The Jell, located on the outskirts of Itaewon, was first established in 1992 as Seoul’s first wine shop. A decade later in 2002, it was converted into a members-only fine dining restaurant and bar that combined the elements of exclusivity with the comforts of dining in a homey atmosphere.

Another decade later, in October of last year, the owner, Hans Lee, decided to open the doors to the public. Becoming an award-winning wine sommelier, Lee has set the highest of standards for his bar. Once, when choosing which products he would sell in his wine shop, he tasted 80 different bottles of wine and found only three satisfactory.

“I know taste and I know wine. I only want the finest of both for my customers,” said Lee. 

The Jell’s wine shop includes a number of private VIP rooms where customers can enjoy a luxurious setting for wine tasting among colleagues or friends. From the everyday bottom-shelf wines to a bottle of 1828 cognac from one of Lee’s treasured collections, the wine shop carries more than 1,500 different wines and other liquors from around the world.

“One of the main things that makes my wine shop different from others is that we have a natural cellar that keeps all the wine at the perfect temperature all year round,” said Lee. “I built this place with all 100-year-old bricks so you can just feel the history as soon as you walk in.”

From the cellar to the dining area, the five-story establishment has three fireplaces, a rustic, dark red cozy interior and all the elements to provide its guests with a relaxing atmosphere. Outside, a terrace offers some of the most spectacular evening views of the Mt. Namsan area, including the Namsan Tower and its lights that change colors every few minutes.

For those who are looking to satisfy their taste buds with quality Italian and Western cuisine, The Jell’s kitchen boasts some of the city’s finest menus that were created by the restaurant’s Italian chefs.

For dinner, customers can enjoy a starter of fresh black and green olives seasoned with garlic, oil and a hint of spice along with a plate of crisp, homemade onion focaccia bread.

The Jell’s house specialty main dishes include the Sicilian Pesto Conchiglie, a pasta shells dish with diced tomatoes, olive oil, basil and crushed almonds for an unexpected crunch to the meal that is light, fresh and bursting with flavor.

Other signature dishes include the Oakwood grilled herb-coated lamb chops with roasted vegetables as well as high-quality hanwoo beef tenderloin or strip loin steaks grilled on Oakwood. Both the steaks and the lamb dishes here are tender and with an aftertaste that lingers in one’s mouth long after the meal is finished.

Another element that makes The Jell’s meals outstanding is the quality of ingredients: Owner Lee even cultivates his own salt at the restaurant. The main course dishes are served with sides of three special homemade gray salts including rosemary, roasted pink pepper and herb salts.

Other popular dishes here include the eggplant lasagna and various authentic Italian-style brick oven pizzas.

“What I want the most is for people to come, relax and just enjoy the food, enjoy the wine, and enjoy the atmosphere,” he said. “It’s that simple.”

The price of the steak dinners is 79,000 won, with the lamb dish costing 69,000 won. Pasta dishes range in price from 28,000 won to 35,000 won with pizzas averaging around 25,000 won.

The Jell

241-2 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

(02) 797-6846

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)