HEART AND SEOUL

“HERE, taste this!” says Sepial Shim, handing our food director, Abigail Donnelly, a taster of seasoned baby spinach. “What do you think? It’s good, right?” She disappears back into the kitchen before Abi can confirm that, yes, it is indeed delicious. But with that, we know it’s going to be a good shoot.

The owner of Sepial’s Kitchen in Salt River, Sepial is well-known for her infectious joy as much as her food, and she welcomes the team unreservedly, as guests in her own home. Her immediate ease gives you the sense that she cares deeply about making you feel comfortable, and this is likely why her restaurant, despite its short lifespan, has become such an important part of Cape Town’s food scene.

Originally from Seoul, Sepial moved to South Africa with her son, Mooru, in 2003. “I picked South Africa because of the beautiful weather and because I wanted an English-speaking country where I’d be able to establish myself. A friend suggested Cape Town and, without giving it too much thought, I arrived here with two suitcases and my six-year-old son.”

For those who aren’t familiar with her story, Sepial is known for her authentic Korean cooking – in particular, her kimchi and Korean-fried chicken have near legendary status.