Netflix’s ‘Culinary Class Wars’ sparks revival in S. Korea’s dining scene
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#1. At noon on Sept. 22, over 20,000 people logged into the restaurant reservation app CatchTable to book Chef Choi Kang-rok’s restaurant Neo after his appearance as a “white spoon” on the recently released Netflix show “Culinary Class Wars,” following his previous popularity from “MasterChef Korea” Season 2. All reservations were fully booked within a minute. Though already popular, such a rapid sell-out was unusual.
#2. A long line formed outside Namyeong Chicken in Yongsan, Seoul, on Sept. 21, even before it opened. Chef Oh Jun-tak, who appeared as a “black spoon” under the nickname “Yeongtak,” attracted a surge of customers. The bar Edamame in Namyeong-dong, where another black spoon contestant, “God of Seasoning,” appeared, also had to close early after running out of ingredients due to overwhelming demand.
Netflix’s “Culinary Class Wars” is breathing new life into the struggling restaurant industry in South Korea. The show features battles between star chefs, known as white spoons, and underdog black spoons. In the first episode, 80 black spoon contestants competed, leaving only 20 remaining. Regardless of who advanced or was eliminated, restaurants owned by the participants have been flooded with orders and reservation calls.
Cooking competition shows were once seen as outdated, and the food tours that became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic had grown tiresome. So, what is it about this program that has reignited viewers’ passion for gourmet experiences? At the end of this article, the restaurants run by contestants from Netflix’s “Culinary Class Wars” are listed.
(1) Masters vs. Underdogs: “Feels like a shonen manga!”
Underdogs start from the bottom and slowly gain recognition from those around them, gradually rising to fame. They defeat rivals one by one, climbing higher until they finally face the “master” or “mentor” at the top. Will they be able to win this ultimate showdown?
This is the classic storyline of a shonen cooking manga, such as “Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma.” Netflix’s “Culinary Class Wars” brings this familiar narrative to life.
The white spoon chefs do not really need to compete—many have been or could be judges. Winning brings little, but losing risks embarrassment, making their participation stand out. A particularly emotional moment came when Chinese cuisine successors knelt to challenge Master Chef Lu Ching Lai, deeply moving viewers.
(2) Fine dining master Anh Sung-jae vs. Street food expert Paik Jong-won
The dynamic between judge Chef Anh Sung-jae of Mosu, South Korea’s only Michelin 3-star restaurant, and Paik Jong-won, CEO of The Born Korea and a mass-market food expert, also adds to the show’s appeal. Chef Anh values the process, purpose, and perfection of the dishes, while Paik places the highest importance on the intuitive taste when food hits the palate. Their differing perspectives sometimes lead to disagreements. However, during the second round of judging, when both chefs wore blindfolds and tasted the dishes without any prior information, they reached consensus more often. This blind test is crucial for ensuring fairness and avoiding controversy over the results.
(3) A competition without villains: “If I get eliminated, I just need to stay off the Internet for a year”
Another distinctive feature of this competition is its lack of a villain, setting it apart from other shows. While some viewers may find this absence lacking in excitement, it allows audiences to appreciate the cooking scenes in a more relaxed manner. Contestants are motivated not by a fierce desire to win but by a commitment to showcase their skills. Chef Choi Kang-rok, a former cooking show champion, remarked, “I may get eliminated, sure. Then I just need to stay off the Internet for a year.” Even in defeat, contestants leave the stage with respect for their more skilled opponents instead of blaming judges or criticizing others. It is a form of “honorable competition” rarely seen before.
Netflix “Culinary Class Wars” Cast Restaurants
Judges
- White Spoon Chefs
- Black Spoon Chefs
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