The bright, airy Market Kitchen brings to mind a European arcade rather than the dense, disorderly bazaars associated with much of Asia, whisking patrons on a culinary journey through several continents via a series of live cooking stations and lavish buffet spreads. The adjoining Market Larder, a warm nook stocked with fine wines and takeaway hampers of carefully sourced delicacies, is also a reasonable approximation of the specialist grocers found in many Western capitals, where every shelf may yield up an undiscovered treasure.
But lest we forget where we are, Market Kitchen is Korean right down to its (literal) bones. A key feature of the design, overseen by New York-based AvroKO, are the ruins of an old house that were unearthed in the hotel’s excavation, which have been encased in glass and incorporated into to the flooring. The subterranean theme continues with the use of massive, veined onyx slabs throughout the venue, some embedded with pieces of antique furniture. Custom lighting inspired by vintage mining lanterns and displays of traditional earthenware and basketry add to the sense of a place that straddles time periods as well as culinary traditions.
ADDRESS
97 Saemunan-ro, Jongno-gu
-
Out of office: what the Wallpaper* editors have been doing this weekA taste of the dolce vita in London, some permanent artwork and a new eyeshadow palette – it's our editors' picks of the week
-
Daniel Arsham’s new monograph collates the works of the auto-obsessed American artist‘Arsham Motorsport’ is two volumes of inspiration, process and work, charting artist Daniel Arsham’s oeuvre inspired by the icons and forms of the automotive industry
-
Hollywood Forever's new ‘vertical mausoleum’ is the tallest in the USThe Gower Mausoleum is not only an innovative solution for housing the deceased in a crowded urban centre; it is also reframing the way that we view cemeteries
-
The coolest design-led coffee shops in SeoulSeoul counts more coffee shops per capita than any other city in the world – cut straight to our six must-visit spots
-
Oneworld unveils first-ever branded lounge in Seoul Incheon AirportA new Oneworld futuristic lounge opens in Seoul as the airline alliance gears up for its 25th anniversary
-
Seoul is Best City of 2024Seoul’s unique mix of culture, art and style goes global, thanks to an unstoppable new wave of dynamic creatives. Discover the Wallpaper* Design Awards’ Best City
-
JW Marriott Jeju is a sleek island beautyJW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa launches, marking the hospitality brand's first resort in South Korea’s largest Island
-
Villa One at the One & Only Palmilla — Los Cabos, Mexico -
Discover the Fritz Hansen pop-up hotel in SeoulContemporary design meets a traditional setting in Fritz Hansen’s Seoul retreat
-
Martim — Wroclaw, Poland -
Tattersalls Hotel — Armidale, Australia
