Planet Berlin: Fusion of the senses
The Korean and Spanish cuisine created by Bin Lee-Zauner and José Miranda Morillo in their Kochu Karu restaurant in Prenzlauer Berg has been lauded by the Michelin restaurant guide.
Dream team
Bin Lee-Zauder came from South Korea to Berlin to study singing and won several awards before performing as a soprano in the Deutsche Oper in Berlin. Having wanted to explore her yearning to cook professionally, her dream was realized when she met the Spanish chef José Miranda Morillo. The duo collaborated to open Kochu Karu in 2012.
East and West
The kitchens of South Korea and Spain have more in common than one might think, with both nations enjoying small appetizer plates called Tapas in Spanish, and Banchan in South Korean. In this spirit, Spanish chef and co-owner José Miranda Morillo conjures an East-West dish inspired by Buddhist temple food.
Musical interlude
This fusion isn't only happening in the kitchen: once a month, Bin-Lee Zauder reconnects her dual passion for food and music. The "SingMahl" night at Kochu Karu sees the soprano serves a four-course menu and a music program tailored to the food. The price per person is €74.
Quality and value
The Michelin Guide has twice honored Kochu Karu with a Bib Gourmand, an international award for "good quality, good value restaurants." Central to this praise is a menu that features an exciting fusion of Spanish, Korean and beyond, from homemade kimchi or stewed ox cheek to duck with mussels served with pickled green plums.