Singer Lee Sang-soon’s cafe has been awarded a blue ribbon less than a year after opening.
On the 22nd, Lee Sang-soon’s Jeju cafe Longplay announced on social media, “It’s been a year since Longplay opened in Dongbok-ri. I was worried about whether customers would visit often due to the clumsy start and reservation system. Thankfully, we’ve gotten some mainland customers who keep coming back and some islanders who ask for hello,” and thanked the customers for visiting the cafe.
Lee Sang-soon shared the news of the cafe’s blue ribbon. Photo|Lee Sang-soon-Cafe SNS
“Thanks to the continuous interest and support of our customers, we were able to grow and receive the blue ribbon so quickly,” he said, adding, “I am truly grateful. We will continue to be a longtime player by the side of our customers.”
Lee Hyo-ri drinking coffee at Lee Sang-soon’s Jeju cafe. Photo by Lee Sang-soon SNS
The Blue Ribbon Survey is the first Korean restaurant guidebook published in 2005, and to receive a blue ribbon, a restaurant must be thoroughly verified by both public and food experts in various areas such as taste and hygiene.
It was created by combining the strengths of the French Michelin Guide and the American Zagat Survey, and is considered a ‘must-visit’ restaurant evaluation standard for foodies.
Lee and Lee opened Cafe Longplay in Gujwa-eup메이저사이트, Jeju in July last year, but were quickly overwhelmed by tourists, and within two days, the restaurant was forced to suspend operations and switch to a reservation system.
Lee Hyo-ri and Lee Sang-soon. Photo lJTBC
Afterward, Lee said on Instagram, “The cafe is entirely mine. I would like to emphasize that my wife has nothing to do with this cafe,” she said, adding, “Sometimes I would like to stop by when I have time and have coffee with customers and share small talk with them, but this incident made me realize that it is more difficult than I thought.”
“I’m going to take a step back and run the whole operation, play good music, and try to introduce the specialties of the great roasteries in Korea,” he said.