Sétopa: Korea in gastro chic mode
A quiet street in the 6th arrondissement. An elegant, almost discreet shop front. And behind the windows of Sétopa, a culinary slap in the face signed Linda Lee and two Michelin-starred Korean chefs.
If you thought that Korean cuisine was just bibimbap and skewers in trays, get ready to change your taste galaxy.
Fermented, flambéed, twisted: Korea as you've never eaten it before
Translation for the uninitiated: top-class cuisine, rooted in Korean traditions but with a panache twist.
We start with amuse-bouches that look like botanical workshops: lotus crisps, green beans with doenjang and Korean chickpea hummus, oyster ravioli lemon soy sauce (Gool Mandu) or a chicken liver pâté with yuja that we'd love to be able to spread at home.
Special mention to fried chicken with Padron peppers and dried anchoviesas addictive as a K-drama.
But the real star is Setopa chickenA deliciously melting fish, lacquered, simmered in a casserole with a homemade ganjang sauce and served with crispy garlic rice at the bottom of the pot.
You're about to enjoy a K-food version of paella, to be shared (or not, for those with a sweet tooth).
And if you're feeling daring, we recommend you try osso bucco jjim, a Korean reinvention of the French classic with oxtail and homemade soy sauce.
A cool gastro menu
La lunch (€25-30) allows you to get a fairly complete taste without blowing your budget.
In the evening, count between 49 and 72 € à la carte for a truly culinary journey.
It's not cheap, but the quality is there, from starter to dessert (don't forget the yellow soya crème brûlée and the chestnut mochi).
The drinks are also serious: Gimlet with sparkling plum alcohol, Virgin Bloody Mary with gochujang, Hwayo soju, or a natural winegrower's jaja like this Cahors by Fabien Jouves.
In short, something to refresh your palate with as much style as your taste buds.
A chic, no-fuss venue
The service - exclusively female, at least when we came to test the address - is gentle, professional, attentive and never intrusive.
Here, you feel at ease, as if in a cocoon of flavours.
And even when the room fills up, the atmosphere remains hushed. So it's the ideal restaurant for a romantic dinner, a foodie get-together or a night out with friends who appreciate good food.
Why do we love it?
- Modern, masterful and ultra-creative Korean cuisine
- Unforgettable signature dishes
- A chic but warm atmosphere (no snobbery, which is rare for a gastro)
- Tasty vegetarian options
- A drinks menu as sophisticated as the rest of the menu
Practical information
Address: 6 Rue Dupuytren, 75006 Paris
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 12pm-2.30pm / 7pm-10.30pm - closed on Sundays
Site : setopaparis.com
Telephone: 09 77 91 95 01
Instagram: @Setopa_Paris
Sétopa is much more than a Korean restaurant. It's an author's table where gastronomy makes the great leap between Seoul and Paris. A must-try, especially if you think you've already 'done it' with Korean cuisine.
