▲ CEO Song Jung-eun of “A Flower Blossom on the Rice” receives a banner engraved with the “2025 Michelin Green Star” logo at the Michelin Guide Seoul & Busan 2025 event, held on February 27 at The Westin Chosun Seoul (Sogong-dong).

The restaurant A Flower Blossom on the Rice (CEO Song Jung-eun), an affiliate of agricultural corporation Nenia Co., Ltd., has been awarded the 2025 Michelin Green Star. The Green Star is given by Michelin to restaurants that take a leading role in practicing sustainable gastronomy.

The world-renowned Michelin Guide announced the selected restaurants during the Michelin Guide Seoul & Busan 2025 event on February 27 at The Westin Chosun Seoul (Sogong-dong). A Flower Blossom on the Rice (hereafter referred to as “Kkotbap”) was included in the Green Star list for the fifth consecutive year and in the Bib Gourmand list for the eighth consecutive year.

The Michelin Green Star evaluates areas such as ingredient traceability, use of seasonal ingredients, a restaurant’s environmental footprint including carbon impact, animal welfare practices, protection of biodiversity, and sustainable communication between restaurants and their guests.

Kkotbap uses naturally cultivated organic rice, organic vegetables and fruits, animal welfare-certified eggs and dairy, and grass-fed, pasture-raised Korean beef. It maintains close relationships with farmers, cooperatives, and producer associations nationwide who practice eco-friendly agriculture and livestock farming, supporting Korean wheat and sustainable farming while working to spread the use of environmentally friendly ingredients. In particular, the restaurant sources rice from Cheorwon Sehana Farm, which grows organic rice through biodynamic natural cultivation, as well as organic brown rice “Baekjinju” produced in Jangseong, Jeollanam-do through natural farming methods for more than 20 years.

▲ On the table at A Flower Blossom on the Rice, seasonal wildflowers accompany the dishes.

In addition to the Green Star, the Michelin Guide introduced the Bib Gourmand category in 1997. Bib Gourmand recognizes restaurants that offer excellent food at reasonable prices. Flower, Blossoms on Rice has had the honor of being selected for the Bib Gourmand list for eight consecutive years. Behind this achievement lies the dedicated, unseen efforts of CEO Song Jung-eun and the staff. Ingredients carefully selected in close communication with farmers nationwide appear on the table as vegan courses, bojagi flower rice, and steamed rockfish from Heuksando.

Keywords that describe Kkotbap include: natural farming, seasonal cuisine, locally sourced ingredients, Korean wheat, organic, traditional jang (fermented sauces), beauty, animal welfare, the original taste of ingredients, vegan, no artificial additives, non-GMO, traditional ingredients, and healthy food. These are among the reasons why the restaurant has been awarded the Green Star.

Kkotbap is an eco-friendly restaurant founded and operated in 2015 by Nenia. In 2020, it separated and became independent from Nenia, establishing itself as a sustainable dining culture company. The restaurant also operates a branch in Bukchon called “Kkotbap” and an “Eco-Friendly Shop.” Reservations are required to dine at Kkotbap. It is located at 3-6, Insadong 16-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (tel. 02-3676-6282).

Reference: Kkotbap official website: https://www.goodbab.co.kr/