Explore the Viral Creations: Number of Dishes Featured in Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars

The eagerly awaited conclusion of Culinary Class Wars premiered on Netflix on October 8, 2024, bringing an end to its inaugural season. This captivating competition has captured worldwide interest, rapidly establishing itself as one of the platform’s top non-English series.

Featuring a lavish production budget, this culinary showdown consisted of six thrilling rounds with exciting challenges, eye-catching dishes, and dramatic eliminations, captivating audiences who are passionate about food.

Over the course of 12 episodes, the series unveiled an impressive lineup of 254 distinct dishes, highlighting global flavors alongside unique reinterpretations of beloved classics.

A major aspect of Culinary Class Wars was its structure, dividing 100 chefs into two categories: 20 skilled White Spoon chefs and 80 aspiring Black Spoon chefs. This design showcased seasoned experts defending their culinary titles against promising newcomers, leading to high-stakes clashes.

The initial round saw 80 Black Spoon chefs racing against the clock, tasked with crafting their signature dishes in just 100 minutes, with only 20 chefs moving ahead.

Highlighting the Viral Dishes from Each Culinary Class Wars Episode

Culinary Class Wars thrilled viewers with each round’s introduction of innovative and striking dishes that rapidly gained popularity. Each creation exhibited the contestants’ exceptional culinary talents and inspired audiences worldwide. Here’s a comprehensive look at the standout dishes from each round:

Round 1: Signature Dish Challenge (Black Spoon Chefs):

During this opening round, the 80 Black Spoon chefs were assigned 100 minutes to prepare their signature creations. Only 20 chefs advanced beyond this phase. Among the dishes that made waves were:

1. Eight Treasures Fried Meatballs by Lim Tae-hoon – Celebrated for his creative interpretations of traditional dishes, Lim Tae-hoon unveiled unique fried meatballs filled with an array of eight distinct flavors. This innovative approach was an instant hit thanks to its rich taste and originality.

2. Dongpo Rou Dumplings by Park Eun-young – In a fusion of Korean and Chinese tastes, Park Eun-young crafted dumplings filled with Dongpo Rou (braised pork belly), elevating the dish with the inclusion of astragalus and ginseng for a deeper flavor profile. The steamed and fried variants offered a delightful variety of textures, winning over judges and viewers alike.

Round 2: Head-to-Head Showdown (White Spoon vs. Black Spoon Chefs):

This phase of Culinary Class Wars featured fierce one-on-one battles between White Spoon and Black Spoon chefs, leading to some remarkable dishes:

1. Gochujang Bone Sirloin Paella by Seonkyung Longest – Seonkyung prepared a remarkable paella that combined Korean gochujang with pork bone sirloin, fusing Spanish and Korean culinary traditions. The bold flavor profile of this dish secured Seonkyung a well-deserved victory.

2. Five-Layered Pork Belly Tteokgalbi by Kang Seung-won – Facing off against White Spoon chef Choi Ji-hyung, Kang Seung-won presented five-layered tteokgalbi (grilled short rib patties) paired with sauce époisse. This extravagant dish left judges astonished by its depth and creativity.

Round 3: Team Challenge (Meat vs. Seafood):

The competitors were organized into teams (Team Black Spoon vs. Team White Spoon) for this round of Culinary Class Wars, tasked with crafting either meat or seafood dishes. Two standout creations emerged:

1. Chinese-style Meat-Wrap with Pepper Steak and Radish Salad (Team Black Spoon) – This dish expertly melded Chinese and Korean influences, featuring succulent pepper steak wrapped within pancakes together with a crunchy radish salad. The cooperative effort made by various Black Spoon chefs captivated both judges and viewers.

2. Chestnut Tiramisu by Napoli Matfia – Following a loss in the meat challenge, Napoli Matfia made a triumphant return with his viral chestnut tiramisu. Using widely available convenience store ingredients, this dessert became an accessible favorite for home cooks, gaining significant popularity and prompting plans for its availability in South Korean convenience stores.

Round 4: Mixed Team Restaurant Challenge:

During this round of Culinary Class Wars, contestants were paired in mixed teams, regardless of their spoon status, to design and operate their own restaurants. One dish stole the spotlight:

Caviar Roe Bibimbap Heaven (Uncle Jang’s Restaurant) – This dish elevated traditional bibimbap by incorporating luxurious caviar roe and pancakes, creating an exquisite fusion of Korean and Western culinary elements. The sumptuous combination of caviar with assorted pancakes caught widespread attention.

Round 5: Infinite Cooking Hell (Tofu-based Challenge):

This segment of Culinary Class Wars challenged chefs to stretch their creativity, focusing their efforts on tofu-centric dishes. The standout entries included:

1. Golden Tofu by Jung Ji-sun – Jung Ji-sun dazzled with a visually stunning dish, utilizing egg yolks to achieve a rich golden color for the tofu. Chef Paik Jong-won lauded the dish for its imaginative presentation.

2. Tofu Block Gochujang Pasta by Edward Lee – Taking inspiration from Italian Parmesan wheel pasta, Edward Lee devised a tofu-infused pasta dish enriched with gochujang sauce. The melding of Asian and Italian flavors, paired with the versatile ingredient of tofu, created a viral sensation.

Final Showdown: