Conrad Seoul has completely revamped its flagship buffet restaurant, Zest, 12 years after its initial opening. Starting on March 27, the restaurant will welcome guests with a brand-new concept aimed at providing a more refined dining experience.
Exclusive Preview Event
On March 26, Conrad Seoul hosted a special invitation event, attended by over 100 media and industry professionals, to introduce the revamped Zest. Mark Mini Conrad, the general manager of Conrad Seoul, shared, “We felt it was time for Zest to undergo changes, so we prepared a section focused on a variety of topics instead of just focusing on countries. We plan to collaborate with renowned chefs for future events.”
Chef Lee Seung-chan, the general chef at Conrad Seoul for the past 13 years, highlighted the focus of the redesign. “The main goal of this change was to emphasize quality ingredients and recipes rather than merely adjusting the menu based on country,” he explained. From April onward, the restaurant will invite top chefs from Conrad’s global sister hotels each month to introduce new and exciting menus.
A Course-Style Buffet Experience
Zest’s transformation marks a significant shift from a traditional buffet to an elevated dining experience. In addition to the familiar buffet-style food stations, the restaurant will offer an à la carte menu where dishes can be ordered directly from the table. Additionally, there will be live cooking stations where chefs prepare meals right in front of guests. Conrad Seoul’s renewed focus is on combining the luxury of a buffet with a more refined dining experience.
Exclusive table-service dishes like Chicken Morel Soup (luxury chicken soup with Morel mushrooms) and Negido Rice (Japanese tuna belly rice bowl) will only be available upon request. These items exemplify the restaurant’s commitment to offering high-quality, specialty foods.
Five Themed Stations
The new Zest features five distinct theme stations, each offering a unique culinary experience:
Ocean: A seafood lover’s paradise, offering a wide variety of seafood, including sashimi, sushi, steamed dishes, and six types of Japanese charcoal-grilled (Ioriyaki) seafood.
Ranch: A carnivore’s dream, featuring specialty meat dishes like whole grilled Korean beef ribs, Jeju black pork porchetta, and high-quality Iberico Bayota, a premium Spanish pork.
Oriental: A celebration of authentic Asian flavors, with dishes like the iconic Singapore and Malaysia Hainan Chicken Rice, prepared just as locals would enjoy it, capturing the essence of true Asian cuisine.
Bistro: An Italian-inspired station with creamy carbonara mixed from a natural Parmesan cheese container and freshly baked oven pizzas, bringing the taste of Italy to Seoul.
Pâtisserie: A dessert corner designed with a small bakery atmosphere, offering not just typical buffet desserts, but also cakes, ice cream, and customizable crepes, allowing guests to personalize their sweet treats.
A New Dining Process
“This redesign has completely transformed the dining process for our guests,” said a Conrad Seoul representative. “We’re committed to offering higher-quality services and food, incorporating feedback from our guests and the industry.”
With its fresh take on the buffet experience, Zest at Conrad Seoul promises to redefine dining in the city, providing guests with an immersive, high-quality experience that goes beyond the traditional buffet.
Related topics: