What to Order at Saemaeul in Bangkok, the Restaurant Owned by the ‘Culinary Class Wars’ Judge

Fans of the Korean Netflix hit show Culinary Class Wars will be happy to know that Chef Baek Jong-won (Jong Won Paik) actually has several restaurants in Bangkok. Here’s everything you should know and order at Saemaeul Sikdang, the Korean barbecue spot owned by the Culinary Class Wars judge.

Long time a success in Seoul, Saemaeul Sikdang or Saemaeul restaurant is centred around Korean barbecue. The franchise is popular due to its friendly prices and 24-hour opening times, and quickly expanded from Seoul to various countries in Asia, including Japan, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines, as well as in the U.S., and Australia. There are also plans to expand to Hong Kong soon. Founded by Chef Baek Jong-won, Saemaeul restaurant is the second restaurant under the Culinary Class Wars judge, after Born Ga.

In Bangkok, you can find Saemaeul Sikdang in various locations. The first branch opened at CentralWorld in 2021, and delivery is also available.

‘Culinary Class Wars’ Is Returning for Season 2 on Netflix

Lifestyle

Salt Bae’s Net Worth: How The Viral Chef Built His Culinary Fortune

People

What is Saemaeul Sikdang, Chef Baek Jong-won’s restaurant?

Saemaeul Sikdang is a Korean barbecue restaurant, bringing together time-honoured and long-beloved Korean flavours with more modern techniques. Some dishes are grilled table side, while others are prepared using historic Recipes in the kitchen. Specialising in pork and kimchi stew, some dishes, they claim, “will feel as if you Travelled back to the 1970s.”

What to order at Saemaeul Sikdang

A place where you can “enjoy Korean cuisine with excellence,” at Saemaeul, set menus start from THB 1460 for 2-3 persons, and offer a great starting point for the uninitiated. The set includes the signature thinly sliced pork, pork belly, 7-minute kimchi stew, japchae (glass noodles and vegetables), and marinated pork intestines with chives.

Below, find other highlight dishes at Samaeul restaurant:

Yeoltan Bulgogi
This is Saemaeul’s signature dish, and features thinly sliced charcoal grilled pork in the chef’s special sauce. It is available in either a spicy or soy version. Priced from THB 340.

Mansinchang Samyeopsal
The signature pork belly is also available in both original or sou sauce, and is grilled table-side for maximum indulgence. Priced from THB 270.

7-minute Kimchi Stew
Fermented kimchi and pork are met in this signature stew that has been boiling for 7 minutes to really enhance the flavour. It comes served with a bowl of hot white rice. Priced from THB 330.

Sabal Jumeokbap
For those who like to get hands-on, try these DIY rice balls that come with seaweed and pickled vegetables. You hand-roll them at the table. Priced from THB 190.

Paik’s Bab
A relatively new dish, this rice bowl made with either spicy or soy sauce, and is a more familiar version of the popular Korean bibimbap, with that Chef Baek (Paik) touch. Priced from THB 260.

Steamed Eggs with Cheese
This signature side dish packs real ‘graMMAbility, as cheese is melted over soft egg for that ooey-gooey sensation. Priced from THB 180.

Good for takeaway or delivery: Yeoltan Bulgogi Rice Box
Various ‘dosirak sets’ are available at Saemaeul, paying homage to the traditional rice boxes in Korea. This one comes with the signature Yeoltan Bulgogi pork, as well as kimchi, rice, garlic, and vegetables. Priced from THB 299.

About Chef Baek Jong-won and Culinary Class Wars

Baek Jong-won or Paik Jong-won is a South Korean chef, restauranteur, and entrepreneur. He is best known in Korean for the cooking show Baek Jong-won’s Top 3 Chef King, Baek Jong-won’s Food Truck, Baek Jong-won’s Alley Restaurant, and more recently, Culinary Class Wars.

Baek Jong-won is the CEO of Theborn Korea Inc, and owns 26 restaurant franchises, including Saemaeul Sikdang, Baek’s Coffee, and Baek’s Bibim. He has also published several cooking and restaurant management books, and has been listed as a ‘Korea Power Celebrity 40’ by Forbes between 2016-2021.

Chef Baek Jong-won’s Saemaeul restaurant has several branches across Bangkok: CentralWorld, Mega Bangna, Central Ladprao, Central Eastville, Central Pinklao, Central Rama 9, The Circle Ratchapruek, Central Rama 2, Central Westville, Central Westgate, Central Nakhon Pathom, and Chan Chang Watthana. The restaurant is currently rated 4.5/5 on Google reviews.

Culinary Class Wars is available to stream on Netflix, and is rated 8.6/10 on IMDb. 

This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Bangkok