Asian-Argentine fusion Restaurant: Mun

Casa Mun was quick to become a sensation on the Buenos Aires closed-door restaurant scene - wowing diners with his combinations of delicate and robust flavors. Surely to depress some hard-core foodies in the capital city, Chef Mun, the magician behind Casa Mun, was lured to Mendoza for a new culinary endeavor. You can see some of his beautiful and delicious dishes in this photo gallery.

Part restaurant and part dinner party, “Mun,” is a popular addition to the Mendoza culinary scene. Chef Mun, the force behind the well-known and top-ranked closed door restaurant in Buenos Aires, “Casa Mun,” recently moved to open his Asian-Argentine fusion restaurant at Casarena Bodega & Vinedos. Casarena is located in Perdriel, next to the Mendoza River in a completely renovated century old winery.

When asked what persuaded the move to Mendoza, Chef Mun said he wanted to seize the opportunity to pair the wonderful wines of Argentina with Asian cuisine. He works directly with the wine makers at Casarena to develop pairings with his cuisine on a daily basis. If an appropriate pairing does not exist in the retail lines of Bodega Casarena, they develop a new blend and bottle it exclusively for the restaurant.

He gave an example: “I wanted a red wine to pair with my sushi course and we blended a delicious Casarena Reserva 2011 Pinot Noir. You can now enjoy it with my menu and purchase a bottle at the restaurant. This is fairy tale stuff for a chef…the move was an easy decision.”

The experience at “Mun” begins with a champagne reception and then moves to the grand table of the Barrel Room. Amid the French oak barrels, Chef Mun serves a five-course menu of Japanese, Korean, and Chinese cuisines. He introduces each course with stories about his recipes and talks about the influence of his mother on his cuisine.

While Chef Mun was born in Seoul, his family immigrated to Hawaii when he was very young. His mother shopped the Chinatown section of Honolulu every day to purchase whole fish and meat and taught him the value of ultra-fresh ingredients. On most nights, his sushi course with Chilean Salmon, Argentine King Crab Hand Rolls and Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice is the favorite. It’s an experience unlike any other in Argentina. By the end of the night, you've not only had great food, but also become friends with interesting fellow diners and Chef Mun.

The Barrel Room of the Winery is a temporary home for Chef Mun’s restaurant as Casarena is building a new visitor center that will be the permanent home. The sleek, modern structure will have 50 seats and all will have views of the vineyards and majestic Andes Mountains. The new restaurant and visitor center is scheduled to open February 15, 2013.

Sample Menu

Reception: RamaNegra Extra Brut

Oshibori ~ (Hot Towel Service)

505 Salad
Mixed Field Greens, Honey & Mustard Glazed Shrimp & 中華 (Chuka) Dressing
505 Chardonnay 2012

임자수탕 Imjasutang
Summer Soup of the Korean Royal Family
Chilled Chicken Soup Seasoned with Toasted Sesame, Shiitake Mushrooms, Egg, Ginseng, and Chinese Herbs
Rama Negra Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Chilean Salmon Nigiri, Vegetarian Maki Sushi & Yellowfin Tuna on Crispy Rice
Rama Negra Reserva Pinot Noir 2011

갈비찜 Kalbijim
Korean Short Ribs Slow Simmered in a Secret Marinade with Carrots, Radish, Chestnuts and Served with Wasabi Potatoes
RamaNegra Reserva Malbec 2010

Green Tea Ice Cream with Fresh Fruit & Berries
Cabernet Sauvignon Late Harvest 2012

Note: menu items, wine selections and prices are subject to change.

Contact
Website: http://www.casarena.com or http://www.chefmun.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ChefMunKim
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Chef_Mun_Kim

Address
Brandsen 505, Perdriel, Lujan de Cuyo
Mendoza, Argentina CP 5509

Phone: ARG + 54 (9261) 691 9723
US 323.325.8861
Email: mun@casarena.com