A Night of Fire and Finesse: GU:UM Brings Contemporary Korean Flair to The RuMa
As dusk falls over the city, The RuMa Hotel and Residences prepares to welcome a rare kind of evening—one wrapped in the warmth of open flame, the clink of fine cutlery, and the heady aroma of wood-fired Korean cuisine. On 12 July 2025, Kuala Lumpur will be the stage for a one-night-only culinary collaboration between The RuMa and GU:UM, Singapore’s avant-garde Korean steakhouse led by MICHELIN-starred chef Louis Han.
The event marks GU:UM’s much-anticipated Malaysian debut, inviting diners into a world where age-old Korean barbecue traditions are reinterpreted through a bold, modern lens. The restaurant’s name — derived from the Korean word meaning “to grill or roast over fire” — speaks to its primal yet refined core. GU:UM isn’t just about flame-kissed meats; it’s a celebration of Korean culture, told through smoke, spice, and innovation.
At the heart of this showcase is Chef Sanggil Byeon, personally chosen by Chef Han to lead GU:UM’s Singapore outpost. Drawing on his training across Korean and Western kitchens, Chef Sanggil’s menu pays homage to the roots of Korean grilling while pushing boundaries with unexpected techniques and thoughtful flair.
On the evening’s menu? An ensemble of GU:UM’s signature creations and inventive new plates. There’s Yukhwae Jeon, a clever fusion of beef tartare and crispy potato pancake topped with rich egg yolk jam and pickled onion — at once nostalgic and new. A Cold Japchae, tossed with chilled sweet potato noodles and seared meat, channels the clean, temple-inspired flavours of Korean cuisine with a light, tropical twist. Seafood lovers can look forward to Mulhwae, a zesty sashimi salad designed for Malaysia’s balmy nights. And dessert arrives in the form of an elevated Hotteok, pan-fried and topped with candied nuts and burnt honey ice cream — a dish born from love, and now shared with the world.
“The collaboration with GU:UM reflects our commitment to curating experiences that feel both grounded in culture and elevated in execution,” says Daniyal Ng, Hotel Manager at The RuMa. “This is more than a dinner — it’s a moment that connects tradition with modern craftsmanship in a setting that feels like home.”
Held at ATAS Modern Malaysian Eatery within The RuMa, the event is priced at RM488 nett per person. With limited seats available, it’s a fleeting but extraordinary chance to witness GU:UM’s fire-forward philosophy up close — a culinary milestone that promises to ignite Malaysia’s fine dining landscape.
For more details or to reserve your seat, visit theruma.com.
