The hottest chefs and restaurants in South Korea right now are on a new Netflix show.
Here’s a list of the chefs and restaurants from Culinary Class Wars!
Quick Summary
- Culinary Class Wars is a new Korean series on Netflix featuring intense culinary battles. It’s like Physical: 100, but with chefs.
- The show divides chefs into two groups: underdog Black Spoon and elite White Spoon.
- The judges are Paik Jong-won (chef, entertainer, and businessman) and Anh Sung-jae (Korea’s only Michelin three-star chef).
- This article includes information on chefs and their restaurants (no spoilers).
White Spoon Chefs
Kang Rok Choi – Restaurant Neo
Chef Kang Rok Choi is the winner of MasterChef Korea 2.
His restaurant specializes in Japanese-style course meals, offering a refined dining experience.
- Address: 101, 4, Samjeon-ro 12-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul
Jisun Jung – Tian Mimi (Gangnam Branch)
Chef Ji Sun Jung is a star chef Yeon Bok Lee’s protégé.
Known as the “Queen of Dim Sum,” her restaurant serves a masterful array of dim sum dishes.
- Address: 104-1, 104-2, 104-3, 143 Saimdang-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Jihyung Choi – Lee Buk Bang
Focuses on North Korean course cuisine, his restaurant provides a rare taste of specialties from the North.
- Address: 2F, 16 Mapo-daero 1-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Joseph Lidgerwood – EVETT
An Australian chef who’s on a Korean culinary journey.
His Michelin 1-star restaurant offers Korean course meals interpreted from another perspective.
- Address: 1F, 10-5 Dosandae-ro 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Doyun Kim – Yun Seoul
Chef Doyun Kim gives me a Kung fu master vibe.
He specializes in fermenting, aging, and drying techniques.
His Michelin 1-star restaurant serves contemporary Korean cuisine.
- Address: 1F, 805 Seolleung-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Gyeongrae Yeo (Lu Ching Lai) – Hong Bo Gak
Undoubtedly the grand master of Chinese cuisine, he showcases traditional Chinese dishes with modern flair.
- Address: LL floor, Novotel Ambassador Gangnam, 130 Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Hyunseok Choi – Choi.Dot & Central Reducer
It’s really funny to see the interaction between Chef Hyunseok Choi and Judge Anh Sung-jae pursuing completely different things.
His restaurant Choi.Dot specializes in Italian-based fine dining with his unique, fun creations that Anh Sung-jae dislikes.
You can try the Jang Trio dish he created on the show at Choi.Dot.
- Choi.Dot: 3F, 457 Dosandaero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
- Central Reducer: 7-1 Seongsu-il-ro 6-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Park Joon Woo – CAFÉ AUX PETITS VERRES SÉOUL
His dessert café features a variety of creative and sweet treats.
- Address: 47-1 Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Oh Se-deuk – Chinnmeal Jeju
A star chef Oh Se-deuk serves burgers, highlighting the flavors of Jeju Island.
- Address: 1781 Namjo-ro, Jochon-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju
Hojun Jang – Negi Live
As the CEO and main chef of the Negi series of restaurants, he specializes in Japanese and fine dining experiences.
- Address: 5F, 97 Seongsu-iro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Jeongseok Nam – Local Eat
Known as the master of vegetable-based Italian cuisine, he uses local ingredients.
- Address: 2F, 33 Hanrimmal-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Fabrizio Ferrari – Fabri Kitchen
An Italian restaurant led by a chef with 15 consecutive years of Michelin 1-star ratings in Italy.
Fabri Kitchen serves delicious Italian food within a reasonable price range (10-20 dollars)!
- Address: 1F, 23-6, Hangang-daero 15-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Seungmin Kim – Morino Aruyo
A well-known donburi (rice bowl) restaurant run by the winner of MasterChef Korea Season 1.
- Address: 769-58 Hasoro, Aewol-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju
Bang Ki-soo – Gitdeun
Gitdeun specializes in pork BBQ and hearty traditional Korean dishes.
- Address: 1F, 46-5, Wolgye-ro 7na-gil, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul
Seonkyoung Longest – YouTube
The winner of Restaurant Express and a successful culinary YouTuber.
Yuseong Ahn – Gamae Ilshik
I was amazed by how cleanly he preps the fish. It was almost cathartic!
The 16th culinary master of Korea, specializing in Japanese cuisine.
- Address: 1104-26 Sangmu-daero, Seo-gu, Gwangju
Youngsook Lee – Nakyung Mushroom Farm
The winner of Korean Food War 2, known for her mastery of mushroom-based dishes.
Fabrizio Ferrari treats her like his Korean cuisine master/mentor.
- Address: 100 Bidang-ro 109-gil, Seongseong-myeon, Buyeo-gun, Chungnam
Cho Eun-joo – Touch the Sky (63 Building)
A high-end dining restaurant located in Seoul’s famous 63 Building.
- Address: 50, 63-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
Jinseon Hwang – Jinjin
A Michelin 1-star owner-chef specializing in Chinese cuisine.
- Address: 1F, 60 World Cupbuk-ro 1-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Edward Lee – 610 Magnolia
The winner of Iron Chef offers a modern approach to the Southern table.
- Address: 610 W Magnolia Ave, Louisville, KY
Black Spoon Chefs
Yoon Nam-no (Cooking Maniac) – Deepin Oksu
A fresh pasta restaurant with a unique blend of Asian cuisine, run by a head chef with a bold personality.
- Address: -1F, 194 Dokseodang-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Kim Tae-seong (Hidden Genius) – Pono Buono
A wine bar specializing in classic Italian dishes like Aglio e Olio.
- Address: 2F, 8-7, Dosandaero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Kim Mir-yung (Auntie Omakase #1) – Cheerful Drinking Table
An innovative Korean “Imokase” dining experience for 38 dollars (50,000 won).
- Address: 117, 341 Nohae-ro, Dobong-gu, Seoul
Kwon Seong-jun (Napoli Matpia) – Via Toledo Pasta Bar
Known for its handmade pasta, this Italian restaurant serves unique dumpling-like pasta dishes.
- Address: 1F, 7-2 Wonhyo-ro 83-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Jo Seo-hyung (Genius Restaurateur) – Euljiro Boseok
A natural wine and sake bar with seasonal Korean food, offering a relaxed yet refined experience.
- Address: 3F, 11-10, Marunnae-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
Kang Seung-won (Triple Star) – Trid
Specializes in exquisite course meals.
- Address: 2F, 16, Seolleung-ro 162-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Cho Kwang-hyo (Comic Book Shelf) – Chokwang 201
It’s crazy how he learned cooking from comic books!
A Chinese restaurant famous for its delicious Dongpo Pork.
- Address: 2F, 13, Saemaeul-ro 8-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul
Hyun Sang-wook (Gan Gwi) – Edamame Namyeong
A bar offering a Chinese-inspired menu.
- Address: 11-40 Hangang-daero 76-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Oh Jun-tak (Rooster) – Namyeong Chicken
A chicken specialty restaurant where each guest enjoys a whole chicken.
- Address: 1F, Hangang-daero 80-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Kim Byung-mook (Yakitori King) – Yakitori Mook
A Michelin course restaurant specializing in yakitori (grilled chicken skewers).
- Address: 1F, 165-1 Seongmisan-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Yu Bibim (Bibim King) – Jeonju Bibim Sori
A famous spot in Jeonju, offering Bibimbap and fermented bean paste dishes.
It turns out Bibim King is a content creator, and his wife is the actual chef.
- Address: 53-3 Geonjisan-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do
Lim Hee-won (Celebrities’ Chef) – Buto
A modern Korean bar featuring vegetarian sashimi and futomaki rolls.
- Address: 32 Hangnam-daero 27-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Tae Hoon Lim (Self-Made Chef) – Dolyang
Specializes in Chinese cuisine, including the famous Eight-Treasure Duck.
I’ve heard that his restaurant has been fully booked for one year since the show aired.
- Address: 2F, 3F, 6 Jahamun-ro 6-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
David Lee (Meat Gangster) – Guunmong
It was really cool to see how much Meat Gangster respected and admired the legendary chef, Edward Lee.
A meat-centric dining experience, offering premium ribs and other cuts.
- Address: 2F, 15 Hangang-daero 27-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Kyung Jun Bae (One Two Three) – BORNYON
A wood-fire-based restaurant serving exceptional course meals.
- Address: 7F, 742, Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Jin Hwa-mok (Seungwoo’s Dad) – YouTube
A popular Korean-Canadian culinary YouTuber.
Lee Mi-young (Master of School Meals) – YouTube
A school chef renowned for creating nutritious and delicious meals for students at Habuk Elementary School in Yangsan.
She recently retired and started her YouTube channel!
Park Eun-young (Chinese Goddess) – Grand Majestic Sichuan
A protégé of master chef Gyeongrae Yeo.
She currently works as a sous chef at Grand Majestic Sichuan in Hong Kong.
- Address: Alexandra House, Shop 301, 3rd Floor, 18 Chater Rd, Central, Hong Kong
Conclusion
This diverse lineup includes renowned Michelin-star chefs and passionate rising stars from more humble beginnings.
If you’re planning a visit to Korea, make sure to include these restaurants in your culinary journey!
Can you recommend a good Korean cookbook in English? Jet Tila’s “101 Asian Dishes You Need to Cook Before You Die” is one of my go-to Asian cookbooks, and has a number of Korean recipes that I enjoy, but I’d be interested in one that has a wider range of popular dishes that use ingredients found in good American supermarkets or Asian grocery stores.
By the way, regarding where to find a good Korean restaurant, Sarasota, Florida has an excellent one, Kore Steakhouse.
Hi Steve,
Unfortunately, I don’t know any Korean cookbooks in English.
But my go-to website when cooking Korean food is 10000 recipes.
I think they have a few recipes in English here.
When you have access to gochujang, doenjang, soy sauce, and toasted sesame oil, you can pretty much cook everything. (You’ll of course need lots of garlic and green onions.)
Thank you so much for recommending Kore Steakhouse. I haven’t been to Florida yet, but I’ll make sure to check it out when I visit some day! 🙂