Somaek restaurant

Somaek pays tribute to the Korean cuisine that chef and co-owner Jamie Bissonnette fell in love with while cooking with his mother-in-law, Soon Han, who is officially the restaurant’s consulting chef. The menu, written in Korean and English, centers on traditional dishes and a robust banchan selection that includes four kinds of kimchi, seasoned cucumbers and stewed potato. The restaurant takes its name from somaek, a popular Korean drink that mixes soju with maekju, or beer.

Co-owner Andy Cartin is behind the convivial cocktail menu, which leans toward flavor-forward, low-ABV drinks, alongside soju, makgeolli and yakju. Hospitality sits at the center of the concept, along with its next-door sister venue, Temple Records. Co-owner Babak Bina, who also owns and operates the adjacent JM Curley and the Wig Shop Lounge, has described the venues as a reflection of the partners, set in an area of Boston that already means a lot to them.

What to Know

• Somaek has received a MICHELIN Recommended rating.
• The restaurant is listed by the Downtown Boston Alliance under fine dining and nightlife.
• It can host private events.