Chef Alexandre Ciriello in Seoul, South Korea.

This summer, Chef Alexandre Ciriello, from Restaurant L’Horizon, travelled to Seoul for an exclusive collaboration in partnership with private investors. The initiative aimed to showcase Belgian cuisine in the heart of South Korea while exploring the creative possibilities of bringing Belgian and Korean culinary traditions together.

A meeting of two culinary cultures

Belgian cuisine is rooted in strong culinary traditions, exceptional ingredients and a continuous desire to reinterpret classics through a contemporary lens. Korean gastronomy, meanwhile, is renowned for its bold flavours, fermentation techniques, traditional cooking methods and deeply rooted culture of sharing.

Bringing these two culinary worlds together created an exciting opportunity to explore new ideas and ask an inspiring question: what happens when Belgian gastronomy meets the flavours, techniques and spirit of Korea?

During his stay, Chef Ciriello had the opportunity to present his vision of Belgian cuisine while exchanging ideas with local partners and exploring potential collaborations between Belgium and South Korea.

Discovering Seoul through gastronomy

Beyond the collaboration itself, the journey offered Chef Ciriello the opportunity to immerse himself in the culture and gastronomy of Seoul.

From traditional markets and local producers to contemporary restaurants and Korean culinary traditions, every experience provided a new source of inspiration.

Discovering Korean ingredients, techniques and ways of sharing food allowed the chef to broaden his culinary perspective and gain a deeper understanding of a gastronomic culture that continues to evolve while remaining deeply connected to its heritage.

These discoveries have already sparked new ideas and could inspire future creations and collaborations at L’Horizon.

Looking towards new opportunities

The Seoul experience also opened the door to numerous new opportunities and potential collaborations between Belgium and South Korea.

For L’Horizon, this international experience reflects a desire to remain curious, creative and open to the world. It is an opportunity to showcase Belgian culinary expertise while learning from another culture and imagining new ways of bringing different gastronomic identities together.

Chef Alexandre Ciriello’s journey to Seoul was therefore much more than a summer experience. It was a meeting of cultures, ideas and culinary perspectives — and perhaps the beginning of a new chapter.

Belgian cuisine has much to share with the world. And in Seoul, a new connection has begun.