Four Seasons Hotel Seoul Retains Michelin One-Star Status for Two Consecutive Years

Yu Yuan, the Cantonese fine dining restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, has retained its Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Seoul & Busan 2026. The announcement was made during the official ceremony for the launch of the Michelin Guide Seoul & Busan 2026 on March 5, 2026. This accolade marks Yu Yuan’s second consecutive year of maintaining its star after its 2025 return, following its previous five-year streak from 2017 to 2021.

Yu Yuan has once again received Michelin recognition through continuous quality improvement and creative evolution. Retaining the one-star status is a deeply significant achievement, as it reflects the reputation built over the years and the unwavering dedication of the team. Maintaining a Michelin star for five consecutive years from 2017 to 2021 was an incredible milestone and retaining it for a second consecutive year in 2026 underscores the unwavering excellence involved in sustaining such an honour.

Yu Yuan’s continued Michelin-star status is a testament to the dedication and passion of Head Chef To Kwok Wai. A Hong Kong native with nearly 30 years of experience, Chef To has worked in acclaimed restaurants across Hong Kong, Singapore, Jakarta, Beijing, and Guangzhou. His distinguished career includes key positions at Mengdu, a Black Pearl Diamond-rated restaurant, and Imperial Treasure in Guangzhou, a Michelin two-star establishment, where he served as senior sous chef.

Since joining Four Seasons Hotel Seoul as Head Chef of Yu Yuan in 2023, he has dedicated himself to curating the finest Cantonese cuisine by meticulously selecting premium ingredients, utilizing long-simmered broths and sauces to maximize depth of flavour and nutrition, and employing traditional Cantonese cooking techniques that enhance the natural essence of each ingredient. With his precise culinary skills and structured leadership, he has not only ensured consistency in every dish but also elevated the overall standard of Yu Yuan. These efforts have resulted in Yu Yuan maintaining its Michelin star, reaffirming its excellence in Cantonese fine dining.

"We are deeply honoured that Yu Yuan has retained its Michelin star for the second consecutive year," says Chef To Kwok Wai. "This accolade is a testament to our team’s unwavering dedication to presenting authentic Cantonese cuisine through refined techniques and exquisite flavours. I am delighted that our efforts to showcase traditional Cantonese cuisine in innovative ways have been recognized once more."

Recognized as the world’s most prestigious restaurant rating system, the Michelin Guide was first published in 1900. Its anonymous inspectors evaluate restaurants based on rigorous criteria, and the Guide is now released annually in major cities worldwide, including France, the UK, and the United States. First published in 2016, the Michelin Guide Seoul has introduced a diverse range of seasonal and creative cuisine, from traditional Korean food to contemporary dining. In 2024, the Guide expanded to include Busan, rebranded as the Michelin Guide Seoul & Busan.

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