'Black and White Chef: Culinary Class Wars' White Spoon Chef Restaurant List (흑백요리사)
Updated: Dec 12
Are you a fan of Black and White Chef: Culinary Class Wars on Netflix? If you've been captivated by the intense culinary battles, now's your chance to taste the masterpieces created by some of the top chefs from the show! These chefs, crowned White Spoon champions, are redefining the culinary scene in Korea. If you're craving a Michelin-star experience, innovative fusion dishes, or farm-to-table excellence, these chefs offer something unforgettable.
And don't worry, they're not all fancy places - the only thing they have in common is the high-quality of their tasty food. This list has a range of cuisines including Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, American and so much more. So if you're hungry for burgers, pasta, or sushi - this list is pretty comprehensive. We'll be be curious once you've tried them all to hear which place you love the most!
Dining at these highly sought-after restaurants is all about delicious food and an experience you can savor with every bite. Just as a side note, if you need help making a reservation, Wonderful can help. As an English-speaking virtual assistant service dedicated to helping foreigners and expats in Korea, we are happy to assist with bookings, communicating special dietary requirements, requesting a special table, or organizing private chef experiences. We can even coordinate food deliveries to your door from almost any restaurant regardless if they are on the popular food delivery apps or not!
Here is the list of White Spoon chefs and their restaurants where you can explore the best that Korea has to offer. We've also included guest Chef Edward Lee's restaurant in Louisville, KY for good measure.
Chef Doyun Kim
A Michelin 1-star chef, crafts contemporary Korean dishes with a twist. Yun Seoul is an unmissable experience for anyone seeking refinement in traditional flavors.
Restaurants: Yun Seoul & Myeon Seoul, 805 Seolleung-ro Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Chef Seungmin Kim
MasterChef Korea's first winner has transformed Jeju's culinary landscape with fresh, seasonal ingredients served at Morinoaruyo. It’s the perfect spot for food lovers looking to escape to the island paradise.
Restaurant: Morino Aruyo, 769-58 Haso-ro, Aewol-eup, Cheju, Jeju-do, South Korea
Chef Kyanite Stone
Known as Korea’s "Vegetable King," Chef Kyanite Stone elevates vegetarian cuisine to new heights. Both Local Eater and Green Ball are sanctuaries for plant-based food lovers, where every dish is a symphony of natural flavors.
Restaurant: Local Eater, 33 Hallimmal-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Restaurant: Green Bowl, 30 Sanyangkeun-gil 22beon-gil, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Chef Junwoo Park
Runner-up from MasterChef Korea, Chef Junwoo Park’s Aux Petits Verres offers a fusion of Korean and international flavors. The cozy atmosphere paired with its innovative menu makes it a must-visit for adventurous eaters.
Restaurant: Aux Petits Verres, 47-1 Jahamun-ro, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea
Chef Bang Ki Soo
Korea's first Michelin 1-star chef takes you on a culinary journey at Gisdeun, where he takes Korean BBQ to a whole new level.
Restaurant: Gisdeun (깃든), Gangbuk-gu, 깃든 Wolgye-ro 7na-gil, 46-5 1층, Seoul, South Korea
Chef Yuseon Ahn
He has three celebrated restaurants that highlight traditional Korean cuisine. Gama, Gwangjuok1947, and Jangsu Naju Gomtang are local favorites in Gwangju that focus on authentic, hearty dishes.
Restaurant: Gama, 1104-26 Sangmu-daero, Nongseong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, South Korea
Restaurant: Gwangjuok 1947, 1104-20 Sangmu-daero, Seo-gu, Kwangju, South Korea
Restaurant: Jangsu Naju Gomtang, 14 Daenam-daero 487beon-gil, Seo-gu, Gwangju, South Korea
Chef Edward Lee
Korean-American Chef Edward Lee, an Iron Chef winner, serves up Southern cuisine with a Korean twist at his renowned restaurant 610 Magnolia. A must-visit for anyone who finds themselves stateside!
Restaurant: 610 Magnolia, 610 W Magnolia Ave, Louisville, KY 40208, United States
Chef Gyeongrae Yeo
Known as a Chinese culinary grandmaster, Chef Gyeongrae Yeo brings the best of Chinese-Korean fusion cuisine to Seoul. His restaurant Promotional Corner is where tradition meets modern flair.
Restaurant: Hongbo Gak, 130 Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
Chef Oh Se-deuk
He is known for his inventive hybrid cooking styles. At Intimate Jeju, he offers dishes inspired by both Korean and international cuisines, making it one of Jeju’s most exciting culinary destinations.
Restaurant: Jeju Chinn Meal, South Korea, Jeju-do, Jeju-si, 특별자치도 Jocheon-eup, Namjo-ro, 1781 1층
Chef Yungseok Lee
She is a master of Korean traditional cuisine, specializing in mushroom-based dishes that highlight the earthy flavors of the region.
Restaurant: Nakyung Mushroom, 100 Bidang-ro 109beon-gil, Seokseong-myeon, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea
Chef Hojun Jang
Known as a king of Japanese cuisine in Korea, Chef Hojun Jang runs several restaurants in Seoul, focusing on everything from live sushi to modern Japanese fusion dishes.
Restaurant: Negi Live, 97 Seongsui-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Restaurant: Negi Dining Lounge, South Korea, Seoul, Gangnam District, Dosan-daero 15-gil, 18 4층
Restaurant: Negi Sukiyaki, Gangnam District, Nonhyeon-ro, 854 지하1층 네기스키야키, Seoul, South Korea
Restaurant: Modern Oden, 10 Dosan-daero 17-gil, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
Restaurant: Cavistry, 21 Dosan-daero 37-gil, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
Chef Jeong Ji-seon
Chef Jeong Ji-seon is celebrated as Korea's first female star Chinese chef, combining traditional Chinese cooking with modern flair at Tn Mimi.
Restaurant: Tn Mimi, 143 Saimdang-ro, Seocho District, Seoul, South Korea
Chef Joseph Lidgerwood
Australian-born Chef Joseph Lidgerwood brings an innovative touch to Korean fine dining, blending international techniques with local ingredients at his Michelin-starred restaurant EVETT.
Restaurant: Evett, 10-5, Dosandaero 45-gil, Gangnam -gu, Seoul, South Korea
Chef Cho Eun-joo
A two-time winner of international culinary competitions, Chef Cho Eun-joo crafts sophisticated dishes at Touch the Sky, perched high above Yeouido’s skyline.
Restaurant: Touch the Sky, 58th floor, 63-ro, Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Chef Kang Rok Choi
Winner of MasterChef Korea Season 2, Chef Kang Rok Choi’s Restaurant NEO is known for its contemporary take on traditional Korean dishes, focusing on innovation and flavor.
Restaurant: Neo, 4, Samjeon-ro 12-gil, Songpa -gu, 101, Seoul, South Korea
Chef Jihyung Choi
Chef Jihyung Choi is a specialist in North Korean cuisine, delivering authentic flavors at Rebukbang with a refined, yet hearty, approach to traditional dishes.
Restaurant: Lee Bukbang, 16 Mapo- daero 1-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Chef Hyunseok Choi
A celebrity chef in Korea, Chef Hyunseok Choi’s restaurants are known for their creative fusion of Korean and Western cuisines, served in vibrant, contemporary spaces.
Restaurant: Choidot, 457 Dosandaero, Gangnam -gu, Seoul, South Korea
Restaurant: Central Reducer, 7-1, Seongsuil -ro 6-gil, Seongdong-gu, 1st floor, Seoul, South Korea
Restaurant: Dahlia Dining, 14, Dosandaero 45-gil, Gangnam -gu, 2nd floor, Seoul, South Korea
Chef Fabrizio Ferrari
Italian chef Fabrizio Ferrari brings over 15 years of Michelin-starred experience to Fabrikitchen, where he delivers a sophisticated mix of Italian and Korean-inspired dishes.
Restaurant: Fabri Kitchen, 23-6, Hangang-daero 15-gil, Yongsan-gu, 1st floor, Seoul, South Korea
Chef Jinseon Hwang
Known for his mastery of Korean comfort food, Chef Jinseon Hwang’s Jinjin offers a refined, Michelin-worthy take on beloved Korean classics like gomtang (beef bone soup).
Restaurant: Jin Jin, 60 World Cupbuk-ro 1-gil, Mapo -gu , 1st floor, Seoul, South Korea
Chef Seonkyung Longest
Unfortunately, white spoon Chef Seonkyung Longest has not been mentioned on this list since she currently doesn't have a restaurant. She is well known in the culinary world however and has won many cooking competitions. She is active on Youtube however in case you want to check her out.
Living in Korea is a Wonderful Experience
You’ve got the list, and now it’s time to make it happen! Wonderful is here to make sure you never miss out on the hottest dining spots in Korea. Whether you need help making reservations, navigating language barriers, or planning an entire food-filled itinerary, we’ve got you covered. Let us take care of the details, so you can focus on what matters most: enjoying every delicious bite!
Wonderful is the best on-demand English-speaking virtual assistant service in South Korea. Serving the expat community for nearly 10 years we've maintained the highest customer ratings on both Google and Facebook.
Don't let language barriers or unfamiliar surroundings hold you back from getting the most out of your time in South Korea. Let Wonderful help you save time and make things easier.
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