Hooked on Netflix’s “Culinary Class Wars 2”: 8 things to know about chef Son Jong-won, from science prodigy roots to fitness junkie life (plus all his favorite food spots)

Have you started watching Netflix’s cooking competition series *Culinary Class Wars 2*? This season’s lineup is packed with acclaimed chefs and nationally recognized masters. If you’ve been following the cooking show *Please Take Care of My Refrigerator*, you’ll recognize plenty of familiar faces among the regular cast, including Chef Son Jong-won, one of the “White Spoons.”

• Related reading: Netflix’s *Culinary Class Wars 2* has an all-star White Spoon lineup: Meet all 20 chefs, their restaurants, and Instagram accounts

At the start of the chef battle in episode three, Son Jong-won won over countless viewers with one commanding line: “Working at three-Michelin-star restaurants didn’t make me a three-star chef. You have to create your own stars.” His handsome looks and distinctive presence only sent his popularity soaring again. If you don’t know him yet, now is the time to get acquainted with this charismatic chef.

Netflix

A shy chef with a gentle, boyish charm

Born in Seoul on March 19, 1984, Son Jong-won’s MBTI type is INFP: gentle, introverted, and sensitive. Now 41, he still has a shy smile and a youthful air. With his long legs and fit physique, he’s often said to resemble Yoon Jong-hoon of *The Penthouse*. Even more swoon-worthy: he’s currently an eligible bachelor.

Instagram @jw.sson

Korea’s only chef with two Michelin-starred restaurants

Son Jong-won is the only chef in Korea to run two Michelin one-star restaurants at the same time. His creative French restaurant, *L’Amant Secret*, has retained its Michelin star for 5 consecutive years, while his Korean restaurant, *Eatanic Garden, Josun Palace*, has held one for 3 years running. In 2025, he also ranked No. 25 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list, bringing Korean flavors to an international audience through his cooking.

Instagram @jw.sson

Instagram @jw.sson

A top science student who chose to pursue his dream of becoming a chef

Chef Son Jong-won did not come from a culinary background. He was a high-achieving science student from an early age. In high school, he graduated first in his class from a prestigious private school in the United States, then received a scholarship to study civil engineering at Indiana’s Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. During his fourth year, he happened to visit the Culinary Institute of America in New York. The sight of students cooking in white toques immediately captured his heart, and he made the decision to leave school, change careers, and train at Michelin-starred San Francisco restaurants including Quince and Benu.

He did not formally enter a professional kitchen until his 20s, and knew he was starting later than others. That left no room for complacency: he worked relentlessly and practiced every day to build his skills. Son Jong-won has also shared that many people saw giving up engineering, a career considered stable, as an impulsive choice. Still, if he had the chance to start over, he says he would pursue his dream again without hesitation.

Naver / Instagram @jw.sson

Netflix

He approaches cooking with a scientist’s mindset

In his approach to developing dishes, Son Jong-won is entirely a “science-minded” chef. To him, cooking is a science, and testing recipes is like conducting experiments. He enjoys analyzing the scientific principles behind cooking, identifying problems, and refining details until the result is perfect. He also believes emotion matters, adding with a sense of humor, “Actually, science supports that argument, too.” This balance of logic and feeling may be what makes his food so compelling.

Instagram @jw.sson

He won countless fans on *Please Take Care of My Refrigerator* and was dubbed “Mr. Likable”

Many viewers likely first got to know Chef Son Jong-won through season two of *Please Take Care of My Refrigerator*. Dubbed the show’s “Mr. Likable,” he maintains graceful, crisp, fluid movements even during high-pressure timed challenges. He chops as though he’s dancing with a knife, naturally drawing the camera’s attention and making him impossible to look away from. The amusing part is the contrast between his unflappable expression and the nervous tremble in his hands caught on camera.

Instagram @jw.sson

Behind his gentle appearance is a serious fitness enthusiast

Don’t let his gentle appearance fool you: Son Jong-won is a devoted fitness enthusiast. He goes to the gym 5 times a week, and CrossFit is his favorite workout. Staying in peak physical condition isn’t simply about looking good for him; it also helps him lift heavy objects and exert force quickly in the kitchen. He has said he likes to work out every morning before heading to work, and finds this orderly, disciplined routine deeply satisfying.

Instagram @jw.sson

What is this chef’s soul food?

Son Jong-won’s soul food is actually quite simple: his mother’s home cooking. For him, opening the refrigerator and eating the seasoned vegetables and fried anchovies from its little banchan containers brings instant warmth and comfort. Even when he’s enjoying a set meal at a fine-dining restaurant, the first thing he reaches for is always the simplest banchan. Those uncomplicated flavors are what truly bring him happiness.

 

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Son Jong-won’s favorite restaurants

Curious about the restaurants a chef keeps on his own favorites list? Son Jong-won has a long list of beloved spots across Seoul that are well worth noting. Whenever he’s craving Pyongyang naengmyeon, he heads straight to Woo Lae Oak, pairing it with the restaurant’s signature grilled beef. For creative cuisine, Zero Complex’s minimalist yet carefully layered dishes never fail to surprise him.

For discerning food lovers, Gamekol Son Wangmandu near Namdaemun Market is a true hidden gem, with a comfortable second-floor space for enjoying freshly steamed dumplings. For family gatherings, he chooses the perfectly grilled pork at Geum Pig Sikdang. Looking for a low-key yet polished spot for a date or get-together with friends? Jaha Son Mandu in Buam-dong is a quiet, refined choice. And for drinks, Bar Soko’s classic cocktails and elegant atmosphere won’t disappoint.

Instagram @jw.sson

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