Why STAY?
If someone asks me to name one restaurant in Seoul where the food, the view, and the moment all come together — I’d say STAY without hesitation.
STAY (Simple Table Alléno Yannick) sits on the 81st floor of Lotte World Tower inside SIGNIEL Seoul. It’s a modern French restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno, and it’s also where I proposed to my girlfriend. So yeah, this place is kind of a big deal to me.
But I’m not here to just flex. I genuinely think this is one of the best dining experiences you can have in Seoul. Let me walk you through it.
The Menu: “Must Try” Course
We went with the Must Try course — their signature dinner tasting menu. The menu card itself is elegant and bilingual (English & Korean), which is nice if you’re visiting Seoul and don’t speak Korean.
The Must Try course menu — 11 courses crafted by Chef Yannick Alléno
Here’s what we had, course by course:
1. STAY Amuse Bouche
The opening act. A delicate squid ink tuile sitting in a beautiful ceramic bowl — almost too pretty to eat. Almost. The crunch, the umami, the gold leaf on top… you know right away this isn’t going to be an ordinary dinner.
2. Sourdough Bread & STAY Butter
House-made sourdough and mini baguettes with their signature butter. Sounds simple, right? But this bread basket kept getting refilled because we couldn’t stop. The butter has this subtle sweetness that makes you want to eat it by itself.
3. Salad with Black Truffle Mayonnaise
Potato, Comté cheese, spinach, squid ink tuile, and black truffle mayo. The combination of earthy truffle and crispy tuile is something else.
4. Scallops ‘Soufflé’ with Parsley Butter
Left: Scallops ‘Soufflé’ with parsley butter / Right: Same dish with that sunset view
This was the first course that genuinely surprised me. The scallop is wrapped in a light soufflé, sitting in a pool of vibrant parsley butter. Topped with crispy bits for texture. Every element works together. The scallops were from Japan and the dish uses both Korean and Spanish-sourced shellfish.
And look at that sunset behind the plate. Timing matters when you’re dining at 81 floors up.
5. The View — Let’s Take a Moment
Seoul at golden hour from the 81st floor. You can see the Han River, Namsan Tower, and the mountains beyond.
Between courses, you get these moments where you just stare out the window. The Han River bending through the city, bridges connecting Gangnam to the north, mountains in the distance turning purple as the sun drops. This is Seoul at its most cinematic.
6. Agnolotti with Ox Tail Confit
Agnolotti with ox tail confit, sea urchin soup, and sobacha
Rich, deep, and complex. The ox tail confit inside the pasta is melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the sea urchin soup base gives it this oceanic depth. The sobacha (buckwheat tea) element adds an unexpected Korean twist. This is what I mean by Alléno’s genius — French technique meets Korean ingredients.
7. Pan-fired Lobster with Spinach Fondue
Pan-fired lobster with spinach fondue, beurre blanc, trout roe, and caviar
The star of the savory courses. The lobster is pan-fired to perfection — crispy exterior, succulent inside. The spinach fondue underneath and the beurre blanc sauce create layers of richness. The trout roe pops in your mouth, and caviar on top? Chef said go big or go home.
8. Duck with Orange Sauce
Duck with orange sauce, crispy potato, carrot & ginger purée
Classic French duck à l’orange, but elevated. The duck is cooked pink and tender, paired with crispy potato, a smooth carrot & ginger purée, and that glossy orange sauce tying everything together. The sourcing is interesting too — duck from France, chicken from Korea.
9. Charcoal-grilled 1++ Han-woo Beef
1++ Korean Han-woo beef, charcoal-grilled with potato and marrow. Look at that color.
This is the main event. 1++ grade Korean Han-woo (the highest marbling grade in Korea) cooked over charcoal. Served with kimchi-infused potato and bone marrow. The beef itself — Australian stock raised in Korea — melts on your tongue. The deep red sauce and the crispy accompaniment add contrast. If you visit Seoul and want to understand why Korean beef is legendary, this dish is your answer.
Dessert: The Sweet Finale
10. Calisson
A silky, delicate Calisson — light and refreshing after the rich mains
I’ll be honest — I had never heard of Calisson before this dinner. Turns out it’s a traditional French confection from Aix-en-Provence, made with candied fruit and almond paste, typically topped with royal icing. STAY’s version was silky smooth, not too sweet, with a delicate almond flavor that lingers. It completely surprised me. One of those desserts you don’t expect to love, and then you’re quietly wishing they’d bring another one.
11. Cacao Nibs Meringue
Cacao nibs meringue — crunchy, chocolatey, and not too sweet
Rich chocolate meets airy meringue. The cacao nibs give it a satisfying crunch. This is the kind of dessert that makes you forget you’ve already eaten 10 courses.
12. Pastry Library — The Grand Finale
And then came the final surprise. But it wasn’t from the Pastry Library…
The Proposal
Left: “Will you marry me?” in chocolate / Right: She said yes.
Yeah. I proposed here.
Here’s something useful if you’re planning something similar: STAY offers a cake add-on for ₩30,000 where you choose between mango or chocolate, and they’ll write a custom message on the plate. I went with chocolate and asked them to write “나와 결혼해줄래” (Will you marry me?). They also offer a guaranteed window seat for ₩50,000 extra — absolutely worth it for the sunset view.
The timing was everything. I coordinated with the staff so the cake would come out right after the last dessert course, when the night view of Seoul was at its most stunning. The moment the plate landed on the table with those words… I pulled out the ring. Perfect timing, perfect setting.
The bouquet was hidden until the perfect moment. The best dinner of my life, for obvious reasons.
STAY’s staff was incredible about the whole thing. They coordinated the flowers, the cake, the ring box placement, the timing — everything was seamless. They’ve clearly done this before, and it shows. If you’re planning something special in Seoul, I can’t recommend this place enough.
Practical Info
| Restaurant | STAY by Yannick Alléno |
| Location | 81F, SIGNIEL Seoul, Lotte World Tower, Jamsil, Seoul |
| Cuisine | Modern French |
| Recognition | MICHELIN Guide Seoul |
| Course | Must Try (dinner tasting menu) |
| Price Range | ₩200,000~300,000+ per person |
| Reservation | Highly recommended — book at least 2 weeks ahead |
| Dress Code | Smart casual to formal |
| Best Seat | Window seat facing west for the sunset (+₩50,000) |
| Celebration Cake | Mango or Chocolate with custom message (+₩30,000) |
| Google Maps | View on Google Maps |
Tip: If you’re going for dinner, try to book a window seat for sunset time (around 5:30-6:00 PM in winter, 7:00-7:30 PM in summer). The view transition from golden hour to night cityscape is absolutely worth it.
For proposals: Add ₩50,000 for a guaranteed window seat and ₩30,000 for a celebration cake (mango or chocolate) with a custom message. Contact the restaurant directly when booking to coordinate flowers, timing, and details. They’re absolute pros at this.
Final Thoughts
STAY is not a casual weeknight dinner spot. It’s an experience. The kind where every course tells a story, the view makes you feel like you’re floating above the city, and the service makes you feel genuinely cared for.
Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? For a special occasion — absolutely. This was the most memorable meal of my life, and not just because of what happened at the end.
If you’re visiting Seoul and want one fine dining experience that captures both French excellence and Korean soul, STAY is the one.
See you at the next meal. 🍽️
FAQ
What is STAY restaurant in Seoul?
STAY (Simple Table Alléno Yannick) is a modern French fine dining restaurant located on the 81st floor of Lotte World Tower in Seoul, inside SIGNIEL Seoul hotel. It’s operated by Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno and is listed in the MICHELIN Guide Seoul.
How much does dinner at STAY Seoul cost?
The Must Try dinner course at STAY costs approximately ₩200,000–300,000+ per person (roughly $150–230 USD). Wine pairing is additional. Expect to spend around ₩500,000–700,000 for two people with drinks.
Do I need a reservation for STAY Seoul?
Yes, reservations are highly recommended. Book at least 2 weeks in advance, especially for weekend dinners or window seats. You can reserve through the SIGNIEL Seoul website or by calling the restaurant directly.
Is STAY Seoul good for a proposal?
Absolutely. STAY is one of the best proposal restaurants in Seoul. For ₩50,000 extra you can guarantee a window seat, and for ₩30,000 you can add a celebration cake (mango or chocolate) with a custom message written on the plate. The staff will coordinate flowers, timing, and ring placement. Contact the restaurant when making your reservation to arrange details. The sunset-to-night view transition creates a magical atmosphere.
What is the dress code for STAY Seoul?
Smart casual to formal. Men typically wear dress shirts or suits; women wear dresses or elegant outfits. Avoid casual wear like sneakers, shorts, or T-shirts.
What floor is STAY restaurant on?
STAY is on the 81st floor of Lotte World Tower in Jamsil, Seoul. The restaurant offers panoramic views of Seoul, including the Han River, Namsan Tower, and surrounding mountains.