Junsoo Bae’12

Chef and CEO, SSAL (San Francisco, CA)

Junsoo Bae is the Chef/CEO of SSAL. Originally from Pohang, South Korea, Junsoo began his culinary journey at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. In 2012, he also participated in the Bocuse d’Or USA.

Junsoo started his professional kitchen career at Blue Hill at Stone Barns before traveling to Denmark to work at Noma, internationally recognized for its refined and innovative cuisine. He continued to develop his culinary perspective at Gramercy Tavern and The Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa Valley.

In early 2019, Junsoo and his wife, Hyunyoung, opened SSAL, a restaurant dedicated to pushing beyond the boundaries of Korean cuisine through a modern sensibility and highly refined tasting menu experience. In 2022, SSAL received its first Michelin Guide one-star rating and has continued to maintain the distinction since.

In 2026, Junsoo was recognized in the San Francisco Business Times 40 Under 40 for his impact on the culinary and hospitality industry in the Bay Area. He is also preparing to open Monami in 2027, a new Korean barbecue concept located in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood.

Beyond the restaurant world, Junsoo actively supports the next generation of chefs through participation in Sprout Chef Training, helping mentor and encourage emerging culinary talent. (Instagram: @ssalsf)