Filipino fans of the hit show ‘Culinary Class Wars’ can now indulge in the Yakitori King’s coveted chicken skewers right in Makati.
Mouthwatering, fun, and satisfying. Culinary Class Wars oozes with unique and exciting flavors that leave fans wanting more. Now, its Filipino viewers can expect to taste the same savory blend in the finale of Your Local’s “Mat Nam” pop-up, featuring renowned Korean chef Byung Mook Kim.
Known as the “Yakitori King,” chef Kim’s greatest claim to fame is his grilled chicken skewers that blend Japanese yakitori with Korean culinary heritage. His bold, localized take on the traditional Japanese dish earned his restaurant, Yakitori Mook in Seoul, a Michelin Bib Gourmand award for three years in a row from 2021 to 2023.
From being a “black spoon” chef in Culinary Class Wars, the self-made restaurateur is now the fourth and final chef to showcase his culinary expertise at Mat Nam, a three-part collaboration series with chef Patrick Go at the Balmori Suites’ Chef’s Table in Rockwell, Makati.
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Kim’s “episode” at the pop-up runs until June 1 and features four must-try dishes. Of which, two are his signature offerings from Korea, while the other half is Manila-exclusive. The POST was able to indulge in all of them with much gusto during the episode’s launch last May 17.
For starters, we went straight to the main highlight of the menu: the yakitori skewers. It’s a straightforward dish—grilled chicken skewers with scallions—that proves less is definitely more. It is lightly salted, with each bite tasting just as Kim described it, “juicy inside, crispy on the outside, with a subtle smoky flavor.”
The chef achieves this by using only traditional Korean chicken, which is “actually bigger and more expensive,” he told The POST in Korean. “It’s also very hard to cook because it’s delicate,” he added.
The skewers are served with a bed of squid ink sea salt that also makes them an umami hit. Not only does it elevate the flavor of the dish, but it also adds visual appeal. According to Kim, the dark-colored rock salt symbolizes the charcoal used for cooking yakitori.
Next up in the menu is the Potato Cheese Kimchi Pancake, which is a crowd favorite during the event. Chef Kim put a modern twist on the traditional Korean dish by using “thinly shredded potatoes” and stuffing it with spicy kimchi and melted cheese.
The result is a fluffy, golden pancake with crispy edges and a rich filling that makes every mouthful truly satisfying. To make each bite even more flavorful, dip it into the homeblend soy sauce that comes with the pancake.
Kim said this traditional dish is usually served during “good days” in Korea. Expect yours to turn into one with the chef’s unique take on the Korean pancake.
Besides the yakitori skewers, another signature dish of chef Kim that he’s serving at the pop-up is the Namban-zuke. The dish, inspired by a Southern Japanese recipe, features chicken fillet balls drenched in a sweet-sour vinaigrette and topped with fresh onions and crunchy vegetables.
It’s a seemingly toned-down version of the Chinese sweet and sour dish, but equally palatable, with the chicken fillet balls remaining crispy although soaked in sauce. It’s also light on the palate, so eating a bowlful wouldn’t cause any guilt.
Rounding out chef Kim’s Manila-exclusive menu is the dish called Dwaeji Galbi Jjim. This classic Korean comfort food comprises pork ribs braised in spicy, sweet, and savory sauce and, for Kim’s version, served with crunchy okra, potatoes, carrots, and steamed rice.
It’s a staple in royal occasions and, for his “Mat Nam” episode, Kim served it with fall-of-the-bone ribs cooked with a balanced sweet and savory taste.
Ready to dig in? Check out chef Kim’s specialties in Your Local’s “Mat Nam” pop-up at Balmori Suites in Rockwell, Makati, until June 1. His “episode” follows that of fellow Culinary Class Wars chefs Young Sook Lee and Jihyung Choi last April 6 to 23, as well as Kisu Bang from April 26 to May 14. For reservations, contact 0945 427 0054.
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