Hanssam

To get to Hanssam, you first have to navigate a residential apartment complex in a northern Munich suburb – the restaurant is tucked away from the main street. Once inside, the space is surprisingly calm and spacious, organized around wide wooden tables that give you plenty of room. The restaurant’s name refers to the Korean practice of wrapping grilled meat in a lettuce leaf, and the entire menu is built around this idea of communal eating. Portions are consistently large and designed for sharing. The menu itself is vast, covering classic Korean cuisine from seafood pancakes and Jokbal – pig’s trotters – to various stews known as Jjigae and chilled buckwheat noodles called Mul Naengmyeon. Every main dish arrives with a full set of banchan, the small side dishes like kimchi, radish salad, and Baek-kimchi that are central to the meal. For anyone new to the cuisine, the menu includes photos and detailed explanations for every dish. While the restaurant once had built-in table grills, that’s no longer the case. Instead, dishes like LA Galbi and Dakgalbi are prepared in the kitchen and brought to the table on sizzling hot pans. The drink list includes Korean beverages like Makgeolli rice wine and soju cocktails, and the shaved ice dessert, Bingsu, is a popular way to finish. It’s a place geared toward a proper group meal, with plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans as well.