Four chefs from Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars are serving their signature Korean dishes at The Balmori Suites Chef’s Table.
Intense. Delicious. A full-on emotional rollercoaster. That’s why Culinary Class Wars had everyone hooked when it dropped on Netflix last year. From rooting for your favorite chefs—whether White Spoon elites or Black Spoon underdogs—to gasping at the drama unfolding in the kitchen, the show gave us everything. And, guess we can all agree on the dishes. Totally mouthwatering.
We’re still dreaming about Jung Ji-sun’s Mala Cream Shrimp Dim Sum. Or Chef Edward Lee’s insanely creative takes on tofu. And who could forget Chef Kwon Sung-jun’s winning Piedmontese lamb dish? If you’ve ever wondered what those creations actually taste like in real life, here’s some good news: you can finally try the dishes in the hit Korean show right here in Manila!
Here’s What You Need to Know About Mat Nam (‘Where the Flavor Meets’)
Running from April 6 to June 1, Mat Nam: Where Flavor Meets is a collaboration project taking over The Balmori Suites Chef’s Table in Rockwell. It’s a one-of-a-kind international pop-up that brings together creations of Chef Patrick Go of Your Local and four standout chefs from Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars: Young Sook Lee, Jihyung Choi, Kisu Bang, and Byung Mook Kim. Here, you can expect an à la carte menu packed with bold Korean flavors, reimagined with Your Local’s signature twist—familiar, fun, and full of flavor.
It’s a culinary crossover you won’t want to miss.
Chef Patrick, known for fusing bold flavors with playful Filipino touches, shared: “Everyone knows we love infusing Asian flavors into our dishes. On our third Balmori run, expect Your Local to have a lot of familiar Asian flavors with subtle Filipino and Korean ingredients, while still adding our own fun little twists.”
The experience features four seatings per day—lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and three dinner slots at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m. Each guest chef will be spotlighted in their own two-week “episode,” where they’ll showcase four signature dishes alongside Your Local’s creations.
First up, from April 6 to 23, are Chefs Lee Young-sook and Choi Jihyung. Chef Lee is known for traditional Korean dishes through her restaurant Nakyung, while Chef Choi brings a rare focus on North Korean cuisine at Lee Buk Bang. Their episode is all about heritage, comfort, and bold, nostalgic flavors.
Next, from April 26 to May 14, is Chef Bang Kisu of Gitdeun, known for his elevated Korean BBQ. He was the first Korean head chef to earn a Michelin star in the country and was previously at the helm of Bicena when it received its Michelin star. Expect grilled perfection and unexpected flavor combos.
Finally, closing out the series from May 17 to June 1 is Byung Mook Kim, a.k.a. the “Yakitori King.” He’s the owner of the Michelin Guide-listed Yakitori Mook and is known for blending Japanese yakitori with deep Korean roots. His menu promises smoky, umami-rich dishes with heart.
Even better? Each chef will be at the pop-up in person for two days during their run. That means you not only get to taste their food, but you also get to experience their presence, energy, and personal stories behind every plate!
Because of the show’s massive popularity, Culinary Class Wars is coming back for Season 2 in 2025. But while you wait, why not taste the talent up close and personal? Food like this goes beyond flavor. It’s storytelling. It’s heritage. It’s the perfect bite that makes you pause mid-convo just to say, “Whoa.”
Whether you’re a longtime K-food lover, a Netflix foodie, or just in the mood for something memorable, this pop-up is your next must-try.
Reservations are strongly encouraged as seats are limited and demand is high. To book, call +63-945-427-0054 or send a message to Your Local’s official social media pages.
Get ready to taste what all the hype is about and enjoy a flavorful journey that you’ll surely be talking about over and over again after the last bite.
