'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Netflix Korea’s Culinary Class Wars has taken the global food scene by storm, quickly securing the top spot among non-English TV series during its debut week in September 2024. This high-stakes cooking competition, which premiered on September 17, brings together 100 of Korea’s finest chefs, splitting them into two teams: the elite White Spoon Chefs and the aspiring junior Black Spoon Chefs.
The White Spoon team comprises 20 culinary masters, while the Black Spoon team comprises 80 junior chefs eager to prove themselves. The competition is judged by two renowned figures: Paik Jong-won, a popular TV personality and chef, and Chef Anh Sung-jae, head of the three-star Mosu Seoul restaurant.
Trending
In the first round of the Culinary Class Wars, the 20 White Spoon Chefs receive a free pass to the second round, while the Black Spoon contestants must create their signature dishes within a 100-minute time limit. The junior chefs were split into two groups of 40, and they competed under the scrutiny of Paik Jong-won or Ahn Sung-jae. Only 20 chefs moved forward, leaving 60 to be eliminated.
Comprehensive list of restaurants owned by judges and final 40 Spoon Chefs in Culinary Class Wars
In Culinary Class Wars each of the 80 Black Spoon chefs competes under a pseudonym, concealing their real identities. This adds an extra layer of intrigue, with fans eagerly awaiting the reveal of these up-and-coming culinary talents.
Below is a list of the restaurants of the cast of Culinary Class Wars, each with unique expertise:
The Judges of Culinary Class Wars
1) Paik Jong-won: TheBorn Korea, Yuseong Building I 39 Bongeunsa-ro 1-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
TheBorn Korea, a prominent food and beverage company, is known for its diverse restaurant chains. Founded by celebrity chef Paik Jong-won in 1994, the company operates several popular restaurant brands, including Bornga, Saemaeul, and Paik’s Bibim, as well as the coffee franchise Paik’s Coffee.
2) Chef Anh Sung-jae: Mosu, 3/F, M+ Tower I West Kowloon Cultural District, 38 Museum Drive, Kowloon I Hong Kong
The Seoul branch of the restaurant is currently closed. It was the only 3-star Michelin restaurant in Korea. It is reported to reopen the Seoul branch in Winter this year. The restaurant offers a delightful blend of Korean cuisine combined with various culinary influences and ingredients from other traditions.
White Spoon Chefs of the Culinary Class Wars (Elite Team)
1) Choi Kang-rok – Neo, 101, 1st floor I 4, Samjeon-ro 12-gil I Songpa-gu I Seoul
Speciality: This chef specialises in Omakase and Japanese-inspired course meals.
2) Jung Ji-sun – Tian Mimi, 1st branch: 4th floor I Mercure Ambassador Hotel I 144 Yanghwa-ro I Mapo-gu, Seoul
2nd branch: 104-1, 104-2, 104-3, 143 I Saimdang-ro I Seocho-gu I Seoul
Speciality: This chef of the Culinary Class Wars serves traditional Chinese food which includes dishes like glutinous rice balls and her very famous dimsums.
3) Choi Ji-hyung – Lee Buk Bang, 2F I16 Mapo-daero 1-gil I Mapo-gu, Seoul I 04165 I South Korea
Speciality: Inspired by the North Korean style, he presents course meals based on flavours from North Korea.
4) Joseph Lidgerwood– Evett, 10-5 Dosan-daero 45-gil I Gangnam-gu I Seoul, 06021I South Korea
Speciality: This restaurant is a Michelin 1-star Korean cuisine that adds a personal international flair. Joseph likes to serve new inventive dishes mixing the flavours from Korea and Australia.
5) Kim Do-yun – Yun Seoul, 805 Seolleung-ro I Gangnam-gu I Seoul I 06019 I South Korea
Speciality: This particular restaurant owner from Culinary Class Wars specializes in the best handmade noodles and dried fish dishes.
6) Lu Ching Lai – Hong Bo Gak, 287, Dongho-ro I Jung-gu 2F I Grand Ambassador Seoul ISeoul 04618 South Korea
Speciality: This chef from China serves Chinese delicacies that have their tastes derived from the Fujian Province.
7) Choi Hyun-seok – Chol.DOT, 457 Dosan-daero I Cheongdam-dong I Seoul
Speciality: As a Western cuisine pioneer, the dishes served in Chol.DOT tastes the best with unique wines.
8) Park Joon-woo – Aux Petits Verres, 47-1 Jahamun-ro I Jongno-gu I Seoul
Speciality: Aux Petits Verres is a unique European-style Dessert café. This cafe serves its signature desserts like Lemon Tarts which are very famous among the locals and the foreigners as well.
9) Oh Se-deuk – Chinnmeal, Ohpanfire, Namjo-ro 1781 I Jeju I Jeju Island I 63345 South Korea
Speciality: This restaurant owned by Oh Se-deuk serves a unique Korean-style paella dish. For those unaware, Paella is originally a Spanish rice dish.
10) Jang Ho-jun – Negi Live, 5th floor I 97 Seongsu-iro I Seongdong-gu I Seoul
Speciality: ThieüNegi Live place gives a face-to-face Omakase experience for dinner using crustaceans.
11) Nam Jeong-seok – Local Eat, South Korea, Seoul, Seongdong-gu, Hallimmal-gil, 33
Speciality: The restaurant especially masters Plant-based dishes with a motto of farm-to-table healthy dishes.
12) Fabrizio Ferrari – Fabri Kitchen, 1st floor 23-6, Hangang-daero 15-gil I Yongsan-gu, Seoul
Speciality: This Italian cuisine maestro serves home-style cooking.
13) Kim Seung-min – Morino Aruyo, 769-58 Hasoro I Aewol-eup I Jeju-si I Jeju
Speciality: Morino Aruyo is famous for its Japanese rice bowl dishes.
14) Bang Ki-soo – Bicena, 81F Lotte World Tower I 300 Olympic-ro I Songpa-gu I Seoul, 05551 I South Korea
Speciality: Bicena is a traditional Korean fine-dining restaurant.
15) Seonkyoung Longest- owns a YouTube channel
Speciality- Although this chef doesn't have any restaurant as of now. She is a YouTube cooking sensation with 2.2 million subscribers.
16) Ahn You-seong – Gamae Sushi, 1222, Chipyeong-dong I Seo-gu I Gwangju I Gyeonggi-do South Korea
Speciality: As the name suggests, the restaurant specialises in Japanese dishes, specifically Sushi.
17) Lee Yeong-suk – Nakyung
Speciality: - N/A
18) Cho Eun-ju – Touch the Sky, 58F I 63 Yeouido-dong I 63 Building I Seoul I South Korea, 07345
Speciality: Touch the Sky is said to be a high-end French & Korean dining with a panoramic view from the fifty-eight floor.
19) Hwang Jin-seon – Jin Jin, 60 World Cup buk-ro 1-gil I Mapo-gu I Seoul, 04031, South Korea.
Speciality: This restaurant services a limited 10-dish menu of Chinese dishes.
20) Edward Lee – 610 Magnolia, 610 W Magnolia Ave I Louisville I KY 40208, United States.
Speciality: the intersection of various traditions and cultures.
Black Spoon Chefs of the Culinary Class Wars (Rising Stars)
1) David Lee (Meat Gangster)- Guunmong, 2nd floor, Hangang-daero 27-gil, Yongsan
Speciality: This chef of Culinary Class Wars is famous for serving the most delicious Galbi.
2) Park Eun-young (Chinese Goddess)- Owns a YouTube channel, @yeogane.
3) Jo Seo-hyung (Genius Restaurateur)-Eujiro Boseok, 11-10, 3rd floor, Marunnae- ro, Jung-gu
Speciality: The restaurant serves dishes based on a Korean fusion cuisine bar.
4) Park Ji-young (Kitchen Gangster)- Nawoo, Wonhyo-ro 89-gil, Yongsan-gu , 2nd floor
Speciality: The wine bar is the speciality of Nawoo.
5) Kim Byung-mook (Yakitori King)- Yakitori Look, Seongmisan-ro, Mapo-gu , 1st floor
Speciality: Yakitori is one of the most popular dishes by this participant of Culinary Class Wars.
6) Oh Jun-tak (Rooster)- Namyeong Chicken, Yongsan- gu Hangang-daero 80-gil, 1st floor
Speciality: As the name says, Namyeong chickens serve the best chicken dishes.
7) Kang Seung-won (Triple Star)- Trid, 16, Seolleung-ro 162-gil, Gangnam-gu , 2nd floor
Speciality: Trid deals with Western-style course meals.
8) Jin Hwa-mok (Seungwoo's Dad)- Kitchen Maillard, - The restaurant is closed now
9) One Two Three (Jun)- Bornyon, Seoul Metropolitan City 742 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu , 7th floor
Speciality: The meals in this restaurant are said to be all wood fire-based courses giving a unique smoky taste.
10) Yoon Nam-no (Cooking Maniac)- Deepin, Seoul special city 411 Toegye -ro, Jung-gu
Speciality: The Deepin is famous for its high-quality Wine bar served with good snacks.
11) Song Ha-sul-lam (Side Dish Magnate)- Dosigotgan, Seoul Metropolitan City 306, L3, IFC Mall, 10 Gukjegeumyung-ro, Yeongdeungpo- gu
Speciality: Side Dishes are the highlight of the menu at this restaurant.
12) Kwon Seong-jun (Napoli Matfia)- Via Toledo Pasta Bar, Seoul Metropolitan City 7-2, Wonhyo-ro 83-gil, Yongsan-gu , 1st floor
Speciality: The Napoli Matfia specialises in Fresh Pasta dishes.
13) Jo Gwang-hyo (Comic Book Shelf)- Chokwang 201, Seoul Metropolitan City 8, Saemaeul-ro 10-gil, Songpa- gu
Speciality: Pork belly is the most famous dish of this restaurant in Seoul.
14) Lim Tae-hoon (Self Made Chef)- Doryang, Seoul Metropolitan City 2nd and 3rd floor, 6 Jahamun -ro 6-gil, Jongno-gu
Speciality: Apart from everything on the menu, the Eight Treasures fried meatballs is the highlight of Doryang.
15) Kim Tae-seong (Hidden Genius)- Pono Nuono, 8-7, Dosandaero 45-gil, Gangnam -gu, 2nd floor
Speciality: Aglio e Olio is said to be the highlight of Pono Nuono.
16) Hyun Sang-wook (God of Seasoning)- Edamame, 11-40, 76-gil, Hangang-daero , Yongsan -gu, 1st floor
Speciality: Hyun Sang-wook's restaurant is famous for serving Chinese-style snacks to visitors.
17) Kim Mir-yung (Auntie Omakase #1)- Cheerful Drinking Table, 341 Nohae- ro, Dobong-gu, 117-ho, Changdong, Shinwon Libertel
Speciality: The above-mentioned restaurant of this Culinary Class Wars participant has the upper hand in serving the best beverages.
18) Lim Hee-won (Celebrities' Chef)- Buto, 32, Hannam -daero 27-gil, Yongsan-gu, 2nd floor
Speciality: Lim Hee-won is said to specialize in Modern Korean cuisine bars.
19) Park Sung-woo (Chef Spark)- Bistro Spark, 330 Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam- gu
Speciality: As of now, the restaurant is closed.
20) Lee Mi-young (Master of School Meals)- Habuk Elementary school meal cook
This chef used to work in an elementary school. However, she recently retired and is now here to compete in the Culinary Class Wars.
The eight-episode Culinary Class Wars will end on October 8, 2024.
