"A Table for All" 'Cherry Garden', a Korean restaurant that breaks down cultural boundaries beyond vegan and halal. Located on the second floor, away from the hustle and bustle in the heart of Dongdaemun, it goes beyond being a simple eatery to opening a new horizon for Korean cuisine as a hub for Seoul's multicultural community. The space, imbued with the philosophy of writer and traveler CEO Lee Yeon-sil, is full of warm narratives that welcome the world through food.
 
 

1. A Quiet Haven in the Busy District, The New Face of Korean Cuisine 

Near Dongdaemun Station in Seoul, just a 3-minute walk from Exit 4. In this area where the city's noise and vibrancy, emanating from huge shopping malls and dazzling signs, reach their peak, a surprisingly tranquil space is hidden. 'Cherry Garden', located on the second floor of a building, is a Korean restaurant that is disconnected from the splendor of the entrance, embracing a peacefulness that feels like a different dimension.

The moment one opens the door and steps inside, the commotion of the outside world fades away. The warm lighting, calm classical music, and neatly arranged tables loudly proclaim that this space is not merely a place to satisfy hunger. It is a small urban refuge that briefly stops the weary footsteps of travelers and a cultural comma that provides more than just a meal—it offers 'rest'.

The Dongdaemun area, in particular, is a major tourist hub in Seoul and a place for international exchange where foreign tourists and domestic and international merchants mingle. The existence of a tranquil restaurant like Cherry Garden in this area, which is always crowded with tour groups, is even more special. Like a hidden rooftop garden in the middle of New York, Cherry Garden briefly halts the city's rhythm, offering time for contemplation and exchange.

2. 'A Table for All': Korean Cuisine Embracing Vegan and Halal 

The most innovative aspect of Cherry Garden is its firm philosophy of 'A Table for All'. Cherry Garden practically demonstrates that the globalization of Korean food extends beyond merely promoting spicy flavors and bulgogi. For all those who must avoid specific ingredients due to religion, belief, or health reasons, the restaurant lowers the barrier of Korean food and uses the language of consideration.

Vegetarian Bansang (Table Setting) for Vegans: A neat vegetarian menu is prepared, excluding not only meat but also eggs and dairy products. The bansang, centered around seasonal vegetables, house-made kimchi, and various namul (seasoned vegetables), proves how flavorful and profound Korean food can be without meat.
Segregated Halal Ingredient Preparation: Separately verified Halal ingredients are kept for guests following Islamic law, and cooking tools and lines are strictly managed to be separate. Considering that finding a Korean restaurant with Halal certification in Seoul is still difficult, Cherry Garden's effort is highly welcomed by the Muslim community, including foreign students, diplomats, and business people.
At Cherry Garden, Korean food is no longer the insistence of a specific food culture. It is a tool that conveys 'Hospitality' and 'Consideration'. It becomes a venue for cultural practice that embraces all guests with 'differences,' from foreign families with children to students with religious restrictions. Indeed, more than half of the patrons are foreigners of various nationalities, and Cherry Garden naturally functions as a place for international exchange and communication.

3. Writer, Traveler, and Chef: The Warm Narrative of CEO Lee Yeon-sil 

CEO Lee Yeon-sil (English name 'Cherry'), who leads Cherry Garden, is not just a food service worker. She is a writer and traveler and a seasoned person who has lived abroad for a long time in places like Singapore, deeply engaging with people from various nationalities and cultural backgrounds. The multicultural sensibility and inclusiveness she acquired through interactions with diplomats, business leaders, and artists are infused into every element of Cherry Garden.

"I want foreign guests to feel comfortable. I wanted to create a table where everyone can enjoy together."
This single statement from CEO Lee embodies the core philosophy of Cherry Garden. For her, the dining table is not just a place to satisfy hunger but a stage for stories that accommodate all the world's tastes and emotions. She cooks consideration with food, sets the table with diversity, and spreads borderless warmth.

This sincerity is fully reflected in the service. She communicates with eyes and smiles with foreign guests who order in awkward Korean and guides those asking about vegetarian options with detailed menu explanations. CEO Lee is not just a boss; she is a warm presence who approaches guests like a friend or a neighbor. This 'sincere hospitality' is deeply moving to guests even without verbal translation and is the key driver that makes them return to Cherry Garden.

4. The Sincerity of Sotbap (Pot Rice) and the Aesthetic of Handmade Dessert 

Cherry Garden's menu is as sincere as its philosophy. From the basic side dishes to the main course, the Sotbap Set Meal, all ingredients used are domestic and fresh, and items like kimchi and namul are prepared daily in-house. The sotbap, in particular, with the rich flavor of freshly cooked rice, also introduces foreign guests experiencing Korean dining culture for the first time to the impressive tradition of nurungji (scorched rice).

The details that enhance the food's quality are also noteworthy. The tableware, including ceramics and teacups, were personally collected by CEO Lee during her travels abroad, adding dignity to the food while providing visual pleasure. The meal concludes with a soft and healthy Handmade Yogurt. This goes beyond being merely a dessert, completing the aesthetic of 'Cherry Garden' by offering the satisfaction of neatness and the harmony of the five senses.

Cherry Garden's food contains an aesthetic of restraint along with the life story of CEO Lee Yeon-sil. It delivers the most Korean value of 'sincerity' beyond just being delicious food.

5. Beyond an Eatery, A Multicultural Community Living Room 

Cherry Garden goes beyond being a simple for-profit restaurant to function as a hub for cultural exchange. Various cultural events, such as student gatherings, book concerts, and forums, are regularly held here. This is the result of combining the cultural network of CEO Lee as a writer and traveler with the quiet and inclusive atmosphere of the space.

The generous space, which can accommodate up to 52 people, is optimized for such group gatherings, providing the physical foundation for Cherry Garden to serve as a 'multicultural community living room'. The current preparation for group lunch boxes and yogurt delivery services reflects CEO Lee's desire to share the space's philosophical value with more people.

The threshold of Cherry Garden is low. Everyone is welcome, regardless of nationality, religion, or dietary habits. However, the hospitality and dignity experienced inside are high. Dongdaemun Korean restaurant 'Cherry Garden' can no longer be described simply as a 'good place to eat.' It is an urban comma where warmth, tranquility, consideration, and diversity coexist.

Within the philosophy and life of CEO Lee Yeon-sil, and the stories of the guests who seek her table, Korean food restarts with new meaning every day. Cherry Garden is a pioneering model that, in response to Seoul's multicultural era, presents a 'place of coexistence' that facilitates exchange and communication through food.

 

Cherry Garden Visit Information 

Address: 2F, Jong-ro 326, Jongno-gu, Seoul (3-minute walk from Dongdaemun Station Exit 4)
Phone: 02-6449-7043
Main Menu: Sotbap Set Meal, Vegan Korean Food, Halal Bansang, Handmade Yogurt
Features: Group reservations possible (maximum 52 people), operated as a venue for forums and gatherings, future delivery service for lunch boxes and yogurt planned. Cultural consideration (Vegan, Halal) is paramount.