole is served with a row egg. Beef or chicken, pork with kimchi or salmon you can even order a vegetarian version with tofu or vegetables. But the best is the beef tartare. Once you’re served, you can add spicy sauce or soy sauce according to your spice-tolerance level. Mix it all and voilà! Here’s your Dolsotbibimbab ready to be enjoyed!

The whole is served with small tasting bowls including caramelized anchovies, fish pasta and always the famous Kimchi.

And how to end this tasting as it should be?  If you want to counterbalance the spice of the previous dishes, we advise you the matcha ice-cream served with whipped cream. Something endlessly sweet.

But, if you love culinary experience, you can also let yourself be tempted by sticky rice cakes with red beans and served with apple chunks and a cinnamon punch as sweet as a Christmas morning.

Practical information:
Soon
Open very day
At lunchtime from noon to 2:30 p.m.
At dinnertime from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
20 rue Jean Mermoz, 75008 Paris

Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.