Have been wanting to come here for a while. One of the better 1*s I've been to. There was not a single dish I didn't like (which is rare as I'm notoriously fastidious). Seafood was very fresh! My only feedback would be to edit the lobster dish. Lobster is great but no need for the pool of caviar underneath as it's not edible on its own after you eat the lobster (soupy and salty). Maybe some kind of emulsion or even simply a whipped creme fresh will hold the caviar better and balance the salt. Will be back once the menu changes for sure!
I wanted to gift my niece and her SO a special birthday dinner as they are fantastic human beings. I did a lot of research to find some place really great. There are so many interesting SF restaurants, but SSAL stood out. From their ecstatic feedback, the reality was well beyond my high expectations. Gorgeous artful plating, amazingly creative and unconventional dishes and sublimely delicious flavors combined with stand out warm and personal service. It was a spectacular evening, one of the best they have ever experienced. Now I have to make time to fly to SF and try for myself.
We were really impressed by the tasting menu when we visited SSAL on Oct 28th. The tasting menu presents a good combination of seafood and meat with Korean touch. We really like how chefs put in efforts presenting each dish so they all look amazing and taste and texture are both there. I felt that they put thoughts into how to make sure all dishes have some nice, crunchy texture.
Some dishes that really impressed us are the oyster that is full of umami flavor, king grab with sea urchin sauce, the amazing croissant from Arsicault, and the dessert ice cream with charred corn. All very interesting combinations of flavors and textures, and also light in the sense that they are very approachable.
I think overall the experience is very good and definitely worth a visit.
Amazing diner experience !! This place really elevated the Korean French fusion while not losing the authenticity and creativity of Korean cuisine. It was mind blowing how Korean foods can harmony elegantly with French gastronomy without overpowering each of the ingredients..
I almost wanted cry with every bites of each dish because it was that good !
We had an incredible experience dining here. The space is small, intimate, and peaceful - almost felt like a museum space! We didn't know what the tasting menu would be beforehand and were not disappointed by the multitude of unique and flavorful dishes. If given the option, definitely opt in for the short rib!
Bonus points for the amazing service. Our waitress was SO friendly and a wonderful conversationalist + the head chef came out multiple times to check on us. They even took a polaroid photo and gave it to us, framed at the end of the night (no extra charge, just kind vibes!). 100% would recommend for a unique and relaxing Korean fusion fine dining experience :)
Amazing experience, we had a wonderful dinner. Really blown away by the quality and thoughtfulness of every dish. Ssal has innovative dishes and flavors, and crafts a cohesive experience from the start to the end. It’s a very intimate experience in a minimalist interior, with a wonderfully attentive staff and meticulous execution.
One of our favorite places in SF, would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great meal and experience!
1 michelin stars have a huge range. With some, you question the accolade… others are solid 1 michelin stars with solid cooking but fall short in some axes.
Ssal is nearly perfect in all dimensions. I’m actually a little shocked that this is a 1 michelin star as it’s stronger than most 2 michelin stars I’ve been to.
The food is mind blowing, the plates and silverware are beautiful, the atmosphere is sleek yet cozy, the dishes are timed to perfection, and the staff are personal and anticipate your needs. I love the korean twist to the dishes and the unique collaborations (e.g. Arsicault Croissants!).
A bit pricey, but this is a very impressive restaurant. You can be confident that you’ll have a stellar experience.
Breathtaking! I travel for work often and try different Michelin Star restaurants. This one is my favorite this far! small and intimate - staff was so friendly and since they saw I was dining alone made conversation with me. Chef is so skilled, authentic ingredients imported within the week from Korea, the pictures speak for themselves!
What an absolute dream this dining experience was! Highly recommended for anyone who loves Korean food or just eating good food! Each dish, the sequence, atmosphere, cordiality of the chef and the staff, even the tempo of each course was a perfection. The food and its presentation was everything I hoped for in Korea meets the west restaurant. I hope to visit again soon for more seasonal dishes.
My husband and I dined at SSAL for our date night & the experience was incredible. The food, service, & atmosphere were 10/10. We enjoyed every single bite of food and some I’m still dreaming of!! The quality of ingredients was honestly impeccable - you can tell that the owner and chef takes pride in what he serves. Their brassware, dinnerware and all the little details were just beautiful and super classy.
The Eel was to die for so was the beef tartare. The abalone dish was so unique and tasty. The croissant was so yummy! I can go on and on because nothing was short of deliciousness.
Dorothy and Alfred provided the best service & were so nice and friendly. The owner/chef was also wonderful and we loved hearing his story! Overall, I highly recommend this spot. Wishing you guys lots of success because you deserve it.
Thank you for a memorable evening!
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