[Exclusive] Kim Eo-jun Opens Restaurant in Paris: First Guest Shares "How Was the Food..." Experience

First Guest Shares Their "Vendredi Gourmand" Experience
Kim Eo-jun Takes Photos and Personally Receives Orders from Guests
Showcasing Modern Korean Cuisine Using Traditional Sauces, Including "Joseon Steak"

On the 30th (local time), customers are waiting to enter Kim Eojun's restaurant "Vendredi Gourmand," which officially opened in Paris, France. Provided by local Korean residents.

On June 30 (local time), broadcaster Kim Eo-jun officially opened his Korean restaurant "Vendredi Gourmand" in Paris, France, after about a month of trial operation and welcomed his first guests. On opening day, he personally greeted reserved guests, explained the menu, and was reportedly seen moving between tables, taking orders, and even serving dishes himself. A written interview was conducted with Kim Jungyeon (47, alias), a local Korean resident who visited the restaurant with her son as the first guests at noon that day.

On the 30th (local time), Kim Eo-jun is welcoming guests at the restaurant 'Vendredi Gourmand,' which officially opened in Paris, France. Provided by local residents.

"Vendredi Gourmand" literally means "Gourmet Friday." It is a contemporary Korean restaurant that presents traditional Korean jang (fermented sauces) reinterpreted in a modern way. The project is symbolic in that it is a collaboration between Kim Eo-jun and reporter Kim Jeongsu, who has developed dishes for the popular "Friday Gourmet Meeting" segment on Kim's YouTube show "Modesty Is Difficult: News Factory."

The restaurant is located in a quiet alley near Luxembourg station in the Latin Quarter of Paris' 5th arrondissement. It is within walking distance of both Sorbonne University and the Pantheon, surrounded by narrow streets and 19th-century Haussmann-style buildings, creating a quintessential Parisian city atmosphere. The area is known to be frequented by both locals and tourists alike.

Interior view of the restaurant 'Vendredi Gourmand' officially opened on the 30th (local time) in Paris, France. Provided by the local Korean community.

The interior features a black ceiling, white tiled walls, and dark brown wooden tables. The kitchen is open, allowing guests to see the cooking space, and a bar table is placed in the center. Seats by the large glass windows allow diners to enjoy their meal while looking out onto the streets of Paris.

The restaurant was filled with flower arrangements celebrating the opening, guests at every table, and busy kitchen staff, capturing the atmosphere of the first day. All tables were filled by reservation, with about 90% of the guests reportedly being Koreans residing in the area.

The menu served that day was a modern Korean course utilizing Korean ingredients and sauces, combined with French plating. The signature dishes released by the restaurant include "Yuja Soy Sauce Scallop Steak," "Suranchae," "Jeolla-style Gochujang Yukhoe," "Kim Jinhong Chojang Salad and Cold Pork," "Joseon Steak," and "Garden of Luxembourg."

Appetizer of 'Vendredi Gourmand' made with cucumber and herbs. Provided by local residents.

Menu item "Yuja Soy Sauce Scallop Steak" from "Vendredi Gourmand" provided by local Korean residents.

The basic appetizer, provided as a starter, was made with thinly sliced cucumber topped with herbs. The following dish, Yuja Soy Sauce Scallop Steak, featured scallops and green peas paired with a yuzu soy sauce; the creamy white sauce was accented with bright green peas and herbs for a fresh visual presentation.

The menu item "Joseon Steak" from "Vendredi Gourmand" provided by local Korean residents.

The "Joseon Steak" is a dish where generously cut beef steak is topped with plenty of green onions, chives, and herbs. As a side, spicy seasoned radish strips were served separately in a small bowl. The dish borrows the format of a French steak but enhances the Korean flavor with green onion, fresh radish, and jang-based sauces.

Dessert menu 'Garden of Luxembourg' from 'Vendredi Gourmand' provided by local Korean residents.

The dessert called "Garden of Luxembourg" evokes the nearby Luxembourg Gardens using green granita, flowers, and herbs. It is completed with basil granita, ginger mascarpone, and mung bean rice puff crumble.

Kim Eo-jun is having a conversation with a child customer inside the restaurant. Provided by local Korean residents

Kim, the Korean resident, said, "Combining several dishes and drinks, the bill came to about 75 euros (approximately 132,522 won)," adding, "The food was really enjoyable." She recounted that Kim Eo-jun personally came to the table to describe the menu and serve the guests himself.

View of the outside scenery through the window from inside the restaurant. Provided by local expatriates

Kim Eo-jun reportedly recommended, "Next time, come with your husband," and shared, "I also plan to visit here about once or twice a month." Kim said it was striking to see someone so familiar from broadcasting personally greeting and conversing with guests.

Kim Eo-jun explaining the dish to a customer. Provided by local Korean resident.

Meanwhile, on the restaurant's website and media, Kim Eo-jun has introduced the venture by saying, "I have realized here the dream I had during my backpacking trip in France 36 years ago—to properly introduce Korean cuisine." Reporter Kim Jeongsu from his YouTube channel "News Factory" is known to be working as the chef at this restaurant.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.