Bib Gourmand

Bib Gourmand is a distinction awarded by the Michelin Guide [article] to restaurants serving excellent food at reasonable prices. Its name comes from 'Bib,' the nickname of Michelin's mascot Bibendum. Michelin defines Bib Gourmand as a separate, independent category rather than a tier below its stars. While the stars assess the quality of the cooking and the overall dining experience, Bib Gourmand considers the quality of the food relative to its price.

The price ceiling is set separately for each country and city according to local price levels. In Seoul and Busan, eligible restaurants are those where a meal can be enjoyed for no more than 45,000 won per person. The threshold for the inaugural Seoul edition was 35,000 won and was later raised to reflect inflation. As with the star selection, evaluations are conducted by anonymous inspectors.

• 1955: A red 'R' symbol was introduced in the French edition of the guide. It identified restaurants serving 'good food at moderate prices.'

• 1997: The 'R' was replaced with an illustration of Bibendum licking his lips, and the name Bib Gourmand was formalized. The aim was to dispel the perception that the star system was intended only for high-end restaurants.

The program has been in place since the inaugural edition (2017 edition) of the MICHELIN Guide Seoul (미쉐린 가이드 서울) [article]. In its first year, 36 establishments were selected. The inaugural edition (2024 edition) of the MICHELIN Guide Busan (미쉐린 가이드 부산) [article] included 15 restaurants in Busan. The 2026 edition lists 71 establishments in total: 51 in Seoul and 20 in Busan.

• Hadongkwan (하동관) [restaurant] : A long-established gomtang restaurant in Myeong-dong. It has consistently been included in the Bib Gourmand selection.

• Buchon Yukhoe (부촌육회) [restaurant] : A longstanding fixture in Gwangjang Market's yukhoe alley. It has been selected consecutively since the 2017 edition.

• Jin Jin (진진) [restaurant] : It held one star in the 2017–2019 editions and has been listed as a Bib Gourmand since the 2020 edition. It is a rare case of an establishment moving between the two categories.

Unlike the star selection, which tends toward fine dining, the Bib Gourmand includes many popular dishes such as gomtang, yukhoe (Korean beef tartare), and noodles, as well as long-established restaurants. It serves as a gateway for local restaurants to gain recognition on the international stage.