[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 the Korean restaurant 'Vendredi Gourmand' in Paris, France, after about a month of trial operations, and welcomed his first guests. On the opening day, he personally greeted the reserved guests, explained the menu, and was seen moving around the dining hall managing orders and serving food. He also conducted a written interview with a local Korean resident, Ms. Kim Jungyeon (age 47, pseudonym), who visited the restaurant as the first guest at noon with her son.

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.

The name 'Vendredi Gourmand' literally means 'Friday Gourmet.' It is a contemporary Korean restaurant that presents traditional Korean sauces reinterpreted in modern ways. The restaurant has symbolic meaning as a collaborative project between Kim Eo-jun and reporter Kim Jeongsu, who has been researching recipes for the popular 'Friday Gourmet' segment of Kim Eo-jun's YouTube show 'It’s Hard to Be Humble News Factory.'

The restaurant is located in a quiet alley near Luxembourg Station in the Latin Quarter of Paris’s 5th arrondissement. It is within walking distance of Sorbonne University and the Pantheon, surrounded by narrow streets and 19th-century Haussmann-style buildings that create a classic Parisian city vibe. This area is known to be frequented by both local residents and tourists.

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 wooden tables as its centerpiece. The kitchen is open-style, allowing patrons to see the cooking space, and a bar table is situated in the center. From the seats by the floor-to-ceiling windows, guests can dine while looking out onto the streets of Paris.

Bouquets celebrating the opening, tables filled with guests, and the bustling activity of kitchen staff all captured the atmosphere of the first day. The restaurant was fully booked with reserved guests, and it is reported that about 90% of them were Koreans, including local expatriates.

The menu offered that day was a modern Korean course featuring Korean ingredients and sauces, combined with French-style plating. The signature dishes released by the restaurant include 'Yuja Soy Sauce Scallop Steak,' 'Suranchae,' 'Jeolla-style Gochujang Beef Tartare,' 'Kim Jinhong Chojang Salad and Chilled 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 complimentary starter was thinly sliced cucumber topped with herbs. Next came the Yuja Soy Sauce Scallop Steak, a dish combining scallops, green peas, and yuja soy sauce, with bright green peas and herbs arranged on a creamy sauce to create a fresh, vibrant color.

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

The 'Joseon Steak' was a large-cut beef steak generously topped with scallions, chives, and herbs. As a side, spicy seasoned radish salad was served in a small dish. While borrowing the form of a French steak, it emphasized Korean flavors by adding scallion salad, fresh vegetables, and traditional sauces.

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

The dessert, named 'Garden of Luxembourg,' was inspired by the nearby Luxembourg Gardens and was plated with green granita, flowers, and herbs. It was completed with basil granita, ginger mascarpone, and mung bean yugwa crumble.

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

Ms. Kim, the expatriate diner, said, "The bill, including several dishes and drinks, came to about 75 euros (KRW 132,522)," and added, "The taste was quite good." She reported that Kim Eo-jun personally came to her table to explain the menu and interact with the guests.

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

Kim Eo-jun reportedly encouraged Ms. Kim to "come again next time with your husband," and mentioned, "I also plan to come here once or twice a month." Ms. Kim remarked that it was unusual to see someone so familiar from broadcasting welcoming guests and having conversations personally.

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

Meanwhile, Kim Eo-jun introduced that he is realizing his dream, conceived during his backpacking trip to France 36 years ago, of "properly introducing Korean cuisine" at this place. It is also known that reporter Kim Jeongsu from his YouTube channel 'News Factory' is working as the chef at this restaurant.

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