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!
