Team behind Bokman in Bristol to open second Korean restaurant

Kyu Jeong Jeon and Duncan Robertson, the chef-owners of Korean restaurant Bokman, are set to open their second restaurant in Bristol this September.

Dongnae comes five years after Bokman and takes its name from the Korean word for neighbourhood.

It will offer a “more refined menu” based on Kyu’s memories of growing up in Seoul, led by head chef Clarence Fung, who was most recently sous chef at Dovetale Restaurant by Tom Sellers at 1 Hotel Mayfair in London.

The Chandos Road restaurant will focus on fermentation and showcasing signature Korean condiments such as doenjang (soybean paste), gochujang (red chilli paste) and makgeolli (Korean rice ‘beer’).

Guests can choose between à la carte, traditional BBQ, and a lunch jungshik (set menu), which is priced at £24 and includes a rice bowl, soup, side dishes and kimchi.

A discovery menu, which is priced at £55, is also available, and includes dishes such as Korean beef tartare with wasabi and ssamjang (BBQ dipping sauce); fermented clam jeotgal; and whelk and perilla muchim.   

Dongnae has partnered with suppliers such as Rocketman Produce, which grows traditional Korean leaves such as kkaennip and vegetables such as mu (Korean radish), and Bristol-based wine importer Vine Trail.

The restaurant spans across two former shop fronts and has been designed by Bristol-based carpenter Liam Rush.

General manager Rebecca Lewis, formerly of Stockport’s Green Michelin star restaurant Where The Light Gets In, is managing front of house.

Kyu and Robertson said: “With Dongnae, we want to gently challenge the idea that all Asian cuisines are grouped together, and encourage people to come and enjoy Korean food in our version of a modern neighbourhood restaurant.

“Finally, while we want the restaurant to be warm and relaxed, we intend for the quality of the food and service to make a big impact on our guests.”

The husband and wife duo previously worked at the two Michelin-starred L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, the three Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée and the formerly two Michelin-starred Capital Hotel in London. 

After several years living and working in France and Korea, the pair returned to the UK in 2018 to open Bokman in Bristol’s Stokes Croft.

Image Credit: Lola Laurent