Introducing 「SEOUL BUDAPEST: Bridging Cultures Through Flavours」

I’m thrilled to share that I’ve embarked on a meaningful project that brings together two distinct yet surprisingly complementary cultures—Korea and Hungary—through the worlds of food and wine. My new book, Seoul Budapest: Briding Cultures Through Flavours, is now complete, and it marks an exciting chapter in my journey as both a chef and a food writer.

In collaboration with Dr. Agnes Csiba-Herczeg, a renowned Hungarian wine expert, we’ve created this book to explore how classic Korean recipes can harmonize with Hungary’s celebrated wines. This collaboration of the two allowed us to dive deep into both of our culinary worlds and weave together Korean flavors with Hungarian terroirs. Through each chapter, we aim to present the art of pairing in a way that feels natural, rooted in history, and mindful of each culture’s essence.

The book has been endorsed by one of the global culinary icons like Jeong Kwan, Buddhist nun and one of the great masters of Korean temple cuisine, as well as His Excellency Dr. Hong Kyudok, Korean ambassador to Hungary and His Excellency István Szerdahelyi, Hungarian ambassador to Korea, etc.

Seoul-Budapest features 28 Korean recipes, from the beloved staples like kimchi and gogi-gui (Korean BBQ) to lesser-known but equally delicious dishes. We paired each one with hand-selected wines from Hungary’s 22 wine districts, offering readers not just recipes, but an exploration of Hungarian wine heritage and its enduring connection to the land.

This book has been our passion project that represents my deep admiration for both culinary cultures. And I’m honored to share this exploration of flavors with all of you. For anyone curious about the intersections of food, culture, and history, I hope this book will serve as an inspiration and a journey of discovery.

Thank you for being part of this culinary adventure with me!

The book is available in Hungary at Bortársaság and Alexandra, in Korea at Kyobo Books and Yes24. 

Media coverage:
KOCIS (Korean Culture and Information Service, in Korean)
NEWSIS (in Korean)
INDEX (in Hungarian)
Magyar Konyha (leading magazine in gastronomy in Hungary, in Hungarian)
Roadster (luxury lifestyle magazine, in Hungarian)
Remind (in Hungarian)