Chef Jungsik Yim Makes History: First Korean Winner of the James Beard Award 2025 for Outstanding Chef
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Elevating Modern Korean Cuisine to the Global Stage from New York to the World
A Historic Win at the 2025 James Beard Awards
On June 17, 2025, at the Lyric Opera House in Chicago, Korean chef Jungsik Yim, founder of the celebrated fine-dining restaurant Jungsik in New York, was honored with the Outstanding Chef award at the prestigious James Beard Awards—often called the “Oscars of the culinary world.” He is the first Korean chef ever to win this category.
“Just Passion”: A 14-Year Journey of Persistence and Vision
In his heartfelt acceptance speech, delivered in Korean, Chef Yim reflected on his beginnings:
“It’s been 14 years since I opened Jungsik in New York in 2011. I had no real experience or knowledge in fine dining back then. I was young and passionate—maybe too passionate.”
He recounted moments when staff outnumbered guests, when financial struggles made him question everything—but he persevered. He dedicated the award to his team at Jungsik New York and to his father, calling the journey one of life’s greatest and most meaningful experiences.
From Seoul to New York: Redefining “New Korean Cuisine”
Before his success in New York, Chef Yim opened the original Jungsikdang in Seoul’s Apgujeong district in 2009. It was one of Korea’s first fine-dining restaurants. His bold fusion of Western cooking techniques—particularly French—with traditional Korean ingredients led to the creation of what is now known as “New Korean Cuisine.”
Food critics and chefs alike regard Yim as a pioneer. As Eunjo Kim, editor-in-chief of Blue Ribbon Survey, explains:
“He introduced a new genre of contemporary Korean cuisine by blending Western fine-dining structure with Korean flavors, raising it to global standards.”
Jungsik New York: A Michelin Three-Star Korean Restaurant
In a historic milestone, Jungsik in Tribeca was awarded three Michelin stars in the 2025 Michelin Guide—the first Korean restaurant in the U.S. to receive the top honor. With its sophisticated tasting menus and innovative approach to Korean flavors, Jungsik is now considered one of the most important Korean restaurants globally.
The restaurant has also served as a training ground for a new generation of Korean chefs, many of whom have gone on to open their own fine-dining establishments.
A Breakthrough Moment for Korean Cuisine in the U.S.
Chef Yim’s victory was not the only win for Korean gastronomy at the 2025 James Beard Awards:
Atomix (New York) by Chef Junghyun Park and manager Ellia Park won Outstanding Hospitality
Chef Mingoo Kang’s book JANG: The Soul of Korean Cooking (co-written with Nadia Cho and Joshua David Stein) won Best Book Award
Korean cuisine proved it is no longer a niche, but a driving force in global fine dining.
Chef Jungsik Yim’s win is a cultural milestone. It validates Korean cuisine’s rightful place in the international culinary canon and paves the way for future generations of chefs who view Korean food not just as tradition, but as a platform for innovation.
+) James Beard Award
Established by the James Beard Foundation in 1986, the awards have been presented annually since 1991. With more than 600 judges from across the U.S., the James Beard Awards honor excellence in restaurants, chefs, media, and hospitality.
Winning the Outstanding Chef category is widely considered the most prestigious individual honor in American culinary arts.
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