Inside Michael Lee's upscale Korean restaurant
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For years, chef Michael Lee has captured the hearts and stomachs of Triangle restaurant goers through the top-notch sushi crafted at M Sushi, the expertly fried meals at M Tempura or the delightful noodle and chicken dishes at M Kokko.
Why it matters: But his newest restaurant — No. 7 in total — adds upscale Korean to the mix for the first time.
- While the South Korea-born chef has always added elements of his home country throughout his restaurants, M Hansik has a laser focus on the dishes of the Korean peninsula.
What to expect: The food is meant to be shared among the table, starting with small plates, like the tangy and slightly spicy kimchi dumplings, or Korean-style fried chicken wings.
- But the menu expands to a series of grilled meats, like a bulgogi made from wagyu steak, and rice and noodle dishes, including a Korean paella that offers a panoply of seafood.
- The drinks menu includes several in-house cocktails featuring Korean spirits like soju and other ingredients from the region as well as a rice lager made in collaboration with Fullsteam.
What we ordered: The juicy kimchi dumplings ($12 for four).
- Bibim guksu, a cold-and-spicy noodle dish that accompanies a humid, southern night perfectly ($18).
- And the bingsu, a shaved ice cream with sweet chunks of mango and rice cakes, for dessert ($13).
Location: 501 Washington St., Durham
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 5pm-9pm.
What's next: Lee already has another Durham restaurant in the works.
- Earlier this month, he closed Asian street food spot M Pocha. He plans to replace it with M Nikkei, a Japanese-Peruvian-fusion restaurant.