In a thrilling blend of high-stakes cooking and drama, Culinary Class Wars has captured the attention of food enthusiasts around the world. The South Korean reality competition pitted 100 top chefs against each other, dividing them into two classes: the White Spoons and the Black Spoons.
The show’s success has left viewers craving more than just a second season—it's sparked curiosity about where they can experience the flavors crafted by the competing chefs. From the fusion dishes of white spoon chefs to the bold creations of black spoons, each contestant has brought something unique to the table–quite literally!
Ahead, discover the exact restaurants where you can savor the culinary genius of the chefs who made Culinary Class Wars a gastronomic battlefield.
The Culinary Class Wars' Judges Restaurants
Ahn Sung Jae
Judge Ahn Sung Jae has earned a reputation in the series for his discerning taste buds, which comes with the territory of his stature. As the chef and owner behind Seoul’s only three-Michelin star restaurant Mosu, diners can expect only the cream of the crop at his fine-dining establishment. The original Seoul branch is currently on hiatus, but those in the Philippines can enjoy Mosu an hour-flight away at its Hong Kong offshoot.
Mosu Hong Kong
3/F, M+ Tower, West Kowloon Cultural District, 38 Museum Drive, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Paik Jong Won
As one of South Korea’s top restaurateurs, Paik Jong Won’s face is as familiar as it gets, with a food empire that spans 2,000 restaurants. Those who live in the Philippines won’t have to feel left out, either–they can get a taste of the Paik treatment at Paik’s Coffee, with branches available across Metro Manila and beyond.
Paik’s Coffee at Glorietta, BGC High Street, Robinsons Manila Place, Robinsons Magnolia, SM City Bicutan, Angeles Pampanga, Ayala Malls the 30th
The Culinary Class Wars White Spoon Chef Restaurants
Edward Lee
Find yourself on the other side of the globe? Those on the southern and East Coast of the United States of America can experience Chef Edward Lee’s famous fusion of his Korean heritage and Southern flavors in his restaurants 610 Magnolia and Nami Korean Steakhouse in Louisville Kentucky, as well as Succotash Prime in Washington D.C.
610 Magnolia
610 W Magnolia Ave. in Louisville
Succotash Prime
915 F St. NW (Ninth and F Street), Washington, D.C., 20004 and 186 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, MD, 20745
Nami Korean Steakhouse
835 E Main St., Suite 106 in Louisville
Choi Hyun Seok
As one of the White Spoons, Choi Hyun Seok has a string of restaurants that speak of his acumen in the kitchen. The chef and restaurateur has not one but three spots across Seoul, South Korea with distinguishable cuisine, including the Korean-European restaurant Choi Dot, Chinese restaurant Central Reducer, and vegan restaurant Dahlia Dining.
Choi Dot
3rd floor, 457 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Central Reducer
7-1 Seongsuil-ro 6-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Dahlia Dining
14 Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Jung Ji Sun
As the White Spoons’ resident Queen of Dim Sum, Jung Ji Sun’s dishes are synonymous with Chinese cuisine excellence in South Korea. To try out her world-famous shrimp dim sum and more, diners can flock to her Tian Mi Mi restaurants, with branches in Gangnam and Hongdae.
Tian Mi Mi Gangnam
104-1, 143 Saimdang-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul
Tian Mi Mi Hongdae
4th floor, Mercure Ambassador Seoul Hongdae, 144 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Jang Ho Joon
For a Culinary Class Wars Japanese take, Chef Jang Ho Joon serves the cuisine in whatever setting. The chef and restaurateur is at the helm of Negi and its range of restaurants, including Negi Live and Negi Sukiyaki, along with other spots in the company’s portfolio.
Negi Live
5F 97 Seongsui-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Negi Sukiyaki
854 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam District, Seoul
Lee Young Sook
Culinary Class Wars isn't Lee Young Sook's first rodeo in the cooking show arena, as the chef previously bagged the winning title on Korean Food War Season Two. Outside of TV, Young Sook is best known for her mushroom-based menu, which she demonstrates at Nakyung Mushroom Farm.
Nakyung Mushroom Farm
100 Bidang-ro 109beon-gil, Seokseong-myeon, Buyeo-gun, Chungnam Province
Fabrizio Ferrari
Despite being born Italian, Fabrizio Ferrari is a familiar face for South Korea's regular cooking show viewers. Before he stepped foot on the Korean TV scene, Fabrizio—nicknamed "Chef Fabri"—already had an impressive resume in his hands, working for Michelin-starred restaurants such as Noma and Piazza Duomo. The chef then ran his family-owned Al Porticciolo 84 in Lake Cuomo, which also has the famed Michelin approval under its belt. He later moved to South Korea, where he has a regular stint in several shows, as well as his own restaurant, Fabrizio's Kitchen.
Fabrizio's Kitchen
23-6 Hangang-daero 15-gil, Yongsan District, Seoul
Ahn Yun Seong
With an impressive title as the 16th culinary master in South Korea, Chef Ahn Yun Seong's Japanese dishes have been favored by the country's top dignitaries, including presidents. Non-politicians and citizens of any locale can sample his famous dishes at his restaurants in Gwangju, such as Gamae, Gwangjouk 1947, and Jangsu Naju Gomtang.
Gamae Sushi
1222, Chipyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do
The Culinary Class Wars Black Spoon Chef Restaurants
Kwon Sung Joon “Napoli Matfia”
Kwon Sung Joon stole the show for his proficiency in Italian cuisine while offering a dash of a Korean touch. With skills learned in the two-Michelin star restaurant near Naples, Italy, the series’ “Napoli Matfia” lends his know-how to his own restaurant, Via Toledo Pasta Bar in Seoul. After his stint in the series, the restaurant received such an overwhelming demand that scalpers began selling their reservations!
Via Toledo Pasta Bar
7-2 Wonhyo-ro 83-gil, Seoul
Scott Kang “Triple Star”
As the former sous-chef of none other than judge Ahn Sung Jae, Scott Kang–a.k.a. “Triple Star”–has a good hand when it comes to fine dining. After working for some of the finest restaurants in the globe, Chef Scott now has his own spot, Trid, which showcases the best of what he has to offer.
Trid
2nd floor, 16 Seolleung-ro 162-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Lee Mi Ryeong “Auntie Omakase #1”
Known for her intricate, homestyle Korean dishes, “Auntie Omakase #1” or Lee Mi Ryeong, operates two standout restaurants. Andongjip Son Kalguksi specializes in her signature guksu (noodles) at a budget-friendly price, while Happy Drinking Table offers a Korean omakase dining experience.
Andongjip Son Kalguksi
1022 Jegi-dong, Gyeongdong Market, Dongdaemun, Seoul
Happy Drinking Table
338 Chang-dong, Dobong-gu, Seoul
Yoon Nam No “Cooking Maniac”
“Cooking Maniac,” whose real name is Yoon Nam No, brings his passion to Deepin, a cozy natural wine bar and restaurant in Seoul. The restaurant offers a selection of organic and biodynamic wines, with at least 30% being naturally vinified.
Deepin
63 Heungin-dong, Jung District, Seoul
Cho Kwang Hyo “Comic Book Chef”
Inspired by dishes seen in comic books, Cho Kwang Hyo or “Comic Book Chef” started his culinary journey recreating them at a shop he once co-owned. Today, he heads Cho Kwang 101, an experimental Asian tapas bar, and Cho Kwang 201, which are both in Seoul's vibrant Songpa district.
Cho Kwang 201
Seoul Metropolitan City 8, Saemaeul-ro 10-gil, Songpa-gu
Lim Tae Hoon "Self-Made Chef"
Known as "Self-Made Chef" in the series, audiences' hearts were warmed by the story of Lim Tae Hoon, a Chinese cuisine cook who had his start as a delivery rider. Now, he's the chef-owner of Doryang in Seoul, which has recently been flocked by diners for his show-famous Eight Treasures meatball.
Doryang
6 Jahamun-ro 6-gil, 2nd and 3rd floor, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Kim Tae Sung "Hidden Genius"
The "Hidden Genius" of the series Kim Tae Sung was on the receiving end of high praise from judge Ahn Sung Jae for his take on a traditional aglio olio. Diners can easily see the buzz of his cuisine at Pono Buono in Seoul's Gangnam district, where they serve Italian fusion dishes, with only two pasta offerings.
Pono Buono
2nd floor, 8-7, Dosandaero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
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