Aux Petits Verres

This restaurant owes much of its fame to its chef, Park Jun-woo, a multitalented chef, a writer and the first winner of “MasterChef Korea.” Back in the days when Seochon was quieter, the building that now houses the restaurant was old and battered, built on a tiny plot of land. Despite this, enamored with the fact that the former house of Korean writer Yi Sang was across the street, Park opened Aux Petits Verres. It’s a splendid idea—the thought of a chef dreaming of literature as he bakes his tarts. The tarts also taste wonderful, made with an old recipe that really draws out the taste of the main ingredients, rather than depending on the egg and sugar, for a sophisticated and modern taste. Because of this many of the French and Belgian residents of Korea come to Aux Petits Verres for a taste of their past back home. The café also serves Belgian beers and teas handpicked by Chef Park, who spent his childhood in Belgium. So what does “Aux Petits Verres” mean? It means “small glasses.” This is the sort of place where you can listen to French-language radio with a glass of wine and a tart.