The story
Ssal, at 2226 Polk St. in San Francisco, is a modern Californian restaurant with Korean roots, and it holds one Michelin star for high quality cooking (2026). The kitchen serves one tasting menu each night, so every evening follows a single contemporary Korean-inflected course sequence.
Chef Junsoo Bae trained in the French tradition of dégustation, and he brings his Korean upbringing to the menu. Korean aesthetics, flavors and techniques shape the dishes, which change often and follow whatever the kitchen finds exciting. The dining room has access to the open kitchen, so guests can watch the cooking as it happens.
The wine list holds more than 600 selections, with a focus on Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Rhône, Germany and Austria. Both mature and current vintages are on offer. Wine Spectator awarded the list its Best of Award of Excellence in 2023. A pairing option is curated to match the flavors of the menu, and corkage is $80 per 750ml bottle.
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