Some stories begin with books, others with long journeys. Ours began about 40 years ago, in a small kitchen on the modest streets of South Korea.
In that kitchen was a woman we all know today as Maria. She was learning the intricacies of Korean cuisine, traditional recipes passed down through generations, and that cooking means much more than simply bringing ingredients together.
For her, cooking has never been just a profession. She has approached every pot as though she were preparing a meal for her own family, tasting every dish with the care she would give a table set for her loved ones.
Years passed, kitchens changed, and thousands of tables were laid. Yet Maria's original enthusiasm for cooking never changed.
From South Korea to Istanbul, a New Life...
About 20 years ago, Maria's path brought her to Istanbul.
Leaving behind familiar streets, her language and the culture she grew up in, she arrived in a city she had never known.
At first, nothing was easy. A different language, different customs, different people... But over time, she noticed something: the people of Istanbul were just as warm, sincere and welcoming as those in her homeland.
The two cultures shared a common language: the warmth of a shared table.
Istanbul gradually became her second home. Here she made friends, met new people and built a large family around herself.
Today, Korecan Restaurant, serving Sultanahmet since 1997, is a living part of this story.
We Have Stayed True to Our Traditions
Through all the years in the Korecan kitchen, one principle has remained unchanged: to offer our guests South Korea's traditional flavours without losing their essence.
That is why we still prepare so much ourselves.
Our freshly made tofu, traditionally prepared doenjang (된장) paste, carefully fermented kimchi, sauces made to our own recipes and fresh vegetables selected every day...
When these ingredients come together with Maria's 40 years of experience, the result is more than a dish: it is the flavour of a culinary tradition preserved over the years.
So, do we make the finest South Korean food in the world?
That is not for us to decide. We leave that lovely judgement to you, our valued guests at the table.
To Us, You Are Guests, Not Just Customers
At Korecan, we see everyone who walks through our door as more than someone coming for a meal.
For us, every person is a guest and every table deserves a warm welcome.
Whether you are a traveller from South Korea missing the flavours of home, or trying Korean food for the first time, we want you to receive the same heartfelt welcome.
Today, we are honoured to welcome an average of 7,000 South Korean group travellers each month. It brings us special joy when people who have travelled thousands of kilometres find familiar flavours from home here.
But what matters most to us is that everyone leaves our table having enjoyed not only a good meal, but also a happy memory.
May We Share Many More Tables...
Maria now does more than run a restaurant kitchen in Istanbul. Here she has a large family, built through years of hard work and growing with her colleagues and guests.
The love of cooking that began in South Korea forty years ago lives on today, with the same enthusiasm, in the heart of Istanbul.
We have opened this door with the same love since 1997.
And for as long as our strength and health allow, we will continue bringing traditional Korean dishes to your table with love.
Because, for us, the finest meal is the one we share with our loved ones and our guests.
With love,
Maria and the Korecan Family