San Kil

San Kil is a Korean restaurant located at Carrer de la Legalitat 22 in the Gràcia district of Barcelona, Spain. Founded in 1993 by the married couple San Kim and Myung Chun, it is recognized as the oldest Korean restaurant in Barcelona. For more than three decades the establishment served traditional Korean home-style dishes in a simple, welcoming setting, building a loyal local and international clientele. In 2024, following the founders' retirement, the kitchen passed to their son, chef Kiwon Kim. Kiwon Kim is a Korean-born Spanish national who trained at the CETT Hotel and Tourism School (University of Barcelona) with a focus on Spanish and French cuisine. He gained experience in renowned restaurants including ABaC (Jordi Cruz), Calima (Dani García), Disfrutar (Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch), UMA (Iker Erauzkin), Mont Bar (Ivan Castro) and Azurmendi (Eneko Atxa). In 2020 he won the X Lactalis Group 'Bocados con Queso' competition at Madrid Fusión with his recipe 'Mochi de brie tòfona amb pell de llet d'ovella'. Under Kiwon Kim, San Kil has evolved its culinary proposal, incorporating elements of modern cooking while preserving its traditional character. The menu features classic Korean dishes such as Bibimbap, Kimchi Bokum-Bap, Japche, Bossam and tteokbokki, alongside creative fusion plates that connect Korean, Catalan, Basque and French cuisines. The restaurant describes its concept as 'when Korea meets the West' — modern and traditional cuisine on a single plate. San Kil operates as a single-location, family-owned restaurant. It maintains an active social media presence, particularly on Instagram at @sankilbarcelona, and accepts reservations through its official website. The restaurant is positioned as an authentic yet contemporary Korean dining destination in the heart of Gràcia, suitable for both intimate dinners and group meals.

San Kil was founded in 1993 by the married couple San Kim and Myung Chun in the Gràcia district of Barcelona, at Carrer de la Legalitat 22. It began as a simple restaurant serving the most traditional dishes of Korean cuisine, and over time became recognized as the oldest Korean restaurant in Barcelona. For over thirty years, the establishment was known for its authentic Korean home cooking and the friendliness of its owner, building a steady following among local residents and international visitors. In 2024, San Kim and Myung Chun retired, and the kitchen was taken over by their son, chef Kiwon Kim. Kiwon Kim is of Korean origin and holds Spanish nationality, having settled in Barcelona. He trained at the CETT Hotel and Tourism School (University of Barcelona), focusing primarily on Spanish and French cuisine. He worked in prestigious restaurants including UMA de Iker Erauzkin, ABaC de Jordi Cruz, Calima de Dani García, Azurmendi de Eneko Atxa, Mont Bar d'Ivan Castro and Disfrutar d'Oriol Castro and Eduard Xatruch. In 2020, he won the X Lactalis Group 'Bocados con Queso' competition at Madrid Fusión with his recipe 'Mochi de brie tòfona amb pell de llet d'ovella'. Under Kiwon Kim's direction, San Kil has undergone an evolution in its culinary proposal, incorporating elements of modern cooking without losing its traditional touch. This transition has been well received by the local community and international visitors, who continue to praise the quality of its dishes and the attentive service. The restaurant describes its concept as a fusion of Korean and Western cuisine, inspired in part by the American chef David Chang, connecting Catalan, Basque and French cooking with Korean. The menu includes traditional dishes such as Bibimbap, Kimchi Bokum-Bap and Japche, as well as specialties like Bossam and tteokbokki. San Kil remains active on social media, sharing updates through its Instagram account @sankilbarcelona.

• 2024

  Founders retire; son Kiwon Kim takes over the kitchen.

• 2020

  Kiwon Kim wins the X Lactalis Group 'Bocados con Queso' competition at Madrid Fusión.

• 1993

  San Kil founded by San Kim and Myung Chun in Gràcia, Barcelona.

Authentic Korean cuisine with modern Western fusion, in a cozy neighborhood setting; Barcelona's oldest Korean restaurant.

• Bibimbap

  A signature Korean rice dish with assorted toppings.

• Kimchi Bokum-Bap

  Kimchi fried rice.

• Japche

  Korean glass noodle dish.

• Bossam

  Korean boiled pork wrap, described as famous at San Kil.

• Tteokbokki

  Spicy Korean rice cake dish.

1. 1San Kil Barcelona. Restaurant coreà amb fusió occidentalsankilrestaurant.com
2. 2Sobre nosaltres - Kiwon Kim Leesankilrestaurant.com
3. 3San Kilwikidata.org
4. 4San Kilca.wikipedia.org