Benu (restaurant)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | Corey Lee |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California , United States |
Key people | Corey Lee (Chef) |
| Products | Fine dining, fixed tasting menu |
Benu stands as the inaugural establishment in San Francisco to be awarded Three Michelin Stars. Situated in the SoMa neighborhood, it was launched in 2010 by chef Corey Lee, who previously served as Chef de Cuisine at French Laundry.
In 2019, Benu entered the prestigious The World's 50 Best Restaurants ranking and celebrated a decade of maintaining three Michelin Stars by 2024.
Restaurant
Corey Lee, originally from Seoul, South Korea, relocated to the United States at the age of five. Prior to founding Benu, he dedicated nine years as head chef under Thomas Keller at The French Laundry and Per Se.
Benu provides a fixed tasting menu that highlights an array of seafood, vegetables, carefully chosen meats, and desserts. The culinary style reflects a fusion of Korean, Cantonese, alongside other Asian and Western gastronomic influences, with a strong focus on technique, flavor profiles, and ingredient quality. Lee characterizes Benu’s offerings as a synthesis of diverse cultural inspirations shaping its unique identity.
Guests may opt for beverage pairings that include selections of beer, wine, and sake.
The restaurant is located on the ground floor of a historic 1922 structure that once served as the headquarters for the San Francisco Newspaper Company. This building is owned by Crown Point Press, an art gallery and studio situated above Benu.
In 2015, Phaidon released Benu, a publication featuring recipes and essays that delve into the restaurant’s cuisine and its collaborators, including introductions by Thomas Keller and David Chang.
Awards and honors
- Three Michelin Stars
- Ten consecutive years holding Three Michelin Stars as of 2024
- James Beard Foundation's Best Chef: West, awarded in 2017
- Outstanding Wine Program recognition from the James Beard Foundation in 2019
- Selected among America's 38 Essential Restaurants by Eater for five straight years
- Inclusion in The World's 50 Best Restaurants list beginning in 2019
- Achieved 28th place in The World's 50 Best Restaurants rankings in 2021
- Featured in Esquire as one of The 40 Most Important Restaurants of the Decade
- Recognized by Food & Wine among The Most Important Restaurants of the Decade
- Awarded 5 Stars by Forbes Travel Guide
- Received 4 Stars from the San Francisco Chronicle
- Honored with the Five Diamond Award from AAA
See also
- List of Michelin 3-star restaurants
- List of Michelin 3-star restaurants in the United States
- List of Michelin-starred restaurants in California
- List of New American restaurants