A BOURNEMOUTH restaurant has opened its doors to customers with a new Korean-British fusion menu.

The restaurant's owner and chef, Hyunsil Park, has joined forces with chef and long-time friend Young Joo to relaunch the venue.

Hyunsil went to culinary school but ended up spending most of her time cooking Western food.

She opened Maru in 2018 to “spread awareness of Korean food and bring a taste of Korea to the local community.”

The pair have now re-opened Maru and hope to welcome customers, both old and new, to try their new brunch menu.

Young Joo explained how she wants to bridge the gap between British food and traditional Korean cuisine.

When describing their new menu, Young said: “We are putting a Korean twist on British classics and serving traditional Korean food but with locally sourced ingredients.”

Guests are welcome to dine in the restaurant for brunch and dinner. Young and Hyunsil have also introduced a new grab-and-go feature for takeaway, including fresh Korean sushi, homemade kimchi, award-winning Crow Farm pork pie, homemade kimchi sausage rolls, and Korean-style sandwiches. 
 
The new menu aims to accommodate everyone with gluten- and dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. 

Young’s close friend, Jill Hiscock, commented: “People keep coming back because of the food; we are all addicted to Young's cooking.”
 
Young Joo has many years of experience running her pop-up Korean restaurants and private dining catering business within the New Forest Area, which has led her to this new venture. 
 
Young is a talented chef and has a passion for art, a number of her paintings are displayed in the newly refurbished restaurant. 
 
 She said: “I am a foodie, but I am also passionate about art. When I cook, I enjoy the plating up and want to combine them both.”

Maru is hosting a Christmas centrepiece-making workshop with New Forest Blooms on Tuesday, December 12, at 7.30pm, and will provide everything, including sushi, dumplings, and wine.

Maru, in Alma Road, Charminster, is open for brunch Monday-Wednesday from 9am-4pm and Thursday-Saturday, serving brunch from 9am-3pm and dinner from 6pm-10pm.