Michelin‑level Volatility
Somssi — the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair restaurant that earned a Michelin star just six months after opening — closed in March after chef Jihun Kim left, a reminder of rapid turnover at the top end of dining (heraldscotland.com). The closure underlines how chef departures can immediately upend even newly decorated fine‑dining ventures (heraldscotland.com).
Somssi at the Mandarin Oriental Mayfair was confirmed closed in mid‑March 2026 after chef Jihun Kim announced his departure on Instagram on 17 March 2026 and news outlets reported the venue had shut shortly thereafter. (therestaurantonline.co.uk) (thecaterer.com) The restaurant had been awarded a Michelin star at the Guide’s Great Britain & Ireland ceremony in Dublin on 9 February 2026, a little over five weeks before the closure was reported. (news.michelin.com) (therestaurantonline.co.uk) The venue operated as an intimate, 14‑seat chef’s table serving a Korean‑inspired tasting menu from its basement location at Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, 22 Hanover Square. (therestaurantonline.co.uk) (guide.michelin.com) Kim had moved into the hotel’s chef‑table space after the property ended its partnership with Akira Back in July 2025, taking over the Dosa site and relaunching it as Somssi. (thecaterer.com) (hot-dinners.com) In his Instagram post Kim reflected on his career at the hotel, citing past projects including opening Akira Back at DNA and evolving Dosa into Somssi before announcing his departure on 17 March. (cpp-luxury.com) (thestaffcanteen.com) Mandarin Oriental Mayfair issued a statement confirming Somssi’s closure and praising Kim’s contribution to the hotel’s culinary offering, while reports noted the restaurant appeared as “temporarily closed” on Google and showed as “restaurant not found” on the Michelin Guide at the time of reporting. (thecaterer.com) (cpp-luxury.com)
