Danish Luxury

Restaurants Copenhagen

Koan

Kristian Baumann's restaurant on Langeliniekaj in Copenhagen, where Korean dishes and techniques meet Nordic seasonal produce; two Michelin stars.

Founded by
Kristian Baumann
Address
Langeliniekaj 5, 2100 Copenhagen Ø

Visit koancph.dk

A dumpling in red broth
A dumpling in red broth
Shellfish and vegetables in a lacquered bowl
Shellfish and vegetables in a lacquered bowl
A tartlet of cured roe
A tartlet of cured roe
Poached pear with herbs and flowers
Poached pear with herbs and flowers

Pictures © Koan, from koancph.dk.

Why it is renowned

Koan entered the Michelin Guide Nordic Countries in 2023 directly with two stars, one of two new two-star restaurants that year.1 It kept both stars in the 2025 selection.2 The guide credits Kristian Baumann's Korean heritage with shaping the flavours and techniques of a long tasting menu.3

In 2025 The World's 50 Best Restaurants placed Koan at No. 91 on its extended list.4

The story

Kristian Baumann, the chef-owner, was born in South Korea and adopted.15 Over the past ten years he has travelled in South Korea to learn its street kitchens, temple food, barbecue culture and royal court cuisine, and at Koan he pairs what he learned there with Nordic seasonal ingredients.5 The name comes from the koan, a riddle-like question in Zen Buddhism.5

The restaurant sits on Langeliniekaj in Copenhagen's harbour and serves a tasting menu, with a vegetarian version and a pairing of Korean sool among the drinks.5

What to know it by

  • Kkwabaegi & CreamKristian BaumannA take on the Korean twisted doughnut: brioche dipped in whipped butter
Sources
  1. The MICHELIN Guide Nordic Countries 2023 is out. web.archive.org, read 28 September 2026.
  2. MICHELIN Star restaurants, Nordic Countries 2025. web.archive.org, read 28 September 2026.
  3. Koan – Copenhagen - a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant. web.archive.org, read 28 September 2026.
  4. The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2025. theworlds50best.com, read 28 September 2026.
  5. Info - Restaurant Koan. koancph.dk, read 28 September 2026.
  6. Restaurant Frederikshøj, Wikipedia (Danish). da.wikipedia.org, read 28 September 2026.

Last checked 28 September 2026, against the maker's own pages.