Choi Kang-rok, the final winner of Netflix’s hit cooking survival show Culinary Class Wars Season 2 (Heukbaek Chef 2), has revealed a surprisingly humble dream for his future: opening a small noodle shop and growing old at his own pace.
On January 16, Choi met with reporters at a café in Jongno, Seoul, where he shared his thoughts following his victory.
“If I have the freedom later in life, I’d like to run a noodle shop while growing old,” he said.
“When I think about food I can cook even when I’m old, noodles naturally come to mind.
But I think it has to be a place where I can close anytime if my body isn’t feeling well.”
From Season 1 Elimination to Season 2 Champion
Choi Kang-rok’s journey was anything but easy. After being eliminated in Season 1, he returned in Season 2 as a surprise contestant known as a ‘Hidden Black Spoon’, carrying immense pressure.
“I was worried I might get eliminated too early,” he admitted.
“But in the end, things worked out well, and I’m really grateful.”
Final Round Theme: “Cooking for Myself”
The final challenge of Culinary Class Wars 2 was titled “A Dish for Myself.”
Finalist Lee Ha-seong presented sundae gukbap, a dish filled with memories of his father.
Choi, meanwhile, chose a sesame tofu soup, a dish that requires constant stirring to transform liquid into a delicate solid.
The dish symbolized a personal promise.
“It represents my determination not to become lazy,” Choi explained.
“As I get older, I’ve noticed myself avoiding dishes that require more effort.
This was my way of checking myself — to prove that I can still do it.”
Despite being known for his strength in braised dishes, Choi deliberately avoided his comfort zone for the final.
No Restaurant Plans — For Now
While restaurants run by Culinary Class Wars 2 chefs are seeing reservation waitlists stretch for months, Choi Kang-rok currently does not operate a restaurant.
He made it clear that he has no plans to open one in the near future, choosing instead to reflect, rest, and think carefully about his next steps.
Rather than chasing expansion or fame, Choi’s story resonates as one of self-discipline, sustainability, and quiet confidence — values that ultimately led him to victory.
KOREA FBI Editor’s Comment
In a genre built on pressure and competition, Choi Kang-rok’s win felt refreshingly human. His dream of a small noodle shop isn’t about success — it’s about endurance. In the end, Culinary Class Wars 2 crowned not just the best chef, but one who truly understands why he cooks.
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