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| Haevichi Hotels & Resorts opened luxury Japanese restaurant Sushi Mer in central Seoul, July 2. Courtesy of Haevichi Hotels & Resorts |
By Jun Ji-hye
Haevichi Hotels & Resorts has recently opened Sushi Mer, a new upscale Japanese dining destination, in central Seoul.
Sushi Mer, which opened on July 2, serves sushi, crafted from high-quality ingredients and with a focus on highlighting its natural flavor and texture. Omakase courses made from premium handpicked ingredients are freshly delivered each day.
Mer, the French word for sea, refers to Jeju Island where a Haevichi brand property was first set up, and to the sea itself, a boundless source of fresh ingredients.
"I believe rice, the foundation of sushi, is the most important of all," Executive Chef Lee Dong-su said. "We've spent a lot of time researching ways to prepare the very best rice to combine with the fish. We've focused on creating a harmonious balance of vinegar, fish and soy sauce, with no single ingredient more prominent than the others."
Sushi Mer also offers discerningly-curated selections of champagnes and sakes, offering pairings with sushi at attractive prices.
The drinks list, compiled by Haevichi sommeliers, comprises some 80 different beverages ranging from champagnes and rare premium sakes to wines and Japanese sojus.
In addition, the soaring ceilings of Sushi Mer evoke the feel of a seabed, so visitors can get away from the bustle of the city outside.
The restaurant's interior, like the sushi it serves, is characterized by its use of natural materials.
The wall of the main sushi counter displays a work by ceramic artist Mun Pyeong that reveals minimalist lines through a repeated accumulation of earthen walls, while the nine-meter-long sushi countertop consists of a single slab of natural hinoki cypress wood imported from Japan.
The restaurant's walls are also lined with hinoki, infusing the restaurant with a subtle woody fragrance.
Sushi Mer is open from Monday to Saturday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for dinner.
The restaurant seats 35 diners, including the special sushi counter room.
Haevichi Hotels & Resorts also operates American dining destination Michael's by Haevichi, authentic Chinese restaurant Jungsim and upscale Korean restaurant Soowoon in central Seoul, offering diverse gourmet experiences.
