Netflix’s hit Korean cooking series Culinary Class Wars gave us gruelling tasks, edge-of-your-seat moments, and… more restaurants for our bucket list.
If reality TV is your jam, Netflix’s latest show, Culinary Class Wars, has probably already reeled you in. The cooking competition with a Physical: 100 twist spotlights 100 chefs, edge-of-your-seat challenges, and plenty of drama. Contestants are split into two teams – 20 White Spoons, who are South Korea’s culinary elite, and 80 Black Spoons, the up-and-coming underdogs (but let’s be real, most of them have solid creds too). They’re all battling it out to be the last chef standing and snag that 300 million Korean won prize (approx S$285,000).
Now that the season’s wrapped, one burning question remains: Where can we dine at these contestants’ restaurants? Spoiler alert: Season two is coming, so before that drops, bookmark these hotspots from Seoul to Singapore to the US. Get ready to feast!
Dine at restaurants run by the coolest Culinary Class Wars chefs
1. Ahn Sung-Jae: The cut-throat judge who gives Gordon Ramsay a run for his money
Ahn Sung-Jae didn’t come to play. Honestly, I gasped as I witnessed him judging. He eliminated one contestant for not serving rice with their dish and another for adding a redundant garnish! Having a meal at his dining concept, Mosu, the only restaurant in Korea with three Michelin stars, must be quite an experience.
2. Paik Jong Won: The judge with Anthony Bourdain vibes
Who else loved his animated reactions during the taste tests? Paik Jong Won is a formidable restauranteur in South Korea – he hosts prominent cooking shows and is behind thousands of restaurants in the country. Not travelling anytime soon? Closer to home, you can try K-BBQ concept Bornga in Tanjong Pagar and Paik’s Noodle, Paik’s Bibim and Paik’s Coffee at multiple outlets islandwide.
3. Kwon Sung-joon: Pasta king Napoli Matfia
We watched in awe as Napoli Matfia tossed that large pan of risotto with finesse. Right from the start, the 29-year-old chef impressed us with Italian classics. You can try them at his Italian restaurant Via Toledo Pasta Bar in Wonhyoro-dong, Seoul.
4. Edward Lee: The multi-hyphenate
We still wonder why chef Edward Lee participated as a contestant in the competition. The American celebrity chef and author is a familiar face on TV, with appearances on Iron Chef America and Top Chef. He was even a judge on Gordon Ramsay’s Culinary Genius. His restaurant, 610 Magnolia, in Louisville, Kentucky offers a ‘modern approach to the Southern’, though we doubt it reflects every bit of the extraordinary culinary prowess that he displayed throughout the competition.
5. Yoon Nam No: The lovable Cooking Maniac
Despite his stressful kitchen antics that had us on edge, we can’t stop thinking about Cooking Maniac’s mouthwatering ramyeon pad Thai from the convenience store round. His intense passion was infectious, and his dishes always brought something fresh and unique.
Beneath that tough exterior, he’s a total softie – he joined the competition just so his mum could watch him on TV. He also runs Deepin, a laid-back fusion eatery in Seoul’s Shindang neighbourhood, along with its sister bar, Deepin Oksu.
6. Jung Ji-sun: The queen of dimsum
Jung Ji-sun may be known for turning heads with ba si (candied floss) during the first round. But we’d love to try the shrimp dim sum that was a huge hit among the mukbang creators in the subsequent round. Jung Ji-sun runs the iconic Tian Mimi chain in Gangnam and Hongdae. The restaurant is praised for its elite dim sum and Sichuan-style cuisine.
7. Choi Hyun-seok: The chef whose overconfidence backfired
You probably thought chef Choi Hyun-seok was a little arrogant in his final task but once you realise he helms three restaurants, you’ll understand why. Many know about his popular fine dining Gangnam restaurant, Choi Dot, which serves Korean-European fusion delights. But don’t forget to also try his Chinese fusion restaurant, Central Reducer in Seongdong, and vegan restaurant Dahlia Dining in Gangnam.
8. Scott Kang Seung-won: You’re a (triple) star
This chef’s nickname isn’t just for show – it’s a nod to his impressive journey through his experience at Michelin-starred restaurants. That includes a stint as the sous-chef at judge Ahn Sung-jae’s Mosu. Now, this talented chef is at the helm of Trid, a chic fine dining spot in Seoul’s bustling Gangnam district.
9. Lee Mi-ryeong: The endearing Auntie Omakase
Known for her hearty, home-style Korean dishes, Auntie Omakase runs two restaurants: Andongjip Son Kalguksu in Gyeongdong Market, Dongdaemun, which is famous for its signature noodle dish, and Cheerful Drinking Table (Jeulgeoun Sulsang) at Chang-dong, Dobong-gu, offering a Korean-style omakase experience.
10: Cho Kwang-hyo: The creative Comic Book Chef
This self-taught chef’s journey started with a pot of tteokbokki. Inspired by the various dishes in the comic books he’d read, the chef would re-create them at the comic book shop he used to co-run. Outside of the show, he’s the chef-owner of Cho Kwang 101, an experimental Asian tapas bar, and Cho Kwang 201 – both are located in Seoul’s Songpa district.
11. Fabrizio Ferrari: The supportive chef
While most white spoon chefs had a tough exterior, chef Fabri stood out for being refreshingly supportive of his student, who was also a contestant in the same show. Back in Italy, he helmed his family’s restaurant Al Porticciolo 84 at Lake Como – it held on to its Michelin star for an impressive 15 years.
After moving to South Korea, chef Fabri quickly gained popularity on TV and ran the Italian restaurant Fabrizio’s Kitchen in Yongsan, Seoul. These days, you’ll find him passing on his culinary expertise as a lecturer at Sejong University, while also running his own YouTube channel.
12. Nam Jeong-seok: Plant-based king
Nam Jeong-seok is the go-to chef for plant-based Italian cuisine crafted with fresh, local veggies. He’s got two hot spots on the map: The Local Eater in Seoul and Green Bowl in Gangneung, Gangwon province. At Local Eater, it’s all about farm-to-table vegetarian European dishes, while Green Bowl brings that same local vibe to the coast.
We can’t wait for the second season of Culinary Class Wars! In the meantime, whose restaurant are you booking a table at first?
