Culinary Class Wars 2 Restaurants: 2026 Booking Guide & Menu Prices

So, you?ve binged Season 2 of Culinary Class Wars, watched the intense battles between the "White Spoons" and "Black Spoons," and now you're in Seoul (or planning a trip) with a rumbling stomach. You want to know: Can I actually eat at these restaurants?

The short answer is yes, but it's complicated. Here?s the deal: The winner of Season 2, Choi Kang-rok, currently has no operating restaurant. He closed his popular spot, Neo, right before the show ended to avoid compromising his quality standards amidst the inevitable hype. However, you can visit the restaurants of runner-ups like Cooking Monster (Lee Ha-sung) and Trend King (Kim Hoon), provided you win the "reservation war" on the CatchTable app.

For those without reservations, your best bet is hitting up a GS25 convenience store, where official collaboration meals?like Choi Kang-rok?s sesame tofu soup?are hitting shelves as of February 2026.

The Background Story: Class Wars 2026

If you thought Season 1 was intense, Season 2 took it to a whole new level. Premiering in December 2025 and wrapping up in January 2026, this season brought back the brutal "Class War" concept: 80 unknown "Black Spoon" chefs trying to dethrone 20 legendary "White Spoon" masters.

This season was defined by its "Hidden White Spoons"?veterans like Choi Kang-rok who returned to the competition to prove themselves all over again. The show didn't just highlight cooking skills; it highlighted the sheer diversity of Korea's dining scene, from the high-end hotel kitchens of Chef Hu Deok-juk (57 years of experience!) to the trendy, Instagram-famous spots in Yongsan run by younger chefs. The result? A dining craze in Seoul where "Black Spoon" restaurants are now just as impossible to book as Michelin-starred ones.

Breaking Down Your Options

You basically have three tiers of dining experiences available to you, depending on your budget and patience.

1. The "White Spoon" Experience (Luxury)

These are the established legends. Think Chef Lee Jun?s Soigné or Chef Son Jong-won?s Eatanic Garden. These are fine dining establishments where you are looking at 50,000 00,000+ ($110300+) per person. The vibe is immaculate, the service is world-class, and the food is art. These are best for anniversaries, serious foodies, and those who plan months in advance. To secure these, you will need to master the CatchTable Global reservation system.

2. The "Black Spoon" Experience (Trendy & Casual)

This is where the energy is. Chefs like Trend King (Kim Hoon) run places like Sam Sam Sam in Yongsan. The food is approachable?lasagna, pasta, fusion dishes?and the prices are reasonable, ranging from 5,000 0,000 ($1138). The catch? The queues are insane. You might be waiting 2 hours for a table if you don't book via app. These spots are perfect for lunch dates and content for your social media. If you are traveling alone, some of these spots are excellent candidates for hon-bap (solo dining).

3. The "Convenience Store" Route (Budget)

Don't laugh?this is a legitimate way to experience the show. Just like Season 1?s tiramisu craze, Season 2 has launched a wave of products at GS25. You can grab Seoul Mom?s Bulgogi Kimbap or Choi Yu-gang?s Lobster Sandwich for ,000 ,000 ($1.504.50). This is ideal for travelers on a budget or late-night snacks. For a full breakdown of what to buy, check our GS25 vs CU guide.

Top 4 Restaurants to Visit in 2026

Based on the show's popularity, here are the detailed profiles of the most sought-after locations.

Location 1: Soigné (White Spoon)

• Korean Name: ?예
• Type: Fine Dining / Contemporary Seoul Cuisine
• Address: 2nd Floor, 46 Banpo-daero 39-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul
• Price Range: $$$$ (Lunch ~70k, Dinner ~70k)
• Rating: 4.8/5 (Michelin 2-Star)
• Highlights: Episodic menu themes, open kitchen theater, "Doughnut" appetizer.
• Insider Tip: Booking opens on the 11th of each month. Set an alarm!

Location 2: Sam Sam Sam (Black Spoon - Trend King)

• Korean Name: ?쌤
• Type: Casual Western / Fusion
• Address: 25 Hangang-daero 50-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
• Price Range: $$ (Pasta ~2k)
• Rating: 4.5/5
• Highlights: Lasagna, California vibe, Jambon Beurre Pasta.
• Insider Tip: Use the "Remote Waiting" on CatchTable app if you are nearby to save standing time.

Location 3: Bistrot de Yountville (White Spoon)

• Korean Name: 비스?로 ?트?
• Type: Classic French Bistro
• Address: 13-12 Seolleung-ro 158-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
• Price Range: $$$ (Lunch Course ~5k+)
• Rating: 4.6/5
• Highlights: French onion soup, Escargot, Red velvet interior.
• Insider Tip: The lunch course is incredible value for Gangnam fine dining; highly recommended for a "fancy but affordable" date.

Location 4: Haobin (White Spoon)

• Korean Name: ?빈
• Type: Fine Chinese Dining
• Address: Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel, 287 Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
• Price Range: $$$$
• Rating: 4.7/5
• Highlights: Monk Jumps Over the Wall, Peking Duck, Hotel luxury.
• Insider Tip: Since it's in a hotel, concierge bookings are much easier here than private restaurants.

Pros and Cons of the "Class War" Pilgrimage

Pros (of visiting the restaurants)

1. Taste the TV Magic: Look, watching Cooking Monster sear a scallop on Netflix is one thing, but actually tasting the texture he fought over? That's a core memory right there.
2. Celebrity Sightings: Many of these chefs, like Kim Hoon (Trend King) or Tommie Lee (French Papa), are actually in their kitchens. You have a decent chance of saying hi or getting a selfie if they aren't deep in the weeds.
3. Vibe Check: Places like Bistrot de Yountville or Sam Sam Sam aren't just about food; they have incredible interiors that transport you to Paris or San Francisco, making the wait worth it.

Cons (be honest!)

1. The "Click War": Booking these places is harder than getting BTS tickets. You are fighting thousands of people at exactly midnight. It's stressful, and you will likely fail the first few times.
2. No-Show Fees: If you manage to book but mess up your schedule (or get stuck in Seoul traffic), the cancellation fees are brutal?often 100% of the deposit, which can be $100+ per person.
3. The "Winner" Paradox: The person you probably want to visit most*Choi Kang-rok**?doesn't have a restaurant you can visit right now. It's a huge bummer for fans who traveled specifically for his sesame tofu soup.

Step-by-Step Guide: Winning the Reservation War

Okay, so you want to sit at a table, not stand in a GS25. Here is exactly how to do it.

Insider Secrets

Here are a few insider secrets I wish I knew earlier. First, just because a chef made a specific dish on the show doesn't mean it's on their restaurant menu right now. Restaurants run on seasonal cycles. However, many chefs run "Show Special" pop-up menus for a few months after airing.

Second, if you are based in the US, you don't even need to fly to Korea to taste the runner-up's food. Cooking Monster (Lee Ha-sung) is opening his restaurant, Oyatte, in New York City in Spring 2026.

FAQ

Conclusion

So, here is your game plan for your first 24 hours in Seoul. Land at Incheon, drop your bags, and head straight to a GS25. Look for the "Culinary Class Wars" logo on the shelves and grab whatever is in stock?it's your first taste of victory.

Then, open CatchTable and check for any last-minute cancellations for lunch the next day. If you see nothing, head to Yongsan the next morning around 11:00 AM. Queue up for Sam Sam Sam or check out the cafes nearby. Whether you get the Michelin star experience or the convenience store kimbap, you?re tasting a piece of Korean pop culture history. Good luck, and happy eating!

Sources

1. Netflix Official / Chosun Daily - Confirmed list of chefs (White/Black spoons) and Season 2 premiere details.
2. Marie Claire - Details on the winner Choi Kang-rok and his restaurant status.
3. The Straits Times - Confirmation of Restaurant Neo closing and future plans.
4. GS Retail / MK News - Information on GS25 collaboration products with Season 2 chefs.
5. Tatler Asia - Details on "Cooking Monster" Lee Ha-sung's new NY restaurant Oyatte.