Gomtang (beef bone soup) from Neungdong Minari / Captured from Neungdong Minari's Instagram

The Michelin Guide has announced this year's Bib Gourmand selections for Seoul and Busan, ahead of the upcoming ceremony for the launch of Michelin Guide Seoul & Busan 2025 on Feb. 27.

Bib Gourmand selections this year expanded to a total of 77 restaurants from Seoul and Busan. Seoul hosts 58 with 10 newcomers, while Busan accounts for 19 with four new additions. The new entries feature establishments with a wide range of cuisines from Korean and Thai to vegan.

Bib Gourmand, which was introduced in the Michelin Guide in 1997, recognizes restaurants that offer exceptional value-for-money gourmet experiences for under 45,000 won ($31) per person.

The 10 new establishments in Seoul include Korean soup restaurants like Gomtang Lab and Neungdong Minari, specializing in "gomtang" (beef bone soup), and Mipildam, which sells handmade "mandu-guk" (dumpling soup), as well as Korean Chinese restaurant ALT.a, which uses plant-based ingredients only.

Busan's lineup welcomed "naengmyeon" (cold noodle) restaurant 100.1.Pyeongnaeng, bibimbap restaurant Bibijae, Busan-style "dwaeji gukbap" (pork and rice soup) restaurant Jeongjitgan and gomtang restaurant Hanwolgwan.

"After nearly a decade of the Michelin Guide's presence in Korea, we continue to witness the dynamic growth of Korean culinary culture through the diverse cooking styles at Bib Gourmand restaurants, which offer exceptional flavors at reasonable prices,” Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, said.

“Seoul has firmly established itself as a new 'gastronomy destination,' showcasing not only Korean cuisine but also flavors from Asia, the U.S. and Europe. Meanwhile, Busan stands out for its affordable dining scene, driven by local dishes made with unique regional ingredients.”

The Michelin Guide is slated to unveil the complete starred restaurant selection for Seoul and Busan this year through its website and app on Feb. 27.