Chef Corey Lee, Benu, San Francisco, CA, California, SOMA, Asian, New American, Contemporary American, Where to eat, Where to drink, Where to shop, Restaurants, Markets, Shops, Shopping, Eating, Drinking, Ingredients, Condiments, Napa, Napa Valley, San Diego, Chinese, Mushrooms, Forager, Mission, Bar Agricole, Insider Recommendations, Chef’s Recs, Where chefs eat
Photo Credit: Justin Lewis
Who
Corey Lee is the James Beard Award-winning chef and owner of Michelin-two-starred Benu in San Francisco, California.
Why
Before opening Benu, chef Lee worked in some of the most acclaimed restaurants in the world, including seven 3-star Michelin restaurants in England and France. He was also the chef de cuisine at The French Laundry.
Chef Corey Lee | Benu Restaurant
March 7, 2012
San Francisco, CA
Q & A with Chef Corey Lee
Q. For people who have never been to Benu, can we get a brief description:
A. Benu is a modern restaurant that reflects the city we’re in. San Francisco is a city that’s synonymous with innovation and open mindedness, known for its proximity to agriculture, champion of seasonal cooking, and has a history of ethnic diversity, especially a large Asian community. I think all those things are echoed in our approach to operating Benu.
Q. Can you describe your vision for the perfect meal there?
A. I think our tasting menu is the best way to experience what we do.
Q. You recently were named a goodwill ambassador for Seoul. Can you tell us about this recognition?
A. It’s a recognition they give to people in various fields- entertainment, sports, design, etc. For me, it was special because I was born there and my parents reside there. It was an honor for me to receive this and have a ceremony in the Mayor’s office. But really, it sounds much more officious than it is.
Recommended By
- Chef David Kinch (Manresa in Los Gatos, CA)
Benu
SoMa
Contemporary American
22 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco CA 94105
T: 415.685.4860 (make a reservation)
Website:
Hours:
Tue - Sat: 5:30pm - 9:30pm
Chef’s Rec
Find | Chefs
Q. Chef David Kinch recommended you to Find. Eat. Drink., saying: “after many, many years of people not opening up an ambitious restaurant, Corey Lee has. He has taken a big step towards offering people really fine dining and I think the food is really good.” In the spirit of passing it forward, who should we interview next and why?
A. Anthony Secviar at Addison. I’ve been fortunate to have had so many talented people work with me for many years contributing to and helping us achieve our goals. Anthony is one of the chefs that really stands out.I can’t wait to see what he will be doing in the next year or so as he settles in at his new restaurant. I think he will help make Addison a true dining destination.
[See details.]
Q & A
Chef’s Recs | Food
Mushrooms from Wine Forest Wild Foods | Red Boat Fish Sauce 40°N
Photograph courtesy of Wine Forest Wild Foods | Red Boat Fish Sauce
Find | Food Purveyors
Wine Forest Wild Foods
There are so many in this area that have grown their work into bigger businesses but still operate on a small scale. I love that after all these years, I can still call them and get them on the phone and talk directly with them. They are so committed to what they do, it’s not just a profession, it’s a lifestyle.
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Find | Condiments & Ingredients
Red Boat fish Sauce
It’s the best fish sauce available commercially in the US. I use it for our Kimchi.
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Chef’s Recs | San Francisco
Crabs at New May Wah
Photograph courtesy of Becky Berry [flickr]
Find | Food Markets
New May Wah
It’s a good place for people to browse if you’ve never been to a Chinese market before. The selection is not huge, but for those who are not familiar with Asian groceries, they will find it very interesting.
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Crab at R & G Executive Lounge | Fried Chicken Wings at San Tung
Photographs courtesy of R & G Executive Lounge | VirtualEm [flickr]
Eat | Restaurants
Where I Would Take A Visiting Chef | Coi
For the tasting menu.
Off The Beaten Track | San Tung
For black bean noodles and fried chicken.
Quintessential San Francisco | R & G Executive Lounge
For salt and pepper crab.
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The Space & Cocktails at Bar Agricole | Tacos at Mosto
Photograph courtesy of Bar Agricole | Tacolicious
Drink | Bars
Design & Cocktails | Bar Agricole
They have great sipping cocktails and I like the design and feel of the space.
Tequila & Mexican | Mosto
Great tequila list with tasty Mexican snacks. I only like bars that also offer snacks or small bites. In Asia, you never just drink. You always have something the eat while you drink.
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Recipes
Recommendations
Details of Corey Lee’s recommendations for where to eat, drink and shop in San Francisco.
City Guides
- San Francisco: Download
- San Francisco Bay Area: Download
- California Wine Country: Download