A Korean television sensation has recently taken the world by storm, featuring 100 chefs split into two teams: the “White Spoon” team, composed of chefs already famous through media exposure, and the “Black Spoon” team, consisting of equally talented but less-known chefs. Contestants craft an array of innovative Korean dishes, each aiming to claim the top spot. This competition has fueled a surge of interest in K-Food, making it a must-try experience for visitors to Korea.
Enthralled by the creative cuisine showcased in every episode, viewers are eager to visit the restaurants operated by these exceptional chefs. Scattered across the nation and offering diverse culinary delights, these establishments are now accessible through CATCHTABLE, a platform for restaurant reservations and waitlists.
The Never-Miss-Out Restaurants by CATCHTABLE
Due to the show’s skyrocketing popularity, many of these restaurants are fully booked. However, if you’re planning a trip to Korea, you never know how things will change by then. Below are some of the restaurants that you might be the most curious about.
All the restaurants listed can be booked via CATCHTABLE Global. Since walk-ins are often not accepted and reservations fill up quickly, we highly recommend checking availability through CATCHTABLE before visiting.
First up is the star-studded White Spoon team.
1. Restaurant EVETT, by Joseph Lidgerwood
- Address : 1F LS Building, 10-5 Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Business hours : Tue-Wed 17:30 ~ 22:30 / Thu-Sat 12:00 ~ 22:30 (Closed on Sun-Mon)
- Break time : 14:30 ~17:30
The chef here exited the second round of the cooking survival show, as he is Australian who runs this Michelin-starred establishment in Apgujeong to offer a unique dining experience, which is very Korean.
At Restaurant EVETT, guests have the rare opportunity to taste ants personally foraged by Chef Lidgerwood. As part of the course menu, freeze-dried ants are served atop Sikhye sorbet, the palate cleanser, if the customers are up for this challenge. Given that ant availability depends on successful foraging, diners might miss out, so it’s a rare treat worth trying if you have the chance.
2. Yun Seoul, by Kim Do-Yun
- Address : 1F W Building, 805 Seolleung-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Business hours : Tue-Sat 12:00 ~ 22:00 (Closed on Sun-Mon)
- Break time : 15:00 ~ 18:00
Chef Kim Do-Yun, probably imprinted himself to everyone by wearing a headset while cooking during the competition, operates Yun Seoul, another Michelin-starred restaurant in the White Spoon team.
Known for its innovative use of fermentation, aging, and drying techniques highlighted on the show, the restaurant serves experimental and creative dishes unique to Yun Seoul. For those intrigued by Chef Kim’s culinary vision, a visit is highly recommended.
3. CHOI. (Choi Dot), by Choi Hyun-Seok
- Address : 3F Angsdom Building, 457 Dosan-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Business hours : 12:00 ~ 22:00
- Break time : 15:00 ~ 18:00
Celebrity chef Choi Hyun-Seok, famous for multiple TV appearances, runs this restaurant. He has impressed viewers from all over the world with his inventive dishes during the show.
Many people might have wished to try some of the dishes that are made during the survival show. Chef Choi saw that right through and newly added the menu he prepared during the competition, such as Flatfish Seaweed Soup ang Jang Trio, allowing guests to relive the show’s highlights.
4. Dahlia Dining, by Choi Hyun-Seok
- Address : 2F, 14 Dosan-daero 45-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Business hours : 12:00 ~ 21:30
- Break time : 15:00 ~ 18:00
Also operated by Chef Choi Hyun-seok, Dahlia Dining offers an entirely vegan menu. If you look into the menu, you will be surprised to see how meticulously Chef Choi elaborated vegan dishes to look and feel like non-vegan.
Dahlia Dining is a restaurant that collaborates with the vegan beauty brand Dear Dahlia so it allows guests to explore beauty products on the first floor while enjoying 100% vegan and egg-free dishes. It’s an ideal spot for those seeking a sophisticated vegan dining experience.
5. NEGI Dining Lounge, by Jang Ho-Joon
- Address : 4F, 18 Dosan-daero 15-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Business hours : 17:30 ~ 23:00
Specializing in Japanese cuisine, NEGI Dining Lounge is one of Chef Jang Ho-Joon’s culinary ventures. NEGI means green onion in Japanese and as one can guess through its name, NEGI Dining Lounge features various Japanese-styled dishes using green onions
Beyond the omakase course, which is consisted of restaurant’s signature menus, NEGI Dining Lounge offers an array of à la carte options, catering to varied tastes. With a diverse beverage menu, it’s perfect for an elegant evening meal.
Next, let’s explore the hidden gems of the Black Spoon team.
1. VIA TOLEDO Pasta Bar, by Kwon Seong-Jun
- Address : 1F, 7-2 Wonhyo-ro 83-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Business hours : Tue-Sat 17:00 ~ 22:00 (Closed on Sun-Mon)
Run by Chef Kwon Seong-Jun, known as “Napoli Matfia” from the cooking survival show, this pasta bar would be the most famous restaurant not only in Black Spoon team, but also the entire show.
The course changes according to the season and customers are given out with what seems like airline tickets to scan for the menu. On top of these, the foreign interior and tableware decorating VIA TOLEDO make visitors somehow feel like they just got off the plane to Italy.
2. trid, by Kang Seung-Won
- Address : 2F, 16 Seolleung-ro 162-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Business hours : Tue-Sat 12:00 ~ 22:00 (Closed on Sun-Mon)
- Break time : 15:00 ~ 18:00
Chef Kang Seung-Won, who participated the competition as “Triple Star”, operates trid, a fine dining restaurant that had already been recognized by the Michelin Guide long before the show.
His experience in a Michelin 3-star kitchen is evident in the meticulous presentation and harmony of each dish, offering a feast for both the eyes and palate. A standout is the truffle choux pastry, where the back is carefully filled to conceal the cream, showcasing Chef Kang’s meticulous attention to detail.
3. Deepin, by Yoon Nam-No
- Address : 1F, 411 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, Korea
- Business hours : Tue-Fri 18:00–24:00 / Sat-Sun 17:30–24:00 (Closed on Mondays)
Everyone will recall Yoon Nam-No, also known as “Cooking Maniac”, by his fragile and soft characteristics on the contrary to the tough first impression. Deepin is in Sindang and Oksu, but it is heard that Chef Yoon stays a lot more in Sindang so if you want to test your luck in seeing him, you might want to try Sindang.
Deepin is a natural wine bar offering a variety of seafood and meat dishes that pair perfectly with their wine selection. Its relaxed yet upscale ambiance makes it a great choice for a sophisticated evening out.
Many people have overlooked the fact that there are 100 chefs in total who participated in this survival cooking show. Even if there were less focused then the chefs mentioned above, it does not mean that these other participants were less skilled or not worth a visit.
More than half of the 100 chefs’ restaurants are available in CATCHTABLE, so feel free to browse through the contestants and save your seat prior to your visit to Korea.