The second season of Netflix’s hit Korean cooking competition has reached its fiery conclusion. In a finale that streamed globally on January 13, 2026, the final two chefs faced off for the massive 300 million won grand prize, roughly equivalent to $203,000. After a season full of intense challenges and surprising twists, veteran chef Choi Kang-rok was crowned the champion, defeating his rival, the Black Spoon chef known as โCulinary Monster.โ The final showdown required the chefs to cook a deeply personal dish, marking a powerful end to the popular series’ latest chapter.
The Final Showdown and Winning Dish
The ultimate test for the finalists was a theme called โJust One Dish For Myself.โ For professional chefs who spend their careers cooking for others, this introspective challenge was uniquely difficult. Lee Ha-sung, competing under the alias โCulinary Monster,โ created a traditional sundaeguk, a blood sausage soup. He explained the dish was inspired by childhood memories of going to the bathhouse with his father.
In response, Choi Kang-rok presented a soulful broth featuring handmade sesame tofu, known as kkae-dubu. Accompanied by a small bottle of soju, his dish aimed to represent comfort and honesty. In a moment of personal reflection, Choi shared that he had built a reputation as the โBraise Kingโ but intentionally avoided a braised dish for this final round. He stated, โIโm hard on myself every day. Iโve never spent even 90 seconds making something just for me. In this little alternate world, I wanted to try that.โ.
The judges, famed restaurateur Paik Jong-won and three-Michelin-star chef Ahn Sung-jae, unanimously chose Choiโs creation as the winner. Judge Ahn Sung-jae called it โa really honest dish,โ connecting with Choi’s humble presentation.
Winner’s Reaction and Humble Victory Speech
Following his win, Choi Kang-rok gave a remarkably humble speech that shifted focus away from himself and toward the broader community of chefs. He immediately praised his opponent, saying, โIf the theme hadnโt been โa dish for myself,โ Culinary Monsterโs food would have been a much more impressive dish.โ.
He then dedicated his victory to working chefs everywhere, stating, โIโm not someone who makes food thatโs exceptional. Iโm just like all the unseen chefs across the country who quietly and diligently work in their kitchens, and like all the people who simply cook for a living. Iโm just one of them.โ He promised to cherish the relationships formed on the show and continue thinking deeply about food. He also vowed, โI wonโt become conceited,โ a pledge that resonated deeply with viewers.
Runner-up Lee Ha-sung, the โCulinary Monster,โ was gracious in defeat. He expressed his happiness at reaching the final and his continued aspiration to become a chef known for making people happy through his cooking.
Choi Kang-rok’s Journey to Redemption
Choi Kang-rok’s victory is a classic story of second-chance redemption. He was not a new face in the Culinary Class Wars kitchen. He previously competed in Season 1 as a White Spoon chef but was eliminated in the third-round team challenge.
For Season 2, the show introduced a new twist: two โHidden White Spoonโ spots. These were reserved for losing chefs from the first season who wanted another shot. Choi, alongside fellow Season 1 alum Kim Do-yun, fought for one of these spots in a special opening challenge. Choi earned his place back into the competition with a dish of braised eel and vegetables. His return was driven by a simple philosophy: โThey say if you do nothing, nothing will happen. And it did seem like nothing would happen, so I decided to come back.โ.
His path to the finale was dominant. He performed so strongly in the later challenges that he advanced directly to the final match, skipping the semi-final round entirely.
Behind the Scenes of a Global Hit
Culinary Class Wars has solidified its place as a global streaming phenomenon. The show’s format pits 20 elite โWhite Spoonโ chefsโoften Michelin-starred veterans and celebritiesโagainst 80 ambitious โBlack Spoonโ chefs, who are talented newcomers competing under creative aliases.
Season 2 built on the massive success of the first season, which was the first Korean unscripted show to top Netflixโs global non-English TV chart for three consecutive weeks. The new season premiered on December 16, 2025, with episodes releasing weekly. It quickly reached No. 3 globally in Netflix’s non-English TV rankings and held the No. 1 spot in Korea for three weeks in a row.
Critics noted that Season 2 felt even more immersive, thanks to a higher overall skill level from the Black Spoon contestants and a focus on the chefs’ personal stories and mutual respect. The season featured legendary figures like Chinese cuisine master Hu Deok-juk, with 57 years of experience, and Venerable Sunjae, the first recognized master of Korean temple cuisine. Their humility and focus on the craft over competition won the hearts of viewers.
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What’s Next for the Winner?
With 300 million won in prize money, fans are curious about Choi Kang-rokโs next move. He does not currently operate a restaurant, having closed his Japanese restaurant Neo in Seoul in early 2025. However, he remains highly active in the culinary media world.
He recently hosted the Netflix show The Blank Menu For You and made a cameo in the popular K-drama Bon Appรฉtit, Your Majesty. Immediately following his Culinary Class Wars win, he launched a new YouTube travel series called โFood Otakuโ (also referred to as Food deokhu). The series, which premiered on January 12, 2026, follows him across Japan exploring the nation’s best ingredients.
Looking further ahead, Choi has spoken about a dream to open a combined library and kitchen space to house his vast cookbook collection and allow for cooking workshops, signaling a thoughtful next chapter as he approaches his 50s. All 13 episodes of Culinary Class Wars Season 2 are now available for streaming worldwide on Netflix.
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