Netflix Culinary Class Wars Chef: Dinner at Yeouido’s “Yojeong”!
If you work an office job, how often do you go out for team dinners? I’m super curious about how corporate team dinner culture differs in other countries!
Korean team dinner culture (Hoesik) has been changing a lot over the years, but it’s still a really important way for colleagues to bond, laugh, and connect outside of work stress.
Last night, my team and I headed over to Yojeong (요정) in Yeouido. It’s a Korean dining course restaurant run by Jo Seo-hyoung, also known as “Sales Genius Jo Seo-hyoung,” who recently appeared on Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars!
We had such an amazing, delicious time together, and I couldn’t wait to jump on here and share every single detail with you!
A Quick Story Behind the Name “Yojeong”
Before we talk about the food, I have to explain the restaurant’s name, Yojeong (요정), because it has a history in Korea!
Back in the day—from the 1920s through the 1970s—a Yojeong was a super high-end, private Korean restaurant where politicians, CEOs, and big cultural figures held important meetings over elaborate multi-course meals.
Think of it as the ultimate luxury dining spot of old Korea. They served top-tier traditional dishes made with seasonal ingredients and offered a private, quiet space to talk business and socialize. But as time went on and modern bars and restaurants took over, these traditional places almost completely disappeared.
So why did Chef Jo Seo-hyoung choose this name for her new spot in Yeouido?
Bringing Back Luxury Korean Dining: She wanted to revive that old-school vibe—taking classic Korean recipes and seasonal flavors and serving them in a fun, modern course-menu format.
The Perfect Spot for Yeouido: Yeouido is the corporate hub of Seoul, packed with office workers. She built a place where colleagues and friends could gather, relax, and share great conversations over food, just like people did in the original Yojeong era.
A Fun Play on Words! In Korean, Yojeong also translates to “fairy”! Since her fans often call her the “Korean Food Fairy,” the name turned out to be a super cute match for her cooking personality.
🍶 Seasonal Bites & Drink Pairings: More Than Just a Dinner!
The main reason I was so dying to try this place was Chef Jo’s style: serving fresh, seasonal ingredients in rich, generous Korean portions!
Since this spot takes inspiration from old-school ‘Yojeong’ culture, it feels way more like a high-end Korean pub than a standard dinner spot.
Because of that, everyone is required to order at least one alcoholic drink per person. But honestly? Once you taste how rich and flavorful the food is, drink pairings will naturally be the first thing on your mind anyway!
Now, let’s dive into the course and enjoy the feast! The meal kicked off with a lineup of traditional Korean side dishes (banchan) served as our appetizers.
They served a variety of seasoned wild greens (namul) alongside stir-fried baby beltfish (pulchi)—a tiny, crispy relative of anchovies!
It felt like eating a refined Korean-style salad!
The day before our reservation, I got a super cool text from the restaurant: “Fresh stalked sea squirts (Mideodeok) just came in! If you’d like them raw as sashimi tomorrow, let us know!”
I love how they offer special off-menu dishes whenever top-tier seasonal ingredients arrive. Naturally, we ordered a small plate right away!
If you know Korean food, Mideodeok is usually that tiny, bumpy sea creature dropped into hot stews (jjigae). It has a thick, plump skin, and when you bite into it cooked, scalding hot soup pops into your mouth and burns your tongue! 😅
Since they’re small and don’t have much meat, I was dying to see how they’d serve them raw as sashimi. When I took a bite, it exploded with a rich ocean flavor—it tasted so similar to a mini version of sea pineapple (Meongge), a popular Korean seafood delicacy famous for its vibrant orange color and refreshing, bittersweet ocean taste!
Just when we thought we were full from all the fresh seafood, out came a hot plate of marinated short ribs (Galbi) so meat lovers wouldn’t feel left out! The marinade was delicate and light, enhancing the natural flavor of the meat rather than overpowering it. It was tender, juicy, and absolute perfection!
Royal Court Style: Tangpyeongchae in a Giant Brass Bowl!
Next came a dish served in an eye-catching, traditional Korean brass bowl (not-gureut)—Tangpyeongchae!
What is Tangpyeongchae? Tangpyeongchae is a historic Korean royal court dish made with delicate mung bean jelly (nokdu-mook), thinly sliced beef, and colorful vegetables tossed in a light soy-sesame dressing. Originally created during the Joseon Dynasty to symbolize harmony and balance, it is celebrated for its smooth texture and elegant, savory taste.
The portion size served in this giant brass bowl was absolutely massive! Of course, it wasn’t just for our table alone—it was crafted to cover all the guests dining in the restaurant that evening!
Even though Tangpyeongchae isn’t usually considered a heavy main course, it requires meticulous prep work with so many colorful ingredients to chop and season. That’s why Koreans usually enjoy it on holidays or special celebrations. Being served such a thoughtful dish made us all feel like truly honored guests!
Great ingredients paired with brand-new cooking ideas always make a meal unforgettable! Next up was a dish that completely blew us away: crispy fried abalone paired with wild greens, served alongside a bright, tangy yuzu dipping sauce.
Even though I visit so many different restaurants, nothing gets me more excited than tasting a flavor combination I’ve never experienced before!
Naturally, as we chatted and enjoyed every bite, our bottle of Japanese sake emptied in no time. Pairing amazing food with great drinks and even better company is truly what a great evening is all about!
The next dish came out with a huge BOOM!—a bright red plate of Spicy Seasoned Raw Crab (Yangnyeom-gejang)!
As I mentioned in one of my recent posts, raw marinated crab—both soy-sauce (Ganjang-gejang) and spicy sauce (Yangnyeom-gejang)—has become insanely popular among international travelers lately!
[Recent Post] Best Korean Raw Crab (Ganjang Gejang) in Seoul: From Seongsu-dong to Top Spots
Especially for visitors from other Asian countries, familiar soy and chili flavors make it super easy to fall in love with raw crab
Right as the spicy seasoned crab landed on our table, out came the final course meal: steamed white rice and warm soybean paste soup (Doenjang-guk)!
In Korea, raw crab is famous for being the ultimate “Rice Thief” (Bap-doduk)—because the second you take a bite, your rice bowl disappears before you even realize it! 🍚
Finishing the course with rice and warm soup felt so natural and satisfying. For Koreans, this classic combination is deeply comforting and something you can eat over and over without ever getting tired of it. It brought our entire feast to such a cozy, perfect close!
Just as we were wrapping up our main course and waiting for dessert, the real fun actually began!
Sitting right at the bar counter means you get to chat and interact with the chefs throughout your meal.
When the chefs saw how much my team was genuinely enjoying the food and pairing it with premium drinks, they started pulling out different bottles of rare Korean traditional liquors (jeontong-ju) to show us! They introduced each bottle one by one, explaining its history, ingredients, and flavor profile before pouring us a taste. As we tasted each drink alongside their recommendations, we ended up trying 7 different traditional liquors in total! 🍶✨
🍸 The Perfect Ending & Helpful Tips for Visiting Yojeong!
Located right in the heart of Yeouido’s financial district, Yojeong is fantastic for business dinners—but it’s also in a prime spot for travelers staying in Seoul!
It’s super close to top 5-star hotels like Conrad Seoul and Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, as well as the famous The Hyundai Seoul shopping mall. Adding dinner at Yojeong right after a fun afternoon of shopping makes for a smooth, perfect travel itinerary!
If you’re a fan of Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars (Season 1) or simply want to experience a modern take on Korean fine dining paired with rich traditional drinks, Yojeong is a wonderful choice.
📌 Booking Tips You Should Know Before Going:
Book in Advance: Walk-ins are almost impossible because seats fill up fast! Make sure to reserve your table through the CatchTable app beforehand.
Deposit Fee: You will be charged a deposit when booking via the app, but don’t worry—it gets refunded immediately once you check in at the restaurant!
Cancellation Policy: If your travel schedule is flexible or prone to last-minute changes, hold off on booking too early. Canceling well ahead gets you a full refund, but canceling right before your slot means forfeiting part of your deposit fee!
We had such an unforgettable night enjoying seasonal food, discovering new drinks, and hanging out with the chefs. I hope this guide helps you plan a great evening in Yeouido! See you all in the next food adventure!
If you loved our experience at Yojeong and want to explore even more delicious food spots or local hidden gems around the Yeouido financial district, check out the recommended posts below!
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