Chef Michael Lee has opened five restaurants in Durham without once cooking Korean food. That changes in May. M Hansik opens at Wye Junction in the 4,100-square-foot former Plum space at 501 Washington St.

  • Lee launched M Sushi on Ninth Street about a decade ago, now widely considered the Triangle's best sushi bar. He followed with M Kokko, M Tempura, and M Pocha in Durham before expanding to Cary.
  • M Hansik is a deliberate departure. Lee, who was born in Korea, is building a menu of modern takes on traditional dishes. No price point has been announced, but the direction is fine dining.
  • The Plum space at 501 Washington St. sat empty for two years before M Hansik signed.

Wye Junction has added three strong tenants in the last two years. Atomic Clock Brewing anchored it first. Timber Pizza, a DC import, opened earlier this year. No empty storefronts on that corner.

Lee has six successful restaurants. M Hansik is the first one built around what he actually eats.