Earlier this month, Häran opened the doors to her first Korean restaurant, Bamnat on Paul-Lincke-Ufer. The space was not unfamiliar to her. On a hot July day, she hosted one of her pop-ups here. There was cooking, there was sweating, and above all, meaningful connections were being made. After her spring 2025 residency under the name “Eating Fantasy”, numerous pop-ups, and Kimchi workshops, she decided it was time for her own place. And, although she had been looking for something smaller, she found herself drawn back here. Häran believes that this spot truly comes alive, both day and night. The name of her restaurant reflects this perfectly: “Bam” means evening in Korean, “Nat” means day. At lunchtime, Bamnat feels light and casual; in the evening, it’s lively and warm, almost like a late-night bar. Guests can watch Häran cook in the open kitchen by the entrance, while the second room offers a cozy sofa area by the window and plenty of space for larger groups. Born in Chuncheon in South Korea, between mountains and sea, Häran grew up with her grandmother’s recipes and her father’s northern influences, which she now brings to Bamnat. During the day, she focuses on “one-bowl” dishes such as fried chicken with rice, braised tofu, and Galbi balls, accompanied by a soup and rotating banchan (vegetable side dishes). In the evening, the menu expands with small plates designed for sharing.
Korean Fried Chicken (KFC) is an absolute must and already one of her signature dishes, alongside the Galbi Hamburger Steak, which takes Häran back to her childhood: Western-style restaurants where her father taught her to eat with a knife and fork. Rice is not served as a side here. I find myself ordering the “Ugly Rice Balls” multiple times, wrapped in lightly roasted, salted seaweed. For Häran, it is crucial that no one compromises, which is why vegetarian and vegan options form a significant part of her menu. Personally, I’m looking forward to the new Kimchi dishes with the Kimchi currently fermenting behind the scenes! Light natural wines pair beautifully with the Korean flavors. But if wine isn’t your thing, the Korean teas are worth trying. While Bamnat marks a new chapter for Häran, she continues many of her previous pop-up traditions, including her iconic Drag Brunches, held on the first Sunday of every month, and the Kimchi workshops that bring the community together. Soon, there’ll even be karaoke in the basement — I can hardly wait. As you can see, Bamnat is a place that grows, evolves, and surprises — where you can come together with friends at any time of the day.
Text: Robyn Steffen / Photos: Van Anh Le
Bamnat, Paul-Lincke-Ufer 40, 10999 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
@bamnat030
