Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars brings together elite “White Spoon” chefs and rising challengers, showing how creative and competitive Korean cuisine has become. Naturally, many viewers ask:
Where do these chefs actually cook — and can you eat there?
Here is a practical guide to the main White Spoon chefs featured on the show, what their restaurants are like, and how much you can expect to spend if you’re planning a special meal in Seoul.
1. Chef Jun Lee — Soigné (Michelin Two-Star)
Location: Sinsa-dong, Gangnam
Michelin: 2 Stars
Price: Lunch mid-200,000 KRW / Dinner high-300,000 KRW
Soigné is one of Korea’s most respected fine-dining destinations. Chef Jun Lee builds tasting menus around seasonality and storytelling, creating courses that feel thoughtful and precise. It is considered one of the top fine-dining experiences in the country — but booking requires serious advance planning.
2. Chef Son Jong-won — Eatanic Garden & L’Amant Secret
Eatanic Garden (Chosun Palace Hotel, Gangnam)
Michelin: 1 Star
Price: Lunch mid-200,000 KRW / Dinner high-300,000 KRW
A polished, elegant hotel restaurant with refined plates and a luxurious atmosphere. Ideal for travelers looking for a formal dining experience with impressive presentation.
L’Amant Secret (Hoehyeon / Myeongdong area)
Michelin: 1 Star
Price: roughly mid-100,000 to high-200,000 KRW
A little more approachable in price while still offering sophisticated multi-course menus. A great way to experience Chef Son’s culinary style without the highest tier hotel pricing.
3. Chef Kim Hee-eun — Soul (Michelin One-Star)
Location: Haebangchon, Yongsan
Michelin: 1 Star
Price: Lunch high-100,000 KRW / Dinner high-200,000 KRW
Soul helped transform Haebangchon into a serious dining neighborhood. The restaurant reinterprets Korean ingredients in modern, beautifully plated courses. It’s an excellent choice if you want to experience contemporary Korean cuisine rooted in local produce.
4. Chef Kim Sung-woon — Table For Four
Location: Hannam-dong
Michelin: 1 Star
Price: Lunch mid-100,000 KRW / Dinner mid-200,000 KRW
Table For Four blends comfort and refinement. The dishes show careful technique while remaining warm and approachable. Because the restaurant is popular and gained even more attention from the show, reservations disappear fast — plan ahead.
5. Chef Jung Ho-young — Kaden
Location: Yeonhui-dong
Price: typically 50,000–150,000 KRW per person
Kaden is more casual than many fine-dining tasting rooms, which is exactly why people love it. Even before the show, long waits were common. Now, demand is even stronger. Expect satisfying, well-crafted dishes at a friendlier price point than Michelin tasting menus.
6. Chef Sam Kim — Multiple Italian Restaurants
Restaurants:
• Trattoria Sam Kim (Gangnam) — around mid-100,000 KRW
• Osteria Sam Kim (Mapo) — usually under 100,000 KRW
Sam Kim is widely known for approachable, flavorful Italian cooking. His restaurants range from casual pasta-friendly spots to more refined courses, making them great options for anyone wanting chef-driven cuisine without ultra-luxury pricing or formality.
Final Thoughts
Culinary Class Wars showcases just how diverse Korean dining has become — from Michelin-level tasting menus to creative, accessible restaurants shaped by passionate chefs.
If you’re planning a food trip to Seoul:
- Reserve early (some places book out months in advance).
- Consider weekday lunches if dinners are unavailable.
- Check price ranges beforehand — tasting menus can run long and feel like an experience rather than a quick meal.
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