If Culinary Class Wars Season 2 has left you binge-watching with a rumbling stomach and an irresistible urge to book a table in Seoul, you’re not alone. The Netflix hit doesn’t just showcase culinary bravado and high-pressure kitchen drama. It introduces a new generation of chefs whose food is very much within reach, if you know where to look.

From Michelin-starred dining rooms to intimate neighbourhood spots beloved by locals, these are some of the restaurants where the show’s standout chefs sharpen their knives when the cameras stop rolling. Consider this your post-binge dining hit list, and a delicious reason to plan your next meal (or trip) around South Korea’s most talked-about kitchens.

Soigné – Chef Lee Jun

One of South Korea’s most celebrated tasting-menu restaurants, Soigné holds two Michelin stars. It is a modern Korean restaurant that features a four-season menu showcasing thoughtful, seasonal ingredients depending on their availability, prepared with a fusion of Korean tradition and modern European as well as American techniques. At Soigné, the Seorae Escargot is their signature dish and a must-try.

Soigné
#201, 2F Sinsa square, 652 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06027, South Korea
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Eatanic Garden – Chef Son Jong Won

Chef Son Jong Won operates not just one but two one Michelin-starred restaurants in Seoul – Eatanic Garden and L’Amant Secret – where he runs both kitchens concurrently and manages separate teams. Eatanic Garden pays homage to Korean culinary heritage, presented with a creative twist. Instead of a menu, diners are presented with illustrated cards highlighting the seasonal hero of each dish.

Eatanic Garden
36F Josun Palace Hotel, 231 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06142, South Korea
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L’Amant Secret – Chef Son Jong Won

French for secret lover, L’Amant Secret is also run by Chef Son Jong Won and showcases French-inspired contemporary cuisine that is elegantly presented. He champions what he describes as Korean-style Western cuisine, rooted in the country’s seasonal produce. Drawing on local ingredients and Western techniques, his cooking feels at once inventive and comfortingly familiar.

L’Amant Secret
67 Toegye-ro, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea
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Trattoria Sam Kim – Chef Sam Kim

Both a culinary genius and on-screen personality who has made an appearance in several reality and television series, Sam Kim runs two restaurants in Seoul – Trattoria Sam Kim and Osteria Sam Kim. The former, Trattoria Sam Kim, is an upscale dining restaurant and offers a more formal Italian dining experience featuring Italian classics interpreted with sophistication.

Trattoria Sam Kim
10-3 Dosan-daero 49-gil, Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
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Osteria Sam Kim – Chef Sam Kim

Also run by Chef Sam Kim, Osteria Sam Kim is more casual and relaxed compared to its sister concept, and focuses on approachable, hearty Italian dishes like pasta and steak in a friendly setting without the formality of a tasting menu. The pasta and risotto dishes are definitely the highlight at Osteria Sam Kim, thoughtfully prepared with the best seasonal ingredients.

Osteria Sam Kim
55 Yanghwa-ro 3-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
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Table for Four – Chef Kim Sung-woon

Table for Four by Chef Kim Sung-woon in Seoul is a Michelin-recognised European restaurant beloved for its seasonal tasting menus, showcasing the freshest ingredients from Chef Kim’s hometown, Taean (South Chungcheong Province). At Table for Four, expect to find refined, ingredient-focused cooking paired with a wine list that is strong on Burgundy.

Table for Four
25-12 Daesagwan-ro 31-gil, Yongsan District, Seoul, South Korea
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Kojacha – Chef Choi Yu-gang

Renowned South Korean chef Choi Yu-gang is the co-founder of Michelin-recognised Seoul restaurant Kojacha, specialising in Korean, Japanese, and Chinese fusion cuisine (hence ko-ja-cha) with unique offerings like abalone salad and sharks fin. The atmosphere feels quietly theatrical and steeped in nostalgia. With its intimate, private-room setting and performance-driven pacing, dining here feels more like being in a carefully staged culinary salon, where every detail is deliberate and immersive.

Kojacha
17 Hakdong-ro 97-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06072, South Korea
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Izakaya Ichie – Chef Kim Geon

Chef Kim Geon, a standout Black Spoon chef, runs Ichie, a kaiseki-style Japanese restaurant featuring meticulous seasonal dishes and one of the largest sake lists in all of Seoul. This beloved local spot is renowned for its energetic atmosphere and guests can enjoy a variety of delights, including signature dishes like Mentaiko Cream Udon, Galbi Chop Steak Noodles, and the special Yakitori Platters.

Izakaya Ichie
656-7 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
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Udon Kaden – Chef Jung Ho-young

Chef Jung Ho‑young is a Japanese cuisine specialist with over 24 years of experience, best known for his mastery of noodles and broth. His restaurant Udon Kaden puts that craft front and center with rich, slow‑built broths and perfectly textured udon – a must‑visit for fans of traditional Japanese favourites with a Korean twist.

Udon Kaden
2-1 Yanghwa-ro 7an-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Kochi and Mari – Chef Shim Sung‑chul

Chef Shim Sung‑chul operates acclaimed restaurants in New York, including Kochi and Mari, both Michelin‑recognised. Kochi focuses on skewers served in an open‑kitchen format, while Mari offers a counter‑style tasting menu built around hand rolls and Korean‑inspired flavours. Both are perfect for travellers looking to experience a fusion of Korean heritage and global fine dining outside Seoul.

Kochi
652 10th Ave, New York, NY 10036, United States
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Mari
679 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036, United States
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Featured image: Netflix Korea