Manila’s dining scene is about to ignite with Mat Nam (Korean for,“Where the Flavor Meets”), a high-stakes chef collaboration at The Balmori Suites starting April 6, 2025. For eight weeks, four standout Korean chefs from Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars—Young Sook Lee, Jihyung Choi, Kisu Bang, and Byung Mook Kim—will take over The Balmori Suites Chef’s Table, delivering a rotating showcase of their signature dishes. It’s a culinary event that feels less like a pop-up and more like a blockbuster sequel, dreamed up by Tasteless Food Group founder Charles Paw and executed with gusto by Your Local’s Executive Chef Patrick Go. 

Three of the chefs participating Mat Nam: Patrick Go of Your Local, and Culinary Class Wars chefs Young Sook Lee and Jihyung Choi | Photos: Tasteless Food Group

“This is a truly exciting moment for us,” says Chef Patrick Go. “I’ve always admired the chefs from Culinary Class Wars—each of them brings a unique approach to Korean and Japanese cuisine. We’re eager to see how their dishes will resonate with the Filipino palate and, hopefully, spark a long-term collaboration with them.” 

The idea took root when Paw, a self-confessed fan of the show, linked Your Local with his Korean partners to explore a pop-up. “Since I’m a fan of the show as well, it was a no-brainer to bring these talented chefs in for a series of exclusive dining experiences,” Chef Patrick adds.

Running through June 1, Mat Nam will feature each chef’s four signature dishes for a two-week “episode,” with the chefs themselves dropping by for two days per stint. Alongside their offerings, Your Local unveils its Balmori 3.0 menu—an exclusive slate of new dishes debuting at the pop up. “As seen on Culinary Class Wars, each of these chefs has a distinct signature style,” Chef Patrick explains. “Expect bold, authentic Korean and Japanese flavors, blended seamlessly with our signature Your Local Balmori menu.”

This high-stakes chef collab features four Korean chefs from Netflix's Culinary Class Wars | Photos: Tasteless Food Group

The chefs

From April 6 to 23, Young Sook Lee and Jihyung Choi kick things off. Young Sook, owner of Nakyung and winner of Korean Food Battle Season 2, is a White Spoon chef whose traditional Korean cuisine channels generations of heritage. Jihyung, the mind behind Michelin-recognized Leebukbang, offers the world’s first North Korean course menu, bridging culinary divides as a fellow White Spoon contestant. Their dishes promise a one-two punch of roots and revelation.

Next, from April 26 to May 14, Kisu Bang steps in. The first Korean head chef to earn a Michelin star, he runs Gitdeun and made waves as a White Spoon on the show. His Korean BBQ is a masterclass in precision and bold tradition. Then, from May 17 to June 1, Byung Mook Kim, the “Yakitori King,” closes the run. A Black Spoon chef and owner of Michelin-rated Yakitori Mook, he fuses Japanese yakitori with Korean street flair, turning chicken into something transcendent.

Photo: Tasteless Food Group

Balmori 3.0: Your Local’s Asian edge

This isn’t Your Local’s first rodeo at The Balmori Suites Chef’s Table—Mat Nam marks the third chapter of a series that’s redefined modern Asian cuisine in Manila. “Everyone knows we love infusing Asian flavors into our dishes,” says Chef Patrick. “On our third Balmori run, expect Your Local to have a lot of familiar Asian flavors with subtle Filipino and Korean ingredients, while still adding our own fun little twists.” 

The Balmori 3.0 menu, exclusive to the pop-up, is a tightrope walk of innovation and comfort, designed to spar with the guest chefs’ heavy hitters.

Mat Nam is more than a meal—it’s a cultural collision, Seoul’s culinary elite meeting Manila’s voracious food scene head-on. For Chef Patrick, it’s a chance to test boundaries and build bridges. 

Mat Nam at The Balmori Suites Chef’s Table runs from April 6 to June 1, 2025. For reservations, call 0945 427 0054.